I'm A Lady 10

‘Gulp...’

Is menelan keras air liurnya...

‘Setahu aku tadi, aku suruh dia panggil aku Is, budak ni... nak kena betul dengan aku ni!’

Is merungut dalam hati.

“Be careful ya, darling... kalau you jatuh tadi, mau tak menangis Firhan.”

Jejaka kacak tu bersuara dengan penuh kelembutan.

Is merasakan dirinya terbuai-buai dek alunan suara tersebut. Rasa macam kena pukau. 

Jantungnya masih lagi berdegup kencang.

“Hey, Dania... are you here?”

Jejaka tu memetik jarinya di hadapan muka Is. Is seakan baru tersedar dari mimpi.

“Urm, ah...yes...yes...I’m still here.. hehe, thanks Kazz!”

Is berpaut pada bahu Kazz untuk membetulkan balik postur tubuhnya. Nanti tak pepasal ada yang jatuh kat sini! Jatuh terus saham kemachoan nanti!

“Saya tak terima ucapan terima kasih dari orang yang saya rapat. Ingat ya lain kali,no need thanks.”

Kazz melemparkan senyumannya yang paling manis ke arah IS. Tangan Kazz membetulkan sedikit hujung rambut IS.

“I get that! Kalau awak tak sambut saya tadi, dah terbongkang saya kat lantai ni...”

Is tersenyum manis ke arah Kazz. Apakah yang telah merasuk diri Is nie? Dah sampai seru ke?

“Okay darling, I nak balik kat gang I, oh ya, ni Firhan bagi, dia suruh tolong pass kat you, dia ada hal sedikit.”

Kazz menghulurkan ang pow tersebut.

‘Yes, duit yang mama kasi tadi! Sayang you Kazz! Eik!! Salah-salah, sayang Abang!’

Ang pow tersebut diambil Is. Dia melihat ke arah wajah Kazz. Perfect!

“Thanks...”

Is dah tak ingat apa yang dia janji tadi. Kazz meletakkan jari telujuknya dibibir Is. Tergamam Is sekejap.

Mata Kazz tajam menikam matanya.

“What honey? You dah lupa apa yang you janji tadi? hmmm?”

Is menarik senyum, biarpun dia rasa memang gelisah tahap gaban!

“Okay Kazz darling! Dah, pergi balik kat geng you!”

‘Did I just call Kazz Darling? Pandemic apa yang dah serang kau ni Is? Pandemik Cinta ke?’

Is mengetuk sendiri kepalanya, sambil memerhatikan Kazz yang sudah berlalu itu. Tiba-tiba, Kazz berpaling dan mengenyit matanya ke arah Is.

Is, haha...boleh ganti statue of liberty agaknya.

Is tersenyum lebar....hahaha...Kazz, you are something!

Is berpaling ke belakang. Matanya bertemu dengan mata Farish yang sedang memandangnya tajam.

‘Nak telan orang ke apa Risy ni? Pelik benor perangai tu!’

Is cepat-cepat menapak ke tempat gengnya yang berkumpul itu. Boleh nampak la mereka terlopong melihat adegan sebentar tadi.

“IS!! Wow! Kalah iklan head n shoulders tau! Hoho, dahlah prince kolej pulak tu...damn! You are such a lucky girl!”

Kayla terus menembak Is dengan kata-katanya.

Is memandang Kayla pelik.

“weyh! Berapa banyak puteranya kolej ni ada? Tak paham aku!”

Is membentak.

“Seven of them.”

Dengan selamba, June tolong jawab persoalan Is tadi.

“Wow! Ramainya...”

Is mempamerkan riak teruja.

Agak-agakla, kalau Is jadi tomboy balik, boleh tak nak jadi yang kelapan? Konfirm boleh punya!

“Memang, tu baru batch kita, seniors kita pun ada 7 jugak, tapi... mereka semua tak layan juniors, yang batch kita ni... abang kau, Risy dengan Geng 5 Bersaudara. But, yang most wanted tu Farisy la...hehe.”

Trisy pula yang memberi penerangan lanjut.

“Babe! Aku hairan la, mereka ke sini nak belajar ke nak usha budak kacak?”

Is menyuarakan kegusaran hatinya.

“Entahla...two in one kot!”

Aya menjawab selamba. Matanya terarah kepada geng Melly the Jelly tu...

“Weh, cuba tengok sana, kenapa diorang tu?”

Semua mata memandang ke arah penjuru yang Melly and the geng berhimpun.

“Eeeww...gediknya, cuba kau tengok Allysya tu, kenapa duk hentak-hentak kaki macam tu? Nak jadi king-kong ke hapa?”

Aya bersuara. King kong? Cantik!haha...sesuai betul dengan Allysya tu...

“Babe! Jom...kita ambik port! Dah lama tak sakat mereka ni... rindu pulak nak sakat geng inverterbrates ni!”

Kesemua mereka menarik senyuman yang benar-benar misteri, termasuklah Is.

‘Line clear... boleh berlagak macho, geng-geng pengawas dah blah keluar, mesyuarat dengan warden kot, abang dengan Risy tak ada...hehe,’

Is mengumam dalam hati.

“Girls, I nak ke tandas sekejap... korang jangan kacau mereka dulu. Aku ada plan yang lagi mantap!”

Mereka hanya mengangguk.

Is menatap wajahnya pada cermin di dalam tandas tersebut.

Dia membersihkan mukanya dari segala bahan kimia yang ditenyeh oleh Joan tadi.

Dia menyikat sedikit rambutnya yang paras bahu tersebut. Guna jari pun memang boleh!

Dia menyarungkan topi Nike nya. Lengan baju disising sedikit.  Sweaternya di pakai.  Cermin matanya yang berbingkai putih itu disarung ke batang hidung. Rantainya yang berloket seperti sekeping puzzle dibetulkan di tengkuknya. Memang macho habis.

