Chapter 56 - going back to the hood (Part 1) - reaching there and a lot of thinking

While I’m preparing myself, Sylvia is making breakfast. At the moment Priscilla and Siti does not know our intention going to LA, and Sylvia is making sure that the two is not joining. Like a loving wife, she giving advice to me

“You know, don’t just plainly trust all the people there got it?” Sylvia is lecturing and advising me to be cautious. 

“Yeah got it..” I could see mom eyes in tears,

“Don’t worry about me son, she is here with Steward…” nope that’s what I’m worried about. Allah knows what mom going to do with them.

“Big brother Alex, just be safe got it…”

“Yeah…look after the family got it, you a man got it” we fist pass

“Big brother say hi to Big sis Nat got it!!”

“Yeah…”

With just a single backpacker style bag. I ready for my travels. We all arrived at the airport and Mariam and Amin is waiting for me.

“Remember what I said before got it” Sylvia is reminding me again while she hold my arm but this time Hana did not done anything but she hold my arm.

“Big brother!! Remember this is your home got it!! We waiting for big brother to return home!!”

Mariam then tease us “don’t worry Sil… I’ll make your husband return home..” Damn!! Mariam!!

“Hey!! That’s not funny!!” i tried to stop Mariam from talking anymore misunderstanding. Sylvia is blushing and she started to whisper at herself “I’m his wife….I’m his wife…” 

mom is teasing me as well

“Son be safe okay?”

“Yeah thanks mom”

Sylvia hug me and whispered to remind me

“Remember don’t fall into darkness got it”

“Got it…” she kiss my cheeks

Hana and Tama hug me as well, Sam was crying

“Hey don’t be sad Sam, I’ll be back, I promise..”

I hug mom and she only left with a smile

“Be safe, and don’t forget to say hi to Mr Hawk and Nat…”

We wave goodbye and enter the departure terminal. I never use the ticket because Mariam explain to me

“If Damien gave you that ticket, I worried it will be bug… they will know you are coming”

“Bro, lets get this trip a worthwhile ourselves into memory” that is sentimental coming from him though.

“Yeah right…just because its in the state doesn’t mean I’m not looking after you guys doing anything stupid…”

“right back at ya stupid” Mariam

We sat at the economy seats waiting to take off. We were surprised to see the terminal Sylvia and the others is there, waving at us goodbye. Sylvia she is smiling, that smile of hers is really angelic. I could see her own mouth saying to me

“I promise to look after them, just promise me to look after yourself”

I thumbs up, while Sylvia gave me a flying kiss. Geh!! Mariam and Amin is staring at me

“I wonder what really happen during our last visit…” Mariam is staring at me as if like a criminal while Amin is teasing me

“Hey bro I hope you don’t bring another girl trouble again eh?” Thats is annoying

Our travels transit us into Taipei, damn its already cold. Mariam is practicing her dance while Amin is listening to his music. Sylvia gave her necklace while I took the necklace that I make a few months ago. She said to me as good luck.

“Better make sure to return it back got it!!” With her wife style nagging. Once they called us to depart again, a day trip to LA.

This time we’ve got a first class compliments from Mariam’s parents.

“Yeah!!! Now this is luxury!!” Mariam is really excited over this.

“Can’t wait to see what install in LA!!” This is Amin's first overseas trip. Here we are, I'm supposed to be excited about this, but this isn't Arizona. As I waited for the arrival, I went to sleep.

Mariam then called me.

“Hey Alex, you know what”

“Yeah?”

“I’m going to meet with Nat but what about you then?”

“………” I rather not to talk about but I need to explain to her

“Still keeping secrets?”
“nope, listen…” I explain to her about the plans, Uncle Faruq request for help, meeting with Darrel and about Naomi, then finally meeting with Mr Hawk and Natalie.

Mariam shed her tears “father-in-law….damn idiot dad….I really wanted to hug him…”

“Yeah….but don’t tell Amin about this…” listening to Amin’s snoring, he must be really tired from all of this.

“But I never knew you went through all this…”

“Yeah just keep it between us then…”

“So I have question now?” Anything, but not between Sylvia and Natalie, but her grinning face really worries me.

“kukuku, you think I don’t now about what happen eh?” Huh?

“You fell in love with Sylvia eh?” Oh shit!! How the hell?

