Chapter 6 - the great suspension week

Yeah.. now I’m stuck with suspension. Finally I’m relaxing, but Mom found out that I was suspended because I argue with a teacher during class (good thing Mr Rahman did not tell what is really happen, if not God knows what will happen). I read through Mr Rahman document that he gave me, which indirectly convincing student to be back to school. Which I doubt, it will happen. Mom ask me to look after Sam while she is gone to work. I saw one of the profile that interest me.

Muhammad Hazlan Bin Jamalludin, from Pahang, father working with the federal office of Kota Kinabalu as the director of Immigration. 3 Leo, last attendance was last year?! Wow must be something is going on there. A child prodigy in computer. Parents reported that he never left his room since other than the toilet. His house is nearby!! Well that’s a good start with this pile of files that Mr Rahman give me.

Hana calling me, I forgot that Hana is also taking a leave of absence because of commotion last night. I make breakfast for them, and now I had no idea what to do next. Wait maybe I could. Nah. How could I leave my little sister and brother behind. But maybe. Yeah I could. I bring Hana and Sam out from the house and head towards the 1st errand from Mr Rahman. I brought a pram for Sam and Hana help me walk Sam out to the village walk way. It is sunny, birds are singing a really serene environment for my siblings. But that came to an end when I reach the house. Is on top of the hill. I reach there and someone is doing the gardening, a lady and she called us.

“Assalamualaikum”

“Walaikumusalam, how are you? Aren’t you kids suppose gone to school?”

“Yeah, just that no one is taking care my sibling, so I take a leave of absence”

“Oh, where are you from?”

I pointed mom’s house and she knew the place.

“Oh, Man’s house…”

Yeah right, that’s not it, It’s Mom’s house darn it!!

“Yeah.. I was looking for a kid at my age his name is Muhammad Hazlan”

“Oh!! You his friend, Alhamdullilah, someone is visiting him, let me call him”

She called him only to hear a loud shout

“I don’t know any friends in my school!!!”

“Just greet them son”

“Fine!! But let him in I don’t like going out from my room”

“Is it ok if I let my sister and brother here?”

“Yeah sure, I’ll look after them”

Hana and Sam is with Hazlan mother at least I’m fine visiting him. I went to his room, where her mother guide me to his room.

“He is a bit anti social, just bear with him ya”

“Yes ma’am…”

I knock the door, and he respond at the door

“Who the hell are you!!?”

“I’m Alex, I just want to talk….”

“I never heard of Alex, where are you from?”

“The same school…”

“You with them?”

“Who?”

“Them!!”

“Who is them?”

“The elites!! Who else!!”

“Like I give a fuck for them”

“Huh!? Are you a teacher?”

“If I’m saying like this, do you feel I’m a teacher?”

“Not that I’m aware off?”

“Maybe we could talk?”

I sat next to the door and started our conversation

“I just entered the school, and I lived nearby we neighbours basically”

“So…”

“I’ve just arrive from the states last 2 weeks ago”

“Hah… then….why the hell you entered that school? That school is not even I called it a school”

“So…why not you have not been into other school then?”

“I did but Dad never wanted me to go any other school”

Sound like my dad. Maybe I could push him a bit.

“Well same as mine, I hate it”

“Right!!”

“What are doing this whole time in your room?”

“Playing computers, watching movies, anime, reading comics and socialising people in the internet”

A typical NEET, but maybe I could push a bit further.

“What type of computer you use?”

“The latest Dell model for gaming”

“Cool!! That is sick!!”

“You different from the guys I talk before in the internet”

“Yeah maybe you need to talk to someone?”

“No…I rather not…but you’re the first…”

“Really, that’s bullshit”

“Really asshole!!”

“Then when you will share you games with me?”

“You promise not to laugh?”

“That is depends on your reaction…”

“But before that let me see your face”

Bingo!! The opener!! He open the door from his room. I saw a kid with a long hair and black color below his eyes seems he did not have enough sleep. He is also wearing glasses. He observed me. But I plan not to enter his room waiting until he invited me to his room.

“You different compared to the other student I met”

“That’s because its my style”

“Really?”

“Yep, I don’t give a shit, but you really good in English”

“I rather speak in English than malay…”

“Yeah…I even struggle to under the teachers there teaching me”

“Yeah!! I know!! That what piss me off”

He had long pause. While I sit on the floor, then he called me

“Come on I’ll show you my computer”

“Okay”

I’m surprised, was expecting a messy room but, its even cleaner than my room.

“Wow, It's look neat, did you clean it?”

“Yeah…I don’t stuffy place makes me gone insane”

He showed me his stuff, we played games together until I forgot that Hana and Sam is below.

“Shit, I forgot!! I got my sister and brother here, sorry bro”

“You have siblings?”

“Yeah.. want to meet them…”

“Uh…sure….”

