Mommy was there and instructing our maids to accommodate ample space for left overs tonight.
"Assalamualaikum mommy...", I greeted and place the rendang on the kitchen island. I went over to give her a hug.
"Waalaikum salam......dah sampai pun anak mommy....", she kissed me on both cheeks. And I kissed her hands.
"Ni rendang yang mommy suruh Q buat...2 ekor chicken right?", I placed my palm on the Le Creuset pot.
Mommy opened the cover. "Q, wanginya rendang ni. Tak sabar mommy nak makan. Tuti, ambil saya pinggan dan roti....saya nak makan rendang anak saya buat....", and the maid obliged. Her compliment made me smiled.
"Where's daddy and abang...sunyi saja dalam rumah?", I asked and watched mommy scooping the rendang on to her plate.
"Ada kat atas tu. Dua beranak tu tak cukup jumpa kat office, kat rumah pun nak discuss business....Q ada bawak baju kurung tak?", mommy asked.
"Ada, dalam kereta. I'll take it out later. Too early to change." I replied.
The doa selamat went well and all guest enjoyed the food. Food was delicious and mommy keeps on complimenting me for a job well done. She said I could be an event planner. Hahaha.....
In the midst of hugging and laughing with guests and close relatives, I thought I saw someone familiar in the crowd but I couldn't be 100% sure. I let it go as I had my hands full entertaining. Rata-rata bertanyakan bila aku akan kahwin....Haish....! Boring sungguh. Tua sangat ke aku ni? Mommy sibuk memperkenalkan aku dengan Datin ni, Puan Sri tu......yang pada fikiran aku ada anak bujang.
I manage to squeeze out from that situation but ended up bumping into Abang Ngah. Itu pun satu hal, asyik nak berkepit dengan aku. Dia mengajak aku duduk and makan bersama. Dia memperkenalkan aku pada rakan-rakannya yang rata-rata memang sudah mengenali aku...Aku memperbetulkan tudung aku sambil bersyukur majlis berjalan lancar. Perhatian aku tiba-tiba tertumpu kepada seseorang yang aku kenali....dan tepat pada waktu yang sama dia memandang aku.....Imran? Aku terkejut.......What is he doing here?
Imran senyum but I wasn't sure if he was smiling at me. So I turn to look around just to make sure no one is smiling back at him. When I turn to return his smile, he was gone. Just disappeared into thin air....Aku pintas bangun dan berlegar-legar di tepi swimming pool tercari-cari wajah Imran. Did he recognized me? Was it really him??
"Q? What's wrong?". It was Abang Ngah and he grabbed my waist.
"Hmmm....nothing. I thought I saw someone I know but...., perhaps it's my imagination. How's the food?", aku cuba mengalih perhatiannya.
"Simply delicious and it was really a good selection.", he replied. "Kenapa ni....you asyik tengok-tengok jam..?", Abang Ngah suspected something is at amidst.
"Tak, Q ada janji dengan kawan nak jumpa malam ni....so I may need to leave soon....My job is done here.....", I explained.
"But don't you think it's kinda late to meet a friend tonight? Call je and reschedule appointment...", he suggested dan memperbetulkan tudung aku.
"I wish I could, I've promised him....errr I mean her. She is in KL for 3 days and will be leaving for Australia tomorrow afternoon...", aku beri alasan. For the first time I lied to my brother. I am so sorry Abang Ngah but I want to see Imran, tonight.
"Q minta diri dulu. Q nak jumpa daddy and mommy before I leave.", I excused myself dan mencium tangan abang. Dia mengucup dahi aku.
After I said goodbye to both daddy and mommy, I left the house immediately before Abang Ngah tries to stopped me from going. I drove as fast as I could and reached Hard Rock Cafe around 11:15 pm. I called Imran to let him know that I am already at HRC.
Shit! why isn't he's answering? I text him through WhatsApp and no reply. I drove straight to the car jockey service and walked into HRC. He could be here already. Maybe he couldn't hear his mobile phone rang as the music in here are loud.
I looked around as I entered the restaurant. I found an empty seat at the end of the bar and ordered myself a drink. Mata aku masih meliar tercari-cari bayang Imran. Sesekali aku memeriksa mobile phone aku tetapi message aku tidak dibaca oleh Imran.....Sah! I got stood up by this jerk. Sampai hati dia buat macam ini pada aku.....Imran kau sungguh kejam. Apasal aku saja yang mengedik mencari dia. Aku yang beriya-iya ke mari. But wasn't it Imran tonight at my parant's house? Was it really him.....? Dia kenal daddy ke? or Abang Ngah? or is it Abang long? Aissh....bertubi-tubi soalan dalam benak fikiran aku.
Ahhh....it's almost midnight and Imran tak muncul-muncul. Bodohnya aku! Bodoh! Kalau dulu aku mesti call Abang Ngah to save me from this kind of situation. Dialah jugak yang akan mendengar luahan hati aku. Dialah jugak akan memujuk dan menemanikan aku yang mabuk when I got stood up. But I am not going to do that anymore. I am a big girl and I don't need my brother to protect me from the mean world of relationship....
Instead I saw an old friend who is a lead guitarist for the band performing tonight. During his break we sat and talk about the good and fun old times. Agus is an Indonesian artist residing in Kuala Lumpur for the pass 6 months has regular gigs at HRC. We went to the same University and he studied music. He later continued at Berkeley. He writes as well as produce songs for a few Indonesian artists but performing is his passion. He invited me to sing with his band but I decline. I told him, "Jangan Gus, malu aku deh...". He laughed......
That night I stayed for another hour watching Agus performed and left HRC disappointed because I did not get to meet Imran. Sialan!!!!!