Mariam pinch my face and said to me

“We’re still young though but I really need you to make a decision to choose, I hate it when you suddenly to decide to choose both…” That's right, I hate polygamy. It's going to get worse.

“Both of them I really cared the most now…”

“As your comrade, I hate choosing It for you, but I’m with Nat side got it?”

“Yeah I know…”

“But I really like Sil, she really does understand us…and its a good thing that she making sure Pris and Siti not joining us or its going to get worst for your health…”

“Yeah”

“Well then here is the program” it’s not a short trip though it will be at least a month in LA.

“Huh? You serious right?”

“Yep…my audition and shows is extended to a month program with meetings and interviews is a lot to swallow, lucky honey is with me”

“Yeah…”

“then what about your’s?”
“Going to hang around with you first but at the same time going to meet an old friend of mine during the 102 day’s. There is something that I wanted to find out…then meeting with Mr Hawk and Detective Tracy”

“About accommodations, we don’t have one…” she is looking at me like begging for help

“You serious?”

“Yeah…”

“Uh huh….” Let’s just hope if my old crib is still there or worst Compton

“Well then I’ll handle that…”

“Transport is also something I need to find out…”

“Uh huh…we’ll think about it” wondering if Hardware still taking care of it, he is the one that handles our belongings

“About food and money, don’t worry I’ll handle it” yeah, I really need to look after them, Allah knows what she going to do after this. Amin is sleeping like a baby.

“Is all about doing it solo eh?”

“Yeah, I don’t like working with manager’s, one thing I learn with Nat, is that with manager’s its going to get worst for ya, especially when you used living in the hood…”

“Well, I know someone that we could get hold off…”

“Well then we better get ready…but for now when we arrived someone from MTV will pick us up after the 1st audition then we’ll doing it our own…”

“Yeah…”

After that long haul flights we finally arrived in America, Nat….so close yet I had to be distant with her until I settle with Damien. We manage pick up our luggage, someone with a signboard “Miss Mariam and family” Mariam wave at the lady.

“Hey Miss Mariam!! I’m Leslie from MTV, I’ll be going to escort you all to the studio. But is it okay for you not have anyone looking after you?”

“Nah, I’m cool, beside I’ve got a local here that knows the street here…” I nod at Leslie. We ride the chauffeur and head towards MTV studio, in Hollywood. Amin is like a kid right now, mesmerise looking at the place.

The last time I visit this place when me and Damien took rounds finding one of the borrower who is an actor and a drug addict, kind of forget who is name is though. But here is Hollywood is where dreams come true for artist like Mariam.

We reach the MTV HQ, one of them is the director that Mariam will be involved with.

“Hey Mariam babe!! How ya doing!!”

“Hey there Loswell!! Ain’t that cool thing you’re wearing right now, bling-bling eh!?”

“Pretty sick right there babe!!” Maybe he's queer or whatever, but he's kinda fashionable and a bit exaggerated But hey, at least he's not afraid to stand out from the crowd!

“This is all my friends, this is Amin my boyfriend”

“What’s up!! Bro!!”

“He is really good in music, at least I’ve got a partner that could play music while I dance”

“Sick!!! What about him though?” Yeah what about me then?

“he is Alex our muscle, our bodyguard, and our guide for this journey”

“He does look like a dork eh, are you sure he’s up for the job?” I do look like a dork now

“Yeah he does look like a dork but he is sensible is a way, ya catch my drift”

“He really need to look really tough here…anyway I’ve got a room here for you hang around while you babe…”

“My boyfriend will be with me, I need him to get the idea of my dance”

“Cool!! Then Amin I really to find out about your skill then”

“But what about Alex then?”

“Uh what about it Alex?” She is looking at me now. Shit I forgot that eye signal

“I’ve got places I need to go first…could you drop me off to Santa Monica, there is a place what they called it, Skid row…”

“Bro, that is the hood, that place is dangerous!! I ain’t gonna drop you off there” maybe I could meet with Detective Tracy first

“Maybe to LAPD HQ”

“Cool that’ll be fine”

“See you bro!!”

“Don’t forget about the curfew…and don’t get any girls got it!!” Mariam is like a mother now.

“Yeah, yeah” I head out and the driver drop me off to LAPD

“What are you planning to be there though?”

