Chapter 17

That night we had dinner with Imran. The hotel he is staying look so grand and is call Suarga Padang Padang. There is a public beach close by and I have heard so much about its beautiful beach. Best place to surf. Imran showed us around the hotel and the pool.

"Did you ladies brought your bathing suit?", Imran bertanya. "Perhaps after dinner you can swim here and we can order supper."

Juan instantaneously replied, "Can't leave home without it...", showing off her bare shoulder indicating she has her bikini on.

"Okay, let's grabbed dinner and get to know each other.....", Imran invited us all to the hotel restaurant.

The view here was breathtaking. Restaurant Dugung was so uniquely designed. This beachfront restaurant specializes in international cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and light fare. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. 

In general, men are not supposed to show their emotions. If a man is showing you his true emotions, it is because he is comfortable and feels truly safe with you. He loves you. 

From the moment I arrived he hasn't let go of my hand. Digengamnya erat tangan aku seolah-olah he doesn't want to let go. Segan jugak aku rasa bila tingkah laku aku menjadi perhatian Juan dan Khai. Kadang-kadang sengaja aku melarikan pandangan dari mereka. 

"So Imran...., Q dah cerita her side of the story. What about you? Anything you wanna add on?, tanya Juan.

"I am sure Q has covered all important timeline...am I right?", he turned and look at me. I nodded.

"Kau tu apasal Q, senyap je? Tiba-tiba bisu bila Imran ada.....", Khai memerli aku. Aku senyum dan membaling napkin yang terletak di tepi pingan ke arah Khai.

"She's just nervous ......", Imran replied in my defense.

Dinner and company was fantastic and everybody had a great time. Once I warm up, I was myself again.

While we were eating, a guy came and greeted Juan. Looks like Juan recognized him too from a training they attended in Kuala Lumpur. I pretended not to hear their conversation but Imran invited, Duff, to join for dinner. Duff obliged and both guys talk about surfing. Imran said that if Duff wants to experience the best waves meet him here and they can walk to Padang-Padang Beach tomorrow morning. Duff was excited and said he will be here.

"Why don't you ladies come along. I promised that you won't regret it.", Imran said. Then he turn to me. "Have you tried surfing Q? 

"Tried it though I am not a great fan of open water.", aku jawab dengan precise. I have nothing to hide. I just don't like being in deep water.

"It's okay I 'll be more than happy to teach you surf...", and kissed my left temple. It caught me by surprised. Aku tersenyum saja. What he doesn't know....., let's kept it that way.....

"I don't know Imran....isn't the water very cold in the morning.....?, Juan replied. She made a shivering movement while rubbing both of her arms. Then Duff put his hands around Juan as though to comfort or warm her up. Juan pun terletuk di bahu Duff.....Juan..., Juan....., pantang nampak lelaki Mat Saleh mesti naik miang keladi dia......

"Alright let's resume to my room. We'll order supper later. Just bring along your drinks....", Imran mengajak kami ke biliknya seolah-olah tempat ini macam rumahnya. He is so comfortable around his environment.

Then we proceed to his room.......

Chapter 16

The next morning I woke up, Juan and Khai were not in bed. I hear water splashing coming from the terrace. Rupanya mereka dah berendam di dalam kolam renang.

They looked so relax. Aku terus masuk ke kamar mandi dan bersiap-siap untuk aktiviti pertama kami. Aku keluar semula dan mereka masih bersantai.

"Girls, we do not want to be late. We're going shopping.....!!!", aku cuba menarik perhatian mereka. Dengan sekelip mata saja mereka berenang ke arah aku.

Semasa mereka selesai mandi dan bersalin pakaian, aku mengingati Juan untuk call the tour operator. Tell them, "We want a refund!", aku mengajar Juan.

We took the hotel limo and headed to Kuta district in the look out for malls and crafts market. At this rate we were willing to spend a lot of money on transportation.

Kuta Beachwalk is an easy stroll from the beach and is a premier leisure destination in Kuta. It houses numerous shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities promoting international brands and franchises. The Beachwalk is a first for Bali, sporting a unique design that is to some extent a major departure from the typical mall. Here you’ll find designer's brands such as Armani Jeans, Furla, Versace Jeans, GAP, The Face Shop and so on. 

I read on as in the brochure, the architect applied eco-friendly measures in its sustainable design, including minimum air-conditioning in open spaces and a special rainwater collection system. Whatever it means, it sure sounded impressive.


Then we headed to Mal Bali Galleria. We spent quite a long time shopping at Matahari and duty free shop. About 2 p.m. we stopped for a late lunch. We have one more destination which is the Art Market.

Memang seronok membeli belah especially souvenirs to bring back home. I also bought several pieces of decorative plates and tray. Mommy will like this...

Aku tak pasti whether I should text Imran just let him know where I am now. I mean we are still at the early stage of getting to know each other.....but then I did promise to call him. So I send a picture of me having fun in Kuta.....

>Checking my messages. Nothing from u 😁<

A few seconds later I received a reply from Imran.

>Looking gorgeous as always. I miss you💗<
>Done with meeting<
>Wanna see you.<

Aku tersenyum sendirian. "Woi makcik share sikit jangan syok sendiri. Orang fikir you tak siuman pulak nanti." Khai mengusik aku.

"Ala orang tengah bercinta, memang macam tu....", Juan menyampuk dan mencebik mulutnya.