I went down with Hazlan. His mom was shocked to see him like they have never met. I ask her calm down and her mother began to shed tears. Hazlan greet them. Hana smile at him and greet him.

“Hello!!”

She is adorable when greeting like that. Her long curly hair and big eyes is the main point. CUTE!!! Hazlan said to her

“Your cute like an anime character” he smile, Hana only left to wonder because she never heard anime before but she watch sailor moon though.

Her mother could not say any word but smile and she ask me to look after him while she make a phone call must be calling his dad. Surprisingly Hazlan does not want to return his room while I’m here. Hazlan hang around Hana and Sam. While her mother makes us lunch. Hazlan told me that her mother make the best ‘laksa’

“Then when I’m free, I want you to taste my mom ‘teh tarik’ she makes the best drinks.”

“Yeah could not wait for that…”

For about an hour we hang with Hazlan and someone have arrived it seems to be his father. Hazlan instantly went behind my back. His dad is tall, with short hair and a moustache, he is about the same age as Mom. I greeted him and hold his hand while kiss his hand.

“Hazlan….” He jumps out and hug him. I’m happy that he has a loving father, I could tell. His father look at me and hug me as well, and shed his tears

“Thank you kid…I’m his father and could not do anything about it but you manage to open him”

Hazlan smile and said to me

“Are you going to be my friend?”

“Sure..”

Hazlan wondered how could I know him, including his father and mother. I was reluctantly to tell about it but seems like Mr Rahman must have reason that I’m doing this. I explain the situation happen in school what Hazlan face before during the orientation and in school. I even show the files that Mr Rahman give me to look into. They look at it and started to understand.

“My goodness….I did not know about it”

“Are you okay Alex? What about your father and mother?”

“Dad knows about but mom I want to hid it because not to cause stress for her”

“You are strong kid, no wonder my son is drawn to you”

“But keep this a secret because I’m also had not a lot friends in school not like I care about..”

“You’re welcome here…”

“Hey Alex, I will join the school after your suspension”

I tidy his hair and said to him “there this look better on you”

“Yes son, maybe mom could cut your hair”

“I’ll be glad to…”

We eat lunch together and Hazlan become really close to me. I’ve also tell them that I did explore the jungle here, they were shocked to hear that

“This jungle not even me dare to enter, but you got balls kid”

“I don’t know seems I felt in peace and tranquil walking in the bushes…”

“Hazlan would you like to join him?”

“If Alex is, maybe I would…”

“Yeah, it will be fun.” I smile at him. Hana and Sam is asleep and I don’t want to bother them. Hazlan said to me

“Come to my place again next time but now I want to talk to dad about school”

“Yeah my class is 3 Jaya that’s my new class before this 3 magna the boring class”

He laugh

“Hahahaahaha!! yeah those boring people!!”

Her mother thank us as well in helping them.

“Thanks, as if Allah sent you to help our family…I don’t know how to thank you…”

“Its okay, at least he going to school”

“I’m not going if you not going, got it”

“Yeah!!”

I give him a fist pump and he started to cry

“No one has ever give me a fist pump before…”

“We bro’s right, we cool then…”

His father offer me to sent us back home but I decline so that they could have spend more time together with Hazlan.

I carried the sleepy Hana and Sam together we head straight home. Which now I saw Dad’s car in there. I got a bad feeling about this and luckily I saw teacher at home and ask for her help to look after them.

“You don’t to keep from me, I can feel something from you as well, they will be safe from here.”

“Thanks teacher”

I went inside the house and saw another lady inside, that is the second wife, she greeted me and I greeted her back. And she ask me where is the kids and I replied

“They with the teacher next door because they have Quran class." Dad went down and introduce me to his second wife. He did not mention about the incident last night and ask me

“Where did mom put the documents?”

“I don’t even care about that how could I know about the document…”

“Fine…it's ok, where are the kids?”

“They okay right now, staying at the teachers place to study Quran.”

“Ok…”

Dad never look into my eyes, knowing that the incident last night. At least you know what your son is gone through. Dad just look around to find something but he could not.

“Alex, please ask mom about this okay?”

“Yeah..I will…”

Dad left the house with his second wife. I check the damages that dad went through seems like mom’s room is a mess, I begin to clean the mom’s room. I saw documents scattered through. When I saw a document of will, and an insurance policy valued RM 6,000,000.00. Seems like that he wrote something here.

‘Where is my part of the will, its not good not having a part of it’

Luckily is wrote with a pencil, I erase the note and tidy-up the room. Once I have done tidy up the room. I head back to Hana’s place. I did not seen Hana and Sam, shit what is happening. Teacher called me and they were hiding in the room. Hana said to me

“Big Brother, Dad came just now looking for us with another woman, who is that big brother?”

I lied to them.

