15

JUNE 15, 2017 / NASVERSIX

It’s impossible for Gibbs to sleep after that when he knew that Fara’s room was directly next to his. He even knew that her aunt’s and uncle’s room was downstairs. If I do anything, I’m afraid they’d notice. If it’s just the light stuff, that’s fine, right?

Hish, am I mad? That’s crazy! This is her aunt’s house for goodness’ sake! Be more sensible!

But Fara’s eye gesture and body language; Gibbs knew them all too well. He could make out the underlying meaning behind them, and he was now akin to someone who was given Doraemon’s Anywhere Door but was afraid of opening it.

If I don’t take this chance given to me, I’d be the laughingstock of those guys! Gibbs thoughts flew to his friends – Ray, KJ and Troll. But… do I want them to know? If they do, they’d definitely want to uphold the Musketeer Code…

While his brain was spinning, he suddenly heard his door being knocked lightly. Gibbs immediately got up. Was what he heard real? He focused his hearing. It’s clear that there was someone knocking on his door.

His heart started beating wildly. Even if she took my bait, it can’t be that she’s this daring? Gibbs opened the door without thinking. What happens next would depend on the situation.

What he never thought was that… he opened the door to an empty space. Oh man, is that Jat kid playing around with me now? Damnable!

Gibbs closed the door and returned to the bed. I’m being too crazy with Fara to the point that I’m hearing things. Gibbs sighed by himself, pulling the blanket over. For a while, he lay down, thinking of his not-quite-good luck that night. He sighed again and turned to his left.

It was at this time he regretted not turning right.

For on his left, there was a black creature sitting with its hands supporting its chin beside the cupboard at the corner of the room. Gibbs held his breath – why? He doesn’t know. But if possible, he’d like that creature to not know his existence. Thinking about it again, he felt stupid as for sure that thing would know! The thing’s reason being there was definitely to disturb Gibbs.

Gibbs kept on holding his breath. How long, he wasn’t sure. But when he could no longer hold it, he slowly exhaled, then slowly inhale. The creature did nothing. It just sat there beside the cupboard. In the dark, Gibbs didn’t see its eyes (it wasn’t even sure whether it even had eyes!). But Gibbs knew the creature was observing him.

Shit! When Fara kissed me, did she gave a bit of her power to me? Gibbs’ brain was thinking. Idiot Gibbs, you think this is an X-Men movie?

Gibbs read all the holy Quran verses that he could think of. As his mouth was moving, reading what he should, his eyes were closed tight. Get lost dammit…

And when he opened his eyes… the creature was right next to his bed!

“Gibbs…”

Gibbs covered his head when hearing his name being called. But the one calling him was another creature. The creature was standing at the door opposite his bed. This creature was beautiful. It’s named Fara.

“Hey… you okay?” Fara asked while sitting on the bed, on the right. Gibbs just realised that he was sweating bullets. He glanced at his left, seeing that the creature was now gone.

“I… it’s…”

“Shh… I know,” Fara said while rubbing Gibbs’ cheek softly. Rubbing my cheek?! Oh my…

“Earlier… did you knock the door?” Gibbs asked.

“Huh?”

Gibbs stopped inquiring. The room was still dark with only the light from outside illuminating Fara’s face that showed her confusion on Gibbs’ question.

Fara held Gibbs’ shaking hand. Ah, shit! I’ll lose my macho like this. Damn you Jat! But… maybe I should thank you instead? This girl’s hand sure is soft…

For a while, time seemed as if it had stopped. Gibbs and Fara held each other’s hands and sat together on the bed. Fara patiently waited for Gibbs to calm his heart. How the hell is it suppose to calm me when you’re holding my hand like this, Fara…

“How can you… not… feel scared?” Gibbs questioned. He didn’t care anymore about macho and stuff. I’ve gotten her caress of sympathy, just a bit more until it’s upgraded to caress of affection. After that…

“When I started seeing it, I was eight. It was easier, I guess. Kids are not afraid of anything,” replied Fara.

“That’s not true.”

“Which part?”

Gibbs was silent for a moment. “When I was 10… at that time, I was sleeping at my parent’s hometown. Back then, I’d usually sleep with my grandma. At one night, she died. Everyone said that she died in her sleep, but..”

