Adam's Eye : Chapter Five

She could still remember clearly the lilac colored kebaya together with the maroon coloured sarong which was place neatly on her bed.
"Now I want you to put on that clothes. Don't you ask me anything if you want to save yourself from a beating." Yelled Siti while hitting poking her finger on Zaharah's forehead. Zaharah could only sobbed silently cause she was afraid any sounds she makes might cause Siti to act more aggressive towards her. While Zaharah was busy dressing up she could see that Siti was ramaging into her cupboard. Siti took some of Zaharah's old and faded kebaya together with her sarongs and dumped them onto the floor.
"I want you to bundle up all your clothes in one of your sarong cause once your marrige has been soleminized I want you to get out from my house and never come back again." Cried Siti in such a harsh tone. Zaharah could see that her aunt Siti really hated her ever since she was a child. There were no loving words or motherly hugs ..only abusive and violent touch was all she received from Siti. Sometimes Zaharah wonders what great sin has she done that makes not only Siti but the whole family to detest her.
"What about my brother…he needs to know today is my wedding." Zaharah pleads for Siti's reconsideration. Izzaldeen, Zaharah's elder brother was make to leave town by their uncle. Izzaldeen was accused of raping their only daughter and cause her to be pregnant. But Zaharah knew her brother was innocent and those accusation was just a ploy to get rid of Izzaldeen from the house. And all this time she knew Anisah her cousin had a lewd relationship with her school mate and he was the one who was responsible for her unplanned pregnancy.
"Don't you dare mention that dog's son name again Zaharah….your brother is gone for good…who knows he might be dead somewhere in that town….!" Cried Siti. Her eyes were bulging as though it just might popped out from her skull.
Just then a lady came into the room. "Good now that you are here do some simple make up for her….she must look pretty cause I don't want the other side to think that I had mistreated her." Snapped Siti while walking out of the room pushing Zaharah onto the floor while doing so. Zaharah now has fully dress up with her lilac colored kebaya and sarong sat on the floor with her palms covering her face. She was crying her heart out. She was confused and she felt sick to her stomach. She was to be married to someone whom she does not even know who or what kind of person is he. She hated herself ...she wish that she was never be born.
The makeup lady walked towards Zaharah and bent over her who was still in a tearfully state. " It's time to get ready now Zaharah. I know this came in such an unexpected manner but trust me, I know how's your future husband's family like. They are bunch of nice people and they came from a good family. You're indeed one lucky girl for being choose to be part of their family."
Zaharah looked up towards the makeup lady…she was so uncertain about herself right now. The makeup lady brought a basin of water to clean Zaharah's face and then she began to do her makeup and hairdo.
　
"Zaharah you look so pretty. Adam is sure a lucky chap." Exclaimed the makeup lady.
Zaharah began to snap out of her past life and quikly went back to the kitchen to see how's her porridge now. She peeped into the boiling pot and saw that it was just nice ready to be serve. Zaharah get two bowls which she had scrubbed earlier and pour in the porridge one meant for her and the other one is for Adam. She get two spoons and place them each in the bowl. Zaharah began eating her share first and as she was so hungry she managed to finish the whole bowl in five minutes. Then she decide to bring in Adam's share to the room cause she knew Adam must be feeling hungry by now. As she step into the room it seems that Adam is still so sound asleep. At first Zaharah just wanted to leave the porridge on the side table but she change her mind and decide to wake him up instead. He seems to be sleeping for quite sometime now thought Zaharah.
"Adam there's some porridge for you on the table." Said Zaharah as she place the bowl on the side table and then went back to the door to leave. She has planned to sleep in the living room that night. But something was amiss. Adam did not wake up.
Zaharah called out his name but still he remains quite. Zaharah turn on the lamp and take a look at Adam. He was sweating and his lips were quivering. Zaharah touches Adam's forehead and to her alarm it was so warm. It seems Adam was having a high temperature. Zaharah began to panic. She dashed towards the kitchen and began to fill in a basin with cold water. After it was half full, Zaharah bring back to the room. She wet an old cloth dipping it into the basin and dapped on Adam's forehead.
"Adam…are you okay?" Zaharah sounds so worried now. Adam could only moan in pain. Zaharah checked on Adam's feet which was stung by the centipede earlier and what a terrible shocked she had cause his feet was so swollen. It seems that the size had double up from it normal size. "What am I going to do now?" Zaharah was in the verge of tears. She had no choice but to ask Ameena their new neighbour for help.
Zaharah walk as fast as she could towards Ameena's home.

"Assalamualaikum ! Ameena…it's me Zaharah," cried Zaharah she was holding back her tears until she felt her words are choking her.
"Wa'alaikumsalam..yes Zaharah..oh my you look upset..what happen?"
"Please forgive me Ameena if I had disturb you….my husband he was having such a high fever right now…I really need a doctor but I did not know who can I look for in this village?" Zaharah was pleading..she can't control back her tears and they began to fall.
"Calm down Zaharah, my husband will call Mr Ayob to drive in the doctor. Mr Ayob is one of our neighbours who lives nearby here and he owns a car." Said Ameena as she climbed down from the verandah stairways to comfort Zaharah who was sobbing. Just then a man followed by. He must be Ameena's husband Zaharah thought. Ameena explained to her husband Ramli about Zaharah situation and without wasting much time he ran behind their home to get Mr Ayob's help.
"You go back now alright and wait until the doctor came."