“Maybe just his assistant, in his work, there is nothing about it…”

“I ask teacher to hide us and she help us…”

“Yeah, sorry to trouble you teacher…”

“You are like a child to us, of course I would help”

The teacher husband arrive who is a policeman. I greeted him and apologise for the trouble we have gone through. He only smile and hold my shoulder.

“You are really strong kid, keep it like that you sister and brother is looking towards you. I understand the situation”

The teacher ask us for dinner together, and we eat together. Mom is late as usual, when she arrived she heads towards the teacher.

“Thank you soo much for looking after my children, and thank you for teaching them Quran”

They were chatting together. The teacher introduce her husband and his son, he is a large man, in his 20’s about 6 foot. He is a navy sailor just return from a duty in oversea. We talk to each other

“Mother told me about you, that is amazing you have gone through, protecting your mom from the dangers. You are already a soldier at heart, I give you that”

He saw my scars and I explain that I was once a street gangster from LA and Mom and my girlfriend pull me out of that life. He suddenly laugh at me

“You already had a girlfriend!! Hahahaha!! Now that is something kid!!”

“Yeah…but not as noble as you, I always wanted to travel the world…”

“Just do it…no one stopping you, you need to focus then…”

“Yeah…”

“I have not introduce myself, I’m Habeeb my dad is actually Arab descendent that’s why l look like one”

“I’m Alex….I’m a proud Lun Bawang, born in Long Pasia”

“Good to meet you kid, don’t worry if anything happen just hang around this house, this will be your second home kid, you got my approval”

Habeeb father meet me and hang around together. He started to smoke cigars and wanted to chat with me.

“How old are you kid?”

“15…”

“Quite mature for 15 year old kid, you got some big responsibility for your family”

“I’m the man in the house, dad is always out to work”

“Yeah…I know that….Man….he is a politician right?”

“I did not know about that! But what I heard from mom he is an engineer with the government”

“Yeah, he is with the Royalist party a group of elites…that’s the reason he is always busy”

“Oh, never know that…didn’t care about it…”

“Good….don’t get involved kid, you have a bright future ahead of you, Allah is wise and all knowing”

“Inshallah, thanks uncle..”

“I heard from Faruq that you hang around with his son, and the commotion that you made, you got balls”

Huh, seems the police have taken notice this incident. I wonder what else, that he about the school?”

“Uncle, do you think the school itself is something wrong?”

“Yeah, I was a former student, a common class. I hated it, but because of the prestigious reputation of the school is the only way that I could move to this level.”

“When I heard from father, I laugh really loud could not believed that you stand-up against them. Being fearless you know…”

I don’t how react whether proud or being a fool to it, I just could not stand for it. But at least they understand what I went through. Mom is still chatting with teacher, Hana and Sam is still asleep.

“Not sure whether be proud of it but I know is not right”

“Maybe when in America, maybe giving you some sense righteous about it right”

I explain the racial violence and discrimination in the States, and how I get involved in gangsterism.

“Yeah it's normal, you gotta have reason why you join but kid that the reason I said you balls, have you ever shot someone?”

I don’t know how answer that like I never wanted to tell but he is the police, so I started to tell stories what have happen before. Habeeb’s father look as if he understand me. And Habeeb started to shaken in anger as well.

“You had it rough kid…but look at you now.”

And Habeeb start to talk man’s stuff and wanted know any battle scars. I open my shirt they were all surprised to see it. I explain every scar that I had took during my time in America.

“See son, I told you he like an experience soldier”

“Tell you the truth, I never been shot before…”

What!? Wow, never heard that from a soldier before. I always thought this scar remind me of my dark past.

“Did you take drugs?”

“Yeah weed…”

“But now?”

“I got into rehab and my girlfriend and my mom is the one that help me in the recovery process it took me a year to change”

“I wonder about this girlfriend stuff, America is quite open to relationships like that huh…look at my son, I wonder if any girl would wanted him, hahahahaha!!!”

“Darn it father!!”

They really close. I wonder what it will feel likes. Habeeb is embarrassed because of his fathers ranting. It’s already late night and Mom said to us to return home. We waved goodbye and return to our home. Where I let Hana and Sam sleep in their room. I return to my bed, While mom continued her work in her room. I open my email in the computer room. This time over a thousand message. Most of it from Natalie, I read all of it, and all is about her daily activities in school. She attached a picture of her with Jeniffer again, including Hiew. Boy he really is change. Each message had a picture attached to it. I print all the picture that is attach. And kept it in a file for me to view it in my room. I realise I did not replied a lot of message to her. This time I will write to her.

