Story Hong Kong Days: Chapter 5: Where's Chris: Part 2

[TheGreemSim]

CHAPTER 2: TANZANIAN TROUBLE: PART 2​

As I slowly walked down the stairs you couldn't tell if my face was wet because of the tears or wet because of the shower. Before I got the the bottom of the stairs I could here my mother yelling.
"THERE'S NO WAY I'D LET MY BOY GO TO SUCH A DANGEROUS COUNTRY WITH A BUNCH OF STRANGERS! She paused so I presumed she was on the telephone.
"I COULDN'T CARE LESS IF HIS COUNTRY NEEDS HIM, I SHALL NOT HAVE HIM RISKING HIS LIFE FOR A STUPID SPORT!" She hung up furiously. I gathered she was talking to somebody from the Hong Kong Cricket Association. I felt sorry for the poor person on the other line, their ears must be aching right now.

"Who was that mum?" I asked in a high pitched voice, my throat was soar and I was fighting back the tears.
"Needn't you worry, Drake. She was struggling to sound calm again after having such an angry conversation moments ago.
"Was it somebody from the cricket?"
"Yes, and how dare they have the nerve to try and send you to some dangerous country just for some silly sport!"
"Cricket's not silly, cricket's my dream!" By that point I couldn't hold them back any more, tears raced down from my eyes like rain in a thunderstorm. I stormed up stairs and slammed my door.

***​

It was 5:30 in the evening, the comforting warm sun was slowly setting and soon The city would only be lit by cars, streets lamps and offices. It was the eve of the day the squad was leaving to Tanzania, I was devastated that I wouldn't be joining them. Ever since the morning my parents said I couldn't go I'd spent every minute in my room with only boredom and my mind for company.

There was a knock on the door and mum entered without awaiting for my conformation that she was all right to come in.

"You okay, sweetie?" She asked soothingly
"Go away, mum" I replied, the annoyed tone wasn't what she was hoping for.
"Are you still mad?"
"Evidently"
"Well you can't stay mad forever, think of all the school you'd miss and how unsafe you'd feel"
"Just go away!"
"All right!" And she immediately dispatched.

I was even more annoyed now that she had reminded me. I turned the TV on to the news and it just so happened that they were interviewing my new acquaintance Jamie Atkinson.

​

INTERVIEWER: So Jamie, how does it feel to represent your country?
JA: I can honestly say that there is no feeling more fulfilling or satisfying.
INTERVIEWER: What are you looking forward to most in the competition?
JA: Just having fun with the boys really and playing some good cricket, I suppose.
INTERVIEWER: Well thank you for your time.
JA: Yes you too, bye.

I threw the remote at the screen, Why me? Why does this happen to me, all I wanted was to represent my country and when I'm given my chance, it's quickly taken away.

***​

It was 10:00 at night and I was sure my parents had gone to bed. I just couldn't take it any more, I was going to play for Hong Kong whether my parents agreed or not. I had a risky plan but if it worked I'd be playing for Hong Kong which is what mattered to me most. Thankfully I had some of my birthday money from last year saved up, this year I hadn't wasted them all on video games that I'd play for 3 days and then never touch again. 580 Hong Kong Dollars which was just under 50 pounds I reckoned.

Despite the bad reception on my cheap and tacky mobile I called a taxi to come pick me up and take me to the airport. I was told it would take 40 minutes which gave me time to write a letter, a letter explaining to mum and dad that I had left for Tanzania and would be back next month.

The next phase was the hardest, sneaking downstairs and outside without being heard. The stairs where loud and wooden so even tip-toing would make some noise. I contemplated jumping out the window but it wasn't worth going through all this just to injure myself. Gently I opened the door, it made a loud squeak but I hear no disturbance from my parents bedroom. Next I tiptoed quietly and slowed down by my parents room to hear if they were asleep, I could hear them both snoring but my heart was still thumping. As I crept past the floor made a loud creak and I thought I was done for but after waiting 2 minutes nothing happened so I silently walked down the stairs.

