DRIVING WITH STEFAN

Stefan and I were trying to decide whether we should spend Hari Raya at Mama's house or at Dad's place. I wanted to go to Dad's because it's near the town's waterfront and beach, and I've been wanting to go to a sunny area. But Stefan said he wanted to go to Mama's because it's in the city and there's a new movie he wanted to catch, plus there's always good stuff to eat there everyday.


We concluded our decision based on a game of 'rock-paper-scissors'. I won fair and square. We called up Dad to tell him that we were gonna spend the holidays at his place. Unfortunately, Dad had to go to France that week so Stefan got his way in the end. I don't like it when my fat big bro does his victory dance.

So it's off to Mama's house for Hari Raya. I made sure my Juara had her tank filled and her wheels aired. Stefan's face was a look of horror when he watched me going down the stairs with the luggage.

"Do you have to wear those pants?!" Stefan asked in disgusted tone.

I looked down at my pants. They looked okay to me.

Stefan's eyes grew wide with terror. "You can't wear those tight pants to Mama's house. Mama's gonna freak out if she sees you like this. You know I'm freaking out already!"

Amel's choice of clothes is his way of expressing himself. So I said,"Bro, this is my style. My clothes are my way of expressing myself..."

"... through what - your bulge? Amel, get back inside the apartment and change those pants. Now."

After changing into a pair of approvable pants, Stefan resumed to bug me about my earring. Hang on, bro... it's only a clip-on. There - nothing on my ear now, see?

"Honestly, Amel. Stop wearing this sissy look. The rings, the hair, the nails. Drop it, please. People are going to start thinking that my brother is homosexual,"

"Bro, I'm not homosexual... I'm just metrosexual. Besides, David Beckham buffs his nails too."

And he's got a Spice Girl for a hot wife.

Stefan shook his head in disappointment and said, "Amel, we're Muslim men. It's wrong for a Muslim man to fashion himself into looking like a woman. Besides, you're a future lawyer, you shouldn't mar your reputation looking like a pondan. I am telling you this as your brother. It's up to you whether you want to accept my advise or not."

Gimme a break, I'm only 18.


We took turns to drive all the way to Mama's house. When it was Stefan's turn to take over the steering wheel, I had the radio tuned on to X-Fresh f.m. I turned up the volume loud enough to smash Stefan's ear drums. Hey, it's Hujan's 'Pagi Yang Gelap' - I like this song.

"Slow down, I can't concentrate."

"What?! I can't hear you, the music's too loud."

"Amel, you're just trying to piss me off, aren't you?!"


Then something terrible happened as we stopped at a red light. At first, there was a bumping noise at the left side of the car, followed by a short screech. I caught a glimpse of the motorist that sped past by my side through the car window. Realizing the worst, I started screaming in my head. That fucking mat rempit had scratched my baby!!!

Damn you mat rempits in this world! Die, you scums!! Die with your cheap trashy bikes!!!

Stefan pulled over at a gas station so we could check the damage. My poor Juara now has a long, ugly looking-scar at her side.

Damn you mat rempits in this world! Die, you scums!! Die with your cheap trashy bikes!!!

I couldn't control my anger any longer, so I entered the gas mart to buy some chocolates to cool myself down while Stefan figured out how to adjust the car radio inside the Juara. As I stepped in, the guy at the cashier greeted me,"Welcome, kak!"

I was thinking of yelling at that guy that I'm nobody's sister, but I was too angry to think about it. I'm always silent when I'm angry. It was when these two girls came in and stood behind me at the cashier counter did the guy realize his mistake. But his friend was still unsure and as I walked out I heard him asking the guy at the cashier. "Is that a guy or girl?"


I took over the wheel after that because I had lost trust in Stefan to take care of my Juara. Stefan was annoyed with my move and we spent the rest of the journey bickering on whose fault it was that my car got damaged. And it was a good thing that I took over because we later found out that Stefan's driver's license was expired a day before.

We were greeted with golden tempura prawns, deep-fried quails, red dragon fruits, yellow steamed pulut and spicy beef rendang upon our arrival at Mama's house. Mama had the maids prepare our rooms for us a few days before we told her we were coming. Premonition? I guess this is what they call a mother's instinct.

PAGI YANG GELAP - HUJAN
is playing on my mind today