“Dear Nat

How are you doing? I’m fine here. Boring as usual, you know what I met someone that knows you, Mariam is her name. A bit crazy, and open. Lots of stuff happen here but at least never once I did something that could trouble mom. I’m pretty sure you going to have new friends there, its going to be blast there like usual. I’m going to act like a big brother should be for Hana and Sam. I know that we both are really far but that’s not mean we not detach from our relationship, you know what I take that back, of course I miss you but I had to be strong so….don't worry about a thing. I know you going forward now, I’m also going forward with my life. But someday I’m going to meet you, and pretty sure you going all out, and I’m always be impress with you. We’ll talk again soon.

Love Alex

Sent. Now I’m ready to bed. I’m reading another document that Mr Rahman ask me to find out. And this time is a girl, a bit farther than usual like in another town, I wonder if the train could bring me there. Maybe I would bring Hana and Sam with me.

‘Melissa Wong, Age 16, 4 Terra from Papar, a town not far from here. The problem is she is the rich daughter of Palm Oil plantations and factory. She is known in school as one of the best mathematician. Her problem is that she’s involved with a street punk, and lived a street life near Penampang with her boyfriend. Who owns a bar there. How the hell am I suppose to find her without a vehicle. One thing that peeks my interest that she is always in a library in Kota Kinabalu during mornings. How the hell Mr Rahman gets this info from. He is really good at finding information, I’m pretty sure he had done research on me before accepting me to the school. Her boyfriend owns another bar in KK. Seems good enough for me but how on earth am I suppose to bring them. Wait, maybe I could ask Mom to bring to the library along with Sam and Hana. Yeah that would be a good idea.

I knock at mom’s room where she is still doing her work, I ask her to bring us to the library tomorrow morning and mom agreed, because she will bring Sam with her. It will be easy for me to look after Hana with me. hmmmm…gotta hit the sack.

The next morning, me and Hana arrived at the library. I ask Hana to hang around at the kids area, where she is reading books there. I however look for sign of her, but her picture is a bit formal, I’m pretty sure she is going to be different. While I was looking for a book, and sit at the table to read. I saw a girl in glasses with a her long hair dye with blond colours, but her looks does not change. It's definitely her. But how the heck am I going to approach her. This is different compared to Hazlan’s case. Then I decide to sit at the same table as her, she is writing something like a ledger. I begin to read, while observing her. She is focus on her work, a guy approach her, maybe her boyfriend. He does look different compared to what have given in the files. The guy looks like a bartender. Yet he has a tattoo on his arm, a dragon but it’s has a cut of X at the tattoo. Maybe he had leave a gangster life. They really an intimate couple.

The one that surprises me is that she is pregnant. That’s must be the reason of her absence, it has been 9 months she is absence in class. What I learn about science that pregnancy is about 9 months. Early pregnancy is common in America because of unsafe sex between couples. This is getting complicated. How the hell am I suppose to convince her to be at school with a tummy like that. The guy is looking at me, and approach me.

“Quite young for a kid hanging around in the library aren’t you suppose in school?”

“Yeah…but I got a leave of absence from school…since I’m bored in school I ask my mom to leave me in the library..”

He wondered at me and ask again

“Which school you attend?”

“Borneo College….”

Melissa had shock in her look, and suddenly ask me

“What year you suppose to be?”

“Form 3…”

“Did you happen to be involved in the orientation?”

“Yeah…”

“I heard rumours that some kid in the same form stand-up against the elites”

Her boyfriend is surprised and ask her

“Aren’t your school had a strange tradition of mobbing the common class?”

Maybe this is it. At least I make contact with her. Melissa answer her boyfriend

“I hate it, every time my mom and dad attend it as if nothing have ever happen but when I heard some boy fight back, they could not believed it”

“That boy must have guts facing them like that”

I pretend to be another kid in school, I don’t want to create a commotion here. And I tried to deviate the conversation.

“You?”

“Which class?”

“4 Terra, I could not stand by the peer pressure of elite students there always comparing me to them”

“Really that bad huh…”

“Didn’t you face that kind of situation?”

“I did but I just treat them as noise, you know like a dog barking”

His boyfriend started to giggle.

“That is not funny”

“You saw that awful thing they did right?”

“Yeah but I know some kid stand-up to them, the look on elite faction faces really satisfied me”

“Well that is the Borneo College, the real face..”

Melissa ask me again

“Why are you not in school?”

“I actually got into trouble with the teachers there arguing with them how useless they are in teaching”

“You did that!!?”

“Umm yeah…”

His boyfriend started to get interest in me. And suddenly he said to me

“I know you lying about this because that eye is somewhat I recognise before I was a gangster”

“Melissa…he is not an ordinary kid…sorry kid better tell us the truth…”

This guy is dangerous, he could tell myself with just a glance. Whatever I did what I could then I better confess.

“Yeah, I just attend this school last week from America.”

