Chapter 37 - Hello?

I left a lot of issues unresolved. I just can't think straight anymore.

Finally, I decided to make a short trip alone to up north. Why not? After all I need all the break I can get. I missed Penang a lot but this time my destination will be Alor Setar. My last trip to Kedah was….wooww….before I left for the States to further my studies. My mission this time is to attend Pak Uda’s twin son’s wedding. Pak Uda is my late father’s 1st cousin and trusted confidant. So, I was told. 

I managed to book a return train ticket online for tomorrow. I notified my parent via WhatsApp only and I got their consent. I know it is not smart leaving town unannounced and I am pretty sure Imran, Abng Ngah and Khai will not be happy with my decision. I need time to gather my thoughts on how to deal with Abang Ngah and Imran. I have been avoiding Abang Ngah since I came back from Bali a couple of weeks ago.

Note : Pictures and images are for illustration purpose only and are sources from Google.

In the past weeks, Abang Ngah dropped by my place a few times but I left specific instructions with the guard not to allow him into the premise. He was not thrill by my stunt. He called me numerous times and left messages on my cell phone and e-mail. Khai said I am not being reasonable and ignoring Abang Ngah will make matter worse. 

"Ada aku kisah…? I just want to teach him a lesson. I want him to leave me alone and for him to face up the reality.", I replied.

Again, Khai argued, “Kau tak boleh expect dia baca fikiran kau, Q…The best way is to face him dan berterus terang….”.

“Khai, cara kau nasihat aku, as though I am the guilty party…I am not, you know. Couldn’t he just see all the signals I’ve been sending? Kalau aku nak jumpa dia, dah lama aku mengadap…”, I defended myself.

“Aku tahu, tapi sampai bila kau nak treat him this way? Sebagai adik, kau beralah sikit. Macamana pun dia tetap abang kau, Q. Aku faham maksud kau…..face to face….at least masalah dapat selesai on the spot. Amacam…? Aku set-up a meeting for both of you nak?”, Khai suggested.

Aku termenung…..hmmmm, Khai doesn't know what happened between me and Imran. Kalau dia tahu sure meletop bumbung condo aku.

Sila ambil perhatian…..ETS ke Padang Besar 1004 sila beratur di sini…..(announcement through the PA System)

Aku tersentak.......Lantas aku bangun dan mengheret bagasi menghala ke arah jurucakap KTM. 

Tiba-tiba aku terasa bahu aku di cuit oleh seseorang….I turned my head and I saw a smiling face looking back at me. “Hello….remember me?”, the guy greeted.

I was not pretending but seriously trying hard to recall where I’ve seen this guy before….I smiled back and replied, “Hello…”, and walk pass by him. Hati aku berbisik….Kat mana aku pernah tengok that guy…? and I continued walking. Aku tersenyum. Dengan tanpa sebab tertentu, tiba-tiba lagu 'Hello' yang di popularkan oleh Lionel Ritchie teringia-ingia di telingaku......

Credit to The Voice of Holland and You Tube

I embark on coach ‘D’ and found my designated seating. After settling down I checked my cellphone for messages. Good! So far nobody noticed my disappearance act.

Aisle seat is the best. Best view, easy to move around, spacious leg room and tak mengganggu passenger seated next to you. I observe passerby walking over to the mini canteen located in coach ‘C’. I decided to sneak a peek at the canteen. It is small and sells sandwiches, and microwavable frozen food such as Briyani, Nasi Lemak, Nasi Tomato, Mee Mamak, Bee Hoon, Sausages and Dim Sum. Hot and cold drinks are also available. 

I went back to my seat 6C and opened up my laptop. I enjoyed my alone time, as I observed the passengers board the train and of those who passed by through my coach either to get to the canteen or restroom. Kids titling toe behind their parent. Baby girl screaming at the top of her lungs while her parent tried to calm their baby. Numerously, apologizing to an elderly couple sitting nearby.

“Sorry auntie….sorry uncle……first time anak naik train…..”, the father said.

“Tak pa,…tak pa….. kasi susu…..”, the elderly aunty replied.

Some even strike a conversation…….to kill the traveling time. Whereas me, just an observant how unique our way of life. 

An hour past……..

Soon, I was feeling hungry. I decided to walk over to the canteen. A few people queuing up to use the public utility. I proceeded to the canteen and place my order to the guy over the counter.

 “Kopi apa yang ada? Latte ada?", I asked.

"Maaf kak.....kami cuma ada yang dalam paket saja...", as his fingers pointed to packets of instant coffee and tea laying on the counter. I smiled and thinking how silly I looked. This is not Starbucks!

"Ok, kalau macam itu, Nescafé satu dan cheese sandwich.” I said. After paying I took a seat next to the window across the canteen counter. 

Looking at the view of rail tracks and paddy fields always reminded me of a song from arwah Sudirman, "Kau Akan Kembali". Rasa hiba dan sedih bercampur baur. Playing the song in my mind I felt my eyes swelled up. Tears.......and I quickly wipe the edge of my eyes.

I smiled in embarrassment but at the same time my ears was listening conversation exchanged over the counter. I lifted my face….., there he was again! He stood in front of me and had a grin on his face. Yes, I remember him now. The guy with blue cap and likes to wear t-shirt with number nine at the back......

“If those were your pick-up line, I think you’re doing a bad job….”, I said.

He gave me a broad smile. “I always see you run at the park….”, he tried to explained. I nodded and nodded. 

Yeah, I remember him clearly. “Oh….! You’re Number 9. I am so embarrassed. When I run I don’t wear my glasses. I hope you understand. My vision is not 60/60.” I was being honest.

 “No…no….no…..I am the one who should be apologizing. I really thought you recognized me.”, he replied in embarrassment. "Number 9, huh?", he was puzzled. " May I join you....?", he asked.

 In order to straighten things out I suggested, ”Why don’t you buy me Nescafé and let’s start all over again…”.

“I like that very much…is this our first date?”, he was excitedly waiting for my reply.

"Date? No lah, just take it as 2 strangers who just met on the train...", I responded.

"Ouch!.....panjangnya tajuk novel you....", he laughed and I smirk.

 Perasannya mamat nih.....