The night was quiet, with only the faint hum of crickets outside Siti's small house. She sat curled up on the old couch in the living room, the glow of the television lighting her face. It was her favorite time of the day, when the world outside seemed still and she could lose herself in stories.
Tonight, the Malay drama playing on screen was about a young man rebuilding his life in Kuala Lumpur. Siti watched closely as he rode through the city streets, not on an ordinary motorcycle, but on something sleek, modern, and quiet.
The camera zoomed in: it was a BMW CE 04 electric motorcycle. Its futuristic body gleamed under the streetlights, moving without the roar of an engine—just a smooth, almost magical hum.
Siti's eyes widened. "Wow…" she whispered to herself.
The character on screen leaned casually on the bike, helmet tucked under his arm, as if the machine was more than transport—it was freedom. To Siti, it looked like a dream.
She hugged her knees, imagining herself riding that very motorcycle through her kampung roads, the wind against her face, no need to pedal, no tiring legs. Just gliding. It felt like something only heroes or rich people could own, but in that moment, Siti's heart whispered: I want one.
The drama ended, but she barely noticed the credits rolling. Her mind was already racing with images of herself riding the BMW, arriving at the orphanage in style, the kids running up to admire it. For the first time in a long time, she didn't just want comfort—she wanted something big.
---
The next morning, Siti cycled to the orphanage, her new bag bouncing lightly against her shoulder. As soon as she saw Safura in the garden, watering the plants, she rushed over.
"Kak Safura!" she called, breathless.
Safura turned, surprised at Siti's excitement. "What is it, Siti? You look like you've discovered treasure."
Siti's eyes sparkled. "I want to buy something. Last night, I watched a drama, and the character had this motorcycle… it's electric, so it's quiet and so cool! It's called BMW CE 04. I want to buy it!"
Safura blinked, then laughed lightly, thinking Siti was joking. But when she saw the seriousness in the girl's face, her smile softened into concern.
"Siti… do you even know how much a BMW CE 04 costs?"
Siti shook her head. "But I have money in my account, right? You showed me. I want to use it to buy that bike."
Safura put down the watering can, crouching so her eyes met Siti's. "Sayang, listen carefully. It's not about the money. Even if you had enough to buy ten of those motorcycles, you can't ride one yet."
Siti frowned, confusion clouding her excitement. "Why not? I can ride a bicycle. It's the same, right?"
Safura sighed, smiling gently. "It's not the same. To ride a motorcycle, you need a licence. You have to be at least seventeen to even apply for one. You're only eleven, Siti. You're too young."
The words hit Siti like a stone in her chest. Her excitement crumbled. She bit her lip, staring at the ground. "So… I can't buy it?"
"Not now," Safura said firmly but kindly. "One day, maybe, when you're older and ready. But for now, it's not safe, and the law won't allow it. Do you understand?"
Siti's shoulders slumped. The dream she had built so vividly in her mind last night collapsed in seconds.
Seeing her face fall, Safura added quickly, "But hey, that doesn't mean you can't have something fun. You said you wanted something faster than pedaling, right?"
Siti looked up, hope flickering.
"You can buy an electric bicycle. They're safe, legal for your age, and much easier to use than a normal one. You'll still feel like you're gliding, without needing petrol or a licence."
Siti blinked. "An electric bicycle?"
Safura nodded. "Yes. It won't be a BMW, but it'll be perfect for you. You can ride to the orphanage faster, carry things more easily, and still feel the wind in your face. What do you think?"
---
For a moment, Siti was quiet. She pictured herself again, but this time not on the BMW motorcycle, but on a sleek electric bicycle. It wasn't as grand or dramatic as the drama's hero, but… it was possible. It was hers to have now, not in some far-away future.
Her lips curled into a small smile. "Maybe… that's okay. I just want something new, something that makes me feel… free."
Safura ruffled her hair affectionately. "That's the spirit. Don't rush life, Siti. Your time for bigger things will come. For now, enjoy the little steps."
---
Later that day, during lunch at the orphanage, Siti told some of the kids about electric bicycles.
"Really? You can buy one?" asked Amir, eyes wide.
"Yes!" Siti grinned. "It's like a bicycle but with a motor inside. You don't need to pedal too much."
"Wah, if you buy it, can I ride it too?" Aina begged.
Siti laughed. "Maybe… if Kak Safura allows."
The children giggled, already imagining Siti arriving with her new electric bike. Their excitement fueled hers, making the disappointment of not getting the BMW fade a little more.
---
That night, back at home, Siti lay on her bed staring at the ceiling. Her mind replayed both the drama scene with the BMW motorcycle and Safura's calm explanation.
She hugged her pillow, whispering to herself, "One day, I'll ride the big one. But for now… I'll start with the small one."
And strangely, that thought didn't make her sad. It made her feel strong. Because for the first time, she realized dreams didn't have to come all at once. Sometimes they could come in steps, and each step mattered.
With that, she drifted to sleep, already imagining the soft hum of an electric bicycle carrying her through the streets of her village.