Gibbs paused. He had never told this to anyone, not even his family members. He thought that he had long since erased this part of his memory, but tonight, it came back…

“That night, I alone saw with my eyes… how my grandma’s life was pulled out of her. Starting from her legs… right until the head. I mean… I didn’t see the Angel of Death or anything. Just… I could feel it since I was hugging her at the time. I felt her legs getting cold, cramped. Then it rose to her waist… up to the chest, making her asphyxiate. In her breathlessness, she was still muttering the shahadah[1] . She kept going on until she suddenly quietened. I realised that it had passed her mouth at that time because when I stared at her eyes, it still had a spark of life. And the finally I saw… I saw the life leaving her eyes…”

Gibbs felt Fara’s grip on his hand became tighter, trying to calm him. Gibbs let out a long sigh. “So, it’s not true that kids are not afraid of anything. That was… the most terrifying night of my life.”

“That’s different, Gibran. If I was in your place, even I’d be scared,” Fara admitted.

Gibran smiled. “Yeah right. There’s nothing that can scare you,” Gibran said. And then with a mischievous tone, he added, “You’re the one scaring people.”

“Eii, bad!” Fara exclaimed while wanting to hit Gibbs’ shoulder, but it was caught quickly by Gibbs.

“But I’m not scared of you,” Gibbs whispered. As if he was challenging her.

“You mean… you’re not a person?”

“Hmmm… maybe not,” Gibbs replied.

“Ehh, I have a method to prove whether you’re a human or not,” Fara said. Its’s bait. I know it’s bait. Gibbs assured himself.

Gibbs leaned in closer to Fara, making their shoulders touch. “How?” he asked with a whisper.

At first, Fara distanced herself but Gibbs kept on getting closer to her. His hands slowly pulling her hair behind her ear, and the slowly he held her chin, making her look slightly upward, making her lips meet his.

And on that night, Gibbs got what he had wished for… without caring whether there were other eyes watching.

During breakfast in the morning, Gibbs excused himself from Fara’s aunt and uncle to go back to the hostel right after breakfast. He apologised as he was unable to wait for Fara to go back together – saying that he had an urgent matter to attend to. Gibbs saw Fara’s face showing a slight disappointment – he didn’t discuss with her beforehand. But Gibbs himself had a reason for why he did this.

He explained to her while she was sending him off.

“Look, Fara… I can’t bring you back with me…”

“It’s okay…”

“No, you have to listen,” Gibbs became firm but with a softness to his tone. “”Last night was great. I don’t know what you felt… but I feel that this could turn out to be something…”

“But if you’re going steady with me, you’d no longer be cool, right?”

“Just listen first please dear aunty!” Gibbs exclaimed, half joking, half mock-resentful. Not to mention that we did it yesterday. It’s making me more restless.

Fara pulled her face. Gibbs smiled and rubbed her cheek, coaxing her. Oops!… Oh, okay. Her aunt and uncle didn’t see that.

“If… my friend know about you and me… they… they…” This is so hard to explain! Until know, I just did it,, never bothering to explain like this.

“They what?”

“They won’t let us be exclusive. They would want to… share,” Gibbs tried explaining, then quickly added, “But I don’t want to! Never. Not when it’s you. I mean, it’s not that I’d join in if it’s anyone else… I mean… you know what I mean, right?”

Fara’s forehead was scrunched while she crossed her hands over her chest. Then slowly… she smiled.

“I know about the rules you have with your friends,” she replied.

This girl! I stuttered for nothing! Don’t make me hug you!

“And I think it’s sweet that you’re trying to protect me,” she said while putting her hand on Gibbs thigh that was already sitting on his bike. Don’t simply touch as you please, dear…

“So… we’re on the same page? We keep this a secret?” Gibbs asked for a promise.

Fara nodded. “Quite exciting, really,” her eyes were shining. Yup, the nerd queen is now a bad girl… Rrr!

Gibbs kissed her hand, blushing her cheeks red. Gibbs noticed a black string on her wrist.

“What’s this?” Gibbs asked.

