The compo edited by Uncle Radz.
“With only two days left, we may fail this module if we don’t work harder,” exclaimed Tom.
Having had just started on our project, which was to create a physical model of a wheelchair, we needed to fully utilize our two remaining days. With the stress of half the module’s weightage hanging upon us, focus was key.
My group of three consisted of Candy, Tom and I. having delegated our duties according to our strengths, Candy and Tom were put to task with the drawing and designs. I was in charge of the physical model itself.
As fate would have it though, an abrupt phone call disrupted us whilst in the midst of discussion.
“Hello. Yes, I understand. Be there soon.” said Tom.
The shock on Tom’s face was painfully obvious and as a result the whole room had gone so quiet you can hear a pin drop. He sat wide eyed and hung up his phone slowly. Tears started streaming down his cheeks.
“The hospital called. Mummy got caught in a car accident. She’s in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) now,” he muttered.
We scurried to the hospital. Tom shed many a tear upon seeing his mother and started praying. Upon seeing that he needed some time with his family members, we decided to leave him alone and finish the project by ourselves. However, we couldn’t figure out the design left by tom. With less than two days left, how were we to complete the project?
A wave of disappointment swept over us as hope that our form Teacher would give us an extension on the dateline given the state of affairs were dashed when she steadfastly refused. We still had to finish the project on time.
‘What should we do? I cannot remember what Tom said about the design. How? ” I asked.
Making sense of the designs was not easy. There hours flew by. Nothing. Candy started at the designs with the ferocity of a tropical storm. Suddenly, she looked up and asked if we should just forget Tom’s undecipherable designs.
“But there is not much time left for us to re-do everything!” I argued.
“Alas, we have no other choice,” she answered.
We pulled an all-nighter researching wheelchair designs and rushed to the workshop first thing in the morning. Candy was to find materials and draw outlines while I got down to cutting the parts our. We were running on high and there were times when I almost cut my hand it was difficult especially since some of the board pieces were so large.
By the time we were done cutting out all the parts, it was already afternoon. There wasn’t much time left. Candy did the PowerPoint slides while I glued the parts together. It started to get late so I decided to bring the model home to complete it.
The next day, our teacher checked the physical model with a smile on her face and said we did well. We broke out into impish grins as we glanced at each other.
This experience had taught me that we shouldn’t be doing last minute work. Besides that, I’ve learnt that we can achieve anything if we try our best. Even the impossible.
