"Sayang, it's late. There are plenty of beds here. Why don't you and your friends stay here tonight...", Imran suggested.
"Ya la Q, penat lah...kalau dapat tidur sini, dapat aku tengok sunrise pagi nanti....", pujuk Juan. Dia mengampiri aku. "You guys can spend more time getting know each other under our supervision....", Juan tergelak....
"Pandailah korang ni....Khai are you alright with the new arrangements?", aku ingin mendapatkan kepastian Khai.
"Susah-susahkan you saja Imran.....tapi kalau you insist, kami agree....", Khai replied dan gelak tersipi-sipu.
"I insist..........there....it's a done deal. You ladies put a night here.", Imran insisted. "Come ladies I'll show you to your bedroom.", and he lead the way.
Half an hour later, once Khai and Juan decided to share a bed, I told them that I will be up on the terrace.
"Jaga diri baik-baik....sayang.....", said Juan sempat dia memerli aku sambil menguap. Aku perhatikan Khai yang sudah lena. Entah apa agaknya yang dimimpikannya.
"Ok Juan....nite......", I said.
I stepped out of the room and saw Imran standing by the pool. I stood next to him. I gently slip my arms around his waist. He wrapped his arm around me and we stood watching the infinity pool.
"Q.....", he called. I looked up at him and he kissed my lips. Aku memejamkan mata untuk menikmati kucupannya. Lembut dan bersahaja. But it's not enough. I leaned closer offering my lips to him....He kissed me and the world fell away. It was slow and soft, comforting in ways that words would never be. His hand rested below my ear, his thumb caressing my cheek as our breaths mingled. I ran my fingers down his spine, pulling him closer until there was no space left between us and I could feel the beating of his heart against my chest. After a few seconds, I pull back.....
"Imran, I have something I wanna tell you.", I said.
"Yeah, sure....", he replied and we started to walk towards a narrow steps leading to the beach. We found a nice spot and sat on the beach.
"Q hanya anak angkat Tan Sri yang dia bela dari kecil. My father and Tan Sri built up an architect firm but after the business flourished and stable, Tan Sri decided he wants to set up his own practice. Then he set up his own firm. After Tan Sri left, another partner was brought in. Without the knowledge of my father, the new partner has been mishandling funds. My father heard about his business going for foreclosure, he and my mom booked a flight back to Malaysia. Unfortunately their plane crashed and they both died. Tan Sri was so upset and blamed himself. He said none of this would happened if he didn't leave the firm. He asked my grandparents if he can raised me as his own. Puan Sri was thrilled. They have 3 sons and to have a baby girl is like a precious gift from God. I was barely 15 months old. Mommy, Puan Sri raised me just like her own. They never made any distinction between me and their flesh and blood. I was blessed to have them as a parent. They wanted me to have the best of everything and they raised me right.", aku berhenti and looked at Imran.
"I am so sorry for your lost, Q....", Imran sat closer to me.
"It's alright. It's not your fault. I thought you should know about myself.", I replied.
"How did you know you were adopted, if you don't mind me asking?", Imran asked.
"Well, my parents,....I mean Tan Sri and Puan Sri never hid the truth from me. Once a month they will take me to visit my maternal grandparents. They did not want me to lose contact with my relatives. I stopped visiting after they passed away. When I was 15 my adopted parents told me the history and I understood then as I understood now....what they did was because they loved me so very much. I love them, too. Dia oranglah tempat I bergantung hidup. I was the closest with Abang Ngah, Kasyaff. He was looking for a playmate.We were 3 years apart. And he adored me when I came to live with them. He will spend any free time he had after he finishes his school work to play with me.", I explained on. Imran just sat next to me and listened quietly.
"We were inseparable. Sekolah sama, university pun sama....there was one time he wanted Mommy to make him a pair of baju melayu using the same material as mine. And he got what he wanted....hahahaha.....with pink flowers and all.....He took me under his wings. He was my protector. Back then, I didn't need another guy in my life because Abang Ngah has always been there. He was my date to the prom, thought me how to drive, scanned any guy I went out with and was the only one who will be there to comfort me whenever I get dumped.", I laughed bila teringat cerita lama.
"Daddy wants me to work for his firm. I said I'm not ready. I got a job, the one I have now, and I love it very much. Once in a while I will drop by his office to help out with 'special' work on a consultant fee.", I smiled.
"And that was how we met....", Imran recalled. I smiled again and looked at him. He was already looking at me, smiling. "It was the best feeling....Q, ....when I saw you that day".
"I nak you understand sepekara, I hanya menunpang kasih sayang mereka. I try to be the a good daughter but macamana besar pengorbanan I lakukan, mungkin tak dapat membalas jasa mereka yang menatang I macam minyak yang penuh. Then I met you. You give me a path to find who I really am......", I said and smiled. I face the open sea.
