Melor 2

“Budak bertuah! Where have you been!” I felt a sharp pain as someone twisted my ear.

 

            “Mom? Ow!Ow!” I shouted in pain. I didn’t have any time to explain as I was dragged home by Mom. Rafique and Raju looked dumfounded. There was a large crowd in front of them.

 

It seemed that when I didn’t arrive home at 10.30, Mom had gotten worried and called my cousin. My cousin had crumbled under my mom’s interrogation and when mom found out that I never actually was there, all hell went loose…..

            Now, my mom was the daughter of a police sergeant, she was a no-nonsense and discipline person, a polar opposite of her own daughter…..Me.  Mom had marched up to the village head’s house and within minutes they had gathered a few of the village young me  to go searching for me. Words spread that I had gone missing and soon they got news that both Raju and Rafique were not around as well.

 

            “Who’s that?” asked someone from the crowd.

 

Raju’s mother was busy scolding him when someone pointed to a figure behind Rafique.

 

Everyone turned and there was Melor looking scared. She had followed behind us to make sure that we found our way back.  It was too late for her to slip back into the tree as all eyes were on her now. The villagers nudge and whispered among each other when they noticed her bulge.

 

            “My cousin, she’s my cousin,” cried Rafique thanking his lucky stars that his brother wasn’t in the crowd. It would be awkward to lie to him when they don’t actually have any other relatives aside from the two of them.

            “She came visiting from Kuala Lumpur and the bus dropped her off. I told her to wait for me at the bus stop but I was late and she went wandering off by herself and got lost. So, I didn’t want to go searching for her by myself, that’s why I asked Raju’s and Sofia’s help.” Raju looked at his friend with surprise. Rafique said it will full conviction that even Raju believed the story.  The villager looked at each other and they whispered between themselves.

 

            “Is that what happened, boy?” asked Raju’s mother smacking his head for good measures.

 

            “Oww! Yes, Ama.” Pak Abu, the village head nodded his head.

 

            “I guess there’s no threat here tonight and we have found Sofia, Raju and Rafique safe and sound. I would suggest that everyone go back home. I would however advise you boys to please tell your family where you are going. It is improper to drag Sofia with you at night, “lectured Pak Abu. The two young men nodded their heads. Soon the crowd dispersed leaving, Raju and Rafique behind with Melor.

 

            “I think you better go home now Melor, “advised Raju. Melor nodded her head, looking cautiously around to make sure there were no other people around, Melor stepped into the hole.

 

Melor stepped back out looking puzzled and tried to go back in, after a few seconds she came back out.

 

            “What’s wrong?” asked Raju.

 

            “The portal’s closed. It must have shifted to another location when your village people found you here.”

 

            “Can you find where it is?”  Melor closed her eyes.

 

            “I can’t feel it in the forest. It must be somewhere else. We put a protection spell on the portal. Whenever there is danger, the portal will shift to another location. Only my people can sense our way to the portal. But I’m pretty sure it is no longer in the forest.”

 

Raju and Rafique looked at each. What were they going to do now? Both Rafique and Melor didn’t like the idea of going back to Rafique’s house. They also cannot leave Melor alone by herself in the forest.

 

There was only one thing to do……

            Raju, Rafique and Melor sat uncomfortably on the sofa in my living room facing a still fuming Mak Tijah, my Mom. I came in carrying drinks and sat a distance from them. Mom was still not happy that I was found with the boys, I thought it was wise not to aggravate her even more.

 

Raju was appointed the spokesperson and he told about Melor being Rafique’s cousin and why I was with them. The problem was that,  Rafique’s brother was away and it would be awkward for her to stay with Rafique, so the next best option would be my house. Mom wasn’t pleased at first but looking at Melor’s condition and the fact that it was already late, she finally gave her consent.

                                                                                                         

            “Where’s her bags?” asked my mom.

            The four of us looked at each other.

            “She got mugged on the way hear so she’s only left with a little money and no clothes” said Rafique. Serious, that boy can be a movie director!