tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52475662011-06-08T08:16:42.844+02:00Linked Storytellingpekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comBlogger1251100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1120590852529336012005-07-05T21:13:00.000+02:002005-07-05T21:19:40.023+02:00

13.07He watched water from a pipe draining into the earthenware pot, the cup in it bobbed furiously under the onslaught. The rain slanted under the awning, wetting the bottom of his trousers. No matter, he reckoned, I will get wet anyway. Leg aching and uncomfortable in the presence of Sarah - whom he had neither seen nor spoken with for over a month - and her mother, he considered leaving. He

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1120156122570163582005-06-30T18:06:00.000+02:002005-07-01T00:17:45.380+02:00

13.06"You can't leave us alone with my mother," whispered Sarah, hanging on to her friend's arm.Aminah shook her head and said with a smile, "Don't worry. Everything will be alright. If she starts making things difficult for the two of you, just ignore it. She is too anxious about your father to care much about anything else anyway."Ahmad stood waiting outside the house after Aminah left, trying

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1112323314730364252005-04-01T04:40:00.000+02:002005-04-01T15:06:56.136+02:00

13.05"No, you go with your mother and Ahmad," Aminah said to Sarah. "I can tell Kak Siti and go with her then.""Which hospital?" Katijah enquired, looking at Sarah.Sarah turned to Ahmad, repeating her mother's question to him. "Changi Hospital, Makcik," Ahmad answered, properly addressing the woman he was wary of and expected her to glance at him in return but she indifferently walked away,

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1110961364717828322005-03-16T07:58:00.000+01:002005-04-01T04:40:22.380+02:00

13.04The silence that ensued was so thick it made the drumming of the raindrops unbearable. Katijah glared at Ahmad, who was sitting uncomfortably on the rattan chair, too afraid to move or give salaam.Sarah emerged pale-faced from the bedroom, followed by Aminah, both rushing to Katijah, who was reeling with questions. "Emak, it's Abah, he's in the hospital right now."Seeing her mother's shocked

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1110313936196205922005-03-08T21:31:00.000+01:002005-03-08T21:32:16.196+01:00

13.03Thunder rumbled from the east. She dropped the aluminum cup back into the earthenware pot after her feet were rinsed as a faint flash of light illumed the sky's reflection in the water. The downpour began as she wiped the soles of her feet, catching up with her like the rumble of a thousand hooves before it pelleted its cacophony on the corrugated iron over her head. "Sarah!" she shouted

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1109690408010850162005-03-01T12:26:00.000+01:002005-03-08T21:31:47.483+01:00

13.02Walking home from the market, Katijah passed a young girl sitting on the kerb, the sweet aroma of piping hot epok-epok wafting out of her rattan basket. She backtracked and bought a few pieces of her daughter's favourite snack, her heart going out to the young peddler. She thought of her own childhood, how she had to sell her mother's nasi lemak to help ends meet.Her reminiscence was

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1105397809759148562005-01-10T23:56:00.000+01:002005-01-11T00:44:43.156+01:00

Chapter 13.01 The voices selling and the voices bargaining; the pleasantries of housewives bumping into familiar faces mingling with the chatter of the more accustomed; the smell of blood, the pigs' at one end and the whiff of halal meat drifting from the other. Noise reverberated under the vast roof of the market as Katijah waited for her kangkong to be rolled in a piece of newspaper, then a

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1105350645853689762005-01-10T10:41:00.000+01:002005-01-10T20:19:44.780+01:00

12.10 Ah Tee jumped out of his lorry the moment the huge vehicle was parked in front of the hospital door. The lanky driver rushed into the hospital and shortly after, he was out with a couple of the hospital staff, helping them lift Zakaria onto the gurney. "Thank you, Ah Tee. Ali and I will take over from here, you can go home and rest. Let's not keep the ladies waiting."

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1095361988041598272004-09-16T21:11:00.000+02:002004-09-17T06:51:22.903+02:00

12.09 "Abang," Ahmad said to Ali, "get his legs." He was already kneeling on the lorry bearing Zakaria's weight in the viselike grip of his arms, pulling the unconscious man up from behind while Ah Tee lifted the man's midsection. Joined by other onlookers, the Samsui women watched the flurry in murmurs. When Zakaria was safely laid upon the vehicle, his head cushioned on a pillow of folded

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1095328014098171572004-09-16T11:35:00.000+02:002004-09-16T19:45:33.330+02:00

12.08 "Pakcik Zakaria! Ah Tee, call for an ambulance!" "No, there's no time for that, Ahmad. I'll take him to the hospital myself!" Ali, too stunned to respond, simply watched the strangers lift his colleague up into the lorry.

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1095012230446639282004-09-12T20:02:00.000+02:002004-09-12T20:45:07.323+02:00

12.07 Ali exclaimed his friend's name. A dozen or so Samsui women who had gathered at the bus stop waiting for their lorry to take them to their worksite shrieked. Their clamour upon witnessing Zakaria's fall drew the attention of the men at the kedai kopi nearby. A couple of them got up from their table and walked to the scene. They were Ahmad and Ah Tee.

