Commonwealth draft 2

Darkness enveloped the house. Only a chair , table and a bed decorated the lonesome room. Tom sat on the chair with his savings in hand, in the form of a rusted tin can.


"Son , if we add our savings together now , we should have enough."Tom's father said assuringly.


"But using the money like this will weaken our remaining capital!"Tom screeched.



"We have been saving up for this day we declared bankruptcy 3 years back for my gambling habits!' Tom's father replied with ever increasing volume.



At that moment , their eyes began to water as they stared at a photo of a beautiful woman in her twenties.The photo was framed lavishly as though it were a treasure of some sort.Tom's mother died while trying to defend the family from the loan sharks who arrived to collect the money that they never received.But ever since then , they worked hard to repay the debt and make ends meet.His father worked as a teacher, whereas Tom worked as a cashier at the nearby shopping mall.They wiped their tears away trying to remain "man".The money they have gathered after paying the loan sharks only amounted to a measly ten thousand.The house they lived in was a one room flat.



"If only she were still here. She would be so happy to see her son going to school again." Tom's father murmured.

"At any rate , you'll be starting school next year. It goes by the name of Thomson International." Tom's father said with a smile.

Time came and went like the wind. It was the first day of school.

As Tom walked to school , he mumbled to himself , " I'll become the best one day! Just you wait and see Dad."

Tom took extra care in keeping his belongings safe. Working them back would take too long and taking money out of the current savings would not be right.

Tom had always been studying , after he left school. Be it at the library or at his cousin's place.So he caught up with people of his age, thus allowing him to be equally placed with the other students.He obtained information on his class from the General Office and went on his way.

The first lesson was biology. He was determined to ace his studies. Copying page after page of notes and listening as attentively as his ears and mind allowed.

A week later.

"Surprise test!" Tom's teacher grinned.

" Oh my god , no way!" The class shouted in unison. Except Tom.

"I have a dream and this test is not going to tear it down." Tom mumbled to himself. He was determined and focused.Nothing was going to come in his way to fame and glory.

At the corner of the class , sat a typical "gangster". He was tall , unkempt, rude and his name was Timothy. He failed every examination and when asked about what he wanted to do in life and what he dreamed to be, he would answer , " I don't need to study hard. My dad's rich. I can live off his assets. I want a carefree life and i want to be rich."

Tom was the exact opposite of Timothy. Tom wants to study hard , become a doctor , get rich , and support his family. Timothy had no goal in life , Tom did.

So Tom and Timothy both had their different paths to take. They continued with their current "way of life"s.

A year later.

"Timothy! Anymore of this and you're going to be expelled!" Timothy's father yelled.

Timothy was defiant and could not care less.He pretended to listen.His father's words of advice flowed through him like water. His father saw through the act and was enraged to the maximum. His head was steaming with fury. This made Timothy comply to his father's biddings.

Timothy sure did improve after that. By a mere five marks. From twenty to twenty-five. Just as his father started to encourage and praise him. Timothy returned to his normal self and started failing all over again. Not that he ever passed.

" ... I would like to invite the principal on stage to present the Student of the Year Award. The winner this year is..." In the background , students were singing Tom's praises and sure enough.
" .... the one and only , Tom from Class 3F! Not only has he displayed tremendous effort in his academics, coming in first in level, and as the class monitor, he has also brought our "B" division soccer team to fame and glory.Coming in as Champions for the national championships! May we invite Tom on stage to receive the award!"

Tom walked up the stage. Humble and composed. The principal gave Tom a firm handshake and a smile that could brighten up anyone's day. "May we invite Tom to give a speech."

"Hi everyone , im Tom , as you all might know. Im real glad to have received this award. This is indeed the best day of my life. I would like to thank my dad for having his trust in me and putting in this school, I would like to thank my teachers as well for being encouraging and always motivating me when i was down. Lastly , this would not be possible without my classmates. They gave me friendship and also we worked together towards our goals. Also , this is my graduating year and i would like to say i enjoyed the stay here in Thomson's international." Tom concluded his speech and walked off the stage as composed as he could , concealing the happiness and excitement within. Wanting to unleash it at home.

Tom's dad was at the scene. He was proud of his son. He was smiling.

Tom had achieved countless awards. Timothy , on the verge of getting a free ticket out of Thomson's international.

Five years later.

Tom was in university, attaining results with flying colours , as usual. Timothy's whereabouts were unknown then, people said that he quit school.Tom had started a relationship with a beautiful and excelling girl in class. Gwen Goh. Things were going well for Tom. So far he had a girlfriend , grades , popularity and lastly a higher paying job. He was a part-time accountant now . Tom and his dad managed to shift to a 3 room flat.

3 years of dating had gone.

Tom was out with Gwen celebrating their shared first position in school. Both of them were 23 years old then.

"Gwen , will you marry me?" Tom on his knees , showing the "lovey- dovey" eyes.

"Yes , i will!I've been waiting for this moment for such a long time too! " Gwen replied in acceptance.

The wedding was held a month later.

They were real happy together. The newly wedded couple bought a five room flat. They decided to live with their parents.

Tom went to medical school , completed his studies in 2 years and became the man of his dreams. A doctor. He enjoyed the feeling of helping other less fortunate people. Like he was in the past. Gwen became a housewife but she played with the stocks, creating a form of income.

Tom's father on sight of seeing his Tom grow up to become the successful person he is now , made him feel all squishy inside. He held back his tears.

Soon enough , they had their first child, they named him Timmy. A variation of Tom. The couple lacked imagination.

Tom opened his very own clinic the very next month.

One day after work, ...

" Oh Tom! Timmy is hungry , could you please feed him his milk?" Gwen asked Tom.

"Sure honey! I'll be on it on the double." Tom replied.

Tom thought about his life so far. He realized he had all he ever dreamed of. A family , a job , a house, a loving wife and lastly a caring Dad.

" Breaking news! Dr.Tan, multi-millionaire, declares bankruptcy. His son Timothy had apparently spent a lot of money on pubs and buying things for granted. Reason of bankruptcy was not revealed. But people suspect Timothy to have gambled and lost all the money at one go." The news reporter reported with astonishment.

Tom was shocked. Was that the same Timothy from high school? Tom took a closer look. Sure enough , it turned out to be the same Timothy he went to school with in the past. It was hard to believe. The person who said " I'll live off my dad's assets " really lived off it. No , lived off all of it.

Timothy was reported to have switched from bungalow to a HDB flat. His family , now bankrupt , had to work all the way up again.

Tom was glad , he made the right choice. His dream , fulfilled. Timothy's smashed.