In the morning.
"Noor. Hey."
Rosy tried waking him up.
"Umm… Miss Rosy… let me sleep."
"Did you forget? Today is really important." Rosy pulled the blanket.
"What important…" Yawn.
"The meeting with Jenne," Rosy whispered.
"Oh my god!" Noor jumped out of the bed dramatically.
"I almost forgot."
"First I need to brush my teeth, and take a bath."
"What about your breakfast?"
"Later," he said.
---
Sometimes later
Noor got out from the shower, wiping his head with a towel.
Rahim was standing there.
"Mr. Rahim, what are you doing here?"
"Rosy— I mean, Miss Rosy told me you need help," Rahim said, looking away.
"Wait, I never asked for help," Noor said.
"You did yesterday. Remember?"
"I just asked for advice." Noor scratched his head.
"Don't worry. I will help you get ready," Rahim said confidently.
"Huh?"
"Look, this coat is best for you. It would suit you better. Also it's cold early in the morning."
Rahim showed a gray-colored coat.
"Huh? When did you buy this?" Noor asked, confused.
"Today…" Rahim looked away, scratching his head.
"But why?"
"I just thought… just take this as a gift from me." Rahim closed his eyes in embarrassment.
"Woah." (That was surprising.) Noor thought.
"Now get ready soon, you'll get late. Let me help you." Rahim hurried.
"Okay okay…" Noor tried to calm him down.
---
… …
Knock
Knock.
Rahim opened the door.
"Is he ready?" Rosy asked.
"He's perfect."
Noor was looking like a gentleman.
(I look like a beaver in a fancy dress…) Noor thought.
"Wait, something is wrong. Let me fix it."
Rosy picked up a comb.
She was combing Noor's hair.
"Is it necessary to reveal that big ah forehead?" Noor puffed his cheeks.
"You shouldn't say this about yourself.
Here— now you look perfect."
"Hmm. It's not bad." Noor looked at himself in the mirror.
"Awwww you look so cute I want to kiss you!" Rosy said, jumping.
"Do you want a peck on the cheek?" she asked.
"No, I'm fine." Noor raised his hand, cringing.
"Let me give you a lift," Rahim said with a smile.
"Bye Miss Rosy," Noor waved.
Rosy waved back, smiling.
---
… …
Sometimes later.
Rahim dropped Noor at the location.
Click.
Noor shut the car door.
(Well, this place looks empty…) Noor thought.
"It's 8:50. That means I arrived early."
"Okay sir, I will be going. Don't worry—you can do this!" Rahim raised his thumb, cheering him.
"Okay…" Noor said flatly.
Vrrrooom.
Rahim drove away.
Noor stood in front of a tiger statue. Cold air pierced through his nostrils.
He looked around—the place was big.
"It's nearly 9 and everything is still covered in fog… Well, this place looks fine to talk since there's nobody."
He put both hands in his pockets.
Kaa. Kaa.
Some crows flew by.
A minute passed.
Suddenly the whole place filled with people. Stalls opened. Shops opened.
People crowded everywhere.
"Wait a minute—why are there so many people? And… most of them are in pair?" Noor's eyes widened.
"COUPLES…" Noor looked left.
"COUPLES…" He looked right.
"THERE ARE COUPLES EVERYWHERE!!!" Noor yelled toward the sky in despair.
He looked at the signboard.
Heart Park — A special place for couples.
Below it: Love Fair — Today Only
Noor froze like stone.
"More like… my butt fair…" Noor muttered, his face turning grey.
"So Rahim and Miss Rosy knew about this place… they thought it's a date.
THEY SET ME UP!" Noor yelled in despair.
Sigh.
"Whatever…"
"It's 8:59 and Miss Jenne is nowhere to be seen." He glanced at the clock on his wrist.
"Well, she needs time. She's more like a princess. I wonder what dress she'd wear… Her elegance is unmatched," he muttered.
"Hey," a person called from behind.
"Eeek!" Noor got spooked.
He turned around.
A person in a gray hoodie, black pants, and sneakers stood in front of him.
"Wait—a thug?? What does he want from me?!" Noor panicked.
"Whatever you are, I'm not giving you my money!" Noor raised his fist into a boxing stance.
"Relax. It's me."
Jenne took off the hood.
"Oh… it's you." Noor sighed in relief.
Wait…
"Whaaaat?!" His jaw dropped.
"Miss Jenne, why are you dressed like THAT?" Noor stared.
"Are you an idiot? You told me you wanted to talk in secret. That's why I chose this attire," Jenne said boldly.
"And why are YOU dressed like that?" she asked.
"It was their idea…" Noor muttered.
"Oh, I get who you're talking about." Jenne fixed her hair.
"Okay then Miss, let's talk abou—"
Noor froze.
A couple meters away, he spotted Ashraf and Suvro, along with the whole class.
Ria was also with them.
(Wait… what are THEY doing here with the whole class?)
Ashraf and Suvro spotted him.
Crack—
Bleeegh.
They gave the same reaction they always do in extremely awkward situations.
"What's wrong with you two?" the class teacher asked.
"Nothing ma'am, we're just not feeling well," they said.
Noor heard everything because he was close, but he couldn't react.
Ashraf looked at Noor and gestured with his eyes, using a sign language only they understood:
(Bro, what's going on?)
…
Noor glanced at Jenne. She was looking away.
He looked back at Ashraf.
(I'll tell you everything later. But don't let everyone find out. I'll be dead.)
He made a throat-slitting gesture.
Ashraf replied:
(But how? They're coming your way next.)
Noor looked for another escape, but the other side was filled with so many people it was impossible to pass.
He looked back at Ashraf.
(Distract them.)
Suddenly the music shop started playing a popular song:
"Eyes Can Tell About Mind—"
Noor flinched at the sudden loud music.
"Bro, what is he saying?" Suvro asked.
"We need to create a distraction," Ashraf whispered.
"Okay."
"Hey Jamil," Suvro called.
"What?"
"I need your help," Ashraf said.
"What kind of help?"
"Brother, don't forget how many times we helped you," Suvro put his hand on Jamil's shoulder.
"But why are you telling me this?" Jamil frowned.
"Because I'm about to punch you. And you need to create a scene."
"Wait—are you serious?" Jamil asked.
Ashraf nodded.
"Anything for you, boss," Jamil said fearlessly.
Wham.
"Ack!
My belly!
It hurts!
I can't breathe—!"
Jamil collapsed dramatically.
Everyone ran to the scene.
"What happened, dear??" the class teacher cried.
"I don't know… maybe it was the egg sandwich I ate this morning… Aaaah…"
Jamil added even more drama.
Absolute cinema. Noor smiled, enjoying the scene.
Jenne looked bored.
"Miss Jenne, we need to get out from here. Put on your hood."
"Okay," Jenne replied flatly.
Ashraf and Suvro gave Noor a thumbs-up.
Noor also gave a thumbs-up, hiding his face inside his collar.
And the two slipped away from the scene.