“Welcome back, handsome!”

Is menegur dirinya sendiri di dalam cermin.

Dengan penuh gaya, Is melangkah segak ke arah geng-geng  Mellysa.

“Hey ladies...”

Selamba Is menegur mereka yang nampaknya sedang memujuk Allysha tersebut.

Keempat-empat pasang mata memandang ke arah Is, dengan senyuman yang amat menawan.

“Hey, hai...”

Allysya dengan selamba memeluk tangan Is. Is dah tersenyum dalam hati.Terus si Allysya berhenti menghentak kaki tadi.

“Awak Allysya kan?”

Is menikam lembut mata Allysya yang dah terjatuh dalam perangkapnya itu.

“Yeah, just call me Sya, and you darling?”

Allysya mendekatkan badannya yang miskin dengan kain itu rapat ke dada Is.

‘Fuh, mujur aku pakai bengkung!’

Ucap Is kelegaan dalam hati.

‘Pendek jugak minah ni..hehe, Macho Is...macho!’

Is mengutuk Allysya di samping memuji dirinya sendiri...

“Tak payah la tau siapa I sayang, cukuplah sekadar I yang kenal you...”

Tersengih panjang Allysya dengan kata-kata Is tu.

Is tiba-tiba berpaling apabila ada tangan menepuk bahunya dari belakang. Dia tersenyum manis apabila melihat tubuh Aya di belakangnya.

“Baby...you buat apa usha perempuan plastik ni, I thought you sayangkan I... you ni kan... bencilah I”

Aya berpura-pura menjadi gedik.

Is memeluk bahu Aya dari belakang.

“Sayang, I test dia aja tadi, memanglah plastik, just ike you said before...lagipun, she’s not my taste la sayang. You are!”

Allysya, Mellysa, Qallysha dan Dallysha dah ternganga melihat lelaki yang memang kacak tersebut memeluk gadis seperti Aya.

“Promise me, I’m the only girl?”

Aya buat muka cute. Is dah tersenyum manis. Memang pandai betul Aya berlakon.

“I promis baby, lagipun darling, I all boys school...of course you are my only girl...ah ya, I lupa nak bagi present ni kat you, you kan dapat excellent results masa form 3...”

Is menyuakan satu kotak hadiah kecil kepada Aya, kotak perfume yang mama kasi tu, entah macam mana boleh ada dalam beg dia tadi!

“Thanks ya baby... Mmuaah!!”

Aya kasi kiss flying kiss kepada Is. Lagilah lebar Is senyum. Melly and the gang dah ternganga.

That so-handsome guy sambut flying kiss Aya! Mana aci ni!

“Okay honey... I go first ya... bye-bye darling girls...Oh ya, I nak nasihatkan you all lah ye, kalau setakat pakai nak buka sana sini, boleh setakat jadi pass time kami aja! Tak pass kalau nak jadi girlfriend, Mistress tu...sesuai la!Bye...”

Mereka berempat dah menghentak kaki. Nak kawad ke apa? 

Ala, tak puas hati lah tu kena sembur... haha. Kalau perempuan tegur mereka, manalah mereka nak berubah! 

Cuba kita tengok mereka nanti ya, berkurang tak kegedikan tu...kita tunggu dan lihat!

Ketika Is nak keluar dari dewan dan ke tandas semula, tanpa disengajakan, dia terserempak dengan geng-geng pengawas yang baru habis mesyuarat.

Langkah kaki Is semakin panjang. Tak nak terserempak dengan Risy dan DSLR nya itu.

Tiba-tiba, dia terasa tangannya ditarik kasar.

Is melihat gerangan yang berada di hadapannya itu...

‘uh-oh, trouble is a friend dah datang... mati aku kali ni!’

Is menelan air liurnya. Lelaki tersebut tersenyum sinis. Evil grin pun ada jugak. Lari Is...Lari!!!

RAIN

It was raining heavily out there. I was left alone in this mansion.

The lightning was striking non-stop out there. And, there I was… staring blankly at the outside world. The elctricity went off suddenly. Everything went dark. I sat alone by the window, waiting for him to come home...I can't wait to tell him the good news!

So, there I was, watching drop by drop the pearly tears from sky..patiently waiting.

I was allergic to rain, and still am. I felt scared to be alone in this mansion. At a first glance, you can say it’s a haunted mansion because there’s not a single streak of light here! I was too lazy to get the candles.

As I stared at the rain, my mind was wheezing around the doors of memories that I once forced my pathetic self to forget. But, no matter how hard I pull myself together, the memories were still there. They are still haunting me, up until today.

There I saw, such a cute, adorable looking girl… having her best times playing around in the house. That girl got a pair of huge, sky blue eyes, rosy cheeks complete with a dimple on each side. Her hair was waist length, blonde and curly at the ends.

She was like a living Barbie doll!

That girl was no other person, She was me! The little me…

I could still hear the words she’s saying to her mom… I was like watching a film of myself, except that… It was not a film, It was a reality… A painful reality.

And there, I stood… watching at the younger me… talking to my mother… my late mother.

“Mommy, may I play in the rain?”

I asked my mother,nicely.

Mom ignored me for a minute. She was busy with her muffins. Oh, I miss her freshly, baked muffins.

“What was it, darling?”

Mom squatted in front of me. I pulled a smile.

“Can I play in the rain? I love rain!”

Mom hugged me tight. Then, she pulled my cheeks, just like what a typical mother used to do to their child.

“Yes you can Delila, have the best time ever… go! I’ll call you when the muffins are ready!”

She said happily. I kissed mom on her lips. She caressed my head.

“Ah, Delila… be careful when there’s lightning, darling…”

I nodded.

“I`ll rush back in, when Mr Lightning is here, mom! Don’t worry!”

