Chapter 41 - Festival on the cliff, a confession.

The next morning, I awoke to see the sunrise behind the house. The beach is lovely, with pristine blue waters visible from afar. Diana was returning from the oceans when I noticed her going to the beach. She smiled as she waved at me, carrying a load of catch from the sea.

“Morning!!”

"morning...you up early"

"I'm a fisherman, and I'm always up early catching the catch of the day"

She was dressed in a diving suit and told me,

"You know, men over here always provide food for the house," she is very good at teasing people now.

"Uh huh...then I had to return to the villa..." She unexpectedly kissed me“What the hell was that for?”

"A thank you present!!" Because you help me." That's really amusing.

"It's not much," the old lady said, offering me breakfast.

"Thank you," a coffee and a biscuit for breakfast is good for me. I prepare to return back and Diana offered me a ride in her little fishing boat.

"Come on!! "I sent you there!!"

"Thank you," I said as I waved goodbye to her grandmother.

"Thank you so much, child!! You're welcome here, okay?"

We quickly pass through the cliff and arrive at the villa, but all I see now is an angry mob in front of me. I asked Diana to drop me off near the beach, but she refused, saying, "I want to meet the lady who was with you yesterday."

We anchored off the beach.

Sylvia was the first to question me.

“darling…You know you promised me a date but brought back another girl?"

"Ugh...long story..."

“Kukuku... We're all wondering what you've been up to besides bringing a girl out of nowhere"

"Bro... You are the epitome of a playboy now..."

"Shut up..."

Diana thanked mom and explained what had happened, I never expected my mom to believe everything that happened.

"Thank you, son; you just helped another, but Diana you're still 15, aren't you supposed to be in school?"

“Yeah… I'm in my third year at Penang Chinese Girls High School."

"Wow, I had no idea, but do you have a relative there?"

"Yes, my aunt lived there. This week is the school holidays, and I'll fly back to Penang for the next semester."

"But why are you here?"

"Because my grandmother...She's all alone, at least I keep her company, but it's because I never got to meet my parents again, or even visit their grave..." This is the part where her grandmother does not tell her what happened.

"But at least when Alex helped me, it did happen, and for the last three years I haven't felt at lost.”

"Well, I'm glad to hear you're not going to do that again."

"Yep..." I'm happy for her, but she grabbed my arm while Sylvia looked at me like as a yandere girl.

"Darling, why are you holding her?”

"Hey, that's nothing!!" I said as I pulled away from her arms. Got it!!"

"But you kissed me?"

Everyone looked at me😒, except Sylvia, who looked at me as if she wanted to kill me. Sylvia grabs my arms and pinches my hip. That hurt a lot, Priscilla gripping my shoulder so tightly.

"This is my boyfriend," Diana said to me, "Boy, you go it rough eh...?"

"All thanks to you…"

Mom invited her to the festival, and she accepted,

"Don't forget to bring your grandmother, okay?"

“Thanks!! So, I'll see you later, my prince..." She really piss me off !! She left while I was dealing with the two girls and Mariam.The girls were constantly bothering me throughout the day. Hana and Sylvia's lectures left me with bruises and ringing in my ears. Sylvia said to mom

“Mother!! I'm not going to let him go alone this time!! "Not after that girl!!"

"Certainly not a problem!!" Mom gives her a thumbs up. Amin gave me a look.

"boy...you sure changed bro, if the last time I met you, you didn't have these kinds of problems"

"Shut up, or you want me to throw you in the water?" He tapped my back and said something to me that really annoyed me.

"We had a great time thanks to you!!"

"Oh, really?" While Mariam is yelling at Amin, I grab his back and perform a German suplex on him before throwing him into the water.

“Honey!!! Don't leave me!!" I can't take it any longer and toss Mariam into the water as well.

“Have fun together then!!!”

They were floating in the water like dead people, unconscious. Hana tried to poke them to see if they were still alive, but Mariam surprised her and they had a good time in the water. Sylvia, on the other hand, kicks me in the nuts and throws me into the water.

"That's being a playboy again, darling," she glares at me.

We all had a good time at the waters because I didn't have fun yesterday until mum called us to prep for the festivals. When we arrived, I had no idea they had already started preparing for the surfing competition. The group appears to have gathered here in their swimwear, with Sylvia and Priscilla standing close to me, and Mariam with Amin. Hana tried to pull the two away from me, but she jumped from behind me and yelled at them,

"Bad girl!! "Get out of here, big brother!"

"Not at all!! What if he goes out with another girl?!" Sylvia is defending herself making sure that she could get near me.

Hana is already attached to my back and will not let me go. Zuan suddenly grabs my back.