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1094989086169314102004-09-12T13:17:00.000+02:002004-09-12T19:28:42.796+02:00

12.06 Ali noticed that Zakaria kept massaging his left arm during the bus ride. "What's wrong with your arm, did you lift heavy things?" "I don't know, it's aching like mad," replied Zakaria, beads of perspiration trickling down the sides of his face. "Ah, here we are, maybe a glass of teh tarik will make you feel better." The door opened but instead of going down the steps, Ali watched his

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1094690135578451552004-09-09T02:35:00.000+02:002004-09-17T01:58:26.153+02:00

12.05 "I scared you," Ali said with a chuckle, "Come on, your bus is here. Let's go to the kedai kopi near your place since I haven't had their prata for some time now. Is that okay with you?" "Yes, anywhere is fine with me," Zakaria replied as he got up next to Ali who was already flagging the bus. "I'm sorry you had to break your appointment with Said, Ali."

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1094658993274805002004-09-08T17:27:00.000+02:002004-09-09T01:46:13.396+02:00

12.04 "Is that what I'm trying to do, sweep everything clean so that nobody can see the mess in my family? What concerns me more - the happiness of my daughter or my wife's worry about her image among the villagers? I know Tijah has never approved of whatever Sarah does but Sarah is like that dried leaf, having a mind of its own, unwilling to be swept away with the rest. Should I be just like

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1094595792671310972004-09-08T01:22:00.000+02:002004-09-08T00:23:12.673+02:00

12.03 Not much traffic zoomed by at that hour as Zakaria sat on the rounded orange seat at the bus stop. A road sweeper gathered litter and leaves of the many angsana trees with his broomstick of coconut spines. An aluminum dustpan - a kerosene container or a biscuit tin in its previous existence – accompanied the swishes of the sweeping with clangs and thuds. He knew the man was mute and as he

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1094547362526912952004-09-07T10:24:00.000+02:002004-09-07T20:08:21.313+02:00

12.02 "Ali, let's go for a light breakfast together." "Alamak, Zakaria, I already promised Said, how about you joining us?" "Actually, there's something I want to discuss with you in private." Ali hesitated, bearing in mind that he had rejected Said's invitation twice but Zakaria looked like he really needed to get something off his chest. "Alright, wait for me at the bus-stop while I go let

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1094241030097488682004-09-03T21:49:00.000+02:002004-09-03T22:43:02.666+02:00

Chapter 12.01 The dayshift guards came at six as Zakaria was completing his morning prayer at the little room where all the guards signed in and out of their duties. Ali had already punched his card out and was waiting for Zakaria to clock his. They took different buses home but waited at the same bus stop. The night had seemed longer than any before; contemplation had him walking up and down

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1094208400177109982004-09-03T08:40:00.000+02:002004-09-03T20:09:17.863+02:00

11.16 "No, I prefer to spend the night with Sarah, if that's alright with Cik Tijah," replied Aminah defiantly. She knew that both she and Sarah would be spared from further interrogation should they stick together. Katijah, who was still stunned by the exchange between Aminah and her mother, simply nodded her head. Rokiah walked away from the house, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Have

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1094068593422969162004-09-01T21:56:00.000+02:002004-09-17T01:59:22.700+02:00

11.15 "You told me to get out of the house if I were embarrassed of your gossipmongering," Aminah said, "So out of the house I went. You don't care how I feel so why should you care where I go?" Taken aback by her daughter's reply - her usually resigned daughter - and shamefaced that they were in the presence of others, Rokiah exhaled a citation to God and turned to Katijah and Sarah for

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1094031206017974372004-09-01T10:19:00.000+02:002004-09-01T20:53:30.393+02:00

11.14 Aminah wasn't surprised to see that her mother had gone to Cik Tijah to look for her and as usual, make things even tougher for her and Sarah. She knew that Sarah would cover up for her but at the same time, she had nowhere else to go. Between backtracking to Kelly's house and risk whatever danger the darkness holds, and going to Sarah's house and face her mother, she chose to latter to

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1094013714878699132004-09-01T06:41:00.000+02:002004-09-01T20:53:02.416+02:00

11.13 "Where have you been then if you were not with Aminah?" buzzed Katijah, grabbing Sarah's upper arm and pulling her indoors. "Have I not made it clear that you're not to leave the house?" Unbeknownst to them, Aminah watched the unfolding drama from the darkness under the mango trees. She saw her mother stepping into the house after Sarah and Cik Tijah had gone in, carrying her bag of

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1093939449951768182004-08-31T09:46:00.000+02:002004-08-31T21:11:04.120+02:00

11.12 Sarah hesitated, trying to prepare herself for the interrogation she was going to face, not exactly sure whether to reveal her best friend's whereabout. "Where have you been?" shot her mother the moment she spotted Sarah approaching the house. Not waiting for her reply, Aminah's mother intercepted, "You met Aminah, didn't you - you are the only one she goes to all the time and where has

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1077665302999779482004-02-25T00:28:00.000+01:002004-02-25T04:41:19.200+01:00

11.11 They got out of the sampan - creaking the vessel with their weight and assisting its rotting joints to their inevitable demise - and walked to the path where the grass had not been able to grow for decades ever since people first stepped on the riverbank, the path where children ran in the day and snails crossed by night, the path that brought villages together and dependably linked lives.