I added. Mom gave me a wave with her hands.

I enjoyed myself in the lawn. The rain was so refreshing! I just simply love rain at that age. But now, I hate rain so much!

I could see my mother through the open kitchen windows. She was keeping an eye on me while preparing the muffins.

I danced my heart out in the rain. It was so much fun. As I swayed in the rain, My eyes catched a gesture , nearby the kitchen door. 

It was a guy, a strange looking guy. But, he was so handsome! But, my suspicions were urging all my nerves. What was he trying to do? Slyly, I saw him taking out a pocket knife from his Levi’s pocket and trying to break open the kitchen door.

I quickly ran into the home. Was he a thieve? What was he trying to do? The main question was, who was him?

I was questioning myself.

Suddenly, two smooth hands pulled me into the room. I turned around.

“Mommy…there’s a stranger trying to break in!”

I whispered to my mom. My face was pale.

My mom nodded.

“Shh…talk no more sweetpie, mommy knows!”

Mom caressed my head. She closed the room’s door, slowly.

Suddenly, the light went off! Things went a lot more spooky… I can barely see my mom, I was afraid.

“Sweetheart, sneak under the bed, I want to check whether he’s gone or not!”

I look deep into my mothers eyes. Without me realising, tears was flowing down , drop by drop.

“Mommy… don’t leave me alone here… please..”

I cupped my mother’s face. She gave a smile. Maybe trying to flow a bit of confidence in me.

“You will be definitely fine, dear…faster, sneak under there… I’m okay… I won’t leave you!”

She dragged me urgingly and made me to go under the bed. Then, she held the door knob. She turned back and looked at me.

“Go in deeper, baby… I love you!”

She said. I followed her instruction. My heart was not at ease at that time. I could feel something bad was going to happen!

I laid myself on that parquet floor and hugged my knees. All I could see was my mothers leg. Still standing nearby the door.

Then, I heard the door cracking. Mom must had opened it.

‘Oh Lord, save my mom!’

I said prayers in my heart.

“Haa”

I heard my mother gasping. I pushed my body a bit forward, so that I would be able to see what was going on!

I gulped hard. There, I saw that stranger, aiming a sharp, shiny kitchen knife, onto my mother’s neck.

“Hello there, darling…It had been a very long time, hadn't it?

Mother moved a few steps back. That guy came nearer and nearer , until mom was trapped between him and the wall. That guy gave mom a synical grin.

I felt so helpless at that time. I could not think straight! My heart urged me to attack that guy, but my brain said the opposite. I sat quietly there, waiting for this melodrama to  reach an end.

“Dean! Dean, don’t do this to me…please?”

Mom was shattering her tears too. That guy named Dean, was caressing her face with the sharp point of that kitchen knife.

“Why? Why would I stop, honey… After all, you are still my lawfully wedded wife! I came to end all of these, baby… hahaha…”

My heart skipped a beat.

‘Wedded wife? He’s my dad! My father? But…’

“ Don’t do this to me Dean! Don’t!”

That guy put aside that sharp knife. He stared at my mom!

“I was so stupid! I should have known that you were only after my family’s fortune! I should had listened to my mom!”

Then, he grabbed my mom by her neck! Mum was suffocating. And me, ha ha…I’m still staring at both of them, life was so unexpected!

“Stop chocking me, you lousy mummy’s boy!”

Mom tried to release herself from his clutches.

“That old woman of yours was long dead! I was so satisfied! She was just like you, too self-concsious… never ever bother to feel what others around you felt! Always telling me that I'm a crazy woman and not fit to be your wife!! You, and your whole family are SCUMBAGS!”

Mom yelled at him.

PAANG!

Dean hit mom hard on her face. Mom fell right in front of me. I could see her lips were bleeding. She just signaled me to keep on staying undercover.

“I knew it all along, Julia. You killed her!! You killed my mother!”

Dean pulled my mother`s blonde hair. Mom was forced to stand up.

“Pity you, darling. I’m sorry… your mother just hit the wrong nerves, I just could not stand any longer, I took the best option, by sending her straight to hell!”

I was so shocked.

‘No way, mom is not a killer…no, mom is my angel…’

I hummed those words repeatedly.

“You are mentally injured! You need to get yourself a psychiatrist! You are mad, Julia!”

Mom was smiling at him. Mom was not herself at that time!

“Blame your stupid mother! She made me kill her! She and her lousy mouth! Haha…”

Mom was laughing at that time. She really is insane!

I decided to show myself. I hugged my mom tight.

Mom pushed me against the wall.

She picked out the knife…

Dean stared at me. He approached me…

“Delila, oh sweetheart…you’re so grown up!”

He tried to hug me…I escaped.

“Stay away from my baby!”

Mom tried to attack him from behind...but Dean escaped swiftly.

Suddenly,  I heard a siren. Mom panicked! She lose conrol of herself!

“You trapped me? Dean!! You trapped me!”

Mom was very pale…she really looked like a mental person.

“A murderer like you can’t be let loose… you are a psycho! You had killed several people before my mother! When you are angry, you kill! I’m just trying to help!”

Dean uttered those words easily.

Mom stared sharply at him!

“Seven years I had been tracking you down, Julia… Seven years. You ran away with Delila when she was only a week old! I was so scared that you will kill our one and only child… you need help!”

Mom approached me. I was lying if I said I wasn’t even scared at all! She was like a whole new stranger to me… she was not my mom anymore.

"Kill her? She's my baby... I will not harm her... or...will I? Hahaha..."

Mom looked at me. Her hair was not in place. Her eyes were so dark and cold. Those glare of hers sent me shivering!

“Mommy sorry baby, I am forced to do this to you!”

And with that, she screamed and tried to sink that sharp knife into my chest.

‘BAMM!’