HONK!​

Crap! The taxi was hear early and was extremely loud. I decided to peg it down the stairs and out the door. The taxi kept tooting and I unintentionally slammed the front door shut which created a loud bang. I figured I was safe but as I approached the taxi I could see a light turned on in my parents bedroom window. If I got in the taxi quickly I'd be safe but before I could a horrible thought cropped in my head. I'd left my plane ticket in my room...

I do hope thins end up working out for Drake

TGS

 

[riz7khan12]

I'd left my plane ticket in my room...

:laugh:laugh man this story gets better and better every update.

 

[Chewie]

:laugh:laugh man this story gets better and better every update.

I agree

 

[just_cricket]

Great story so far mate- really nice, unique idea and tidy presentation.
Hmmm, I don't know how Drake is going to get around this one. The airline officials might have to look kindly upon him...

 

[Gaurav_7]

Aw, brilliant! Excellent writing and a twist in the tale. Poor Drake, after so much of effort he has left the ticket in his room. This certainly makes me interested more than ever.

 

[MaD]

Awesome work, loving the twists in the story, excellent writing, loving the read

 

[Highlander999]

For the record Tanzania isn't a dangerous country

Smooth leaving the plane ticket behind though. You should try and stow yourself away and enter as an illegal immigrant

 

[TheGreemSim]

For the record Tanzania isn't a dangerous country

Smooth leaving the plane ticket behind though. You should try and stow yourself away and enter as an illegal immigrant

Didn't do my research then...

 

[Aditya]

Had a look at the story right now and have to say quite enjoyed my read. You have some fairly good ideas,Keep it up mate. Will surely follow this.

 

[TheGreemSim]

"Dear Mum and Dad,

By the time you read this letter I would've gone. I have left for Tanzania to pursue my dream whether you like it or not. I understand you'll be worried about my safety but I assure you I will be fine. It was hard for me to make this decision but I do not wish to stand by and let my dream be taken away. I have taken $580 and will return in early May.

Best Wishes,

Drake"

CHAPTER 2: TANZANIAN TROUBLE: PART 3​

Moments like these really test the Human brain and mind. I was standing by a taxi that was tooting louder than a lion's growl with no plane ticket. I could go to the airport, wait until tomorrow morning for the team and hope luck would be on my side. Perhaps the airport staff would understand, or perhaps a ticket would be cheap enough for me to buy.

The lights where on inside the house and my parents had woken up. I could sneak back inside, tip-toe up to my room, retrieve the ticket and make a quick getaway downstairs before my parents catch me.

My brain was busy weighing up my options but my body had already made its decision, without my control I suddenly flopped into the taxi, banging my head on the roof.

"Where you go?" The driver asked in his best English.
"Airport" I said in a deep voice.

As the taxi slowly pulled away I saw a sight I would never forget for the rest of my life, my distraught mother was standing by the window waving at me with tears in her eyes.

The hour long taxi drive was very awkward indeed, I failed at all my attempts to make a conversation. The taxi driver was just interested in receiving his fare as opposed talking to a little white kid in a foreign language.

It was roughly midnight when I arrived at the airport and it was completely deserted. Barely any lights were on and I couldn't see any staff anywhere. It was the perfect setting for a Zombie horror film. I checked the departures board and there weren't any flights leaving until 05:30 am which was going to Christchurch in New Zealand. After that they happened at regular half hour intervals. From memory our flight to Tanzania was at 11:00. The board said at 11:00 there was a flight to Nairobi. I could've sworn that was in Kenya not Tanzania but I was quite tired so I figured my mind was playing tricks on me.

Slowly I walked over to a row of uncomfortable metal chairs. I lay down on them and tried to drift off to sleep but the seats were cold and without a blanket I knew it was going to be a long night.

"Drake, Drake" A voice was saying. "Drake, Drake" It continued. It didn't sound panicked or shocked more curious. I felt a pair of hands grasp my shoulders and I was forcefully shaken awake. I couldn't tell completely but as far as I was aware it was Steven Atkinson who was shaking me.
"Wha-how did I get here?" I asked, while rubbing my eyelids.
"Good question" Steven replied.

I gazed around and saw numerous people in suits walking past me quickly carrying briefcases. Voices were coming through over intercoms and lights where flashing everywhere.