“That is just plain stupid because you had everything there…”

“Yeah because of family…I can’t just snub them…”

“Yeah family…that is the reason I’m here, you better quit that school that is the reason I never attend class anymore…”

I could see in her eyes she has given up in that school. Then I better close this case. His boyfriend then pull something in my bag. He look into it, his expression had change. He look at me like an enemy.

“here…Mel”

She is surprised to see this files and asked me

“Where do you get this?”

“From Mr Rahman, he suddenly give me this profile to help him bringing back student to school”

His boyfriend look at me in anger, Melissa wanted to calm him down. Asshole, don’t test my patient. I look at him, like I once look at an asshole that I tried to kill in LA last time. He is good, he must have experience.

“That eyes you killed someone before?”

“Yeah….with a 9mm”

He suddenly change his expression into fear, this guy is being inconsistent. I stand up to him, at least he is at the same height as him. Melissa saw my scar from right hand and she know that I’m different.

“Just be honest with us, what really happen in the theatre during that night 2 days ago…”

“A boring activity like throwing ballon filled with sewer water’s…”

“Just as expected..”

Things got out of hand, control you anger Alex, I know that I could beat this asshole looking at me like trash. He ask me again

“What kind of life you have been there?”

“Street life, LA street style, It’s like a battlefield there, unless you had 9mm and a brotha with your side, it’s a bit safe compare being alone there, because it’s suicide…but why you want to know me about…”

I look at him, I just tired with this Mr Rahman games.

“Look I don’t care if you want to be back to school because I don’t give a shit about that school but because my younger sister in that school as well. If anything happen to them, might as well I just gonna destroy that school…”

Now I’m playing the villain. Like the bad guys here. I’m just getting bored anyway. Come on hurry up boyfriend, show me what is a Malaysian Gangster looks like.

His boyfriend pull back trying to protect Melissa. And Melissa look at me

“What are you planning now?”

“Don’t know…because I really tired in this stupid life games now, it’s better I lived in the states compared living in this stupid place.”

“Huh…I’m pregnant but you not surprised is it because the environment in America?”

“It’s common any idiot couple going in lust, forget wearing condoms while having sex is it?”

“This guy is interesting, I never seen anything like this, you like someone have gone through a lot…”

“Maybe…so…I have lay all in the table….up to you whether you want to be back at school but that unborn child of yours are going to live a rough life especially you living here…”

“I’m leaving this place soon…”

“Why quit the gangster life?”

“I failed to kill someone that is her father…”

“Oh…must be big…I rather not getting deeper about it…”

Luckily that there is not much people here. Or else we could make a commotion here.

“Honey…what is an 9mm? Just now he said…”

“9mm is slang word between gangster in America for a gun”

Melissa look afraid looking at me

“What are you planning with me then?”

What?! I’m not doing anything but asking her to be at school. Well I remember what Damien said to me “gotta go with the flow…”

“Nothing..because is not my power to force you but it’s up to you whether you want to be back in school because whether you pregnant or not, you still no go through it as well…”

Melissa and her boyfriend left the place, afraid of me. Well of course, now they know my true self. But suddenly she tell me

“I want to go back to school after I give birth to my child. I want to join the common class not those elite, if you could do that, I will return to school”

“Fine, I will ask Mr Rahman about it”

“I like you Alex, I wish I had little brother protecting the family”

“….”

They left the library and I assume she agreed with the conditions in change of class. Gotta call Mr Rahman about it. I borrowed a phone in the library and call Mr Rahman. He is surprised

“Not bad Alex, in two days you convince 2 student who does not wanted to go near the gate but now they want to be in class…”

“Melissa wanted to transfer to the common class”

“Yeah will do it, I will call her boyfriend”

“Asshole, why did you not try to call them?”

“I did they ran away from me…”

“oh….”

“Good job…see you next week”

At least I’m happy still left 5 more before my suspension ends. Still morning though, maybe I hang around with Hana. I reach there another girl is playing with Hana she look familiar, another boy at the same age as Hana is playing with her. It’s Siti the girl that I met in Tanjung Aru. I wonder why, she is still here. Siti look at me and she still remembers me. She wave at me with excitement

“Alex!! Never expect to see you here”

“Siti….eh…what are you doing here? Aren’t you suppose to go to school?”

“eh….I….wonder…… but right back at you…”

“eh…I’m the one that ask this kind of question”

“Fine….I got a leave of absence to look after my sister here…” I make up stories again.

“Oh..well I’m took a leave because my brother here is sick and my parents is working in their stalls in Tanjung Aru Beach, so mom ask me to look after them…”

“Them?”

“Yep, there are twins….”

One of them came out from the toilet and that is a girl. Hana look happy to have companions here, I did not know that she had a twin sibling.

“Mikail, Marina please introduce yourself to ‘abang Alex’ here.”

They greeted me and Hana.

“I attend the Siti Aishah all-girls school, you….?”

“Borneo College”

“Which form?”

