Unforgettable Moment by Adeeb Shukri

    The blankets of sparkling stars were shining in the endless dark sky as the apple of my heart, James and I with our sweet little Grace were sitting on the grass in our backyard. The breeze that night was amazingly calming. Out of the blue, I heard a smashing sound and a scream of a woman from Grace's room. It was more shocking to find out that both, my husband and my child disappeared. 

    After I was able to calm myself down, I hurriedly rushed to Grace's room just to discover pieces of broken mirrors were scattering everywhere and the lifeless bodies of my husband and Grace. James' neck was like being sliced by one of the mirror pieces. I was startled by the devastating scene and could not believe my eyes.

    Out of sudden, everything became blurry and I passed out. When I opened my eyes, I was on my bed. For just a moment, I thought everything was just a dream but then a child's scream caught me off guard. I opened the curtain and the bloody crescent moon was shining in the sky. I knew something was not right. I quickly went to Grace's room and she was in pain, grasping for air because an unknown entity was choking her,

    Without thinking twice, I grabbed the broom stick and tried to hit the entity but it was futile since he was too strong. Out of my consciousness, he lifted me in the air with his muscular hands and slammed me to the mirror. I groaned in pain. James! That moment, all the pain was gone and my heart was shattered into pieces when I discovered it was James.

    "I have put up with this child for so long but why can't you love me and only me in this world?" He looked sad for a moment then his face changed. He snickered just like every villain in the movies we have seen. 

    "You already knew my secret, now you must die!"

    He dashed towards me with a knife in his right hand. I could not think of anything except to save myself. I grabbed the mirror piece and sliced his throat before he could lay his hand on me. Trembling, I sat with blood all over me contemplating about what had just occurred. What happened to our beautiful, small family? I despised the fate more than anything else and I would never forget that moment until my last breath.

Speak Now by Adeeb Shukri

    That morning, I had never been so scared and sad at the same time in my life. "After those 9 years of ups and downs yet you leave me because of her?"

    It all started when the wedding invitation made it way to my letterbox. 'Wedding Reception of James and Sophia'. I could not help myself but feeling suspicious about how it was just last week we were counting stars but today he would be marrying the girl he barely knew.

    "This must be some sort of sorcery," my little fragile heart whispered.

    Nevertheless, I mustered up my courage so I went to the church even when my heart was falling apart. When I reached there, I saw his bride's family all dressed in pastel. Her face was somehow familiar but I could not seem to remember where I saw her. It was the time for the wedding to start so everyone began taking their seat. Both of them were standing side by side and I couldn't help to think about how he must be wishing it was me.

    After reading all the sacred words, it was the time for James to utter his vow. Out of the blue, he went silent and looked clueless. I heard the preacher instructing him, "Speak now or forever hold your peace."

    There was silence and without thinking twice I stood up, shakily. All eyes were on me and they gave me this horrifying look but I was only staring at him. Our eyes met and that was the moment he realised he made the wrong decision that could destroy his whole life.

    It was chaotic that time yet James ran towards me and grabbed my hands. "I'm sorry, Julie. I just have no idea what has consumed me but I have never wanted all of this!" 

    Without looking back, he pulled me and we ran out from the church. He explained that all this time he was unconscious and acting against his will. 

    Now that he mentioned, I suddenly remembered who the girl was. James' stalker back then, when we were in high school! It turned out that James had been possessed! That day, the wedding was cancelled and the guests had to go home. Even though the event was traumatising to both of us. it taught us to be stronger for each other. Now, we are enjoying our 70's life by the seaside reminiscing how funny and memorable our youth was.