http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/236288/1/.html
Check out the above link before continue.
My deepest condolence to his family.
(The story below is fictional)
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Time: 10:00pm (One day after the incident)
Date: 20/10/06
Location: Chinese garden MRT
Crowd: Almost deserted
I was standing on the MRT platform, leaning on a ceramic tiled pillar, soft breeze in his face. For the umpteenth time my hands cross tightly against my chest cursing silently about the train arrival.
I felt a cold breeze, it was usually was cold tonight. The whole station was almost empty , how weird I thought to myself.
Out of nowhere there was this man stood besides me. He was pale, in fact almost white looking. He's wearing a light-coloured top and dark-coloured shorts. His body like a shadow somehow unproportional, it's like as if it was broke into 3 parts.
I was greatly startled but almost instantly it disappeared and believing that my senses had deceived me.
I said to the man, “Hi....it cold ya”
Man replied, “Yup,.....from the place I come from it is much colder”
I said, “Really? Hope that the train will come soon”
Man replied, “ Hope? Did I hear hope? I used to have hope. I was retrenched 4 months ago, my place was taken up by FT. I was long-term unemployed and was in debt. I thought I could land myself back a job soon.....but...”
I saw his both hands, five fingers clutched tightly and I told him to relax.
He shot back at me saying, “Relax? How can I relax when I got 2 children to feed and my wife only earned $500 a month? Eating bread and instant noodle consider a luxury, we don't even have money to take public transport. I'm only have $16 with me right now!”
He hesitated for a while and goes on, “ Now I'm debt ridden, life in Singapore is getting tougher and tougher, stressful and pressurized....day in and day out. The stress of family life, the stress of medical fees, the stress of illnesses ,the stress of retrenchment, the stress of inability to cope with mortgage loans etc etc etc..”
“I cannot sweep all the problems under the carpet...the only way, the shortest and the fastest way is to jump rail”
By now, my hand descended to nudge my spectacles up the ridge of my nose, already slippery with sweat.. I dare not asked any more question. I saw him pacing up and down, studying the railway track however I hear no footstep.
Damn, what took the train so long, I murmured while looking at my watch, suddenly when I looked up again, the man was in front of me.
He sensed I'm frighten by now.
He said, “ Now I find no meaning in life. Do I have a choice? My world is gone. No hope. No help. No support from nobody. In Singapore, you die, no one cares.”
A mechanical swoosh, and cold air rushed out to embrace me As my fear grew stronger, my heartbeat faster, only one thought flashed mindlessly in his head. Run.
The man put his hand on my shoulder, his red watery eyes filled tears and said, “ Did any government agency have assist me? Anyone cares?"
A flicker of movement caught his weary eye, the train is pulling into the station.
“Pal, you know something? Earlier in the evening, I given my son $10 to buy 3 packets of chicken rice and tell his mother this will be one of the best meal you all will ever had since months ago. I told my son to take care of his mom”
“Sorry to take up your time to hear my story, I must be going...the train is coming”....I could hear him mutter.
With that, he disappeared as quickly as he came...
By now, my clothes almost covered with my sweat and I quickly hopped into the train, feeling relieved.
.