I heard two shots coming from the door.

Everything was so fast! The next thing I realised, Mom was lying helplessly on the floor. The strong smell of gun powder and iron mixed together. Dean held me tight in his arms. That was close...

The police checked her pulse.

“I’m sorry Mr Williams, she’s no more.”

That officer told us. Dean, he closed my mother’s eyelids. Then, he lay a kiss on her lips. Their final kiss.

No, I wasn’t crying… although I was looking at my mother’s corpse. I got no feelings anymore...this rainy night...I wont forget, there went my smile... There's no more need to be happy. My mother tried to kill me... how great!

Dean carried me…He said, I will stay with him from now on.

One day, I asked him…what did mom did to my grandma.

Dean told me that, mom stabbed grandma a few times, before burning her alive. Mom already had a mental illness background, and Dean… he knew that all along, but at that time, love was blind…

I just need to digest the fact, that I’m a daughter to a psycho maniac mother…  but still, I love her…the deceased was still my mom… the one that gave birth to me, the one that grew me up, the one that cared for me… 

I can’t ever hate you, mommy… no matter what world said about you, because you are my mother.

***

I gasped when the electricity came back. I looked on the outside. The rain had stopped. At last!

That black memory was already 20 years back. That time I was only seven. Now, everything had changed. Dean was also gone, may him rest in peace. He died last year, also on a rainy day. Rain really simbolised me about sadness...I wish, I could turn it all around... I do want to enjoy the rain, but up still now, those dark memories are still stopping myself from trying to have fun in the rain!

While Dean was still alive, he really took a good care of me, he schooled me, he taught me how to manage his business empire.He also brought my smile back...but not as sweet as before.

He also accompanied me to the altar, on my most memorable day. I do miss him. When he died, I asked Allen to place his grave next to mom’s. And how lucky I am to have such an understanding husband like Allen.

Mom, Dad… I miss you…

“Hey, What is so special about that apple tree compared to your darling, romantic and handsome hubby, which is standing next to you?”

I turned to Allen. When did he came back from work? I didn’t realised his Ferrari roaring out there. Like he said, I was too deep staring at the apple tree in the backyard!

I gave him a slight smile.

“Oh, Now I get it… you still remember that rainy day huh?”

I nodded. Allen knew everything about my past. There was nothing to hide.

“Come here, baby…”

I ran into his open arms. I hugged him tight.

“I miss them, Allen…”

Allen kissed my head, then slowly went down to my cheeks, then he met my parted lips.

“ I know darling, I know… wanna go to the cemetery tomorrow?”

He asked.

“That`s wonderful! Remember to bring home a few bouquet of roses tomorrow!”

I remind him. Every week, Allen will accompany me to the cemetery.

Allen threw me his most charming smile.

“Yeah, sure, I'll buy the roses… but darling…before that, what was the news that you want to tell me earlier this morning?”

He gave me a curious look. I grabbed his hands and placed them on my belly.

He smiled knowingly.

“This trip to the cemetery, there will be the three of us!”

I said to him. He held me tight!

“Thanks for all these, Delila…Hey! It started raining again!”

He quickly pulled me outside.

The next moment I know, I was soaking wet. I glared at him sharply.

“Owh honey, you just made my heart stopped beating with thal glare!”

I pretended not to hear those sweet talks.

“You knew how much I hate the rain!”

I yelled at him, but he kept on smiling… pretending to be innocent.

“But, I also knew… that you loved it once upon a time before… and I want you to like it again!”

He grabbed me by the waist. My head was on his chest. I could hear his heartbeat.

“Why would I? Rain witnessed my beloved being snatched away from me… How would I ever like it again?”

I was questioning him.

He kissed my forehead.

“Because… we can be a little more romantic in the rain! That's a fact, you know!”

What a lame excuse…

“I wanna go inside!”

I just started pacing, but not for long when he lifted me up… and did a little turnings… with me in his arms!

“Hahaha…. Allen, you are gonna make vomit here!”

He stopped, but did not put me down…

“See, I told you, you look way too vibrant in the rain… like an angel…now, baby… let’s get… RO..MAN…TIC!”

We kissed, and kissed….and kissed…

Maybe Allen was right… I am starting to like this rain again…

‘Mom, Dad…I know you are watching me from up there…I love you guys!’

“Ahcuum!”

I sneezed.

Allen stopped his actions.

“Let’s go in then,… we can get more heat in the bedroom!”

he said that and made me blush!

We rushed inside, with a bright smile on our faces.

“So, I hope you like the rain again, dear…”

He said while drying his hair with the towel.

“Urmm…maybe…”

I replied. He step closer towards me.

“What do you mean by maybe?”

Okay, is he trying to seduce me?

“Just… maybe, Maybe I like rain with you there next to me, but without you, I don’t think I`ll enjoy myself as much as I did today…”

Then, we both smiled at each other. He really changed my way of viewing life…since the first time he stepped into my life…

I admit, I was a bit lacking of feeling when my mother died, but then I met him…and everything changed. He brings light into myself…I love you, Allen…..

*******

My 2nd English shot! Xcuse me for all the grammatical and Spelling errors...Do correct myself if you spot any!

Sorry if this story is not so good... but I hoped you get the message here! I'm still improving...

Kerana Rayyan 20 *final*

Lea sudah sedar. Begitu juga Zafran. Zafran sudah dibenarkan pulang setelah tiga hari berada di hospital. 

Namun Lea masih lagi ditahan selama 2 minggu, semua ini adalah untuk memastikan hati barunya itu berfungsi selancar-lancarnya.

Hari ini, sudah genap 2 minggu Lea berada di hospital.

Zafran datang untuk menjemputnya pulang. 

Namun, Dr. Fakhir sempat lagi meninggalkan nasihat buat Lea dan Zafran.

