Chapter 32 - Takkan Ada Cinta Yang Lain.

The next morning I woke up around noon. Masih terbaring di atas katil aku merenung ke atas. Masih terbayang kemesraan Imran dan teman wanitanya semalam. Aku menarik bantal dan membenamkan mukaku ke atas bantal lalu menjerit sekuat hati. Kenapa aku ni....? Isn't it better to face him rather than mopping around like this? I don't know, what got into me.....selalunya aku tak pernah bersikap seperti ini. I am a fighter and I normally won't give up easily. Urgghhhh!!!!

Credit to MostlyJazzJKT and You Tube

Aku mula membaca messages dalam talipon bimbit aku satu demi satu......paling banyak dari Imran. Aku membalas message Imran.

Me : I have read all your messages. Just return the car to the security guard. I'm out of the country and not sure when I'll be back. Thxs.

Cukup buat masa ini. Aku bangun dan terus mandi.

Keluar saja dari bilik mandi aku mendapatkan talipon bimbitku untuk meminta Hamid datang mengambil aku. Nasib baik Hamid free dan dia akan datang dalam masa satu jam. Sempat untuk aku bersiap dan check-out dari hotel.

 

Seperti yang dijangkakan, Hamid sampai tepat pada waktu yang dijanjikannya. Itu yang membuat aku selesa dengan Hamid, .....always on time.

 

"Assalamualaikum Q, nak balik Cyberjaya ke?" Hamid asked as he looked at me through the rear view mirror.

 

"Hmmm.....Hamid drive dulu ya....tak kisah....mana-mana saja.....bagi saya masa sikit......", aku menjawab sambil scanning each messages dalam talipon bimbit aku.

 

"Mana-mana tu macamana Q.....round-round KL ya....?", he asked again.

 

"Ya.....round-round KL dulu....", I replied and my fingers stopped when I read Imran messages. He mentioned that he thought he saw me yesterday....

  

Imran asked why I did not answer any of his phone calls.....he wanted to return my car and see me. He misses me....Yeah righttt! I said to myself....

 

He practically left out about his lady friend.....huh!

 

Q, please return my calls or at least reply my messages.....he wrote on and on....

 

Are you alright? I have not heard any news from from since we came back from Bali. Are you angry with me?

 

Malas aku nak menghabiskan pesanan-pesanan dari Imran. Aku terus delete nombor Imran dari senarai contacts di WhatsApp. Padan muka! Aky mengeluh.....

 

"Hamid, you ada makwe...?", aku bertanya sambil memandang ke luar tingkap.

 

Hamid tersenyum, "Dulu adalah tapi kami dah break-off masa saya di tahun akhir....", he stopped.

 

"Maaf Hamid...., saya tak bermaksud ....", he cut me off....."Bukan salah sesiapa pun....mungkin tak ada jodoh agaknya....tapi apa yang saya dengar dari teman rapatnya, dia telah ditunangkan dengan sepupu dia...".

 

"Hamid, maafkan saya tak sepatutnya bertanya hal peribadi.", I apologized.

 

Hamid kept quiet. And so did I....

 

"Q? Ada masalah dengan Bro Imran ke?", he suddenly asked.

 

"Masalah? Mana ada.....saya dengan dia kawan saja....", I tried to deny.

 

"Bro Imran ada call saya malam tadi. Dia tanya kalau Q ada memerlukan khidmat Grab saya....", he explained.

 

I stared directly to Hamid through the rear view mirror. "Maaf Q, saya minta maaf sangat-sangat...", he apologized. "Saya rasa ada baiknya kalau Q bersemuka dengan Bro Imran.....saya dapat rasakan dia susah hati.", he added.

Aku masih diam membatu. Aku rasakan jantung aku bergetar dangan laju bila tiba-tiba tubuh sasa Imran muncul di depan kereta Hamid...

I raised my voice. "Shit! Imran...? No...I must be hallucinating.....(I tried to convince myself that I am just imagining things...)...Turn Hamid, turn...."

But Hamid did not budge. "Hamid, apa yang awak buat ni....? Kenapa Imran ada di sini....?". Tangan aku tercari-cari door lock untuk membuka pintu kereta...

