A void, in the middle: In memory of Zara Mei Orlić, 4 (d. 23 January 2024)

The Straits Times, 28 January 2024

Photo credit: Nick Orlić

Hands in tow with Lily, her family’s helper, and her 2-year-old sister, she hummed a song as she was heading home.

An idyllic picture of happy children, where the worries and brutishness of this world were far away. 

This was until a reckless act of driving, on Jan 23, 4.55pm, robbed the Orlić’s family of their middle child, leaving a perpetual void in their hearts.

Lily was a mere two steps away from Zara, when a car ran her over.

A loud bang and screams later, helpless Zara was grasping for her life on the road that she was so familiar with.

A short and beautiful life was subsequently cut short in the hospital.

She was steps away from home. She did not make it home.

Nick, Zara’s father, who rushed to the scene, was desperate for anything that could bring her precious daughter back - to smile at him again, to laugh alongside him again or simply to just lie on him again.

Zara was a thoughtful and courageous girl. She waited until her mother reached the hospital before she departed this cruel world - she was always surrounded by her family, in life and in death.

Since that fateful day, a void has taken up residence in the Orlić’s family.

That inquisitive look, the smile she wears and the inner joy she had are memories that the Orlić family will carry with them forever. 

A 40-year-old woman has since been arrested following the accident at Institution Hill in River Valley. But no amount of remorse and punishment can bring Zara back to her family.

Maybe it’s time to consider increasing our legal deterrence of reckless behaviour on Singapore’s streets.

A normal routine of walking home from school turned into a perpetual nightmare for the Orlić family.

Life would not be routine for Nick and his family.

A long abyss awaits them.

Photo credit: Le Petit Society