Chapter 38 - Kau Akan Kembali

I kick off the conversation about my trip to Alor Setar. He was a good listener and showed interest when he asked relevent questions

"Oh....you ada saudara di Kedah. You dari Kedah ke?", he asked.

"How should I explain to you.......to sum up things my father side of the family are from Kedah. Tapi saya dilahirkan dan dibesarkan di Kuala Lumpur....", I explained. He doesn't need to know the entire story.

A few minutes later he slide a cup of Nescafé and said, “ Nice ring….cincin tunang ke?”.

“Wah, you ni very direct. And it’s non of your business….”, aku jawab. 

He giggled. “Sorry….sorry…..it just slipped.”, he confessed. “Selalunya diamond ring macam tu cincin tunang. Mana ada lagi orang nak bagi cincin belah rotan.”, he explained. He is very observant.

I was disbelief by his remarks. What does he has against diamond rings? “Yes, cincin tunang. Do you have any problem with it?”, I responded.

“Mana dia…?”, he asked and looked around.

Aku mengerutkan dahi kehairanan.“Mana dia…, apa?”, I asked him back.

“Cincin tunang ada…..tunang you mana….tak kan lah travel sorang-sorang? Bahaya tau......”, he answered. 

I looked at him in amazed. “ Saya tak pernah jumpa orang macam awak yang baru saya kenal tiba-tiba tanya hal peribadi saya........seumur hidup saya…..It's personal.”, I replied.

“Well there’s always a first time for everything…”, he said and kept on staring at me. He is making me nervous.

Menyampah pulak aku tengok dia ni. “You seems to have an answer for everything ya……”, ujarku dengan sinis lalu memandang ke arah luar tingkap.

“Hey!”, he snapped and I instantly look directly at him.

“Got your attention, didn’t I? By the way my name is Emir. Saya minta maaf okay…..baiklah...., I'm tired and I’ll leave you alone….banyak tanya kena marah. Tak tegur orang kata sombong......”. He stood up and left me there.

I was flabbergasted.....he practically stood up and left me there......such a weird character. Anyway,  nothing much I can do about what just happened. Maybe it was meant to be that way.

As I felt like being stood up on a date, I went back to my seat and force myself to fall asleep. 

I woke later as I felt freezing in the coach. Looked out the window just to check out whether the train is any close to Alor Setar. Lama pulak rasanya.....The train slowed down and we almost reaching Sungai Siput station. I stood up and walked to the restroom. 

It was a long queue but when nature calls,……nothing we can make it to stop……

After 20 minutes of queuing, I leaned against the warm window and watch as the train passed by wetlands, small town and bush forest. I cannot imagine why I had never thought of before traveling by train before.

I feel so relax and enjoying the scenery. Really looking forward attending the wedding as I heard Pak Uda’s house is nearby paddy field…..wow…..I can’t wait to take pictures there. Imagining dancing in the paddy fields while Sudirman singing in the back ground. Somehow whenever I think of sawah padi or bendang, this song always comes to mind....

Sawah terbentang dan padi menguning

Daun nyiur melambai angin timur membelai

Riak air di kali bagaikan bersedia

Membasuhi tubuh mu dari debuan kota

Credit to jadiKENANGAN and You Tube

Once I'm done with my little business, I decided to explore the train. I walked all the way to coach A until coach F just for the fun of it, and walked back to my coach. I was surprised to see someone seated next to my seat. It was a gentleman and I couldn't see his face clearly. He had his blue cap on and thick U.S.bomber jacket on. Quietly, I slide and took my seat. I put on my earphone and that’s a universal sign means you don’t want to be disturbed.

A short time later, I sense something flapping in front of my face. I opened my eyes and felt irritated by the waving movement. I turn to my right and catch hold of the hand. It's making me dizzy…..

”Hi! we meet again…”. The guy smiled. It was Emir!! He quickly put his hand down. He got my attention.

“Are you sure this is your seat?”, I asked bluntly. All of the sudden I felt guilty the way I reacted.

“I am so sorry. I didn't mean to be rude to you.”, aku tiba-tiba sedar keangkuhan aku.

But he giggled instead. “Saya pun nak minta maaf. Kalau saya tahu you duduk sebelah, I’ll exchanged my ticket……(he lifted his head and looked around as though searching for someone)….with that uncle.”, he replied. I turned and look the direction he was pointing and a few seconds later I looked at Emir.

“You wouldn’t do that, right…?”, I asked softly. My arms was on his shoulder forcing his body weight down.

“Not if you want me to…”, he answered with a straight face.

I adjusted my seat and sat straight. “You don’t have to be mean, you know….and by the way my name is Q…”, I said. I extended my hand. He instantly took and shook my hands. “I’m Emir...”, he said.

“Yes, I know. You mentioned earlier. Nice to meet you…”, I replied. 

“It’s finally nice to know you have a name. I have always referred you as Miss Who…...because somehow you have dozens of WHO t-shirt....”, he said. I laughed. “I like when you smile.” He added.

“You memang very direct. Cakap tak berlapik…..”, I look at him a little bit pissed off. 

“Berterus terangkan elok….saya tak pandai nak bermuka-muka….”, he was being franked. He looked directly at me when he answered back. It gives me a shiver in my spine.

“Okay, have it your way….”, I gave up with his attitude. “Saya nak tidur sekejap, boleh?”, I asked.

“Ya, silakan…”, he replied. And I closed my eyes.

"Nak saya nyanyikan ke sambil tunggu awak lelap....", he said. I instantly opened my eyes wide. What's with this guy.....couldn't he leave me while I catch my nap.....?

"Oh! tak perlu......Sebab saya takut kami beramai-rami akan humban awak dari keretapi ni.....", I was pissed off and covered my head with my kashmir wrap.

"Wah....!...", he was about to reply when I cut him off.

"Shhhh.....", and twist my body to the left which means I do not want to be disturb....