2 EXPERIENCE #2

This story took place in December, 1996. I do not recall the date, but it seems like this happened before Christmas. What I recalled at that time was the school holidays. Ha-ha! No? Okay, moving on.

I grew up in the city, and I rarely go back to the small town. Of course in the 90s, public transport in Malaysia, particularly in the state of Sarawak, quite antiques?

Me and my parents, we wait for the bus, and that bus is not air-conditioned. It's hot. But, who cares? Importantly, it was a fun time.

As always, traveling from the city to the small town, takes almost an hour. Believe me, even though it was a fun time, it's not a fun ride.

When we arrived at the village, we were picked up by my cousin. My memory still remembered the atmosphere at that time. Cool, calm and...

"Who's that?"

Why did I suddenly come forth that question? Until nowadays, I'm still wondering; who is the mysterious girl? What does it do with this narration?

Here's the story; it started after I saw her alone on an old route. I ignored her, because I guessed maybe she waits for her friend.

Fast forward the time, I joined my cousin playing football. I do not remember the time, but it probably almost six o'clock when I see her, again. Suspicious and curious, I asked my cousin.

"Who's that girl?", I pointed toward her. My cousin immediately moved his head to the left and to the right, like an owl.

"What 'girl?' I don't see anything", he enunciated with a question mark. "There", I said again with a nozzle style like a tapir, towards the girl.

"I saw a banana stalk", he told me with a strange face impression. "I didn't see anyone on that point".

Weird. Who was she? Why me the only person who noticed her, but the others, no? This village is weird, I judge. Don't want to think about things that are not benefited, we carry on the game.

The day is getting dark, and we stopped the match. My team lost the match, but it doesn't matter. As long as everyone has fun, it's a good day.

While me and my cousin on the way home, again, I saw the same girl, and this time, she's now at the cornfield. The desire to greet her is in me, but I can't because I couldn't talk. Felt like something locked my tongue. Urrgh… speak of frustration, eh?

I look at her and until now, I can't remember her facial expression. I just remember she's wearing a look-like a red pinafore, white socks, red shoes and dolls.

I did not realize my cousin was looking on me. I aware surround me when he taps my shoulder and asked me; what did I see at the pepper farm that makes me pensive for so long?

"I saw her, again", and immediately his expression turn to pale and say; "OOOOOOOKAAYYYYYY".

Hey, guess what? He leaves me alone. Bastard.

At home, my mind is still kept guessing about the girl. I asked my uncle Billy (Rest In Peace); who's the young girl that lived nearby the side of the highway? Frankly, I did not know where her house is located. I just presumed that she lived there. My uncle look at me, as I was guilty for committing a criminal offense.

"What girl?", Eh? Why everyone act like they never see or know her?

"You know, a young girl wearing a red pinafore, wandering around at the village?", I explained to him.

My uncle's face constantly changing. He looked at his wife and my aunt looked at me.

Then, my aunt showed a signal at me; finger in the center of the lips. That stands for; "SHUT UP."

Disappointed for not being able to get the answer for my own questions, I joined my family who was relaxing in the living room.

The following day, I saw her again and now, as I remember, she appeared on my grandfather's pepper farm.

*For your information, the villagers are planting corn, rice, sago, black pepper, fruits and banana as their primary income.

I asked myself; What does she really want to do? Standing in the area without any reason, plus hot weather, is she in trouble? I get up from where I was sitting and headed toward her. Perhaps she wants to be my friend? That's what I thought at that time. Don't blame me for that. It happened when I was 10 years old, ok?

When I headed towards her, Mom called me.

"Where are you going?", she asked me. I was like; "Seriously? Didn't you see her there?"

"I'm going to meet a new friend", I conjured up my voice at her so she can hear me. She invoked her right eyebrow (remind me of The Rock).

"What 'friend'?"

"The hell is wrong with her? She truly did not see he..", hey, where did she go?

"That's banana, you idiot!" Ouch!

As I remember, my mind was slightly confused by what happened. WHO IS THIS GIRL?

I am very dissatisfied. I borrowed my grandfather's bicycle without giving any reason. I still remember where I see her for the first time and I want to meet her.

I sprint like a world-class bike rider. Only for 10 minutes only. The weather was very hot. For children, the distance to the spot is a bit far. It feels like I need to climb 3 small hills, and 3 steep roads. I do not remember how long I was riding, but I do recall the feeling when I arrived at the old route; It's feels windy, calm and a bit spooky.

Without wasting time, I ride into the area. I meandered around and it just a dead road. Then, I found something embedded in the soil. I grasp up the dirt, and found a doll? I took the doll, and that was when I saw her standing at the entryway. Uh-oh.

I was stunned and unable to move. The mysterious girl walked towards me, like a panther stalk its prey. Although I was daunted, but my mind was still sane, and until now I'm wondering; why I can't see her face?

My body trembles when I saw her coming closer. I'm sweating but my body feel cold. I shut my eyes, praying to the God. For a second, I thought it was over, and she's gone.

I open my eyes and damn, she is next to me. In my mind, the word of WHAT SHOULD I DO? keep repeating, repeating and repeating, until I feel that she slowly walk passes me, leave me alone.

I slowly move my head to the right, and glance at my rear. She walk into the woods and gone. I was and yet nervous. Then, 50 meters away from me, my eyes wanted to pop out from my head when I saw an old granny figure walks out from the shrubs. There's no turning back after this. This time, speed is the key for my safety.

End of experience #2.