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1077636039470590102004-02-24T16:20:00.000+01:002004-02-24T22:43:01.670+01:00

11.10 "My mum will go ballistic when she finds out that I had snuck out. Furthermore, I think it will make Milah even more uncomfortable if I were there." "Alright, I'll go back to Kelly's but you have to meet me here tomorrow morning!" "Do you want to walk back to my house first so that I can lend you a torchlight?" asked Sarah, suddenly very concerned thinking of her best friend walking all

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1077394941273706412004-02-21T21:22:00.000+01:002004-09-17T02:00:48.176+02:00

11.09 "Well, if you want an answer then you must ask and there's no other way of getting an explanation from her other than being straightforward. She will probably be just as uncomfortable as you will be if not more." "Should I go back to Kelly's house tonight? It's either there or back to my Ibu," Aminah said, straightening her back in the spontaneity of getting up, realising that Sarah

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1077348208187737062004-02-21T08:23:00.000+01:002004-02-21T17:10:32.013+01:00

11.08 Sarah shivered when she tried to imagine herself in Jamilah's position, unable to understand homosexuality herself. "Hey, I think it is best to tell Milah the truth and well, there is no better person to explain to you what this is all about other than Milah." "Errr... alright, if you think that's the best solution. But I feel so embarrassed just thinking about it! How am I going to

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1077309929119889012004-02-20T21:45:00.000+01:002004-02-20T21:51:42.653+01:00

11.07 "Yes, I do think that it's better not to tell your mother about what you saw tonight, but what about Milah? Are you going to tell her that you saw what she and Kelly did?" "I don't know," sighed Aminah, pushing a lock of her hair behind an ear as she pondered into the still waters of the night. "I'm still confused at what I saw. I mean, I had never thought that women would do such things

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1077192640289522232004-02-19T13:10:00.000+01:002004-02-20T21:51:21.186+01:00

11.06 When Sarah finally found her voice, she said slowly, "Can you imagine how Milah would feel if your mother were to tell her about her matchmaking plan?" The two girls stared at each other and burst out laughing, their laughter rocking the broken sampan. "What are you going to do, tell your mother what you saw or tell your sister about your mother's plan?" asked Sarah. "Hmmm... somehow I

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1064081172398166982003-09-20T20:06:00.000+02:002004-09-17T02:01:38.403+02:00

11.05 "It's too dark," Sarah said, halting their steps, "I'll turn back for a torchlight." "And risk getting caught now that you're already out of the house when you're not supposed to be?" Aminah asked, and grabbing her friend's hand tighter said, "Come on, we can get there even with our eyes closed." Accompanied by serenading crickets, a roosting dove's surprised coo (that's probably a

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1063983685613025382003-09-19T16:20:00.000+02:002004-02-19T12:55:53.950+01:00

11.04 Aminah let her feet guide her, her mind too caught up with what she witnessed earlier to think of where to spend the night. When she found herself outside Sarah's bedroom window, she jumped when the window flew open just as she was about to toss a pebble at the wooden wall to rouse her friend. Sarah, who did not expect to see Aminah standing outside her window with her big bag, was equally

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1061575933392615042003-08-22T20:12:00.000+02:002003-09-04T03:05:26.046+02:00

11.03 The gramophone - the reason why her knocks upon the door were not heard - was spinning a foreign lady's salacious voice. Still holding on onto the doorknob whilst leaning a shoulder against the heavy teak door, she looked around for Kelly and her sister whose giggles punctuated the jazzy air but saw no one; and just as she was about to call out, the expansive mirror on the far side of the

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1061483429514463472003-08-21T18:30:00.000+02:002003-08-22T18:38:48.170+02:00

11.02 Aminah hastened her steps, sensing that her friend was watching her from her bedroom window. She did not want to talk to anyone at that moment, entertaining the countless thoughts running through her mind instead as she walked briskly to Kelly's house. It was dark when she arrived at the gates, letting herself in since all the servants would have returned to their quarters by then. She

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1060555619562185302003-08-11T00:46:00.000+02:002003-08-17T16:20:10.306+02:00

Chapter 11.01 The muezzin's call drifted as tediously as the afternoon heat, pulling her down with ever-increasing weight with its every note. Trapped in her own room, not able to leave the house without a chaperon, Sarah mused over the situation she was facing at home – the friction exuded by her father's silent hostility; her mother's insistence that she drank zam-zam everyday; the flower bath

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1060517913609050102003-08-10T14:18:00.000+02:002003-08-10T14:58:36.350+02:00

10.10 The sound of the slamming door jolted Rokiah. She did not expect such boldness from Aminah although she knew that her daughter was quite willful. She suddenly felt lost, not knowing what to do next. Rokiah was still at the kitchen table when she heard the voice of the muezzin blaring from the mosque. Even when the azan ended, Rokiah continued to sit in the dark, wondering where her

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10.09 Aminah looked at her mother's back walking away, and then went straight into her bedroom, anger boiling her blood. She sighed deeply, and reached under her bed for the sports bag that she had won in a lucky draw the year before, but had never used. Tearing the dusty plastic wrapper away, she looked at the bag as if for an answer. Jamilah, her sister, was at Kelly's and surely would not