“Umm, tell you what how about drop me off here don’t worry about it” I change my mind lets try walk my way out of this.

“Uh okay…”

“Just tell Mariam for me we’ll meet back in MTV studios at 7pm”

“Got it!!”

I wave them goodbye, but shit!! I forgot I don’t have money here shit!!. Oh well, gotta change my gear or else I’ll be a victim of a wallet drag. Though this street look familiar, Lincoln Boulevard, yep I gotta be in Ocean Avenue. Hope Hardware is still living there though. Once I reach there, its home, the hood itself. You could see the place itself is dirty, filled with graffiti, and gangs around. But I need to change my gear, well gotta try that thrift store there.

I went inside, seems like there is some decent clothing for me to blend in with them though not as a tourist.

“Yo brother…”

“Whats up!! What I can help you?” Some stores could probably make a trade with clothing. Depends on the value of the clothing.

“I need a change of clothing but I don’t have dough I’ll pay back later on, or trade with this though…” I show my gang sign which is not a good idea.

“Shit…are you serious right now homie!!” But this brotha look familiar

“Are kidding me, is that you Alex!!?”

“Yeah, you familiar…”

“Homie!! Its me junk!!”

“Damn man, is that you? You look neat or rather sharp”

“Well I’m a man of culture…” we give our brotha style greetings and a hug. What a small world eh…that quick getting leads. Or I’m just plain lucky.

“What you need homie?”

“Gotta change this gear homie…”

“Yeah, homie you look like a dork…”

“Yeah…I do look like a dork, I rather avoid getting shot”

“Yeah I agree with that homie…” he showed me the mens clothing look like I manage to get what I want, this time, I wore a black sport hood, with jeans and nike shoes.”

“Homie, just change for this”

“Anything for you brotha…”

“Junk…I just wanted to know…”

“Yeah?”

“Its about Damien…”

“ShhHH!!!!!! Shut up Homie!!” He close my mouth and head inside his office.

“There is a lot ears hear right now…its getting dangerous right now..” Damn looks like Damien is busy.

“damn…”

“Yeah damn….”

“So now what do you need homie…”

“I need to find ‘Hardware’ do you where is that asshole…” he started to look around from his contact files

“He is now the owner of a warehouse somewhere close here homie…”

“Got it…”

“Hey homie…”

“Yeah?”

“Glad that you still alive…”

“yeah…”

We hug and I head towards Hardware place 11 Dewey Street, about few blocks away from here. I head there hoping that I don’t having problems with brothers here. This nostalgic feeling I have here. All the memories, seems like some of the shop here have change.

The once they had hookers running around now there is none. Once reach there the signboard “Hardware homie!!” Sound cliche

I went inside, looking around Its really quiet. But this place looks really stuffy. Someone is shouting at me

“HEY!! HOMIE!! What the hell are you doing here!! This ain’t a place for kids!!” Yep its Hardware.

“Hey homie…” I show my gang sign at him, he fell down and his face is really spook as if he saw a ghost.

“Is that you Alex!!! Shit first Damien now you!!” He is trying to run away, I chase him

“Get away from me, don’t haunt me man!!!”

“Hey!! I’m not dead yet homie!!” He look at me really spook.

“Fuck you, they told me that you already dead!!”

“Yeah, yeah do I look I’m dead?, look at here!!” I show my body that filled with scar.

“Only Alex is the only one had that kind of scars….is that really you homie?”

“In the flesh…asshole…” he instantly hugged me

“Shit man!!! Damien, he look really like a dead man, homie!!” He is crying? What the hell is going on?

“Chill homie, calm down, tell me what the hell is going on?”

Hardware explain to me that Damien was looking for someone and he took one of his stash, while pointing a gun to his head. Shit Damien what the hell happen to you?

“Shit man….”

“Yeah all bunch of bullshit things that happen right now!!”

“Been a while, do you something to drink?”

“Beer?”

“uh…coke?”

“Huh? What the hell? You really change homie?”

“Really…yeah I did…”

“I could see in your eyes…is not of a deadman…”

“Yeah but why the hell you running away then homie?”

“With a lot of crazy shit happen right now…”

“Now what the hell is going now?”

