The Letter

Category A: Highly Commended (2023) Monash Short Story Writing Competition
Author: Moukthika Balaganesh

The delicious aroma of freshly baked bread captured my attention instantly. My nose twitched, and my mouth was just begging to have a taste. Picking up my cup of cocoa, I tried to avoid the bread. I knew the consequences of taking a slice out of Mother’s bread. I gripped my cup of cocoa extra hard when I heard the postman drop off our letters. As I ran down the path, my heart hammered in my chest. I tried to resist it, but I couldn’t. My cheeks turned up into an unmistakable smile. 

With a huge grin plastered over my face, I bounded down the last few steps to the mailbox. I threw open the old mailbox. It was just a black box against some wood, but it had gotten old. I wanted to find my letter as soon as possible, but the mailbox had other plans. It slowly took its time in letting me open the box. It was infuriating to watch the mailbox taking it’s time to open, while the thing that could change my life forever was in there. I snatched one letter. Only one. It was special, like a golden star among the silver ones. I sprinted back up the steps into my house. 

With such force, I ripped open the envelope. I had to close my eyes and bend over before opening the letter. My eyes scanned the letter with such intensity that I was afraid it might burn. But finally, I reached the bottom of the letter. I read the few words that would determine my life forever. I dropped the letter and jumped up and down in glee while clapping my hands because I was filled with joy. I ran to the garage to get my bike, ecstatic to share the brilliant news with my friend Maddy.

With all my willpower, I cycled to Maddy’s house. I threw my bike to the ground and rang Maddy’s doorbell multiple times with impatience. A slightly flustered, yet smiling as always, a girl answered the door. I plucked my acceptance letter from my backpack and held it in front of me. Maddy opened her hands to showcase an identical letter.

We were both in.

We threw our hands around each other and let out peals of high-pitched squealing and laughter.

Maddy you got in too!” I exclaimed with delight.  

Maddy replied, just as delighted, “Of course I did, I can’t let you go there by yourself, can I?” 

I whistled the whole way back home. But still I was deep in thought. The letter in the mailbox had changed my life forever. Next year would be a year like no other. How would it be the same now that we had achieved what we had been dreaming about since Year 7? I could just imagine myself and Maddy standing in Harvard University, with all the other freshmen.

I couldn’t wait.