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1060087286059932092003-08-05T14:41:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:35:53.000+02:00

10.08 "If you are so embarrassed of your own mother, you can get out of the house!" Mother and daughter stared at each other in silence, both equally shocked at the outburst. Aminah couldn't believe that her mother uttered those words. Rokiah herself was stunned that she challenged her daughter to walk out on the family. Afraid of her daughter's bold spirit but too egoistic to take back her

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1059826542907395052003-08-02T14:15:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:36:03.753+02:00

10.07 "Amboi… look how rude you are, speaking to me like that!" a visibly annoyed Rokiah said. Spontaneity urged her to twist her daughter's ear; alas, the tray she was carrying hampered both hands. "I've had enough of your gossiping, Ibu. Everyday I have to listen to you spread rumours at the stall outside, and to every customer you'll ask 'have you heard this' and 'have you heard that'. It's

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1059799319748416412003-08-02T06:41:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:36:15.583+02:00

10.06 "His name is Ahmad and stop referring to him as 'that Pakistani'," Aminah retorted, barely able to contain her anger. "Whoa, someone's getting real defensive here. Why do you want to be an accomplice in someone else's sin, encouraging them to commit khalwat." "That's not true, and you know it! You simply have a bad heart, unable to see other people happy without feeling jealous."

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1059531480885413842003-07-30T04:18:00.000+02:002004-09-17T02:03:16.790+02:00

10.05 "Well, your best friend doesn't want to marry him, does she? Besides, the wedding between Sarah and Nordin will be called off." "You told Cik Tipah about Ahmad, didn't you?" accused Aminah, wanting to reprimand her mother but held her tongue instead. "It's only right that she knows what kind of girl her future daughter-in-law is, and anyway, I'm doing a great favour for your friend

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1058769069932631322003-07-21T08:31:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:36:50.603+02:00

10.04 "Is this the same Nordin who will be marrying Sarah?" "Haha, not anymore," said Rokiah, beaming. "I like that boy, Nordin, and I think he makes a good match for your sister." "Have you gone out of your mind? That's my best friend's fiance we are talking about!"

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1058384405528743172003-07-16T21:40:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:37:03.276+02:00

10.03 Dusting the crumbs off her fingers and wiping her lips, Aminah went into the livingroom to salaam the guest. She had met Latifah a few times, one of her mother's many friends she knew by face and name, and although she avoided her mother's network of grapevines, she had always taken a mental note on who was related to whom. "Cik Tipah visited us last Hari Raya with her two daughters,

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1058009734751381282003-07-12T13:35:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:35:13.886+02:00

10.02 She knew that Sarah would denounce her faith eventually, the classes they attended together not strengthening her faith but opening venues for her questions instead. Sarah's pious parents would not take the issue lightly and Aminah pointed out to her best friend that giving in to her mother's matchmaking plan would not be able to salvage the situation. Aminah knew that it was a sin

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1057504926411679712003-07-06T17:22:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:34:54.086+02:00

Chapter 10.01 Aminah left her bedroom after changing into an old kurung top and sarong batik - her usual attire when she was at home. Her mother was still gossiping away with Cik Tipah in the livingroom, so she went into the kitchen. Lunch was just a few hours ago, but she looked into the pots nevertheless, for something to snack on. The inviting richness of the sambal tumis made her reach for a

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1057318534975038052003-07-04T13:35:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:34:11.533+02:00

9.13 "Shhh," signalled Rokiah to her friend. Aminah knew that her mother was gossiping as usual, the sudden silence as she approached all too familiar to her. She wished that her mother would stop blabbering away the private lives of others, a habit that made her embarrassed of her own mother at times. She extended her hand to Latifah for a salaam and went into her bedroom, throwing a stern

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-105717944292305352003-07-02T22:57:00.000+02:002004-09-17T02:10:19.930+02:00

9.12 "What happened to the boy?" "Sinseh Ah Huang told me that the boy was in a cast, bedridden awhile but he's walking again fine," here, Rokiah lowered her voice, seeing through the opened door that Aminah was entering the gate outside. "I was also told that Sarah is still visiting him every afternoon." "What?" reacted Latifah who also noticed that her friend's youngest daughter was

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1057138427338487132003-07-02T11:33:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:37:48.440+02:00

9.11 Latifah raised her eyebrows in utter surprise. "Oh, that Pakistani boy you have been mentioning, right?" "Yes, that very same one! And Sarah was also there at that time! I am sure they were both on the way to their daily rendezvous."

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1056897726623478972003-06-29T16:42:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:38:11.193+02:00

9.10 "Quite often, although Mrs Jones usually stays behind." "Have you been inside their bungalow?" "Not the new one at Katong, I haven't, but I have been to their previous one at Telok Kurau. Oh, and do you know who lives in that Telok Kurau bungalow now?" asked Rokiah in a giggle before answering her own question. "It's that towkay who hit Sarah's boyfriend with his car."

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1056811679788601522003-06-28T16:47:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:32:28.643+02:00

9.09 "The maid, whom the Joneses brought with them from Kuala Lumpur, is a Muslim. She shares with Milah the utensils the family reserved for her. Kelly and Milah are so close that Kelly knows all Milah's needs," boasted Rokiah. "That's very good, to have a very close friend who fully understands her. Are Kelly's parents away most of the time?"