"Bro, don't treat us like a bunch of idiots just because you've got all the girls here."

"I'm sorry?"

Arie is staring at me, while the other guys are envious. Diana, on the other hand, arrived with her grandmother. She is also wearing very gaudy swimwear, and as she approaches me, Sylvia stops her and warns her.

"Don't even think about it.”

"Hiya, Alex!!"

"This guy is a magnet for girls," the guys said.

"You know there is a limit to being a magnet, but this is off the top," Arie said. Is there anything else you'd like to break?”

“uh. Sorry?”

"DIE!!! BASTARD!!!" say Arie, Zuan, and the others as they throw me into the water. I slam my face against the water. The guys tried to torture me after I stood up.

"You know, we were hoping to talk to some girls as well."

"Then talk to them if you're not going to beat me up!!"

Zuan immediately introduced himself to Diana, who smiled and said, "Hiya, I'm Diana, nice to meet you." As she kissed his cheeks, I could see his expression fade. "Another traitor!!" says Arie as he holds Zuan back. Get em!!!”

Then it was Arie's turn to introduce himself, and while Diana kissed him on the cheeks, most of the guys there started killing each other. Diana must have purposefully released these lonely guys here before the surfing tournament.

Hana is very attached to me right now. I notice Mariam and Amin are ecstatic and begin to photograph the events. Mom called and asked me to register for the challenge. Mr Rahman arrived and handed over the surfboard to me. The waves began to rise, and an announcement called us to prepare ourselves at the waters. Arie and I headed to the waters, while Zuan and the others flirted with Diana.

We managed to surf the waves, slowly realising that the waves here are high enough, but not as high as in Los Angeles, where the waves reach over 6 feet high. I've had a few wipeouts, but nothing like Arie. Then Arie and I took this big wave that was over 7 feet high and started surfing waving down while Arie demonstrated his skill by making a huge jump from the waters. While slowly moving through the waves, I made it through with everyone cheering.

"We're seeing some nice moves here folks!! It appears that the boys here are proving their worth!!”

It's a lot of fun to play in the waves. Mariam appeared suddenly behind me; she is also skilled at this. While playing in the waves, we returned to the beach as the waves began to slow. Mom then went out to demonstrate her wind surfing abilities. I had no idea my mother could surf like that. While gliding over the water, a parachute is deployed.

"Whoa!!" Mariam and I exclaimed. "You, Mom, could do it!!"

When it's all said and done, the winner is a member of the gang. It appears that there is also a beauty competition for the best swimwear, with Sylvia taking first place and Priscilla coming in second. Diana also won the competition and the third best dress award. When did this happen!?

Amin asked Mariam and me to perform the music. Playing vintage rock and roll music. Amin is strumming the guitar, Mariam is playing the drums, and I am playing the bass. Everyone is cheering, and Sylvia is calling out to me,

"I LOVE YOU ALEX!!!!!"

The guy is staring at me, and I'm trying not to get killed. The music perfectly fits the mood. While we entertained them with music, it appears that mum and the others were preparing for the next festival, the jazz festival. Our performance lasts for hours until we finish with music that Amin requested. Everyone is having a good time, and we noticed some journalists taking pictures for this event. Amin is having a blast, while Mariam is having a good time.

"This is a lot of fun!!" "thanks to Alex for inviting me here!!"

" thanks, bro!!! "I haven't had this much fun in years!!”

After we finished, it was time for lunch, which was already prepared for us. I walk over to Mom, who is busy setting up the stage while they eat.

"Mom, go ahead and have lunch; I'll assist mom!"

"All right, make sure the equipment is prepared for the night!!"

"Got it!!"

I assist the committee members in preparing the venue. Mariam and Amin pitch in to help set up the place. One of the member said to us,

"This is going the first jazz festival in Sabah because we wanted this place to be famous, where it could help the community now develop. Even so, due to such pristine nature of this place, we take particular care of this place.”

That must be why Mom asked me to accompany her. Learning how to interact with the locals here. Hundreds of jazz bands had already gathered here by the evening, and Mom invited us to join them.

"Would all of you young people be interested in performing jazz here?"

“Really!!!” "Alex, is this it?!" exclaims Mariam. We're going to get it!!" Amin invited me to join, but I didn't bring my saxophone.

“Here!! I brought it without your knowledge."

Mom obviously wanted me, Mariam, and Amin to perform. We were surprised when Mariam asked Sylvia instead, and she wanted her to have fun as well, including revealing her talents to the world.

"I could sing, but I wanted her to join as well," she pushed Sylvia, but she was initially reluctant, and Mariam gave me that look that she wanted me to convey her.