Aku pula menjawab, "Oh, orang bercinta macam ni ye....termenung dan senyum sendiri?"

"Eh eh.....tak kan lah kau tak pernah bercinta Q?", Khai bertanya dan mengeselkan lengannya pada lengan aku.

"Kalau perasaan yang aku rasa ni dikatakan cinta....nope, belum pernah lagi...", aku jawab sambil menggeleng-gelengkan kepala. Kedua-dua mereka berpandangan.....

"Girl, where have you been?? You're missing the best things in life.....", kata Juan sambil mengangguk-anggukkan kepalanya.

I replied Imran's message.

> How about I take up on your offer....dinner.......tonight?<

Imran : >Deal! I'll send my car and pick you and your friends 7:30 pm<

Me : >Cool. see you tonight<

Imran : >Yes, can't wait for tonight.<

Chapter 15

Aku melangkah masuk ke villa kami dan keadaan sekeliling sungguh cantik sekali. Tapi aku terlalu penat langsung melabuhkan punggung aku di atas tilam empuk. Aku menghela nafas panjang dan menjatuhkan badan aku ke atas katil.

"Okay, please do not keep us in suspense. Tell us when did it happened?", Juan asked dan melompat naik ke atas katil.

"Did you both planned this meeting in Bali?", Khai pulak mengajukan soalannya.

"Come on girls, I am tired and hungry. Let's order room service and I'll tell you as we eat....", aku memujuk mereka.

"Okay, janji ya....?", Khai stressed. I nodded and replied, "Janji". I closed my eyes. I'm picturing Imran in my head....I don't believe in reincarnation but if there is, I want it to be you, Imran, in every single life of mine.

It was 10 p.m. when our food arrived. We sat and ate quietly. Not a single word between us as we enjoyed our meal. Then I started to tell Juan and Khai my story.

"It started that day itself, Khai. Betul telahan kau. Dia menyimpan perasaan terhadap aku. Cuma aku saja yang tak nampak. Kau tahu dia hantar aku balik ke pejabat dari EPF that day. His car broke down and we shared a Grab. I turun at EPF and he headed to Putrajaya. Habis saja appointment aku at EPF tiba-tiba dia datang jemput aku dengan kereta dia. Sampai pejabat he asked for my number.", aku perhatikan muka Khai and Juan kusyuk mendengarkan cerita aku....

"A few days later he whatsapp me and send a picture of him surfing...". Aku pun menunjukkan gambar Imran di dalam album talipon bimbit aku. Terbeliak mata mereka.

"Wow he is a surfer. No wonder lah he likes to come to Bali......I want to see him topless...", terkekek Juan ketawa. Aku tumpang sekaki jugak.

"Bukan topless lah...itu untuk perempuan. ....bare chested.......", sampuk Khai.

"We messaged each other and agreed to me at HRC last Thursday night....", Juan menambah lauk sayur campur ke dalam pinggan dia.

"Bagi aku fresh oren tu. Kering tekak bercerita....", Juan terus menghulur segelas air oren yang dihiasi dengan sepotong oren dan payung koktel.

"You know what....(aku meneguk air oren..), rupanya dia kenal Kasyaff. Imran was at my parent's kenduri that Thursday night. Tak sempat aku nak jumpa dia tiba-tiba he disappeared.....", aku pun selesai makan.

"Aku dengan penuh semangat drive terus ke HRC. But I got stood up by him....I stayed until past midnight batang hidung dia pun aku tak nampak...!", aku menunujukkan frustration aku.

"Then what happened?", asked Khai.

"Aku baliklah....tak kan la aku nak melepak kat situ lagi...", aku jawab.

"Habis tu kau tak call dia ke?", Juan bertanya.

"I did. Several times and also texted him. Tapi dia tak reply pun....", I explained.

"When I arrived at my Condo, he was there waiting for me...he said he was a bit confused of what he heard from Kasyaff. The reason he did not turn up at HRC sebab Kasyaff have been telling his friends yang dia dah bertunang....dengan aku....Imran wanted to confront me whether I am really engaged to Kasyaff. At the time he didn't know Kasyaff tu my brother. We went for a drive. That was our first date. Well,.....and the rest is history.", aku mengakhiri cerita aku.

"And this trip to Bali, was it planned?", Juan wanted to know.

"Tak.....I tak plan pun. One night after I had a huge row dengan Abang Ngah, I called Imran. He told me that he's travelling to Bali for a business trip. And I told him my friends and I will be vacationing in Bali this weekend. Kita dah booked dulu tiket kita kan....?", trying to convinced both of them that it was just a coincidence.

"So we're here in Bali to spend time and have fun. Let's celebrate our friendship.....by getting some sleep....", and I instantly jumped on to the bed.....and we laughed. Let the vacation begins.......

"Wah dasyat jugak Kasyaff boleh mengaku dia dah bertunang dengan kau.", Juan said.

"Yeah, aku marah dia and told him that I don't feel the same way he does. Tapi dia tak nak dengar...Itu yang aku benggang dengan Abang Ngah aku tu. I just wanna rest and release some stress kat Bali ni.", sambil memeluk bantal.

"Q, .....you sukakan Imran....?", tanya Khai yang baring bersebelahan aku.

"Yes, Khai......I think I like him a lot.....", lalu tersenyum memandang ke arah Khai.