“3…”

“Your my senior then…”

“Huh..whats that’s suppose to mean?”

“Means I’m interested in you…the last time we met, we kinda off track with you that you suddenly left”

Siti wanted to chat with me. But I’m tired from all of the commotion just now, and wanted to sleep. I look for a couch close to Hana and lean towards the soft fabric sofa, that’s really comfortable.

“Sorry but I’m really sleepy….uahhh!!…could you look after Hana for me, I’m going to sleep…”

I went to sleep and close my eyes. I felt a soft in my head like a pillow. Well, don’t care I’m really sleepy. When I wake up. I look at Hana playing with them. But why I got a feeling that I laying down on someone’s body.

“Hana?!”

“Big brother…..ah...” Her face is shocked, and getting really angry

“What happen…!?”

“Big….. brother…..ah…..ah…..ah…..” She is trembling now. What the hell happen here? I heard a giggle

“You look so cute when you asleep”

When did I lean my head to her thighs? What the fuck? How the hell!? Hana look at me trying going to pounce. I look up and Siti is really close to me, her boobs is quite big as well. Even wearing a muslim robe. You looks cute though. I blushed. Instantly Hana pull me out from there and started to shout at her.

“Bad girl!! Get away from big brother!! Grrr…” She is like a little cat, she look so cute.

She drag me to the floor, thanks Hana!! Now I just awaken and all that commotion had me energise.

“Sorry though, I was really asleep, sorry to bother you though”

“No worries, at least I’m happy to be of service..” She smile at me

Now I’m worried what really happen in between. What did I miss? Dammit!! I ask Hana but she pulled my ear.

“Big brother!! Stop being vulnerable!! There is lots of bad girls here!! grrr…..” She look at Siti and she smile.

“Well lets start back…”

Hana is still protecting me trying to make sure Siti is not getting closer to me. Siti then said to her

“Come on play with them for a while I promise I won’t trouble you big brother”

“Promise?”

“Yep!!” Hana is really simple minded.

“Then let us continue…”

“Fine, what do you want to know?”

“Full name, where you was born, your height and weight, how many brothers and sister? Which school you was before..…”

“Wait is this an interview or what?”

“For me getting to know you…” this is getting suspicious. This is nuts…what the hell is she thinking.

“I’m Alexander Imran, born in Long Pasia, height..? Maybe 5’6, weight maybe 65kg, Hana and Sam is the only sibling… there happy?”

“mmmm….” She is still smiling

“What type girls do you like?”

Huh?! Is this what I think it is? First Sylvia, then Mariam now this. This is getting crazier than before. What else that I’m going to face.

“…..nothing in my mind…”

“Not a chance?”

“Not sure though….”

“A bit of a hint?”

My type of a girl is something that only comes in a dream or maybe like Natalie but I’m not interested in girls for now. I rather enjoy my life at the moment.

“Nope…”

“Aww….”

“Disappointed huh…”

“Nope, you still keep it to yourself”

“Uhh nope…”

“Next question, what type of food do you like?”

“As long is halal…”

“Anything huh…next, what is your hobby?”

“Don’t know maybe writing, reading books, going out somewhere quiet…”

“Quite unexpected….but next the looks or the body?”

Huh!? What the hell is this girl asking for!! The question is getting even more dangerous. I’m just going to answered it normally.

“depends..” Why the hell i answer like that it should be neither she must be going to think of me weird…

“Huh…going both ways huh…”

“What’s that suppose to mean?”

“Next preferred dress?” This is quite general maybe

“Like those British people wear…”

“Ooh, that is really interesting”

“Next what is your dream?”

I begin to think about it but I remember I said to Damien about it and that will be answer

“Travelling around the world, seeing people, talking to them, learning culture and food”

“Wow…that is a big dream….I’ve also have that kind of dream but with my family situation right now, I just a dream right?”

“You said it like that, if you really wanted it then get it”

“Easy for you to say”

“Yeah easy for me to say, because I just want it simple and straight, If I want it, I will get it no matter what, if you make it complicated, then its complicated”

Siti look at her watch and tell me that they are going home. Then I wave them goodbye.

Hana look at me, yeah I forgot about food, since Mom give me some money, I’ve also got my own saving. I brought her to a cafe nearby, I saw the cafe name. ‘HAPPY MEOW CAFE’, maybe its halal since this town is known to be friendly to everyone. I entered the cafe, Its really different compared to what I have seen. The waitress wore a Chinese cheongsam, and the guys wore a butler dress. We look at the menu and lucky that its halal. Hana eyes were interested with sweets but I wanted her to eat a healthier food.

“Take this kids meal then…”

“Okay big brother”

“Me…I take this Singapore chicken rice then”

Hana took her little book, I never thought that she is a writer. But she only took the menu.

“Hey what are you doing?”

