Chapter 4
The new year was about in a week. Sunna was planning to apply for a week leave. He needed that as he had planned to go to Pulau Perhentian to visit a close friend, Shah. They were the best pals when they were in the kindergarten. However, Shah’s family moved away from the village and they lost in touch not until Sunna met Shah again in the National Service in the training camp.
‘Who would take over the job when you’re on leave ?’ Papol asked while he was counting the money in the drawer.
‘I really have no idea Pa,’ Sunna was rubbing his hands, just anticipating Papol would not approve his leave.
‘But new year holidays, the business would be better isn’t it ?’
‘Yes, it was in last year.’ Sunna was really feeling upset.
‘But,…’ Sunna hesitated.
‘What ?’ Papol looked up.
In his hand, there were two bundles of ten ringgit notes, the collection of the day.
‘Nothing,’ Sunna pulled a deep breath and walked away with his head hanging down.
‘Can you get someone to replace you?’ Papol asked.
Sunna turned his head and shook his head. He walked towards the door of the shop.
‘Try to think of someone who can help,’ Papol said a little loud so that Sunna could hear it.
Sunna stood at the door. His mind was racing fast. He tried to scan some pictures in his mind, with the words from Papol, he could be released if he could find someone to replace him for a week. However, the person must be reliable one. There dealt with money every day.
His head went empty again though many figures ran through his mind.
‘Let me be with you…’ Sunna’s cell phone rang. He just liked this ring tone.
‘Okay, I have to try Shah.’ Sunna’s voice was low but happy.
‘Yes, I’ve booked the ticket.’ Sunna went to the cashier counter again to discuss the matter with Papol.
‘Well, Su,’ at times Papol would address Sunna as Su and at times would call the last syllabus Nan.
‘Yes, pa,’ Sunna answered with the hope that Papol would be able to find someone to replace him.
Sunna had worked with Papol for almost five years. He knew too well that Papol was a man of a matter. They came a long way to understand each other and now the relationship was almost as brothers.
‘If you really cannot find someone to take care of the shop during the new year, then I would have to cancel the trip to Pulau Perhentian.’
What ?
Papol was going to Pulau Perhentian. What a coincident!
‘I’m really sorry pa,’ Sunna felt a little guilty for not being able to let Papol have holiday during the New Year.
‘Nothing just as bad not for you to have rest during the New Year,’ Papol looked into the eyes of Sunna.
‘ Thank you for helping me these years.’
‘Well, I like to be in the shop during the new year, but just that I had wanted to meet my friend…’ Sunna’s cell phone rang. The caller identification showed it was not a friend from his list in the phone book.
‘Okay, I’d meet you tomorrow morning and you could come to my office, oh my shop.’
‘I’ve to go ,Su,’ Papol said.
‘ Get ready for your New Year holidays.’
‘Thanks pa,’ Sunna was trying to explain more but Papol was out of his sight.
Sunna took out his cell phone and scroll to the phone book and he stopped at the name Shah. He paused for a few seconds and decided not to give Shah a text message or a call. He was still figuring out who was the one who had called him just now.
‘Aha, see no girl friend, now in lonely mood.’ Sunna looked and met the cheeky smile of Jason.
‘You’re leaving now.’ Sunna asked Jason, seeing he had packed his beg.
‘Yes sir,’ Jason went closer to Sunna and lower his voice. ‘I’m going to meet my new bf.’
‘Good luck and have more fun,’ Sunna waved his hand while Jason was stepping out of the shop.
Sunna took out his mobile phone again. He wanted to find out that man, who had phoned him earlier. Again he hesitated.
‘What if Shah get annoyed when I called him,’ Sunna thought. ‘But he mentioned Shah, and there was something from Shah.’
Sunnan was about to go haywire by thinking of this.
‘Hello,’ Sunna was awakened by the greeting.
‘What the heck you’re back ?’ Sunna was a little surprised to see Jason was back so soon.
‘I don’t want to meet him lah,’ Jason said. ‘ It’s better to see you, my dream man.’
‘Haha,’ Sunna laughed and signaled to Jason, the PC which he occupied earlier was still vacant.
‘Alamak, talk to you for a while also cannot meh ? ‘ Jason protested.
‘Well, we talk everyday lah,’ Sunnan smiled. His smile made Jason even glued to the chair which he was sitting in front of the cashier counter.
‘Come on,’ Sunna was trying to coaxed Jason to the game station.
‘ You’re not a good boy if you don’t listen to what I have said.’
‘Hey, Sunan, frankly speaking, if I were you, I would be in the entertainment world.’ Jason has no intention to leave Sunan in peace.
‘What ? Shooting the triple x-rated film kah ?’ Sunan grinned.
‘Wow, if you were the porn star, I would get all my friends to watch you act. I will buy all the DVDs of your porn film.’ Jason seems to be in the good mood.
‘Chet, don’t dream lah.’
‘Well, you don’t have to be the porn star to kill the girls. Just be the film star in the Bollywood type is good enough,’ Jason paused for a little before he continues, ‘Look, you have all the quality; look, height, sweet tender voice, you can even in the singing career too. Cutting an album which could see you to get a platinum award.’
Sunan is getting a little annoyed now. He could not shove Jason away. But he could not have begun his work. Papol left a message for him that there would be a meeting for the two this evening. It is about the newly form political party which Papol would be joining.
‘I don’t want to be a film star or a singer lah. I want to be a politician.’ Sunan tried to bring out a boring subject. He hopes to bored Jason.
‘Wow, really ? Okay, tell me which party you are in. I vote you.’
‘Why not you be my assistant in the party as you can talk a lot of rubbish.’ Jason gave Sunan an unexpected pinch on his shoulder.
‘Ouch, it hurts.’ Sunan yelled. ‘I would be more delighted to be your personal assistant. Mending your underwear to the sexual intercourse items.’ Jason moved away to the play station.
Sunan feels the relief. ‘Yes, pa,’ Sunan answered a phone call from Papol.
‘Okay, I will get it all ready before 3 p.m today.’ Sunan looked up at the clock on the wall. It was going to be half past two in the afternoon.
‘Shit.’ Sunan was really thinking that it might be a mess now.