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1056731331101397712003-06-27T18:28:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:32:42.490+02:00

9.08 "Yes, Milah is over there at their bungalow right now. Kelly's parents are away for a week to inspect their plantation in Kedah, so I let her sleepover there to accompany Kelly since she's all alone in the big house with only the maid and the gardener to talk to." "Does Milah speak English with her friend?" asked Latifah, pinching a piece of cake that she had placed upon the saucer of the

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1056682069966033482003-06-27T04:47:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:32:56.820+02:00

9.07 "Whoa, I'm impressed with this achiever of yours. Is she seeing anyone at the moment?" "Date a man, you mean? Jamilah wouldn't have any time left for dating since she's always hanging out with her best friend, Kelly." "Kelly, the daughter of Mr and Mrs Jones, the plantation owners?"

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1056661850860610062003-06-26T23:10:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:33:13.196+02:00

9.06 "Aminah is my youngest; Jamilah is her sister. You're always mixing them up, lah, but I can understand that since they're only a year apart. Eh, we should see each other more often, you know. The last time you saw Milah was last Hari Raya, almost a year ago, wasn't it? You even missed her khatam that we held for her last month."

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-1056639981546121192003-06-26T17:06:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:33:29.170+02:00

9.05 "Sigh... I'll have to break the engagement whether I like it or not. I can't sacrifice my son's future just to avoid embarrassment." The two women sipped their tea in silence, both contemplating which pawn to move next. "Eh, Tipah... Milah is now learning how to sew clothes at the community centre every Friday evening." "You mean Jamilah, your youngest daughter?"

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-960198142003-06-25T18:06:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:38:36.840+02:00

9.04 "Sarah's not even a flower as I see her now, and I must at least have the decency to officially uncouple the match." "Just tell them the truth, Tipah, and it doesn't matter one bit that you were enthusiastic about Sarah and now wish to call it off because you were, after all, deceived. We're honest people and you should show them that truth always triumphs in the end. When you're home

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-960116832003-06-25T12:55:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:38:57.840+02:00

9.03 "What am I going to do now, Rokiah? It's quite embarrassing to call off the betrothal since I was the one who kept pushing for it. But then again, I will be the village idiot if I were to let the marriage take place. And Nordin is not getting any younger." "And Sarah is not the only flower in the garden, Tipah."

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-959589262003-06-23T23:16:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:39:20.080+02:00

9.02 "I can see clearly now how appalling a woman that Katijah is. A perfect virgin bride her daughter would make indeed! You should have seen her yesterday when we went to propose, appraising her daughter with this and that. Oh, I'm so furious with all those lies!" "When a mother lies the way Katijah does, imagine what traits her daughter may inherit."

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-959369332003-06-23T08:15:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:33:54.063+02:00

Chapter 9.01 "Hey, why aren't you drinking your tea, Tipah?" "I don't have the appetite for anything anymore. What took you so long to tell me all these, Rokiah?" Rokiah laid her hand on her Latifah's arm gently and said, "I didn't know it's that Sarah girl you were planning to betroth Nordin to. And as a friend, I thought it's only right that I tell you what the villagers have been saying

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-958342642003-06-19T19:41:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:28:23.200+02:00

8.09 The ceiling fan ticked its rickety rhythm. A gecko clucked its tongue in reprimand. Sarah looked at her mother's beseeching eyes; red and streaming rivers of sorrow. She loved Emak and did not want to hurt her, but there had been too many lies. She closed her eyes, pushing the last of her own tears out of her vision and biting her lips, she gently shook her head in the negative.

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-958212122003-06-19T10:42:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:28:47.063+02:00

8.08 Anticipative silence shrouded the trio; Katijah and Siti waiting for Sarah's declaration of her faith. As Sarah looked more helpless as the minutes ticked away, Siti's eyes grew bigger in disbelief. Not about to give up, Katijah cajoled, "Come on, Sarah. It's not too late to repent. Get back onto the right path, my child."

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-957796292003-06-18T06:46:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:29:03.973+02:00

8.07 Sarah felt like a helpless, feeble lamb that was being led to the slaughterhouse. But unlike an innocent lamb, she knew where she going and not having the courage to say no this time was inconceivable to her already chaotic mind, especially since it was less than an hour ago that she had confessed to a more serious matter – that of blasphemy. "Now, mengucap, Sarah," pleaded Katijah, still

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-957509412003-06-17T14:43:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:29:23.240+02:00

8.06 Tears flowed freely as the women clung to one another. Sarah was so broken she didn't even care if her mother would marry her off the following day. "We'll fix the wedding date as soon as possible, Sarah," cooed Katijah as she caressed her daughter's hair. "It's not nice for a girl to be unmarried for a long time and it's time all the silly rumours about you are put to an end. You'll thank

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-956818202003-06-15T12:55:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:29:47.993+02:00

8.05 "Yes, it will make me happy and I pray that you will change after you're married. You lied to Abah, you lied to me, and you," she turned to face Siti, "You knew she was going to that shophouse and yet you let her! You haven't heard the crazy things she said after she got home…Ya, Allah…" Constant tears and a cresting wail were too much for both daughters to witness. Sarah felt numb, Siti

