Almost fake story

Smell of cigarettes fouling air around me and I crinkled my nose in disgust. Bustling commotion at Tanjung Bus Station also doesn’t help in lifting my mood. People knocked each other (with no excuse me off course) while running for their bus, hawker screamed at top of their lungs trying to get attention and black market ticket seller eyeing their prey viciously, ready to strike no matter you interested or not. I let out a loud sigh. I moved few aisle closer to the police beat, hoping it will be a notch comfy than before but my o my, I was wrong, the policemen stands around talking and laughing also with cigarettes between their fingers. It was half an hour before my bus due to depart. Buses only allowed to enter the station 10 minutes before their departure time to avoid the station becomes too crowded. 20 minutes more, then I can have my sleep. I plan to sleep the whole 8 hours journey to Kuala Lumpur. The week before have been filled with assignments, tones of them in fact. Not to mention, the midterm exam, lab test and quiz. I smiled happily as I remember my reasons to KL, my first nephew was just born 8 months ago. He is such a sweetheart. His smile melted everyone.

When the bus finally arrived, I stepped in with such a good mood, running away from guys outside with ciggies between their lips and looking forward for my one week break. I couldn’t be happier when I got to my seat. Nobody is seating on seat next to me which means I can curl my legs up, having more space to sleep. The feeling doesn’t last for long though, the bus almost closed its door when someone knocked on it. A tall broad shoulder guy entered. I sighed for the second time tonight. Off course, what’s the odd of seat next to me empty when the bus was full?

‘Hey’ He said with boyish smile and sat next to me. I knew who he is, one of the famous guy in my uni. Famous because he carries a title in front of his name, more famous because he is so humble. A real gentleman, they said.

‘Holiday, bestnya’ I smiled and nodded in agreement.

“I’m Merong”

“I know”

“Eh, how?”

“We are in debate team together”

“Sorry! No wonder you look familiar!”

Smile.

“I’m sorry I don’t remember your name”

“Yo, my friends call me yo”

He gave me the usual response I always received; the one eyebrow arch upwards.

“Owh… Yo binti?” I chuckled and he laughed merrily.

“Real name Diyana, father’s name Noordin”

“So care to tell me the story?”

“Erm? What story?” I frowned.

“Why yo? That’s pretty unusual for cute girl”

I couldn’t help but smiled at his remarks.

“Let’s just say sometimes you just carry-on with immature thing you did when you are a kid”

“Hee, fair enough”

He popped me another question and followed by another and before I realized it, we were debating about Harry Potter and Star Wars. An hour later I was telling him about my family and he basically mesmerized me about his side of story. If I remember correctly he described his parents as a handsome pilot who falls in love with beautiful stewardess. His father passed away few years ago and he lovingly told me that he was a good man.

I feel amazingly at ease. The things about him, he was not just talking, he has efforts to make conversation and he gaze keep searching my eyes behind my glasses. My heart flutters at his sweet English accent too. We continue talking until we reached Chendor where he asked me to accompany him for late night snack. I refused. Though I was enjoying the talk, my eyes couldn’t hold on anymore. He went down just for minutes and before I started to drift to sleep he handed me Gardenia Cream Rolls, chocolate flavor.

“Just in case you feel hungry later”

“It’s all right, I’m good”

“Please?” He insisted.

“Thank you”

“You’re welcome”

The bus moved swiftly to Kuala Lumpur after that, and I fell asleep. I slept the whole remaining journey and woke up to bright shining light above me. It took me quite a while to register that I was comfortably resting my head on his shoulder and his head against my head. We both woke up, and my face flushes with embarrassment. He helped me with my bag from the overhead compartment, both of us in silence. I remembered before I left, he said “Hey yo, morning”. I smiled and I left. I withdrew myself from debate team later as my hands were full with other commitments. Odd enough, considering the size of KUSTEM, we never saw each other after that night. He just what other people said, a sweet guy with such a charisma that makes you just wants to listen.