“well….” Someone just entered the warehouse, seems like some gang members

“Hey!!! Hardware where the hell is the protection money here!!! I need the dough!!”

“Bullshit, you don’t even tried to protect this crib eh?” The guys is loaded

“Hey asian!!” What the hell?

“Get out from here!!” He pointed his gun at me

“Shit man!!! Don’t you who is this?”

“Huh? I rule this street you just shut it and give me the dough!!”

“Hey brotha…do you know how to use that gun?” He look really pissed but the way he handle the gun is really an amateur unlike those guys during the 90’s

“What the hell!! Do you know where is your position is” he get his gun closer to my head in an instant I took his gun, and pointed the gun at him.

“Well then brotha…don’t know that you could handle it, how old are you anyway homie?”

“Shit!! Shit!!! He got Jones!!” Everyone is getting their guns and in an instant I took the shot at their guns.

“BANG!BANG! BANG!”

“Shit!! Homie, you haven’t lost your touch eh?”

“Guns for pussies, how about you fist then?”

“Sonava!!!!” Instantly I punch him and he flew off 10 feet from the air. The other were terrified but I know if I don’t stop them they going back and its going to get worst. One of the guys tried to escape but I throw his gun at his head and he got knock out. One of them tried to stab me I dodge it, and knock his head with my knee really hard. In the end, they got knock out and I ask Hardware a rope to tie them. Looks like I’m going to squeeze information out of them.

“Hey man!!! Don’t you know who I am!!” He is still showing his toughness. I slap him and ask again

“Shit man, we’re dead man!!”

“Huh? What the hell homie aren’t you from the hood…?”

“Shit Alex….what the hell man, that is some sick move you got there man!!”

“Long story…” I continued to question them, at least one of them blurt out a name.

“We work with Damien man!! Like we have any choice homie!! He is going to take out our family if we don’t!!” Shit what the hell man, that I’m really pissed at them. Maybe I could try it though…

“Then what the hell with the money then?”

“He ordered us to wreak havoc in this part of town making it like it was in the 90’s” sounds familiar. That method is what Darrel always makes us do when we’re part of the 102. As if he’s leaving a message. I took their guns and unclip their ammo.

“Did Damien give you this piece as well?”

“Yeah homie!!”

“Well then I want to ask all of you how old are you homie?”

“15…” still at high school

“14…”

“17….”

“Fine…” I look at Hardware

“Do you this kids?”

“Yeah I know them…and their parents as well, want to make the phone?”

“Yeah…”

Hardware head to his office and make the call.

“Please homie…I don’t want to lose all this…”

“Oh yeah homie..just go to school…at least you’ve got a job to feed your family or yourself…”

Suddenly I could hear another car coming again. This they really quiet. They big eh, but they don’t look like people from the hood but more like a soldier of fortune. They really had killer eyes in them. But suddenly someone head out but damn he look awfully familiar.

“Well, well look what we have here…”

“Its Duke…now I remember, Darrel always deal with this guy for a job before…”

“Well then looks like everything have settle….you okay there samaritans?”

“Yeah..just some punks who is thinks they rule the place” I feel the kids fear in their eyes, I had to calm them down.

“Looks like Damien have poison the minds of this kids eh?”

“Yeah, don’t worry about sir nothing happen…” lucky that I manage to hid their guns.

“Good work son…well then samaritan…”

“Hey Hardware, now I want to know who the heck Duke is doing here?”

“Uh…did you forget, I’m the eyes and ears in this town..” Yeah I forgot about that.

“Just hope you neutral about this..”

“Plan to asshole”

“Hey Hardware, thanks for the info…”

“yeah you betcha!!” Duke throw a bag of money at him.

“Damn that’s a lot of money eh? Did you sold off Darrel as well?”

“Huh? Bullshit that’s one rule I obliged to stand, no matter what happen, business is always keep it between my client and myself to my grave.

“Uh huh….”

“Anyway since all is done with…”

“Wait, about them…”

“The parents is coming to get them” I felt that they could be of use

“Well then your parents is about to come to pick you guys up…and don’t worry about Damien, just say this word to him”

“Homies for life…” the kids were smiling and they said to me

“Homie…may I know you name?”

“huh…its Alex…”

“We’ll follow you brotha!!”

“Yeah!!” Huh? What tha?