"Hey, just sing for me like you used to, okay?"

"All right...don't get your hopes up." We practised the music first until we got the rhythm, but mum told us that we should start first because others were still preparing.

oh my god!! "We were the first to begin."

“Dammit!!”

"Well, then, just go with the flow."

"By Bill whithers, just the two of us got it!!"

It's a huge crowd, and we're the first to arrive. I began playing the saxophone, followed by Amin on guitar, and Mariam on keyboards. Sylvia began to sing. The entire crowd erupted. They began to cheer. While we began to sing, the camera flashed towards us. I got the impression that the jazz festival was off to a good start. Amin instructed us to bow to the audience after we finished our performance. Everyone is clapping for us. Suddenly, the MC said, "Give it up to the SIGMA students, now that's talent!!" "A round of applause!!" While mum was speaking to us, we could hear loud cheering from the crowd.

"I told you, you guys could pull it off!!"

Sylvia is holding me and appears exhausted.

"How did I do?"

"Are you crazy, the whole crowd is cheering us on!!"

She smiles, relieved. But she was surprised to see her father, as well as Amin and Mariam's parents, present. They congratulate them on their outstanding performance. Mr Rahman said to me as I exited the stage,

"nice kid!! At the very least, SIGMA is off to a great start; people will be aware of what we are capable of.”

“yeah…” I went out to see the performance from the top of the stage; the quiet scenery had transformed into a place of music and culture, and other bands began to perform better.

"There you are, why aren't you down with us?" Sylvia said.

"You know I don't like crowds, right?"

“Yeah…”

Sylvia rested her head on my shoulder. We're acting like a couple right now, and no one is bothering or seeing us. Sylvia looked at me, as if she needed to tell me something.

"Alex, I've decided that I'm going to Italy after I finish my PMR, but I also wanted to tell you something," so she's leaving, but it's for the best.

"I just wanted to confess something..."

"What exactly is that?"

She kissed me unexpectedly, and I could feel myself falling in love.

"It's just that I adore you and do not wish you to feel out of place. Because you change me if I don't meet you. I'm not sure what I'll do; perhaps I'll be lost.."

"Well now you have a new future, just focus on it, I'll root for you got it!!" I said as I closed her lips.

"Thank you, Alex," she said as she hugged me.

You are special to me, you are aware of that.”

“Uh… "I'm sure there are a lot of guys who are better than me."

"Nope...even if I couldn't have that moment with you and me…"

We watch the performance together, as if we were on a date. It ended successfully, and we cleaned the place and returned to the villa that night. Sylvia offered me something, but I wanted to rest for the day. She wanted to take me to the cliffs where we could see the oceans beyond. The stars and moons make it visible even in the dark. We sat on the cliff's edge. A gentle breeze blew in our faces, and the air was crisp. Shit!!! This is becoming awkward!! I know I promised her I'd be there, but this is rushing far off. Looking at her, I get the impression that she is looking forward to the future. Sylvia holds my arm as we gaze up at the stars.

"I'm serious, Alex; if Natalie dumps you, I'm going to get you and I'm not going to let it go ever again."

"That's just stupid, I'm not some pet, you know."

She laughs again as she looks at me; she is naturally gorgeous of what I think; she is mature in comparison to others; is this because of what she has been through? But I became curious and wanted to know what she wanted for the future, so I decided to start with myself.

"You know, when you look at me, you might think I'm going to do sports or something physical, but I've always wanted to travel the world, see people and cultures, and someday help them build their lives; that's what I want.”

"I've always wanted to be something, but now that I'm with you, I have my answer." I want to be like Mother Theresa, singing, guiding, and lovingly caring for them."

Wow, I never expected her to respond in that way, but I respected her decision because I was concerned. So I tease her about helping humanity.

"Becoming a nun? Sounds like you'll be useful."

Sylvia smiles and pinches my back.

"Asshole, that's why I wanted to go to Italy, to learn the ways of the church for real, and yeah, I had to admit a nun. That's what I aspired to be."

"Well, then, I'll respect your decision"

"Until then, let me enjoy this moment with you” Sylvia cuddled up to my left arm in her swimmers. I must admit that her determination has impressed me. Maybe that's what I'll need for my future, assuming I have one. I look down at my blood-stained arm, which has been stained by my past.

"If you say anything about being a monster, I knock your head again because that is just an excuse to avoid taking responsibility," Sylvia said to me.

“Yeah…"

"But when mother explains what happened, I forgive you because it's something I'm glad to hear from you, that you're guiding them.” Sylvia abruptly changed the subject.

"I was wondering, who is Shanay?" Maybe she heard from Mariam; at the very least, I told her.