"Where are we?" I asked?
"At the airport, my boy!" He replied.
"What time is it?"
"6: 30 in the morning"
"Okay, whatever." I lay back down and shut my eyes.
"Well what are you doing here, son?" He shook me awake again. I could feel him spitting on my face as he talked but I was too polite to say anything.
"Today's the day we leave isn't it?"
"Well yes but I thought you weren't able to come"
"Oh what, right, yeah, um, my parents changed their minds.
"Okay, well, terrific news m'boy. No how about we get some breaky in that cafe over there." He pointed at a shabby run down looking cafe and then walked away.

Mr. Atkinson tucked into a poorly cooked Bacon and breakfast, I on the other hand didn't have anything. I was tempted to have a sandwich but then I imagined how many disease carrying insects would be crawling around inside of them.

After a two hour wait most of the squad had arrived. I recognised all of the faces but I was shocked to see Courtney Kruger was hobbling in crutches.

Mr. Atkinson informed us that there weren't any flights going out to Tanzania so we were flying to Kenya and then taking a bus all the way to Tanzania. The team groaned but Mr. Atkinson relieved us by saying that he'd booked a challenging friendly match against Kenya. He also said that we weren't the only ones who weren't flying directly to Tanzania; The Italian team were flying to Kenya as well, they then had to drive to Uganda to play a friendly match before heading south to Tanzania. The other 3 teams had the luxury of flying first class to South Africa. Cayman Islands were going to play an Invitational Zimbabwe XI, Argentina where going to have an easier match against Botswana. And poor old Papa New Guinea had the misfortune of going all the way to Namibia from Cape Town and then after playing a strong Namibian side they had a 14 hour drive to Tanzania ahead of them. If anything we had it better off.

"11 O'clock flight to Nairobi on Kenyan Airlines is now boarding at gate 11." A calm female voice said over the intercom.
"We better get crackin' lads" Mr. Atkinson said cheerfully.

We departed for the gate in unison. I was at the near end of the queue, Mr. Atkinson was in front of me and Courtney Kruger was behind me. It was just me and Courtney left after 15 minutes in the queue. Mr. Atkinson was waiting to make sure everyone got through onto the plane safely. And then it hit me, my ticket, I hadn't brought my ticket.

"Yow, teecket pwease!" A grumpy elderly Asian woman said to me. I turned to Mr. Atkinson,
"I haven't got my ticket" I whispered.
"What do you mean you haven't got your ticket, lad!" He shouted.
"I guess, I guess I just left it at home," I was trying not to cry.
"Didn't you use your brain?" He paused waiting for me to answer but I didn't.
"Well you can't come now, you're just going to have go home!" He then turned to Courtney and said, "Courtney, c'mon show the woman your ticket, I'll be there in a minute." Courtney lifted himself up with his crutches but didn't walk forward to the woman he walked over to me.
"Heer, take thees" He handed me his ticket.
"Courtney, what are you doing?" Mr. Atkinson looked slightly annoyed.
"Well sir, I'm een these carutches, I'll only be able to pley een one or two metches, where es Darayke ees perfactly feet, he'll be more valueable to the team." He was now trying to force the ticket into my hand.
"Well it's very kind of you, are you sure?" Mr. Atkinson seemed very intrigued.
"Yees"
"Well Drake, show the woman your ticket."

Before I could hand the woman my ticket Courtney stopped me, he gently leaned in towards my ear and whispered,

"Good luck, mate."

TGS

 

[just_cricket]

Nice twist in the story there- writing is looking good. Hong Kong will have a tough assignment in the friendly against Kenya but I guess Drake will use at as a chance to make his name by getting some runs against quality opposition. It will be tough though, a school boy playing against fully grown men, some of whom made the 2003 World Cup semifinal!

 

[riz7khan12]

another great update, although i dont see why the parents wouldn't chase after their son, but hopefully travelling through africa in a bus isnt too dangerous, hoping to see hong kong win against kenya.

 

[pcfan123]

If he is a minor then technically the coach is kidnapping him, in the eyes of the law at least. :laugh

 

[riz7khan12]

^:laugh true, laws might be different in hong kong

 

[MaD]

Well how nice of Courtney, thank god things worked out for Drake