“uh…I rather work alone…”

“we’ll do anything!!!” Damn man

“Homie, looks like you’re back….”

“Shut up, Hardware…” I scratch my head, in the end I had to agree with them with their eyes is glowing right now.

“Fine go back home, back to school then when you free I give a call, give me your address”

They wrote their address and their phone number. Hardware is laughing right now.

“If Darrel see this, he’ll be laughing”

“Shut up!!”

The parents arrive they look really pissed but they look like a decent parents

“Sorry for the troubles sir!!”

“Nah its cool, just let them be back to school…”

“Yeah don’t worry we’ll mould them to shape…”

“Don’t be too hard for them…hey Hardware you looking for someone to look after this shop?”

“Huh?”

“Come on homie…”

“Urrgghh fine….starting tomorrow at night you all work with me got it!! I need this place to clean and don’t worry I’ll pay for your work.”

The look of those kids change. The parents were looking really happy at Hardware.

“Thank you sir…” some of them is crying right now.

“Looks like a good start as a good samaritan…eh Hardware?”

“Shut up” all the kids went back leaving me and Hardware. Finally at peace.

“So at least you single handedly manage to keep my store in one piece then, I owe you now homie…why can’t Damien be like this”

“So do you still have my stash?”

“Yeah I do homie…its hidden just like you requested”

“Uh huh…” I went towards the stash

“I’m really curious right now what are you hiding here homie”

I open the large container, looks like everything is here like it was except a large box. I open it, holy shit!!! Money!!

“Homie!!! What the hell?!” I give some of it to him

“Here for the rents and looking after my stuff…”

“Shit!! You’re loaded, even arm to the tooth”

Yep, from pistol to assault rifle. I saw something hidden there I open it, its my old bike. A yellow coloured Cagiva Mito. Including another bike that belongs to Darrel a red Ducati 900SS. Some of my old records, savings in my safe box, and clothing. Looks like I’m covered with up. Seem my old record of my own crib.

Seems everything in order. Now for the old account book, damn its been updated again but who? It’s already over a million dollars!!.

“Homie, since you’ve someone that I could trust and you trust what do you need next?”

“Naomi…”

“Seriously?”

“yeah…”

“Come on Homie, she left this path a long time ago, Homie…”

“Really? that means she is still alive then…”

“With kids…”

“I wonder she married to who then…”

“A Machado, Xavier Machado…”

“Bullshit!!”

“I don’t bull here, asshole, they already married with kids. Xavier is working as a mechanic, a hardworking person of the community. Homie everyone from the old times have move on” well that at least is something good right?

“At least not in trouble…”

“Yeah…they lived in Compton, Naomi’s old house…”

“Got it…and…”

“Yeah”

“I need your help, do you still have it?”

“Huh?”

“The Buick!?”

“Huh no way Homie!! That car is cursed, anything but that I ain’t driving that car with later I will get with bullet hole in my ass!!!”

“I come here with my friends…”

“Oh then I rather use my truck then…” I laugh at him

“Hardware!! A nigga using a damn pickup truck!!

“Shut up!! A-HOLE!!!”

“Nah just messing with ya, its good…could you pick them up in MTV studios in Hollywood?”

“Huh? What kind of life you been right now…”

“Uh a good one if you want to know…”

“Okay fine I’ll pick them up then where?”

“I head to Naomi’s place”

“no way man, especially Compton!! Even though I’m a nigga but not part of them, they’ll kill me when they saw me you know Homie!!”

“Don’t tell me….you owe them some dough?”
“uh yeah….I kinda forgot about it and they went off and kick me out of Compton”

“Uh huh, well then how about this, once you pick up them up wait up until I settle with them in Compton”

“Uh huh…well at least you there.”

“Her name is Mariam…and Amin”

“Don’t tell me Mariam like the MARIAM!!”

“Yeah…”

“Damn man she is famous dancer!!”

“Yeah, yeah I get that lot from people”

“Damn man you’re flying homie!!”

“Whatever but I need your help, I can’t trust anyone right now Homie…”

“Fine…don’t worry about it”

“At 7pm be there…wait until I’ll call ya”

“Yeah yeah!!” Hardware gave me his number, so I took the bike and tried to start it. I'm going to meet with Mr Hawk and Nat before heading out towards Compton. I head towards UCLA which is close to Santa Monica. Once I reach there, its already getting dark, wondering what the University is all about. Once I reach there, I ask the guards where is the Department of Anthropology.

