The mid-terms finally ended . The question papers were collected and handed to the teacher . She gathered the answer sheets and left the classroom .
Everyone started talking about the exam — some relieved , some stressed and anxious about their answers . I kept my thoughts to myself until a friend nudged me ."How'd you do ?" he asked ."Not great , but not terrible ," I replied with a shrug .
I packed my bag and left the room . We had a week off while the upper forms continued their exams — without us as distractions .
Back at the hostel , I grabbed my things , booked a Grab , and headed to the bus
terminal . The bus left around 4 pm , and I reached my hometown close to 8 . Then my phone vibrated . The screen lit up — Nadia had sent me a message .
Nadia : You're on your way back already ?
Aizat : Yeah , I'm on the bus . Feeling a bit dizzy though .
Nadia : Are you okay ? Why didn't you just ask your parents to pick you up ?
Aizat : It's a two-hour ride from home to school . That's four hours back and forth . I'd rather not trouble them . It's just a bit of dizziness — I can handle it , it's just one night .
Nadia : You sure you're okay ? Dizzy sounds kinda bad . Did you even eat anything before the trip ?
Aizat : I did. Just some bread and iced chocolate before heading out .
Nadia : Bread and iced chocolate ? No wonder you're dizzy , genius . You should've eaten something proper .
Aizat : Yea , yea … I'll grab something when I reach home . Don't worry too much .
Nadia : I'm not worried. Just saying .
Aizat : Uh-huh , sure .
Nadia : … Fine. Maybe a little .
She was worried ? That alone made me feel a little better . The dizziness started to
fade .
Nadia : You have a long ride ahead . You should get some sleep . You haven't had a proper one during exam week . Go , shuh shuh .
Aizat : Can't I just chat with you the whole ride?
Nadia : My family's bringing me out to eat .
Aizat : Oh , sure . Prioritize your family . I'm just no one after all .
Nadia : Umm , don't say that . That's no good , okay ? You're my friend . I'll talk to you when I can .
Aizat : Take care .
I smiled faintly at the screen . "Friend ," huh . Maybe that was all I'd ever be — and maybe that was fine . At least she still cared .
The bus hummed softly as it sped down the highway . I leaned my head against the window , watching the lights blur past . Before I knew it , my eyes grew heavy , and the world outside melted into darkness .
...
I woke up and realized we were getting close to the terminal — maybe 20 minutes away , I guessed . I stretched my arms and shoulders . the long ride had made me stiff.Out of habit , I checked my phone . Nadia had posted a story on Instagram — a photo of food on the table with her family . It looked lively . My stomach growled .
Then a message popped up .
Mom : Have you arrived yet ?
Aizat : Not yet , probably around 20 minutes or so .
Mom: I already cooked your favorite dish , come home quick before it gets cold .
Aizat: Haha , alright . I'm almost there anyway .
Mom: Okay , I'll wait . Don't rush , take care .
Rush ? I let out a small laugh . Who does she think I am ? It's not like I can make the bus go any faster . I leaned back , still tired , but the thought of Mom's cooking kept me awake . Sure , I can cook for myself — but a meal made for you , by someone who cares , always hits different .
I sighed softly . I guess I could only dream of someone else cooking just for me someday … huh .
I gave my dad a call to let him know I'd arrived at the terminal . He showed up not long after . We talked a bit about school on the way home , but I was too tired to say much .
As soon as we reached home , I got out of the car — left my things in the car , went straight to my room , and crashed onto the bed . Dad woke me up later — Magrib was almost over . I dragged myself to pray , then walked to the kitchen , drawn by the warm smell of food .
There she was — Mom , reheating dinner for her eldest son ."Is it done ?" I asked ."It is . I just reheated it since it got cold while you were asleep ," she said, placing a plate in front of me .
She left to finish some work due tomorrow, leaving me alone at the table. I looked at the food — it was simple , but warm and comforting . I took a bite and smiled faintly . How could I even rate this ? I laughed quietly to myself .
After dinner , I checked my phone. No notifications . A small part of me felt disappointed that Nadia hadn't texted , but I knew she was probably spending time with her family . She deserved that .
I took a shower , prayed , and waited until everyone had gone to sleep . Around 1 am , I slipped out of the house and walked toward the beach nearby . It was only about a fifteen-minute walk away .
The night air was cool , the sound of waves echoing softly in my ears . I sat on a bench at the park overlooking the shore , staring at the stars . The calmness made me feel free —like the weight I'd been carrying was fading bit by bit .
But then … she slipped into my thoughts again ."I still can't go one day without thinking about her at least ten times , huh ," I muttered , laughing to myself .
Then I heard a soft meow . A cat appeared , small and scruffy but adorable . I sat up , and it jumped onto my lap like we'd known each other forever . I stroked its fur gently , and it purred contentedly .
"You know ," I said quietly , "I kinda wish she knew how I really feel . But if I told her … she'd probably pull away ."
Meow ~
"You wouldn't get it , huh ?
"Meow ? I smiled . "If only you could talk , kitty ."
Then the cat ran away .
I felt a bit hungry , so I walked a little farther until I found a convenience store . Inside , there was a female cashier and two other girls besides me . I grabbed a bottle of carbonated water and a pack of vanilla bread , then brought them to the counter . She smiled and rang them up , telling me the total was RM4.50 .
The two girls lined up behind me to pay for their things . I gave a quick glance and smiled awkwardly . They laughed while talking among themselves. I felt slightly annoyed — were they laughing at me ? I didn't know .
After paying for my things , I stepped outside and sat in front of the store . Right there , the same cat appeared again .
"You want some ?" I asked .
"Meow ." A soft , pleading sound .
"Here ," I said , handing it some of my bread .
It came closer and ate from my hand . I started mumbling about Nadia not texting me and everything else stuck in my head .
The girls came out still chatting , smiling as they walked past . One of them waved a little . I didn't respond — they were just strangers .
The cat ran off again . Maybe that was my cue to head home .
On the way back , the streets were quiet , lit only by a few dim lamps . The night air felt colder now , brushing against my skin as I walked . I took a sip of the drink , the fizz waking me up a little .
By the time I reached home , the lights were already off — everyone had gone to sleep even before I even left . I quietly unlocked the door , slipped inside , and headed straight to my room . I tossed the empty bottle into the bin , lay on my bed , and stared at the ceiling .
My phone screen glowed faintly beside me — still no message . I sighed and decided to send one instead .
Aizat : Goodnight ...
I turned the screen face down and closed my eyes . The sound of waves I'd heard earlier still echoed faintly in my head as I drifted off .