Adam's Eye : Chapter Four

“You should rest now.” Zaharah said even though no eye contact was given towards Adam. Zaharah took the balance of her sarong which was used for Adam’s bandage and used it as a blanket for him.
It’s getting late evening by then and Zaharah knew she had to cook something for dinner but what can she come up with cause there’s nothing edible found in the kitchen just some old sauce and vinegar. She went back to the kitchen opening all the cupboard hoping that she could find a pot of rice or some flour but to her dismay there were only empty pots and pans, some wooden laden and kitchen knives, chopping board and some used fork and spoon. There’s an old jug too. All the utensils definitely need a good scrubbing before they can be used. Zaharah felt disappointed and sank onto the rattan chair. What can she do now? She felt tired and hungry. Eight hours journey ride without any food but drinks only. She only got herself to blame cause Adam did offer to buy her some packet rice for lunch but due to her ego she brush off that offer by sulking away.
“Serve me right!” she thought to herself. “Now I must find a way to get some food and I’m sure Adam is hungry too…but where can I find some money and this place is so new to me …..hopefully there’s some groceries store nearby.” Zaharah thought of asking Adam for some cash but he was sound asleep and she does not want to disturb him and further more she felt that she don’t need his help. “Why should I?” her ego self sets in her mind again. In her sarong bundle not a single cent was given to her by her aunt Siti.
“You have got yourself a rich husband so don’t expert me to give you any cents!” those hurtful words suddenly rang on Zaharah’s head.
Zaharah looked at her wedding ring and then an idea came to her thought. She was thinking of pawning it cause she do not intend to wear it anyway. Zaharah took the house keys which Adam had left on the coffee table and went out of the house. The sky is getting darker now and Zaharah knew night is coming in soon. She look around the area and she could see there were several other houses in front of her and there were some houses arrange neatly beside her left and right. Each houses was roughly thirty feet apart and each houses was a given a front yard and a back yard where they can do their plantation.
“Now where shall I start?” Zaharah asked herself. She tied up her long wavy hair in a bundle and decide to walk ahead. She came to the first house and look through it if there’s anyone but to her dismay it was empty. Then she went to the second house and luckily she found a lady folding her clothes at her house verandah.
“Assalamualaikum! I m so sorry madam but may I know if there’s any groceries store nearby this area? I m new here just came in this afternoon.” asked Zaharah while fiddling with her fingers. She felt nervous cause this is her first time being away from her birth place and here she is all alone asking for direction.
“Wa’alaikumsalam. Yes there is a small groceries store just two houses opposite my house dear. Welcome to our village my name is Ameenah what’s yours?” asked Ameenah as she rose from her verandah to greet Zaharah.
“My name is Zaharah. I lived two houses away from your right side” Zaharah answered while pointing her fingers towards the direction of her home. “Thanks Ameenah I m so glad to meet you.” Zaharah was pleased.
“That’s okay. If you need anything just come by and ask alright. I will be so glad to help.” Then a baby cries was heard inside the house. “Oh…I guess Fizah needs her bottle now..see you again. Assalamualaikum.” Ameenah ran back into her house to attend to her baby. Zaharah smiled to herself that’s a good start alright. I guess being here is not so bad after all. Zaharah continued walking in search for the groceries store and upon Ameenah direction at last she found it. She was so trilled but then suddenly chill began to creep inside of her. She did not have any money with her but her wedding ring. She took a deep breath and walk straight a head. She saw a middle age woman busying checking on her goods. Zaharah was nervous by now and even decide to walk away but then she knew she had to try before giving up.
“Assalamualaikum!” cried Zaharah. She felt like she was choking on her words.
“Wa’alaikumsalam. Yes may I help you?” asked the lady looking up straight at Zaharah’s eyes. Zaharah swear that she could feel her heartbeat is palpating in such a high rate now.

“I m so sorry good lady…I need to buy some groceries but I don’t have any cash at this moment. But you can have my ring in return for some goods.” explained Zaharah in one breath while taking off her ring.
“That’s looks like a wedding ring my dear. You must be new here aren’t you? Now..now sweetie you can keep your ring alright. Do come inside my store and choose whatever goods you need. About the cost we can settle it some other day.” she rose from her stool and bring Zaharah into her shop.
“Oh thank you so much. I promise that I shall pay you for all the goods” Zaharah was so happy and followed the lady into her stall. Zaharah decide to get some rice, flour, some spices, salted fish and eggs. She also got herself some washing detergent and some bathing soap. The lady Laila wrote the bill onto a piece of paper and pass it to Zaharah together with her goods.
“Take your time about your bill alright.” explained Laila.
“Thank you so much Aunty Laila. I shall pay you as soon as I can.” Zaharah said as she walk out from the stall and decide to headed back home.
Adam was still asleep when she got home. Zaharah began unpacking her stuffs and get herself busy. First she washed all the rusty utensils until it was totally clean next she boiled some water to make some tea and another pot to cook some porridge. She add in a bit of the salted fish and some potatoes into the porridge. The tea is ready by now. She pour a herself a cup of tea add in some sugar and decide to relax at the rattan chair again while waiting for the porridge to cook. She peep at Adam and she saw he was still
sleeping so soundly away. She took few sips of her tea while thinking back on her unplanned wedding day.