Chapter 18:

XVIII | Empty

The Rowan Tree


In the end,
I don't join my friends
at the park.

I'm here

at this chicken rice shop
that used to be a bar.

It's empty when I walk inside.

There's no sound when the door opens
—there's none when it closes either.

Inside,

it looks like a museum exhibit
and hasn't been touched
for a whole week.

The ceiling fans

squeak in a familiar way.

The fluorescent lights
are too bright.

There's no one here.

I walk up to the counter,
peering into the kitchen.

Rowan's father
puts down his chopper

and greets me.

'Where's Rowan?' I ask.

I'm given a plate of chicken rice
(despite protesting)

and i sit on a barstool
staring at him work.

He hums a song under his breath

as he moves around the kitchen.

He seems to be really busy,
but I don't know why.
There aren't customers

who will come to a chicken rice shop
in this ulu place.

The chicken hanging in the display
looks fresh;

the untouched state
of the shop
gives away how long they've been hanging there.

He smiles at me

as if to check
if I'm still there.

He has a

really

childish

grin.

I think about the kid from the petrol kiosk.

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