“To keep your body from rejecting the new liver,Lea... you will take anti-rejection medicines.”

Fakhri menunjukkan ubat tersebut kepada Lea dan Zafran.

“ Alright, this is also called immunosuppressive medicines. You will need to take anti-rejection medicines for the rest of your life. No excuses...benda ni wajib kena makan, takut nanti your body reject balik hati Zafran tu!”

Lea hanya mengangguk faham.

Zafran mengambil botol ubat tu dari tangan Fakhir.

“Tak ada side-effects ke?”

Zafran tanya Fakhir...

“Ada, Kalau tak makan mengikut sukatan, kemungkinan untuk weight gain, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, brittle bones, kidney damage, skin cancer tu ada. So, makan elok-elok ya, plan your diet nicely, Lea. But, no worries, as your doctor, I will always keep an eye on you!”

Kata-kata Fakhir membuatkan Lea tersenyum.

“ OK, untuk jaga your liver pulak, first thing, jangan pergi dekat dengan orang yang tak sihat! Lagi satu, if you want to go out on a sunny day...do put on sunblock!”

Ada lagi pesanan Dr. Fakhir ni...haila...

“Anything else, Fakhir?”

Tanya Zafran kepada adik tirinya itu, manala tau kan kalau ada important points yang tercicir.

“Itu sahaja, ingat untuk datang check-up ya nanti...  lebih senang you datang check-up baby, you inform me...tak adalah you nak ulang-alik kan?”

Lea tersenyum lagi... dah masuk dua bulan dah kandungan dia ni... dan, dah nampak shape... cepat gila!

“OK Fakhir... thanks for everything, we take a move now!”

Zafran memaut pinggang Lea. Mereka beredar dari hospital tersebut... Alhamdulillah, everything went fine!

***

“Abang, Myra balik esok,kan?”

Zafran memandang Lea yang sedang baring dipangkuannya itu.

Mereka tengah layan Rapunzel... haha, download kat internet, and then tengok kat TV... apa susah.... bayar RM 100 sebulan and just suruh Zach tolong downloadkan.

“Hari tu dia kata 30 haribulan, esok lah kan?”

Lea kasi dia soalan, Dia pergi jawab balik dengan soalan.

“Ya, esok 30th... bestnya dia dapat buat umrah...”

Zafran mengesan ada rasa keterujaan dalam nada suara Lea.

Dia bermain dengan rambut Lea. Sebelah lagi tangannya tengah mengusap-usap perut Lea yang dah ada bukit tu...

“Sayang, masa sayang mengandungkan Zach dulu, takdelah besar macam ni perut, lima bulan baru nampak buncit.”

Lea turut memegang perutnya.

“Tu lah abang, masa Rayyan dulu pun, lima bulan baru nampak...”

Lea dengan selamba memegang tangan Zafran.

“Maybe, masa dulu tu... Lea muda lagi... sekarang, dah tak berapa nak muda... alahai, susahlah nak dapat balik shape lepas ni...”

Lea mengeluh. Zafran tersenyum. Tangannya masih lagi mengelus perut Lea.

“Yang, Abang rasa kita dapat kembar la...firasat abang kuat tau!”

Lea menjegilkan matanya. Kembar?

“Banyaklah abang punya firasat tu...”

Lea bangkit dari pembaringannya apabila melihat Rayyan, Esha , Zach dan Reyl masuk ke ruang rehat itu. 

Reyl ni memang duduk sini selama 2 bulan. Mama dengan Papa dia pergi holidays... a.k.a honeymoon... haha...redha ajalah Reyl tu.

“La, kenapa sayang bangun... baringlah, abang baru aja nak cakap dengan babies kita ni!”

Zafran dah tarik muncung. Empat pasang mata yang baru menjejakkan kaki ke dalam bilik itu hanya tersenyum.

“Kenapa babies?”

As usual... Esha yang sememangnya quick picker bertanya dengan Zafran.

“Papa dapat rasakan yang mama tengah carry twins..., hebatkan papa?”

Zafran tengah membangga diri... Esha dan Rayyan buat muka tak percaya...

“Twins...bestnya, mama...cepatlah beranak...”

Lea bo-layan anak-anaknya itu. Boleh ke nak cepatkan due date? Tak leh kan?

“Banyaklah kamu, dah... mama nak masuk tidur, penat...”

Lea bangun dan berlalu... Zafran mengikut Lea.

“Haih papa...penat jugak ke?”

Zach menegur papanya... Zafran tersenyum nakal.

“Tak adalah, nanti mama kamu bosan duk sorang-sorang dalam bilik.”

Zafran terus berlalu...

“Dahla, jom layan movie... aku dah download TRON tadi... jom tengok!”

Keempat-empat mereka memadamkan lampu living room tersebut dan terus berkubang di lantai sambil melayan TRON. Twisties....mesti mau pun ada!

***

“Sayang, dah tidur ke?”

Zafran bertanya kepada Lea yang memang tenyata belum tidur tu... Lea tengah layan novel, mana mungkin tidur...

“Abang, saya tengah layan jiwang ni...janganlah kacau!”

Lea geram bila Zafran merampas novel di tangan Lea. Zafran menutup novel tu... Aku Bukan Mistress...huh! Kau buat aku dengki, novel! MRS aku layan kau, si Mistress!!

“Sayang, sayang layan novel tu, buat abang pulak rasa abang ni lelaki simpanan!”

Lea dah bantai gelak. Comel la Zafran tarik muncung ni... nak gigit boleh tak?

“Abang, comel la muncung itik abang ni, Lea gigit, nak?”

Lea dah melingkarkan tangannya kat leher Zafran.

“Gigitlah...”

Zafran menyuakan muncung itiknya kat Lea. Lea ketawa.

“Dah,dah... manja lah Abang ni, pembawakan budak ea?”