“I love cute recipes, take all of it and record it where I have been visit”

“oh…well fine then…”

Our food’s arrive and to surprised me again its Melissa boyfriend!!

“Oh…the kid…welcome…”

He is different now, maybe because he is working. Hana gaze at her meal with fascination, her eyes is shining now. She wanted to eat it, but I ask her to give grace first. She prayed in muslim way for thank. My food have also arrive, It look tasty with the roasted chicken mix with steam chicken together.

“May I have only Chinese tea?”

“Sure…will get ya”

“I forgot to ask your name though…”

“William, Willian Chong Fei Ning”

“Got it William”

He took a pot of Chinese tea for me and Hana. The kids meal contains fried rice with colourful colours of veggie, on the side is Japanese fried chicken, and some egg tofu pudding with a Chinese chicken soup. Hana enjoyed eating it, and my food is also delicious, the chicken is nice and tender with the sauce balance the flavour, the soup is also delightful. It’s also have condiments for spring rolls and Chili-ginger sauce. We really enjoy the food, The place is vibrant with people eating and take aways. Melissa then give us desserts,

“Is on me..”

“Uh don’t be I’ll pay the desert as well”

“The desert is ‘ice kacang’ with ice cream on top”

Hana eyes even gone even brighter and wanted to eat it. I hold her head

“There finish this first, then you can eat the ice kacang.”

“uh…got it…”

This must be Melissa and William’s cafe that I read in the reports about. The way Melissa walk, I know she is about to give birth. William sat down with us

“Kinda strange having someone that we had almost had fight with suddenly is our customer…”

“Never really care about it… so long the food is good is fine by me”

“so…did you call him…”

“Yeah that sneaky bastard…”

“Hahahahaha, yeah right that is a sneaky bastard…”

“You know I’ve a feeling that plan all of this…”

“Yeah, I have that feeling too….”

“Maybe I would bring Mom and Sam here…they will like it here”

“Sure, just bring them…”

“But I heard that you have another cafe nearby?”

“Ooh that…its just small coffee shop, its only open at night, serving alcohol, coffee and music”

“Wow…”

“Maybe you like it…we only took jazz, blues and classical music including traditional music”

“Yeah, I will take that offer”

“Good, its a small cafe but it’s like what I want in a cafe”

“Yeah that’s a nice dream”

I never had any interest in music but American classical is something I love since I’ve always listen with Natalie, she love this kind of music especially blues and jazz. Maybe I could bring Mariam and Amin they would love it there. At least I had friends so mom does not worried about me.

Someone entered the cafe, it's Mr Rahman himself. He look at me and smile.

“Well that’s is something, just wanted to visit them. Look at what I run into you as well kid.”

“Yeah..Mr Rahman”

William look at him in a serious look

“Would you like anything sir after that you could leave this peaceful cafe”

“I have not yet order anything yet and you want to kick me out”

“Maybe a takeaway will be better…”

Melissa said to them

“I’m the one that call him…”

This is awkward with Hana with me luckily Melissa give her the ice kacang at least she is distracted. Mr Rahman is enjoying his Yong Chow fried rice. While Melissa and William looking at him anxiously, I drink my tea slowly. He look enjoying while eating his food. And when he is done.

“This is delicious, who made it?”

“my boyfriend….”

“That is a great talent…maybe I could need someone that could cook for our school”

“That is not funny…Mr Rahman…”

“Since all of you here, I want to share with you all”

“Ever since that kid there created a commotion during the orientation, the Elites is actually scared of him. The board decide to split the faction in terms of safety”

Like bullshit that is the reason, maybe because they don’t want me to get closer to the elites.

“But the real reason is I have a project or experiment I want to run, like a social experiment between commons and Elites so I propose to the board that Borneo College will split into two in competition for the best in academics, curriculum, sports, and many more. This is a big project since the Federal government is interested with this project. But the process of splitting it will take a week or two to finalise the process. I indirectly ask or forced him to assist me in this project since he started it. I could not believed this is the moment when my old idea that I kept in my box suddenly appeared before me. During that time, I wanted to see if the Elites course or the Commons course is appealing to the future or current student. Take it like a game of conquer”

More like divide and conquer!! Did he just treat school like a board game?

“The goals is which faction will drop or absorb that will be the game, which department manage to devour each other. I look into it, gaining allies and talents around me. Which is now, I’m your new principal”

Everyone is surprised except Melissa

“Then…what is it for us student?”

“Since this is a special project you all will be different levels among the student in Malaysia, your course and method will be different even gradings will be different, a whole new challenge but Alex will be familiar with this method. So…”

“You want to make school even more interesting, right?”

“Yep, I have always fascinate with the other school around the world but none of it makes sense. Alex before you did this, she is the first one that object that traditions and wanted to change but because she is a girl and her boyfriend here tried to make it worst, she was exile from her family”

I did not know about that, Melissa gone through all that.