“Oh! It’s some sort of… talisman. My mom told me to wear it. She thought that it could help me stop seeing those things. Maybe it works on other people, but not me,” Fara explained.

“Yeah, you’re a stubborn one,” teased Gibbs.

Fara stuck out her tongues t Gibbs, then said, “Oh, you can take it.”

“Huh?”

Fara held out her hand. “Untie it.”

Gibbs opened the knot of the talisman. Fara then tied it on Gibbs’ left wrist. “So, what is this thing supposed to do again?”

“So that you can’t see ghosts,” answered Fara. She then added with a teasing tone, “Unless you yourself is the ghost. “

“Whoa now. What did you just say?” Gibbs said.

As Fara finished tying the talisman, they stood still there for a moment. Gibbs felt reluctant to leave.

“Hmm… Gibran?”

“Yeah?”

“Last night, after… what happened in the living room… why didn’t you come to my room?” Fara asked.

“Why should I when you came to mine?”

“When did I ever go there?” Fara looked at Gibbs, astonished.

Gibbs was dumbfounded. He felt the chills coming. He immediately remembered the creature beside his bed. If Fara didn’t come… then…?

“Gibran, what’s wrong?” asked Fara.

Gibbs muted. He looked at Fara, and suddenly her face…

Laughed!

“I’m sorry! I’m kidding, I’m kidding! You should’ve seen your face, it was white as paper!” she said, still laughing.

Gibbs’ heart calmed back down. “That’s not funny,” he said, serious.

Fara stopped laughing, but a simple smile was still on her face. She grabbed Gibbs’ arm coquettishly. “Deary… don’t be mad,” she coaxed.

“Ah, no! Don’t talk to me for a week after going back to school!” Gibbs feigned sulking.

“Alaaa…” Fara kept coaxing, her hand still holding on Gibbs’ arm.

Gibbs pulled his face, then signalled Fara to kiss his cheek as a reparation.

“Eeiii! Naughty!” Fara exclaimed.

“Hurry up! If not, I’ll tell your aunt what we did last night,” Gibbs threatened playfully.

“Eleh, just say it then. My uncle will beat you up for sure!”

“Because I ‘beat up’ his niece?”

“Eeiii! Enough already! Go back!” Fara shooed Gibbs away.

Gibbs smiled. “Call me ‘dear’ again?” He asked while starting his bike.

Fara smiled sheepishly. “Dear…”

“Hah?! What is it? I didn’t hear!” Gibbs yelled, trying to beat the bike’s noise.

“Dear!!!”

And along the trip back, Gibbs never stopped grinning by himself.