Zafran tersengih. Dia mengambil bantal kecilnya dan memasukkan bawah Sphagetti topnya... buncit jadi badannya.. dahlah spaghetti topnya tu shaping ikut body, nampak habis segala biseps dengan tricepsnya. Kalah Mr. Muscle kat TV tu... hiperbola betul!

Zafran mengusap-usap perut palsunya itu...

“Sayang...babies kita nak keluar dah ni...cepat!! Call ambulance...OWH! MY WATER JUST BROKE! Sayang, Lea.... cepat Lea... nanti Lea pulak jadi bidan terjun kat sini... Babies papa ni dah tak sabar nak tengok dunia... Zahryn Zachquan.... Zahra Azalea... tunggu dulu, papa tak nak bersalin atas katil ni...”

Terbahak-bahak Lea ketawa. Dia mengeuk-ngetuk dada suaminya. Pandai jugak Zafran buat suara perempuan... haha, pondan betul!

“Bodoh giler lawak abang ni! Adui! Sakit perut Lea... Abang! Adake patut buat macam tu... haha... fuuh...”

Lea menyelak baju Zafran dan mengeluarkan bantal tadi.

“So? Zahryn and Zahra ek?”

Lea bertanya kepada Zafran sambil mengusap perutnya. 

Zafran mengangguk-angguk.

“Meh dekat Lea...”

Zafran mendekatkan mukanya kepada Lea. Lea mengucup pipi suaminya.

Kedua-dua belah...

‘Chup!’

“Yang ni untuk baby Ayie, ...”

Lea mengalihkan bibirnya ke pipi kanan Zafran. ‘Chup!’

“Yang ni pulak untuk baby Aya...”

Comel gila Lea semasa dia buat macam tu...

Lea menolak Zafran sehingga tersandar ke kepala katil...

Dia memandang Zafran dengan pandangan menggoda, matanya memandang bibir Zafran...

“Yang ni pulak, untuk mama kepada babies...”

Lama Lea melekapkan bibirnya ke atas bibir Zafran. 

Huhu... memang hormon terlebih... tak pernah-pernah dibuatnya sebelum ni... perigi cari timba betul Lea...

Zafran pulak...tersengih lebar gila...bahagia beb! Heaven!! Lea,Lea...

Lea kembali mengambil posisinya di sebelah Zafran. Merah dah pipi dia. Rasa macam kena sapu sebotol Vick’s kat pipi. 

Berani gila...

“La, kasilah lama siket, sekejap aja... mana cukup.... nak jugak sambung baca Mistress tu, dah-dah...top- up lagi...tak cukup tadi...”

Zafran merampas novel itu dan meletakannya di bawah katil. 

Lampu bacaan di padamkannya. Lea dipeluknya erat...

“Oit! Hidung abang la tu! Bawah sikit!”

Macam-macam diorang ni...

***

Lea dan Zafran turun lewat sedikit hari tu, Zafran tak bekerja hari ni kerana perlu menjemput Myra dari airport.

“Morning Ma, Pa... awal bangun... dah pukul sepuluh dah ni...”

Zach dah mula nak menyakat.

“Diamlah kamu Zach, menyakat kami aja kerjanya...”

Zafran dah bengang dengan teruna seorang tu...

“At least uncle dengan aunty bangun awal lagi, kalau mama dengan papa, selagi tak pukul 12, jangan harap nak keluar bilik, sebab tu weekends aja, Reyl selalu lepak kat sini. Mereka tu duk berkubang aja dalam bilik... kalau Reyl duduk kat rumah pun sunyi...”

Panjang lebar Reyl mengomen hal papa dan mamanya. 

Zafran dan Lea hanyalah mengangguk.

“Pa, hidung papa tu kenapa?”

Esha pulak yang bertanya... sambil menyapu Nutella ke atas rotinya. Budak ni pun baru bangun.

Zafran menyentuh hidungnya yang merah itu. Dia memandang Lea geram.

“Ada dracula salah gigit semalam...”

Lea mencubit lengan Zafran. Mengada aja Zafran ni.

“Tapi pa, kat leher mama tu apa? Penuh tanda merah-merah...”

Rayyan pun nak menyakat jugak nampaknya.

“La...Ni lah namanya Lovebi...”

Lea pantas menekup mulut Zafran..

“Mama tak ingat nak pasang ubat nyamuk semalam...sebab tu kena gigit!”

Lea menjeling kat Zafran... semuanya dia nak cerita kat budak-budak ni... hancur habis nanti moral anak-anak aku ni.

“Owh, konfirm nyamuk jantan tu Aunty... besar sangat gigitannya...”

Reyl pun tak ketinggalan.

Semuanya menarik senyuman nakal... papa dan mama ni memang romantik!

“Sayang, pass me the juice please...”

Lea mengambil juice oren untuk Zafran. Tiba-tiba telefon berdering.

“Papa jawab...”

Zafran terus bangkit dari kerusinya. Sebelum dia pergi menjawab telefon, dia sempat lagi mencium kepala Lea. 

Sayang seyh!

“Hello, ya, saya Zafran... ada apa ya?”

“Kami dari KLIA, kami ingin memaklumkan Encik bahawa pesawat Saudi Arabia yang membawa isteri Encik, Pn. Humayra Abdullah telah meletup setelah beberapa minit berlepas. Takziah dari pihak kami.”

Zafran terus melepaskan gagang...

‘Innalillahiwainnailaihirajiu`un, Myra... pergilah kamu dengan tenang...’

Zafran terduduk di hadapan meja teefon tersebut. Semua yang lain bergegas mendapatkan Zafran.

“Abang...kenapa bang?”

Lea dah rasa tak sedap hati...

Dia menggenggam tangan suaminya. Zafran memeluk Lea erat.

“Myra...”

