The Last Golden Afternoon - By Cassandra Wijesuria

Written By: Cassandra Wijesuria

Category: Short Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Cassandra Wijesuria presents a compelling narrative with her short story, "The Last Golden Afternoon," featured in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar. This entry in the Short Story category offers readers a profound glimpse into the complexities of childhood and the often rigid boundaries imposed by educational systems. Wijesuria's work invites us into a world where imagination and individuality are systematically subdued, prompting reflection on the impact of such conformity.

About the Work

"The Last Golden Afternoon" weaves a poignant tale of control versus creativity through the eyes of Aina Zakarina in a prestigious Malaysian institute. The story's mood is tense, filled with unease as it explores the suppression of imaginative traits in children. Wijesuria uses vivid imagery and a narrative style that draws readers into the emotional turmoil faced by the protagonist and her young charges. The story challenges societal norms and questions the cost of fitting into a pre-defined mold, leaving a haunting impression on its audience.

The Last Golden Afternoon

Original Submission by Cassandra Wijesuria

THE LAST GOLDEN AFTERNOON

By: Cassandra Wijesuria

(981 words)

For a place named Institut Harmoni Muda, Aina Zakarina decided the feeling wasn’t mutual.

For one thing, no glorified kindergarten would have a Holding Room. Or the fact that this place believed in the religion of minimalism.

Aina Zakarina was convinced the Holding Room held answers.

Of course, (after she’d “accidentally” slipped in), Aina had not accounted for the door locking behind her the minute it closed. Or the tell-tale window panel, which meant someone could see her snooping. If anyone asked, a ready-made lie awaited like a predator.

This was not how she imagined her afternoon.

Fresh off her Masters in Early Childhood Development, Aina had taken on a posting at the institute. Institut Harmoni Muda, famed for “nurturing Malaysia’s high potential children,” looked more suited for austerity than the joy of learning.

She’d seen the Institute’s principal, Puan Liyana Salleh, waltz in with a child on some days in her office. Children came out differently than she remembered.

Aina knew a male officer was in charge of the Holding Room, but always forgot his name. The man wore his deodorant like armor, and his measly mustache always bristled with displeasure whenever she met him. The last thing she needed was to get caught by him.

Once convinced she was out of sight from the window pane, Aina glanced at the aluminum drawer labelled Residual Imaginasi and Unsuitable Traits.

Aina frowned at the abnormal descriptions. She drew the Residual Imaginasi drawer slowly. Her line of sight landed on a familiar name: Harran Rakesh.

There had been talk about moving Harran to a higher grade for his Maths. Aina presumed these were updates on his progress. She read:

13th May 2026

There is no doubt that Harran is mathematically gifted. But his concentration needs to be better focused, rather than equating jokes with learning. To meet his mother to discuss alignment options.

15th May 2026

To move up the extraction of residual imaginasi earlier than expected. Harran is asking his mother too many questions and she is displeased. His imagination is keeping him distracted with too much jokes.

Aina recollected the day Harran had told her the innocuous joke:

“Why did the student do multi-pli-pli-plication problems on the floor?”

“I …don’t know Harran? Why did he do it on the floor?”

Harran gave a toothy grin, “The teacher told him not to use tables!”

A chill went down Aina’s back. She recalled that Harran had been out for two days, and when he returned, he looked as if he were blanketed by nothingness, nary a joke.

Swallowing, Aina’s hand mechanically pulled out the drawer labelled Unsuitable Traits. Aina assumed it was for students on the spectrum.

The reality was worse.

On another of her students’ files, Mahsuri, the scarlet-stamped ink spelling “unsanctioned expression” greeted her. Aina flipped the file with slightly unnecessary force.

May 18th, 2026

Mahsuri is very good with arts and crafts. However, I noticed her colour ideas do not align with reality. Yesterday she drew the daisies in blue when I had insisted they had to be white. Her father agrees.

Mahsuri said she drew pink skies because that was how she felt today - everything in her mind is pink. Thoughts cannot be in colour.

Aina had remembered that morning. Mahsuri had been so giggly that day, complete with a bubble-gum pink dress and peals of laughter over half-understood jokes.

“What’s going through your mind right now, Mahsuri?”

“PINK!”

Aina had wiped tears of laughter then. But in Holding Room, tears burned for a different reason.

Aina haphazardly pulled out more files as she read them at random. The notes remained similar as hope doused out like a cold shower:

“Residual imaginasi remains high…”

“Extraction phrase recommended…”

“Having fun, Cik Aina?”

Puan Liyana’s statement sliced Aina like an icicle. Her lies died on her tongue. Swallowing back bile, she stood up, hoping that at least her bravado would cover her.

“What is this place?” Aina’s teeth chattered on edge.

Puan Liyana tilted her head, smiling serenely, as though such a question had never been posed before.

“I see you’ve come across our Holding Room. That’s lovely. You did seem… how do I say it…oblivious?” Her British-Malaysian accent slithered like poison down Aina’s spine.

“But their parents surely cannot -- ”

“Why do you think they are here? Children adapt better here when unnecessary distractions are removed.”

“What have you done?” an anguished Aina asked.

“When children are nurtured and aligned in a certain way, let’s just say…they better fit our society mold.”

“How exactly…do you nurture them?”

“I fail to see what the problem is, Cik Aina” Puan Liyana said in a way that she was trying to pacify a clearly slow-learning child.

Aina’s heart shattered. “Puan Liyana, they’re just children, you can’t do this -”

“What I can and cannot do is no longer in your jurisdiction. Be in my office in 5 minutes.”

***

The letter of termination, always at the ready when one asked too many questions, burned in Aina’s hands.

On that last golden afternoon, Aina watched with sharp realization as parents picked their children up. The parents were pleased at how docile they were, with condescending pats on heads, unbothered by their child’s blank stares.

This…this is what they wanted.

Little Mahsuri had been in tears when the decision was announced, but her father did not pay attention, dragging her while jabbering on his phone.

He didn’t realise Mahsuri’s colouring of Malaysia, Truly Asia fluttered onto the road. A cheerful hornbill, a hibiscus at the corner, and other distinctively Malaysian icons stared back up cartoonishly. Aina rushed to give it back to Mahsuri.

“Sayang, is this yours?”

Mahsuri nodded mutely. The skies were blue and white. The flowers were coloured within the acceptable colours. It was flawless.

But it was Mahsuri’s last words that haunted Aina forever:

“Cikgu, did they fix me properly?”

THE END

The Last Golden Afternoon/

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar serves as a prestigious platform for writers around the world to showcase their literary talents. This competition celebrates diverse voices and creative expressions, providing writers with the opportunity to share their unique stories with a global audience. With no claims of winners or rankings, the competition fosters an inclusive environment that values the art of storytelling in all its forms.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Cassandra Wijesuria for her captivating submission, "The Last Golden Afternoon," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her story offers a profound exploration of creativity and conformity, leaving a lasting impact on readers. We appreciate her contribution and look forward to seeing more of her compelling narratives in the future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.