Noor walking in the empty corridor.
His mind visualizing the story Kevin just told him.
"I could've never guessed Mr. Kevin was an evil person. Judging from his look he seems like a gentleman caught up between mess. But in reality that crazy guy is controlling everything. His goal is to make his daughter stronger, bringing me here as a sacrificial lamb and even telling me everything. I wonder what that guy's true intention is. He is using his daughter as a tool… no, more like a killing machine.
And my father... hah. I don't want to think about him."
Sigh.
"I am just a kid who's fifteen, but mature enough to digest all of the mess happening around me. Sometimes I even surprise myself," he muttered, stretching his neck.
A cold feeling hit him.
Noor froze for a second. It was Jenne who passed by.
"Wait, Miss Jenne," Noor called.
"What." Jenne asked flatly.
"Umm… I mean… how are you? We haven't met in a while," he asked, looking down.
"I am fine," she said, walking away.
"Wait…" Noor stepped forward.
"Again what..." Jenne looked annoyed.
"About that day with Ria. It wasn't what you thought," Noor blushed.
"I know. Do you want to say anything more?"
( God, what can I say? Come on Noor, say something. Oh—idea. )
"Miss Jenne… I want to know you better," Noor said loudly.
"Huh?" Jenne looked confused.
Sigh.
( What kind of bullshit am I saying… but I can't think of anything better. ) Noor cringed inside.
"I saw you coming out from Father's room. Did something happen? You usually don't act like this."
( As expected of her. She noticed. Looks like she's also aware her father is evil. But if I say anything bad about him she might hate me again. ) Noor rubbed his neck.
"If you don't want me to know then it's okay." Jenne turned away.
"No, no… wait!" Noor yelled.
"Again. What." She turned back, annoyance visible on her face.
"I want to tell you everything, but this doesn't look like the right place to talk about," he muttered.
"Hmmm." Jenne glanced at Noor.
( Why is she looking at me like that… ) He felt nervous.
"..."
"..."
"Tomorrow, in the Portland, there is a park named Carnival. Meet me there at 9," Jenne spoke in a sharp tone.
"And don't be late." She added.
Jenne walked away fast.
...
...
Noor stood there confused.
"Wait, tomorrow I was planning to go to school but… sigh. Looks like I have no choice."
"But she acted different from before. It's weird, I can't catch which behavior of hers is real. At least it's not as complex as Ria." He frowned.
"But I wonder… there is a person who can explain this to me—someone who knows her better."
Noor ran.
...
...
Wham.
Noor opened the kitchen room door.
"Miss Rosy— huff… huff…"
"Oh Noor, what brings you here?" Rosy covered her mouth, surprised.
"Are you hung—"
"Miss Rosy, listen to me closely," Noor said.
"What happened?" She leaned close.
Noor whispered everything about his conversation with Jenne.
...
...
"Hmmm," Rosy kept silent for a second.
"Oh, I see…" Rosy blushed.
"Don't worry, I will wake you up and help you get ready tomorrow."
"Huh?" Noor confused.
"Don't worry, you can do this!" she said excitedly.
"Ehhh…" Noor became even more confused.
Creek.
Shuts.
( What did she just say… I couldn't understand a thing. )
Noor stood outside the door.
He spotted Rahim walking by, formal posture as always.
"Mr. Rahim," Noor called from behind.
"Eeek!" Rahim got spooked.
"Wh… what…" he stuttered.
"I want your advice," Noor said softly.
Rahim looked confused.
"Here," Noor gestured him to lean down because he was tall.
...
...
He whispered about the conversation with Jenne.
"Hmmm… sigh…" Rahim rubbed his chin, then took a deep breath.
"Listen, sir." He placed his hand on Noor's shoulder.
"You must dress up properly. Be confident. I have high hopes for you."
"..."
"..."
"You can do it!" Rahim walked away, blushing as usual.
"Ehhh. What…" Noor looked that direction with a cringe-filled face.
Trrrp—Trrrp.
The telephone beside Noor rang.
"Hello?" Noor picked up.
"Hello Noor, how are you dear?"
"Oh—wait, mom." Noor's eyes sparkled for a second, then faded.
"I am fine," he added.
"Have you been eating well?"
"Yes."
"And your study?"
"I am doing better," Noor replied flatly.
"Mom…"
"Hmm?"
"When will you take me back home?" His voice shook.
"After I take back the land that belongs to me."
"Huh?" Noor confused.
"Your father filed a case saying the land belongs to him."
"What?" Noor shocked.
"You know the truth, Noor. The land belongs to my parents."
"Yes… I was aware of that. You always used to tell me."
(Has Dad gone crazy?)
"I joined an animation company, using the skills I once learned. I work 18 hours a day with barely any rest. I saved enough money for the case. You know how this country is—corruption everywhere. Your father has political backing. But I am not giving up the land that belongs to my parents.
Forgive me for behaving like that to you that day. I was so angry and frustrated I took it out on you…"
Her voice shook.
It was clear she was crying.
Noor froze in shock and rage.
(How dare he…)
"Why is Dad doing this?" Noor asked.
"He still blames me for your brother's death… but I also lost my parents that day. He doesn't care about that."
She breathed heavily.
"Wasn't that a story Dad used to tell me when I was a child?" Noor asked, confused.
"No, it wasn't. It's real."
...
...
Noor froze in silence.
"Mom… I have to go. I'll talk to you later."
"Okay. Take care of yourself."
He hung up.
"It pisses me off…"
Wham.
Noor punched the wall.
"My dad… he is nothing more than a piece of shit. So that wasn't a story. He tried to brainwash me from childhood to hate my mother," Noor muttered in rage.
...
...
"Before I was born, my parents had my big brother. Their marriage happened because my grandfather and maternal grandfather were good friends.
But my maternal grandparents died in a car accident on a stormy night with my big brother—he was just 10 days old. My brother's body was never found.
When I was born, my grandfather also gave some land in my name. When I become an adult that land will belong to me.
But my father is after the land that belongs to my mother. That guy is pissing me off.
I don't want to call him my dad anymore."
Sigh.
"Anyway…
I misunderstood Mom. I have to do something… but what can I do? I'm in 10th grade. After that I will leave this school and this place.
But my friends…" Noor's heart ached.
"Well, there are still some months left. We will pass our good time together."
"I have to talk with Miss Jenne. She is a good person. I believe she will let me go or help me.
For now, I must focus on tomorrow's meeting."
Later that day…
Noor stood in the park dressed like a gentleman.
"Wait a minute… they set me up…"