"In Native American, Shanay means beautiful eyes, Natalie's other name."

"Do you have a different name?"

“Cheveyo…”

"What exactly does that mean?" I had to keep it hidden because she would not believe it.

"It means nothing..."

“Bullshit!! "I know you're keeping it tucked away!!”

Sylvia is attempting to dig from me, but I prefer to smile at her, and she begins to sulk when I turn my back on her.

“ Meaning Spirit warrior, Natalie's dad named it for me when I was in rehab to community, He told me that someday, I will guide people, and they will be drawn to me because I will help them.”

“I've always had this feeling that you are very distant from me," Sylvia says, "but I won't give up, I will chase you, and someday you will truly accept me.”

I couldn't say anything to her, but I smiled as we walked away from the cliff. I did notice that someone was watching us. Mariam and Amin are staring at me, as are Mom and Hana and Priscilla.

"Kukuku, another great memory to keep inside, wait until I tell Nat about this," she is having a great time with this. Sylvia then grabbed my arm and shouted back,

"Come on!! Everyone, pleeeeeeease quickly take this picture together!!"

"Kukuku, this is fascinating; well handled!!"

Everyone took their places while Mariam set up her camera on a stand.

Mom smiled and shouted

"To the great fun we had today!!" as Priscilla and Sylvia stood together, with Hana hanging behind me. "Have some fun!"

“FUN!!!!!! "DUMB ALEX!!!"

“HEY!!!” the shutter flashed, and Mariam announced that she would print for everyone. Could you also print a large portrait of it for our home?"

"Got it!!” When we return to our villa, Sylvia is holding my arm, as if we are a couple. But I know that this is the last time she will be because of the path she will take. Because the villa is full of girls, Amin and I went out and set up the hammock for us to sleep on the beach, the sound of the waves and the soft breeze of the wind lulling us to sleep. Amin thanking me

"I appreciate it, bro."

"For what?"

"helping to make Honey feel at ease and being a friend to me and us"

"Don't be stupid, we're the three Musketeers, we're comrades."

“Yeah”

"The new semester starts next week, and we're going to prepare ourselves for PMR, including going to LA, right?"

"Yeah," that is the mission I need to wrap up there; after Damien lied to me about Natalie, I wanted to hear from him as soon as possible. We fall asleep, but I close my eyes as I realise someone is lying next to me.

"Don't later, you'll run away from me," Sylvia said, her boobs pressing against my chest. Oh Shit!! What the heck is going on? While Amin sleeps peacefully, he is a fast sleeper.

"What the hell is going, Sil?"

"It's just that I've wanted to do this for a long time."

"You know what she'll do to me if mom finds out?"

"Yeah, I know, but it's just that I feel safer with you around." shit, this is getting out of hand, how am I supposed to sleep like this? But then she fell asleep. I couldn't sleep because Sylvia was sleeping next to me, but I could hear her whisper.

"Dear god, please let me be with the one that I cared the most, he is stupid but he is the one that could protect me. Please don't let this come to an end..." Dammit, her tears flow down to my chest!! I could feel her boobs pressing against me!! Shit I had no choice but to let it go. Someone is holding my shoulder, and I don't want to know who it is; when I open my eyes, it's my mother, but she asked me to be quiet.

"She's like a baby, looking for a parent to cuddle with. I understood her anxiety. Allow it, but I know Nat will not like it."

"Yeah," I'm dead if Mariam finds out. Mom said to me

"I have a feeling that people will be drawn to you just like you were to Natalie; you have these special powers that put people at ease that no one else has except you son; if dad finds out about this, he will not like it."

"Whatever mum, if dad cared about it, he would not leave mum alone like this."

“Yeah. Do you have any regrets about living in Malaysia?" Of course, in my heart, but Allah had a reason for me to be apart from the place that I believe to be heaven for me, but Allah had other plans for my future.

"Perhaps, but I have a feeling that if I hadn't moved, I would have been even worse because I wouldn't have known what I could become, and for that, thanks mom.”

"Okay, I'm glad to hear that, and just sleep okay, nothing else, I know you're no longer a virgin" eh how the hell? She is aware of Natalie's night out? Oh my god!!

"I have the impression that you have matured more than the average 15-year-old. Goodnight son”

Dammit!! But I know that looking at the skies is Natalie who changed me, but when I remember that night when she suddenly took my virginity, She didn't even think twice about it. Even with all of the girl trouble I'm having, it's as if we were meant to be together. The soft breeze that even makes me falling to sleep. What a day I'm having now; I'm starting to sense as If i'm moving, and hopefully not into a playboy, because otherwise I'll live a short life.