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-956738302003-06-15T03:35:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:30:02.826+02:00

8.04 Sarah saw the apologetic look on her sister's face and guessed the interrogation heading her way. Should this had happened a week earlier, Sarah would lie her way through if she had to, but she no longer saw the need to defend herself or a lover or a relationship that no longer existed. "Yes, I went to see Ahmad at the shophouse, just as I've been doing all the while," she started. "Emak,

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-956692492003-06-14T23:02:00.000+02:002004-09-17T02:06:01.233+02:00

8.03 Silence greeted her, and the silence lasted as she looked disappointingly at Siti who was awkwardly holding on to her stance. The answer was loud and clear. "This afternoon, why didn't you tell Emak? Why didn't you stop… but… your Abah said she was at…," a stammering Katijah was choked with agony at the betrayal and at the top of her voice, she called, "Sarah! Get in here!"

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-956599742003-06-14T15:32:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:30:40.486+02:00

8.02 Realising she had accidentally let out something that obviously had been kept from her mum successfully, Siti asked the senior woman, "Did you see Karim's teether? I am sure I left it here as I couldn't find it at home." She got up and kept herself busy, peering at even the most impossible corners of the living room. "Maybe I should look for it at home again." "Who did Sarah go to see,

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-955227562003-06-10T23:36:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:30:58.410+02:00

Chapter 8.01 Seeing that her mother had no intentions of getting up from the prayer mat anytime soon, Siti walked to her side and softly called, "Emak." "What has gotten into your sister?" wailed Katijah in a burst of tears, hugging herself as she continued to mutter recitations and pardons to The Most Forgiving. In shock at her mother's state, Siti could merely put a comforting hand onto her

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-955115062003-06-10T18:25:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:25:57.180+02:00

7.07 "Sigh, I don't know what to do now. Tijah really wants to marry her off to that Nordin boy. For me, I just want my daughters to be happy." "Well, I guess the only thing you can do is ask Sarah herself what she wants," Ali suggested. "But now, we have to get back to work."

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-954111982003-06-07T20:43:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:26:11.870+02:00

7.06 "I'm not saying matchmaking is totally wrong, and there's nothing wrong with divorce either," Ali said as he finished his meal, balled up the wax paper into a plastic bag to be disposed and walked over to the washbasin to clean his curry stained fingers. "I'm sorry," Zakaria said, " I didn't mean to put you on the spot." "Oh no, there's nothing for you to apologise," Ali said, joining his

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-953923542003-06-07T03:24:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:26:32.903+02:00

7.05 "What makes a guy the right one for your daughter, then?" questioned Ali. "Anyway, what do you and Tijah know about this other guy Sarah is married off to?" "Well, Tijah and I were matchmade, too, and we turned out fine. There's nothing wrong with matchmaking. There are couples out there who married partners of their own choice but end up seeking divorce after that."

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-952570412003-06-04T00:35:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:26:51.500+02:00

7.04 "Your daughter is already in love. You're snatching that away, rejecting the man she loves, replacing him with someone whom she doesn't know, someone you don't know nor have seen before, and you want Sarah to walk onto the dais you make for her and expect love to blossom to your preference?" "Parents' instincts for their children in our society have proven that marriages do last." "How do

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-952427372003-06-03T18:26:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:27:07.220+02:00

7.03 Assured that his colleague was done telling his story, Ali proceeded very carefully with his questions despite his confidence that Zakaria took his words as the window into the mind of his young daughter. "What made you and your wife think that matchmaking is the key to Sarah's future? Frankly speaking, I myself detest the idea of being married off to a total stranger, and I am sure that to

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-951587162003-06-01T19:52:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:27:23.380+02:00

7.02 "She saw you spying on her?" Ali asked in-between chews. "Was that why you were late this afternoon?" Zakaria had known Ali for less than a year when the younger security guard joined the team, but whenever Ali visited him from his post at the other end of the shopping center many times a night to break their boredom, or to eat together, Zakaria realised how perceptive and understanding

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-951505722003-06-01T14:26:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:27:41.570+02:00

Chapter 7.01 "Hey, is anything bothering you? You've been exceptionally silent all evening. If you are not going to eat that, you can always give it to me," joked Ali to his colleague. "It's my daughter, Sarah. She saw me at the shophouse," said Zakaria with a frown as he pushed the curry across the table.

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-950050252003-05-28T22:51:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:24:34.903+02:00

6.10 Not getting any response, Siti left the kitchen before the effects of being ignored brought out the worst of scenarios. She found Emak praying at the usual corner of the livingroom and looked around for her son's teether that she had left behind. Finding it, she decided to wait for Emak, knowing that her mother needed her support. She was apprehensive as well since she did not tell Emak

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-949920742003-05-28T17:20:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:21:48.783+02:00

6.09 Sarah refused to acknowledge her sister's question and rinsed the rag in silence. Siti, not ready to be snubbed, pressed on, "Serves you right. That's what you get for sneaking around behind Emak's back. That's all you are good for - bring shame to the family. Thanks to you, our parents' names are being dragged through mud from one end of the kampong to the other!"