15JUNE 15, 2017/NASVERSIXIt's impossible for Gibbs to sleep after that when he knew that Fara's room was directly next to his. He even knew that her aunt's and uncle's room was downstairs.If I do anything, I'm afraid they'd notice. If it's just the light stuff, that's fine, right?Hish, am I mad? That's crazy! This is her aunt's house for goodness' sake! Be more sensible!But Fara's eye gesture and body language; Gibbs knew them all too well. He could make out the underlying meaning behind them, and he was now akin to someone who was given Doraemon's Anywhere Door but was afraid of opening it.If I don't take this chance given to me, I'd be the laughingstock of those guys!Gibbs thoughts flew to his friends Ray, KJ and Troll.But do I want them to know? If they do, they'd definitely want to uphold the Musketeer CodeWhile his brain was spinning, he suddenly heard his door being knocked lightly. Gibbs immediately got up. Was what he heard real? He focused his hearing. It's clear that there was someone knocking on his door.His heart started beating wildly.Even if she took my bait, it can't be that she's this daring?Gibbs opened the door without thinking. What happens next would depend on the situation.What he never thought was that he opened the door to an empty space.Oh man, is that Jat kid playing around with me now? Damnable!Gibbs closed the door and returned to the bed.I'm being too crazy with Fara to the point that I'm hearing things.Gibbs sighed by himself, pulling the blanket over. For a while, he lay down, thinking of his not-quite-good luck that night. He sighed again and turned to his left.It was at this time he regretted not turning right.For on his left, there was a black creature sitting with its hands supporting its chin beside the cupboard at the corner of the room. Gibbs held his breath why? He doesn't know. But if possible, he'd like that creature to not know his existence. Thinking about it again, he felt stupid as for sure that thing would know! The thing's reason being there was definitely to disturb Gibbs.Gibbs kept on holding his breath. How long, he wasn't sure. But when he could no longer hold it, he slowly exhaled, then slowly inhale. The creature did nothing. It just sat there beside the cupboard. In the dark, Gibbs didn't see its eyes it wasn't even sure whether it even had eyes!. But Gibbs knew the creature was observing him.Shit! When Fara kissed me, did she gave a bit of her power to me?Gibbs' brain was thinking.Idiot Gibbs, you think this is an X-Men movie?Gibbs read all the holy Quran verses that he could think of. As his mouth was moving, reading what he should, his eyes were closed tight.Get lost dammitAnd when he opened his eyes the creature was right next to his bed!GibbsGibbs covered his head when hearing his name being called. But the one calling him was another creature. The creature was standing at the door opposite his bed. This creature was beautiful. It's named Fara.Hey you okay? Fara asked while sitting on the bed, on the right. Gibbs just realised that he was sweating bullets. He glanced at his left, seeing that the creature was now gone.I it'sShh I know, Fara said while rubbing Gibbs' cheek softly.Rubbing my cheek?! Oh myEarlier did you knock the door? Gibbs asked.Huh?Gibbs stopped inquiring. The room was still dark with only the light from outside illuminating Fara's face that showed her confusion on Gibbs' question.Fara held Gibbs' shaking hand.Ah, shit! I'll lose my macho like this. Damn you Jat! But maybe I should thank you instead? This girl's hand sure is softFor a while, time seemed as if it had stopped. Gibbs and Fara held each other's hands and sat together on the bed. Fara patiently waited for Gibbs to calm his heart.How the hell is it suppose to calm me when you're holding my hand like this, FaraHow can you not feel scared? Gibbs questioned. He didn't care anymore about macho and stuff.I've gotten her caress of sympathy, just a bit more until it's upgraded to caress of affection. After thatWhen I started seeing it, I was eight. It was easier, I guess. Kids are not afraid of anything, replied Fara.That's not true.Which part?Gibbs was silent for a moment. When I was 10 at that time, I was sleeping at my parent's hometown. Back then, I'd usually sleep with my grandma. At one night, she died. Everyone said that she died in her sleep, but..Gibbs paused. He had never told this to anyone, not even his family members. He thought that he had long since erased this part of his memory, but tonight, it came backThat night, I alone saw with my eyes how my grandma's life was pulled out of her. Starting from her legs right until the head. I mean I didn't see the Angel of Death or anything. Just I could feel it since I was hugging her at the time. I felt her legs getting cold, cramped. Then it rose to her waist up to the chest, making her asphyxiate. In her breathlessness, she was still muttering the shahadah1. She kept going on until she suddenly quietened. I realised that it had passed her mouth at that time because when I stared at her eyes, it still had a spark of life. And the finally I saw I saw the life leaving her eyesGibbs felt Fara's grip on his hand became tighter, trying to calm him. Gibbs let out a long sigh. So, it's not true that kids are not afraid of anything. That