Sepatah sahaja yang berjaya keluar dari mulut Zafran.

“Kenapa dengan Myra abang?”

Lea pun dah mula menangis.

Rayyan dah genggam erat tangan Esha...

“Flight dia...explode...zero survival..”

Lea memeluk erat Zafran...

“Innalillah....sabar bang, sabar...”

Esha dah menangis di bahu Rayyan... Zach memeluk Rayyan dan Esha... Reyl dah mengusap-usap bahu Zach...

“Padanlah abang rasa tak sedap hati masa dia nak pergi hari tu... rasa berat saja nak lepakan dia... rupa-rupanya..”

Zafran tidak meneruskan kata-katanya... dia memandang Lea...

“Thanks sayang for being by my side... especially during these hard hours...”

 Lea membantu Zafran untuk bangun.

“Abang nak kena maklumkan kat semua... kita buat tahlil malam ni...”

Semua yang ada di sana mengelap air mata, termasuklah Esha... siapakah kita nak lawan takdir Yang Maha Perancang?

We have to live with it...keep looking forward...never ever give up with our life!

There`s always a hope... kita hanya perlu menadah tangan dan mendoakan yang terbaik.

When there’s a will, there’a always a hope;

When there’s a hope...there definitely will be a way...

***

Seven monts later...

“Lea... janganlah banyak bergerak... nanti tak pepasal baby Aya dengan baby Ayie meletup kat sini, siapa yang susah? Abang jugak!”

Zafran dah rimas melihat Lea yang bergerak ke hulu-hilir tu...

“Tak boleh abang, macam mana saya nak diam kalau Dr. Adryan yang sikit punya cun tu masuk meminang Rayyan! Cuba abang cakap? Anak kita baru nak masuk 20, dah ada yang nak! Saya tak leh duk diam!”

Zafran hanya menggeleng dengan telatah Lea itu. Majalah kereta di tangan diletakkan di tepi.

Dia bangkit dari katil dan menghampiri Lea.

“Sayang... jangan stress, lagi dua hari due date ...abang taknak jadi bidan terjun tau!”

Zafran mengurut lembut bahu Lea. Perut Lea yang memang nak jadi Everest tu disentuhnya. 

Selepas itu, Zafran tunduk dan melutut di hadapan Lea. 

Dia mengucup lembut perut Lea. Lea mengelus-elus rambut Zafran.

“Ouch!”

Zafran menjerit!

“Zahryn! Kamu tendang papa? Nanti kamu ye...siaplah kamu nanti!!”

Zafran dah pura-pura memarahi Baby Ayie yang masih belum keluar tu.

Lea dah buat muka.

“Hei Abang, abang tu indirect contact! Saya ni, pagi petang siang malam duk layan dua orang ni duk wrestling dalam ni...laaaagggiii sakit! Abang tak payah nak mengada komplen! Tu baru aja kena sekali!”

Lea dah kembali berasap. Zafran buat muka... dia siap miming lagi apa yang Lea cakap... hari-hari ungkit benda sama...

“Sayang ni, ikhlaslah siket mengandung tu... takde modal lain, balik-balik benda yang sama... dah, dekat sikit... tak puas lagi ni...”

Zafran meletakkan tangannya di belakang Lea dan menarik Lea. 

Dia kembali meletakkan telinganya di perut Lea.

‘dush..dush...pap...dush..’

Empat kali babies kat dalam tu tendang. Lea dah pegang perutnya. Kepala Zafran ditolak jauh-jauh.

“Hoho, abang jauhkan kepala aja... diorang stop... nampak sangatlah mereka ni sayang mama diorang lagi... padan muka abang!”

Lea buat thumbs up kat Zafran.

Zafran buat derk aja... tayang muka blurr.

“Ha...abang!! Betul ke Rayyan nak tunang ni???”

Tak habis lagi rupanya...nak kena distract lah perhatian Lea ni, kang tak pepasal high bP.

“Biarkanlah dia...Adryan tu pun baik aja... I like his style... hmm... seksi jugak ye sayang abang ni, biarpun dah sarat...”

Zafran nak alih perhatian Lea.

“Sorry, tak ada gula-gula nak kasi. So, apa yang kita nak jawab kat Kak Dahlia dan Abang Am?”

Mereka tu parents Adryan...

“Lea tak payah jawab apa-apa, abang dah jawab... Rayyan pun dah setuju.”

Zafran cakap senada. Dia dah mengucup lembut bibir Lea. 

Tak tahan... seksi sangat. Hihihi....

Lea yang terlalai sekejap akibat perbuatan Zafran tu, kembali ingin bersuara.

“Abang dah terima? Kenapa tak tunggu Lea??... Lea yang nak cakap kat mereka... spoil mood betul abang ni! Dahla... ketepi...”

Lea menolak Zafran ketepi... Lea dah tarik muncung...

“Sayang, abang baru aja cakap kat abah, tak cakap lagi kat parents Adryan tu...”

Lea kembali tersenyum...

“Sayang Abang...”

Lea memeluk Zafran...mood nak manja dah datang...

“Sini...sekali lagi....upah!”

 Dasar Zafran yang overdose miang dan gatal... mujur menggatal dengan isteri dia aje kan...

“AUUCCHHH!!”

Zafran menjerit... 

Kuat gila Lea gigit bibir dia tadi ...dia cepat-cepat menilik di cermin kat dressing table... berdarah bibir dia yang nipis tu!

Lea memanggilnya...

“Abaaanggg...”

Meleret-leret pulak tu... 

Tak nak layan... nak merajuk! Lea noti! Sapa suruh gigit, sangat?

“ABANG!!”

Kali ni Zafran berpaling ke arah Lea. Astaghfirullahalazim....

“Sayang...kenapa tumpahkan air mineral kat sini?”

Selamba badak Zafran pergi tanya soalan bodoh tu.