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-949588112003-05-27T23:52:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:22:08.410+02:00

6.08 "What's happening now?" asked Siti curtly, still furious at her sister for sneaking out to see Ahmad and still bitten by the words Sarah had thrown at her earlier in the afternoon. Sarah glanced at the unexpected presence and immediately continued the cleaning up. Mopping the rice and curry into a pool with the rag and not looking up again, Sarah asked, "Why are you back here?" "Why are

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-949333872003-05-27T12:04:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:22:26.023+02:00

6.07 Sarah saw the culprit just outside the door, guilty eyes peering into the kitchen. "Belang!" shouted Sarah and the cat fled. Sarah sighed as she grabbed a rag to help Emak clear the mess. The moment she kneeled to gather the scattered rice, Emak got up and left the kitchen in a huff. Sarah kneeling on the floor and sobbing like a child as she cleaned up - that was how Siti found her as

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-948687082003-05-25T21:35:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:22:43.683+02:00

6.06 It was the first time that Katijah had laid hands on her daughter - neither Sarah nor Siti had ever been slapped or caned when they were children. The rage and bewilderment overwhelmed her and she abruptly turned away from Sarah and walked out with a hand upon her pounding heart to inspect the distraction. Sarah leaned against the wall, her boldness defeated by regret as her back slithered

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-948588852003-05-25T15:29:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:23:00.403+02:00

6.05 The sheer anger that engulfed Katijah propelled her to hit her daughter so hard that she could feel the sting from the action on her own palm. Anger, disappointment, sadness and disbelieve brought tears to her eyes and she did not even know where to begin. She wanted to hit Sarah till all her anger was spent but was everything that happened entirely Sarah's fault? Which demon had possessed

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-947991752003-05-23T21:35:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:23:16.140+02:00

6.04 Still, Sarah did not say a word. She looked at her hand gripping onto the doorknob. "Sarah!" Katijah raised her voice a notch higher before it softened in desperation, "Emak's talking to you..." "Emak," began Sarah as she tenderly lifted her eyes to meet her mother's. "When I pray, I don't do it because of God."

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-947687122003-05-23T05:31:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:23:31.346+02:00

6.03 The incessant banging at the door interrupted Sarah's snooze. She got up to let her mother in and the older woman flicked on the light switch immediately. "What do you think you are doing, huh? You don't listen to Emak anymore!" berated Katijah. "As long as you are unmarried, you are our responsibility and your obedience is obligatory!"

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-947038562003-05-21T23:05:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:23:48.710+02:00

6.02 Sarah had switched the fluorescent lamp off and her room was almost in darkness, illuminated weakly by the light streaming from the livingroom outside through the wide gap above the wall of her bedroom where it did not touch the ceiling. Slightly sweating under the blanket, Sarah heard Emak calling for her to pray. The muezzin's call had shattered her solitude with its army of invaders

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-946705942003-05-21T07:09:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:24:11.446+02:00

Chapter 6.01 Katijah sat on her old rattan chair after reciting her Surah Yasin, and waited for 'Isha. Her mind wandered to the questions she had always been asking herself -- where did she go wrong in Sarah's upbringing. Had she and Zakaria been too lenient with their younger daughter? The azan blaring from the mosque nearby snapped Katijah back to the present. "Sarah, time to solah!" she

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-946446372003-05-20T20:25:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:21:01.416+02:00

5.05 "Youngsters these days," sighed Rokiah, before her attention was diverted to some boys who were taking turns riding the bicycle Sarah had left on the roadside. "Oi, boys! Don't play with that!" "Arun!" called Nirmala to her son who was one of the boys in the group. "Go and send the bicycle to Wak Zakaria's."

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-946251342003-05-20T11:37:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:20:34.193+02:00

5.04 Nirmala's eyes went wide and she gasped. "Aiyoyoh, are you sure, Kiah? Oh dear, her parents are such pious people. And that Siti, so obedient to Zakaria and Katijah. How come the younger daughter turns out this way?"

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-945416982003-05-18T19:19:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:19:51.110+02:00

5.03 "Has she been visiting him?" repeated Nirmala in earnest. "How do you know that?" "I saw them, of course, with my own eyes at that shophouse next to Sinseh Ah Huang where the construction workers live. I've seen her walk in and out of there many times and not only that, I've seen them holding hands under the big tree behind the market. I see Sarah pass my stall almost everyday and I'm sure

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-944496402003-05-16T16:11:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:19:25.480+02:00

5.02 "Kiah, isn't that Tijah's younger daughter?" whispered Nirmala to her neighbour. "How did she know that Pakistani boy?" Rokiah, the owner of the makeshift drink stall, pulled Nirmala away from the crowd that gathered. "You mean you didn't know that they are having an affair? I have seen that girl visit the boy a few times."

