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.
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