“Yeah I did but I was sick of it, my voice didn’t reach”

“Hey kid, what did you do during the orientation?”

Mr Rahman explain the incident that night, William laugh really hard

“Hahahahahaha!!!! That is funny as shit!!!! Mel I told you this guy is interesting!!”

Melissa pull his ear

“behave…”

“Then when this will start?”

“It already happen only that we need a student body that could manage under me, so the student will be connected with each other and we need more talented members for this project since the idiots of the Elites manage to tore apart talents that they never seen it works for them, I will took them as allies”

“Alex did you bring all that files?”

“Yeah why?”

“You going to work for me…”

“Huh!?…what if I don’t want?”

“No excuse…”

William hold my shoulder and said to me

“If she said so, then it is…”

“What the fuck….”

“Language!! You really need to learn proper manners!!!”

Melissa knock my head, as if I’m her little brother

Hana lucky she did not see this but she smile

“As long, it's not doing something bad, I’m ok” Hana thumbs up at Melissa. I really need to ask Hana the term in meaning of bad in her vocabulary.

“Fine then…”

I gave her the files and she look the documents. William eyes were aroused.

“I’m getting turn on when she look serious like that…”

huh!?….I going to lose respect to you bro!! Melissa look and she ask me to let her gone through the files.

“I will look after this files I need to study for at least a night, but I’m impress with Alex manage to convince an anti-social kid that does not even manage to socialise with ‘real people’ maybe this could work Mr Rahman, so long Alex is the one doing the muscle work, then it will”

“You started what I think, I like you already!! Well then all is done, so I can at least my shoulder will be lighter”

“Didn’t you had a deal with William?”

“Yeah, Will!? Would you be interested in becoming a contractor for food catering service in our new school?”

“Take it…honey!!”

“Well, if you say so…fine let me create the menu first”

“Remember this will be related to this project, a balance diet means a balance life”

“You don’t know the budget is right?”

“Nothing… zero…”

“WHAT!!” Everyone is surprised

How the hell this going to happen? But Melissa eyes have taken the challenge

“Not like I have not taken this challenge before but sure I will find out how…”

“Good lass, now I have a talented member of the group, I will believed you will class president soon”

“Nope…but temporary I’m busy with my business and I have baby now”

“You better get married then at least its easy…”

“Only after I’m completed my school…”

“Very well don’t forget to invite me”

“You will be the last in the list”

“That is cruel…”

It’s like Mr Rahman had already plan all of this, is just that he waited for the moment. I just had a feeling that this is going to be big like a revolution. After the meeting, Mr Rahman left the place, I had to call mom that I hang around in the cafe while waiting for mom from her office. She propose that we had dinner in there as well. William introduce to mom including Melissa, but Mom is not surprised and she also giving advice in taking care of a baby. Melissa become really close to us after that, even Mom treated her like a daughter. We had dinner together, with William cooking the food for us. Mom said to me.

“Food bring us all together..you know Alex…”

“Never knew that you had in you Alex” Melissa praise me for this?

“I read your files so I know what is going on”

When did she, that sneaky bastard, Mr Rahman wait until I get my hands on him. We return home while waving goodbye to them. Melissa hug me with her big tummy. She look really happy, we return home. Mom said to me

“At least you are not unsettle now…”

“Really mom, maybe mom need a set an appointment with the eye doctor soon”

“You think so, maybe I haven’t had enough sleep since working for the department of research in Borneo Foundation.”

I remember that Borneo College is related with Borneo Foundation, one of the government agency that is responsible in the development of people in Borneo. The but that foundation fills with politician as tool for their own gains. That what Mr Hawk told me about, That Mr Hawk really knows a lot about my country.

I look into my email, and Natalie replied me

Dear Alex,

I’m great. But its quite boring while you are not here, I hope to hear you soon, I have just return from Dad’s university and I learn quite a lot during this time. But I hope you enjoy life there. Tell me more about Hana and Sam including Aunt Mas, I really miss them. Hope to hear you soon.

Love

Nat

P/s - here is a little gift from me. Hiew is not my type so don’t get any funny ideas

Another picture of her wearing glasses, she look really cute, wait is that a night gown!!? There is a reflection in the mirror. I just saw her panties!! And it’s a sexy white lace!! Holy shit!!! Nat, you making me horny!! I print the picture and hid it in my secret books. I look at her sexy picture, I realise that this had become my playboy book only picture of Natalie. She really making sure that I only look at her. My brother had turn on, dammit!! Nat!! Now I suddenly remember her making love with me before!! But wait university!? She up to something. I know really well if she suddenly said university that means she is learning there!!? Woah she is something..she is my pride and joy. 

I got a feeling that I have to move forward, if I want to get her again.