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-943434132003-05-14T21:06:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:18:50.960+02:00

Chapter 5.01 When Ah Tee's car hit Ahmad, Sarah had screamed. An instant was all it took for their secret to go public. She dropped the bicycle she was pushing and ran to the scene. People living along that part of Jalan Harmuni had come out of their houses to find Haji Zakaria and Hajjah Katijah's daughter comforting an injured man in complete familiarity with each other. They huddled in a

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-943201672003-05-14T12:16:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:18:19.613+02:00

4.17 "I don't feel well," mumbled Sarah as she got up to leave, not wanting to hear any more of Emak's nagging. She was tired of everything, tired of pretending to be a good, obedient daughter, tired of pretending to pray, tired of being caged. Sarah simply let her prayer garb fall on the floor next to her bed and lay down, burying herself under the blanket despite the heat. Katijah recited the

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-941513412003-05-11T17:30:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:17:46.360+02:00

4.16 May peace be upon you to the right, peace to the left, and amen. The prayer now completed, Zakaria left the house for work while the women remained on their prayer mats. Sarah was glad that Abah had to leave for she did not want to hear his long recitations of the Quran; but premature was her relief. It was when Emak reached for two copies of the Surah Yasin that were within reach on a

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-940860122003-05-10T04:37:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:16:33.080+02:00

4.15 Sarah was put through years of Islamic school and questioning was not really encouraged in the religion. Dogmatism, which walks hand in hand with belief, was something Sarah could not swallow and as she grew older, the inability to question without being labelled a non-believer eventually blossomed into anger. "Why give me a brain that can think when I'm not supposed to use it to question

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-940062582003-05-08T21:13:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:16:05.013+02:00

4.14 Even though he was in a hurry, Abah stayed for Maghrib and selected shorter verses as he led the two women in prayer. Words of peace and humility, servility and praise, drifted into the air from a tongue speaking a language not its own. Two female voices echoed the greatness of God in whispers as they punctuated Abah's voice and emulated his actions. Meanings slipped by Sarah; she

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-939947832003-05-08T17:26:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:15:16.773+02:00

4.13 Of the five prayer times a day, Sarah hated Maghrib the most. It was the time when she was expected to pray with her parents. The other four times a day, she would wash her face and her arms to achieve the after-ablution look. It was usually followed by ten minutes of silence in her room with the door locked. It was during those times that Sarah started to question herself as she lay in

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-937588562003-05-04T22:03:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:14:36.970+02:00

4.12 "Why didn't you catch your bus?" Emak asked her husband and not waiting for his answer, she turned again towards Sarah to begin her rant. "Why didn't you tell me or Siti that you were going out? It's almost Maghrib for God's sake! What were you doing at Aminah's at this hour, anyway?" "Will you let her get in the house before your voice alert the whole kampong?" said Abah as he checked his

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-937526192003-05-04T19:33:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:14:09.920+02:00

4.11 Emak was standing at the doorway, arms akimbo. "Ready to shoot off her mouth, I bet," whispered Zakaria to his daughter. Sarah smiled, remembering the times Abah called Emak 'a hungry lioness' behind her back. "Where were you, huh?" started Emak when the duo was still a couple of meters away from the house. Before Sarah could reply, her dad said, "I met her as she was walking back from

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-936689202003-05-02T21:50:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:13:32.803+02:00

4.10 Zakaria risked his job having missed two buses already but he could not bear the thought of his daughter walking alone in apparent distress, and he wanted to have a word with his wife. He knew the missus would vent her outrage towards Sarah and he had to be there to compose the scene, knowing that harsh words were not what their daughter needed right now. Neither of them said a word as

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-936588472003-05-02T18:32:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:13:03.926+02:00

4.09 "What are you doing here?" asked Sarah, breaking the uncomfortable silence enveloping them. "I believe I should be the one asking you that." Zakaria felt bad when Sarah's sobs racked her body, mistaking his daughter's tears of heartbreak for fear of being found out. Zakaria could only oblige when his daughter said, "Take me home, Abah. I don't want to see this place anymore."

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-935979562003-05-01T17:09:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:12:15.230+02:00

4.08 When Zakaria left for work in the evening, the suspicion of Sarah's whereabouts was obvious and it led him to the shophouse where Ahmad lived. "She must be at that shophouse," his wife had said, infuriated and disappointed at her daughter. "Go there before you take the bus for work and if you see her, tell her not to come back. She needs to be taught a lesson and understand how serious we

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-934942252003-04-30T01:02:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:11:07.906+02:00

4.07 "Why is Abah here? Isn't he supposed to be at work?" Sarah wondered. Although her instincts told her to run up to Ahmad's room, Sarah was also curious why her father was there at that hour. Sarah froze as she watched her father ascend. Her father looked up and stopped in his track, a bewildered look on his face.

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-933349772003-04-27T09:59:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:10:33.153+02:00

4.06 Sarah heard the slam of the door before she realised that the thunder was by her own action. Along the dark corridor and down the stairs she ran, neither thinking about her thoughts nor caring about who was looking at her. The men who lived in the rented rooms of the shophouse were lounging downstairs – home from work and waiting for dinner to be served by those on duty. At the bottom of

pekarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789832859689289266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247566.post-933019072003-04-26T18:52:00.000+02:002003-08-07T21:10:07.383+02:00

4.05 Ahmad heard the slam of the door exclaiming the end of his trysts with Sarah. He wanted to call her back and tell her that he didn't mean what he said. However, he simply stared at the wall opposite him and held himself back. He was not going to allow his selfishness ruin Sarah's life. Hard as it was, he had to let her go as he was fully aware that he would only put her in a lot of

shazalinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019776434239847806noreply@blogger.com