Lea dah rasa nak nangis... anak dah nak masuk lima, dia masih tak tau ke? Bendul punya laki!

“Tu bukan air mineral! My water just BROKE! Babies nak keluar!! Huhuuuu....”

Lea dah menangis... Zafran segera mencempungnya...

“Zach!! Esha!! Ray.... Reyl!!”

Keempat-empat tuan nama muncul serentak...

“JOM!”

Mereka yang sememangnya dah diberikan tugas-tugas tertentu, segera melakukan tugas tersebut...

Zach-drive kereta

Reyl-tutup semua suis dalam rumah

Esha-mengambil barangan Lea dan baju untuk kembar baru ni

Rayyan-memastikan semua pintu rumah terkunci

Setelah itu, kesemua mereka bergegas ke hospital...

Senang betul ada anak ramai ni... tak la kalut sangat kalau isteri nak beranak... betul tak? 

Betul la tu...huhu

***

Zafran mengazankan dan mengiqamatkan anak kembarnya.

“Thanks Sayang for our twins... I love you...”

Zafran menyerahkan Tengku Zahryn Zachquan kepada Lea. 

Dia mendukung Zahra Azalea.

“Love you too abang,... Ayie...cak! Comel anak mama ni...”

Lea mengucup pipi Zahryn.

Pintu bilik dikuak...

“Oh...adik-adikku... cepat besar... kita jamming ye nanti... Abang Zach dengan Abang Reyl ajar Zahryn teknik-teknik nak tackle perempuan ye...alolo...”

Zafran dah mencalit tangan kecil Zahryn dengan tangan Zach dan Reyl yang besar gedabak tu... fufu, terlampau jauh perbezaannya...

Lea dah pandang tajam kat keempat –empat kaum Adam tu...

“Beranilah abang nak ajar pelik-pelik kat anak saya!”

Zafran ketawa.

“Sayang, kami melawak aja... jangan serious sangat...”

Zafran kembali memandang Zach. Lama ja dia tenung baby Ayie ni...

“Nah, papa tau sangat kamu nak pegang... ameklah..”

Zafran dah meletakkan baby Ayie dalam pangkuan Zach. 

Pandai Zach pegang baby. Abang mithali betul!

Reyl pulak duk acah-acah baby Aya yang Lea pegang... nampak sangatlah budak ni memang nak adik, kesian... sapa suruh jadi anak tunggal!

“Dah-Dah... meh sini, kak Rayyan pulak nak pegang... Come to sister, Baby Aya... alolo... Kiss siket!”

Rayyan merampas Zahra dari Lea...Esha pulak dah tenung baby tu dengan mata bersinar-sinar...turn aku pulak lepas ni!

Pintu bilik terkuak lagi... muncul Puan Seri Dahlia, merangkap gynaecologyst Lea, and besan to-be Lea dan Zafran.

“ Kak Dahlia...masuklah...”

Lea mengundang Puan Seri Dahlia masuk.

“La. Ryan pun ada! How are you, my SON?”

Zafran bersalam dengan Ryan...kacak sungguh bakal menantu dia ni.

“Ryan ok aja Pa...”

Hambar Ryan menjawab...letih dowh, dari semalam tak tidur-tidur, on-call punya pasal.

Zafran mengangguk... dia kembali mendokong Baby Ayie. Hero dia ni...

Adryan mendekati Rayyan yang sedang mendokong Baby Aya... comel betul kakak kepada baby ni.

“Hi comel... what’s your name?”

Sengaja Adryan ingin menarik perhatian Rayyan...

“Zahra Azalea...nama Uncle apa??”

Sengaja Rayyan ingin mengusik Adryan.

“Uncle ye? Tak apa sayang, next year, kita main baby kita pulak ye... by the way, cantik cincin tu kat tangan awak...”

Terus Rayyan blushing. Pak cik Doktor ni... memanglah sweet talker.

“Memanglah cantik... mama Dr,Adryan yang pilihkan...”

Rayyan kenakan balik Adryan.

“Iyalah... ingatkan nak sarungkan nanti majlis tunang, tapi nampaknya ada orang tu tak sabar-sabar... awal-awal dah sarung cincin...”

Dush! Kena sekali atas muka Rayyan.

Hehe...cantik sangat cincin ni... papa cakap Dr. Dahlia yang bagi sebagai tanda haritue, kita pakai ajalah...

“Apa-apalah... nah, pegang adik saya ni... saya nak bermanja dengan mama in law-to-be saya ...”

Zahra diserahkan kepada Adryan. Baik betul kembar ni, sikit pun tak menangis.

Lea memanjatkan kesyukuran dalam hati... akhirnya, keluarga dia bersatu juga...

‘Myra, akak sentiasa doakan kesejahteraan kamu di sana...’

Tiba-tiba baby Ayie menangis...

“Alala... dia lapar dah ni... nah sayang... feed him! Boys.... out-out!”

Zafran menghambat teruna-teruna kat dalam tu. Dr. Dahlia juga meminta diri.

“Aish papa, papa tak nak keluar ke?”

Rayyan dengan Esha pun dikerahnya keluar dari bilik persendirian itu.

Zafran hanya mengenyitkan mata ke arah anak-anaknya ...macamlah diorang tak kenal lagi papa mereka ni... haila...

Pintu bilik ditutup...dia berjalan ke arah Lea.

“Love you, babe!”

Zafran mengucup pipi Lea yang sedang menyusu Baby Ayie.

Lea tersenyum manis...

“Agak-agaknya lah kan... tahun depan sorang lagi... boleh tak?”

Lea dah merenung tajam Zafran.

“Tak Boleh... yang ni pun dah cukup!”

Tegas Lea berkata-kata... Zafran tersenyum.

Semoga bahagia milik mereka...till the end!