 

"Q, eh...eh...eh...nanti dulu....", Hamid tried to stop me. "Nanti dulu Q, dengar dulu penjelasan dia. Bagi dia peluang.", he said.

 

"Hamid, awak tak perlu campur dalam urusan peribadi saya...ya....awak ingat awak tu siapa...?!!", aku memarahi Hamid. Aku dapat rasakan peluh sudah membasahi dahi dan tengkuk aku.

 

The next thing I know Imran got into the car. "Hamid, let's go...!", he instructed.

 

"Apa ni...!?! What's going on Imran.....", I yelled while I used my mighty force to open the car door again. When Hamid sped off I lean back and wiped off my nose and eyes. Imran past me a box of tissue. He didn't say a word. With his fingers, he slowly tucked my hair behind my ears. I froze.

 

"Hamid, tolong hantar kami ke Kenny Hills...Ini alamat rumah saya.", Imran said. Then he made a call.

 

"Assalamualaikum.....ini Imran....nanti boleh datang rumah saya? Saya dalam perjalanan pulang. Dalam setengan jam lagi saya akan sampai. Tolong sediakan bilik tetamu ya.....(he paused).....ya......(another pause) terima kasih.". I heard his conversation.

 

What is the matter with me. Am I paralyzed? I flipped my palms in and out. Nope they are perfectly fine...Tapi kenapa aku tak berdaya untuk melawan Imran? Felt like I've been hypnotized....

 

Quiet.....Silence.....No one said a word all the way to Imran's place. Hanya kedengaran desiran angin yang mencelah masuk melalui tingkap kereta. Terperangkap di dalam dua alam....

Upon our arrival the guard was already waiting. He instantly lock the gate behind us. Hamid stepped out and opened my door tapi aku duduk membatu.

Chapter 31 - Sebuah Rasa

"Secondly, I have a lot of issues with abang ngah. I love him so much as a big brother but I berani beritahu both of you he has every intention to marry me. I told him off twice that we are adik beradik susuan and tak boleh berkahwin. I made it clear to him that I love him only as a brother, nothing more. And he has also been spreading news that both of us, me and him, are engaged to be married. Ridiculous.....how would people see him now?.....a lunatic?", aku melepaskan nafas.

"Q......watch your mouth. It's abang ngah you're talking about....", daddy was defending abang ngah.

"When I was in Bali, he kept calling and sending messages to me. He wants to know who I am with, where am I and when will I be back.....I switched off my phone. Tak cukup tu dia call my girlfriends asking them to update him of my whereabouts....", aku bersungguh-sungguh menerangkan situasi sebenar.

Mommy bersuara, "Maybe he is concern of your well being, sayang...". I stared at both of them in disbelief.

"Mommy....abang ngah must learn to let me go.....he is my brother, and that's it. Imran and myself are getting to know each other. I like him (I held out my hand) and he gave me this.....(I showed the ring from Imran).

Mommy membelek cincin di jariku. "It's gorgeous! And expensive, I might add...when can we meet him?"

"Mommy..., daddy..., abang ngah macamana......? I will speak to him again and this will be my last attempt. Can you put some sense into him....?", I pleaded. "He is good looking, rich and charming. Petik jari saja dia boleh dapat mana-mana perempuan dia nak but whenever I'm around he clings on to me. He comes in and out of my place as he wishes. Once in a while he sleeps over. Q tak kisah semua tu but when he display his feelings or expectation towards me......I have to put it to a stop. It kills me inside to see him that way.....".

Both daddy and mommy listening to what I've come to deliver. "Q, we didn't know it has gone this far....both of you adik beradik susuan and haram kalau berkahwin.....Talk to him Q, if all fail, we will interfere....he needs to have a clear understanding both your ties....", mommy assured me.

"So when we will be meeting this 'friend' of yours?", asked daddy.

"Daddy...., this friend of mine has a name.....it's Imran......don't worry I will set a date but only the four of us. No abang long, ngah and achu..........not......just yet. I nak the three of you to get to know each other first. What you think of him and most importantly your consent.", I laid my terms and conditions.