was the most terrifying night of my life.That's different, Gibran. If I was in your place, even I'd be scared, Fara admitted.Gibran smiled. Yeah right. There's nothing that can scare you, Gibran said. And then with a mischievous tone, he added, You're the one scaring people.Eii, bad! Fara exclaimed while wanting to hit Gibbs' shoulder, but it was caught quickly by Gibbs.But I'm not scared of you, Gibbs whispered. As if he was challenging her.You mean you're not a person?Hmmm maybe not, Gibbs replied.Ehh, I have a method to prove whether you're a human or not, Fara said.Its's bait. I know it's bait.Gibbs assured himself.Gibbs leaned in closer to Fara, making their shoulders touch. How? he asked with a whisper.At first, Fara distanced herself but Gibbs kept on getting closer to her. His hands slowly pulling her hair behind her ear, and the slowly he held her chin, making her look slightly upward, making her lips meet his.And on that night, Gibbs got what he had wished for without caring whether there were other eyes watching.During breakfast in the morning, Gibbs excused himself from Fara's aunt and uncle to go back to the hostel right after breakfast. He apologised as he was unable to wait for Fara to go back together saying that he had an urgent matter to attend to. Gibbs saw Fara's face showing a slight disappointment he didn't discuss with her beforehand. But Gibbs himself had a reason for why he did this.He explained to her while she was sending him off.Look, Fara I can't bring you back with meIt's okayNo, you have to listen, Gibbs became firm but with a softness to his tone. Last night was great. I don't know what you felt but I feel that this could turn out to be somethingBut if you're going steady with me, you'd no longer be cool, right?Just listen first please dear aunty! Gibbs exclaimed, half joking, half mock-resentful.Not to mention that we did it yesterday. It's making me more restless.Fara pulled her face. Gibbs smiled and rubbed her cheek, coaxing her.Oops!Oh, okay. Her aunt and uncle didn't see that.If my friend know about you and me they theyThis is so hard to explain! Until know, I just did it,, never bothering to explain like this.They what?They won't let us be exclusive. They would want to share, Gibbs tried explaining, then quickly added, But I don't want to! Never. Not when it's you. I mean, it's not that I'd join in if it's anyone else I mean you know what I mean, right?Fara's forehead was scrunched while she crossed her hands over her chest. Then slowly she smiled.I know about the rules you have with your friends, she replied.This girl! I stuttered for nothing! Don't make me hug you!And I think it's sweet that you're trying to protect me, she said while putting her hand on Gibbs thigh that was already sitting on his bike.Don't simply touch as you please, dearSo we're on the same page? We keep this a secret? Gibbs asked for a promise.Fara nodded. Quite exciting, really, her eyes were shining.Yup, the nerd queen is now a bad girl Rrr!Gibbs kissed her hand, blushing her cheeks red. Gibbs noticed a black string on her wrist.What's this? Gibbs asked.Oh! It's some sort of talisman. My mom told me to wear it. She thought that it could help me stop seeing those things. Maybe it works on other people, but not me, Fara explained.Yeah, you're a stubborn one, teased Gibbs.Fara stuck out her tongues t Gibbs, then said, Oh, you can take it.Huh?Fara held out her hand. Untie it.Gibbs opened the knot of the talisman. Fara then tied it on Gibbs' left wrist. So, what is this thing supposed to do again?So that you can't see ghosts, answered Fara. She then added with a teasing tone, Unless you yourself is the ghost. Whoa now. What did you just say? Gibbs said.As Fara finished tying the talisman, they stood still there for a moment. Gibbs felt reluctant to leave.Hmm Gibran?Yeah?Last night, after what happened in the living room why didn't you come to my room? Fara asked.Why should I when you came to mine?When did I ever go there? Fara looked at Gibbs, astonished.Gibbs was dumbfounded. He felt the chills coming. He immediately remembered the creature beside his bed.If Fara didn't come then?Gibran, what's wrong? asked Fara.Gibbs muted. He looked at Fara, and suddenly her faceLaughed!I'm sorry! I'm kidding, I'm kidding! You should've seen your face, it was white as paper! she said, still laughing.Gibbs' heart calmed back down. That's not funny, he said, serious.Fara stopped laughing, but a simple smile was still on her face. She grabbed Gibbs' arm coquettishly. Deary don't be mad, she coaxed.Ah, no! Don't talk to me for a week after going back to school! Gibbs feigned sulking.Alaaa Fara kept coaxing, her hand still holding on Gibbs' arm.Gibbs pulled his face, then signalled Fara to kiss his cheek as a reparation.Eeiii! Naughty! Fara exclaimed.Hurry up! If not, I'll tell your aunt what we did last night, Gibbs threatened playfully.Eleh, just say it then. My uncle will beat you up for sure!Because I beat up' his niece?Eeiii! Enough already! Go back! Fara shooed Gibbs away.Gibbs smiled. Call me dear' again? He asked while starting his bike.Fara smiled sheepishly. DearHah?! What is it? I didn't hear! Gibbs yelled, trying to beat the bike's noise.Dear!!!And along the trip back, Gibbs never stopped grinning by himself.