“Going to see the department ?”

“yeah…” he look at me and he gives me direction to the place. Once I reach there, I hid my head with a hood. I take a walk, and I look at the directory, Mr Hawk names is here “Professor William@Hawk Costo” yep its definitely him. I head there, there is Mr Hawk, shit tear swelling in my eyes. They really close but I don’t think its a good idea meeting him.

But I wonder where is Natalie, I look around and I saw her, walking with someone, she is smiling at the guy, damn he is good looking white guy. He is kissing her but she push him back. What the hell happen here? shit. Then the guy kiss her again but this time she did not fight back. Damn man…I really don’t know what really happen guess I deserved it…as long she is safe, its all that matter to me. Someone is behind me

“Hey son is there any problem ?” Shit its Mr Hawk, he will recognise me shit!! I just walk out and leave the place. But in my heart, is really aching, stop it man. Its really painful but I deserved it!! When I reach my bike, Mr Hawk is calling me.

“Hey son!!, you okay?”

I just nod at him and start the bike. But he head towards to me

“Hey!!” Damn I need to get out of here, its really is a bad idea for me to be here!! I speed off. I rode as fast as I could towards Compton. What is going on? Shit man what’s wrong with me, she is safe homie!! At least there is someone looking after her!!

I did not realise that I reach Compton quickly, my eyes is still swelling, damn man, I need to calm myself. Once I reach there, well as usual brotha in the hood looking at me.

I open my hood and introduce myself to them.

“Hey brotha, is Naomi here?”

“What the hell you doing here?” Shit man I don’t have time for this.

“Yeah just looking for Naomi…”

“Yeah, maybe you could get the fuck out of here…” before I start wreaking havoc suddenly a voice shouted at them

“Hey BOOZE that kid is my own!! Don’t you remember who is that!!”

“Huh…shit!!! FUCK!!!!!” They all fall down as if seeing a ghost, just like Hardware.

“Is that you Alex!!!!” That shouted just waken up the whole neighbourhood

“Seriously!! Is that Darrel’s boy!!”

Everyone went out to meet me. Some of them were crying to meet me, they all my homies.

“Shit man I just heard that you been killed…”

“Long story homie” Naomi instantly hugged me shit me, I did have sex with her before.. kinda awkward man.

“Alex, you already this big!! Thank god you alive!!”

“Yeah….”

“When Damien came by I really hope that you also survive…”

“Yeah sorry about it, a lot things happen…”

“well at least you here we going to celebrate…”

“Before that, I’m not alone here”

“Yeah sure…you have friends here?”

“yeah…could I bring them, we don’t have a place to crash..”

“Yeah sure, your old crib is still there, I still clean it though make it a place like a homestay..” Damn that is cold blooded, making a homestay in worst place in America. Thats Naomi for ya.

“But who’s going to pick up them…” yeah I need to find out why did Hardware is being exile

“Hey I want to know how much Hardware owe you guys?”

“That asshole, running away from a drinking competition!! Damn pussy!!” Is that all, I laugh out loud to the point what happen that I saw Nat just all went off like the wind.

“Then Is there a phone booth here?”

“Nah homie use my phone here…”

“Homie, you loaded eh!?” Everyone agreed with me

“Yeah!! Homie, this asshole is really rich!!”

I called Hardware

“Hey Homie, your friends is here with me, what will be homie?”

“Just head straight towards Compton”

“Shit….”

“Hey Asshole!!! There is beer here homie!!!”

“Ah hell no!!! What ever!! Give me 30 mins from here”

“Got it”

I just hang outside some of them were once members of 102’s. We share story including my story what happen after that incident. Naomi introduce Xavier. Damn man we were once gang rivals now, a part of the family, a family man.

“Hola!! Homie!! Is that you Alex!” He is really change even his dressing is like a proper man of the family.

“Malaysia eh…really wanted to visit there…”

“Yeah…that’s where I lived now…”

“Yo Homie, still remember to rap!?”

“Uh yeah…”

They pull me to the centre now we having a rap challenge. This is was home at one time but I really cherish it. Looks like Naomi is showing her kid to me though. This is what family is.