"You can't hide it too long from your brothers forever you know....", Mommy said.

"I know.....", sambil mengirup sup cendawan. Aku risau.

Sambil menjamu selera, kami berbual dan aku menceritakan serba sedikit tentang Imran. What he does, his interest and a little bit about his family. I also showed them a picture of Imran.

They looked impress. "We are happy that you have found someone who can give you unconditional love. We want you to be happy, sayang. Q satu-satunya anak perempuan kami. If you feel he is the right Imam for you, kami rela lepaskan Q. Daddy is very anxious to meet Imran. He sounds like a successful businessman.", daddy spoke about his feelings. Mata mommy nampak berkaca tapi digagahi dengan sebuah senyuman  di mukanya.

Aku mengalih berhatian dan menatap wajah daddy...., "Daddy, Imran makes me happy. We are still n the process of getting to know each other.

My parents left as they have a dinner engagement later tonight. I told them I will leave in a bit after I meet Agus at Hard Rock Café. It was just an excuse as I didn’t want them to find out I am without a car. 

I called Hamid if he is around the city center. Unfortunately he is in Ampang. So I had to find my way home myself. I took a cab to KLCC and decided to do some window shopping….not much sale going on. 

My mobile phone rang. It was Khai. I told Khai to come and join me and perhaps we could have high tea later. She said she will meet me at Dome about 4:30 pm. I told her let’s pick another place since I had encountered bad services at Dome. I asked her to meet me at Marini’s On 57.

In the meantime, I walked around and went in and out of several stores just to check out the handbag prices. I’m looking to purchase one for Khai since she has been so supportive of my relationship with Imran.Instead, I charged to my card an Iphone X and had it wrapped nicely. I know Khai will be thrilled.

Then I walked up to Kinokuniya to look around for some reading materials. I looked around and saw........Imran? It that really him....? Sure looks like him…..

 

I beamed with excitement and hurried over to meet him. As I approached, I saw Imran turn to his left side and spoke to a young lady. My instant reaction is to turn and walk away. I hid behind one of the bookshelves and trying to catch a glimpse of him. It is Imran and now he has his arms around that lady. Yeah...., she looks sophisticated and classy I might add. No wonder he hadn’t called me. He was busy entertaining another woman. Is this jealousy that I am feeling? Maybe I am just over reacting. They could just be friends……Dah Q, tak baik serkap jarang without knowing the real story…..

I purposely walk 2 aisles from where Imran was standing. I wanted him to notice me. Unfortunately he did not. I left the store feeling betrayed but took a last look…..and that was when he lifts his head, turn and happened to looked directly at me. I stared for a few seconds and walked away…..How could you do this to me Imran….how could you?????

I called Khai to cancel our evening out. I told her I need to see my parents that night. Khai was not happy about it, but her tone changed when I told her I got a surprise for her. "Ok sebab kau ada nak bagi surprise kat aku, ini kira rain-check la ya.....", Khai said.

"Yes, rain-check....", aku menjawab.

Malam itu aku kembali ke Concorde and checked in to the hotel. I just want to be alone and calm down. Missed call dan messages tak putus-putus aku terima dari Imran dan juga Abang Ngah. Aku biar tidak berjawab. Aku belum mahu untuk berjumpa sesiapa pun dalam masa terdekat. Biarkan aku sendirian.......

Tepat 12:30 pagi aku bersiap untuk turun ke Hard Rock Cafe. Agus is still the resident artist there and maybe I could hangout with him. Baru sejam aku di situ, sudah terasa bosan....hati ini pedih. Kalau memang ditakdirkan jodoh kami tidak kuat, itu semua ketentuan Allah....aku membelek cincin ikatan kami....teringa-inga di telinga aku bila teringatkan mommy berkata cincin itu gorgeous. Kedengaran lagu Agnes Monica berkumandang semasa Agus dan Bandnya took a short break.

Credit to You Tube and Aquarius Musikindo

Aku memekup muka dengan kedua belah tapak tangan lalu menarik nafas dan melepaskannya perlahan-lahan......what is going on, Imran....?