Dove Hui

“New Year's Eve Caffeine” by Dove Hui

[31 December 2021 11:59:59] “Cara, will you date me?” Asher asked, begging with his eyes, as the new year count down ticked to 12 hours. Imploring her, he stared deep into her hazelnut irises. At the foyer, the crowd cheered vigorously as they stood at the entrance of the toilet. After all, it was a quiet spot: perfect contrast to the dramatic proposal he would be executing. Gazing back into his coal-black eyes, Cara knew the answer already; all there was to confirm was their mutual understanding. Leaning in, she expressed herself as she be...

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“Problems” by Dove Hui

Maybe we, are, playing hide and seek. You slam the door as you trudge into the living room, dumping your bags on the sofa, pushing the cushions into the air like they were on the opposite side of the seesaw of a sofa.  Your items put away, or maybe thrown irresponsibly away, you thump down onto the ground grabbing the glass of water lying on the table nearby. Raising it above your head, a single measly drop of water slides out and hits you, squarely, on the nose.  I pick up my laundry basket with a pa...

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“Fire and water, water and fire” by Dove Hui

The monsoons came early, the humidity climbing and rainfall increasing. While I huddled down in my home to hide from the torrential rain, you came alive, your eyes wide at the fat round droplets as large as your iris. Your peering out of the window, drenching yourself in the wetness of it all. You ditched your jacket, the one you wore year-long despite the tropical heat, for waterproof slippers. While goosebumps rose on my arms and I complained about the cold, you danced through the wind without an umbrella. Except, when you decided to flip ...

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“Revenge” by Dove Hui

CW: Violence, Death I place flowers in the holder next to her photo. One down, five to go, I think, grasping the rest of stalks in my other hand. I see five different species of flowers. Each of my dead family members' favourite, I remember distinctly. Closing my eyes, I mutter a few encouraging words at the photo with flowers now framing it, knowing that my words will never reach the one I am trying to speak to. The wall full of photos, but not a single flower in the holders except the one I had just placed some in. That's good, I remind ...

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“The grey wall ” by Dove Hui

They walk on opposite sides of the road, head bowed, eyes glued on their phones. There is nothing better to see anyway, down the alley they are in, but the dirty grey walls that flank the sides like broken soldiers back from a war.She believes that the wall next to her is ugly, a horrible shade of grey, a million cracks like spider webs criss-crossing each other. Spiders, as her nose twists upwards, are disgusting.She has never noticed his existence on the other side of the road, despite taking the same route since primary school. She can ne...

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“The start and end of a chapter” by Dove Hui

Submitted to Contest #102

Piang! Conk! You know someone is moving in just above you. Screech! You hear the typical sound of a large object, like a sofa, or perhaps a bed, being pulled along the floor.  As you peer out of your front door for the fifth time in a few hours, you realise you do not see anyone, but only hear them.  The sounds of furniture from above seem to have stopped, and straining your ears, you hear nothing from below. Strange, you think, there should be some sound from the movers and their vehicles. Checking the lifts, they are hanging ...

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“Revenge of the ducks” by Dove Hui

Submitted to Contest #100

I sit there, switching my attention between her plate of food and the rubber duck placed right next to my glass of water. My stomach lurches as she cuts the duck meat, spears it quickly with a fork, then lifts the piece beyond my view.  “Why aren't you eating?” She asks nonchalantly. I look up for a moment and she has just stuffed yet another piece of duck meat into her mouth, like we never watched the movie. My stomach lurches once again. I look down at my untouched plate of food, chicken.  Picking up the fork, I make a feeble...

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“Of fear, flashbacks and fire” by Dove Hui

Submitted to Contest #99

*** Agoraphobia: The fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or that help wouldn't be available if things go wrong. As I walk down the hallway towards my apartment, I can feel that my breathing and heart rate are slowing down. I know the psychiatrist tells me to challenge my fear, yet I cannot wait to get back to my apartment. Home sweet home, home safe home too, I think. And as I pass my next door neighbour’s apartment, I begin to smile. Home stretch, I think, once again. “How was your visit to the psy-chaiii-triis...

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“A journey to find home” by Dove Hui

Submitted to Contest #98

I stole towards the door, my backpack laden with food and water to survive me for 1 month. Opening the main outer door of the house where I lived, I peered up into the night sky. It was pitch black: there was not even a star that would give me a sign that what I was about to do was correct. I sighed, then I stepped towards the bridge that crossed the river.  It was a winding river that stretched far beyond our village’s view. On both ends it passed the horizons, winding its way into the dusty sunset or the early morning light. The ri...

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