Chapter 1 - Paradise lost

USA, I love everything in the states, With hot girls, friends, and even…. bullies. Haah… this is paradise. Valentines day giving gifts, “hey Alex, happy valentines!!” And the best is lunch!! No uniforms, and even I could speak English!!. If these days going on forever. But I realise something, when Mom called me “its time to return home to Malaysia…..” 

“NO!!!! I don’t want to go back!!” Mom drag me back to our little house and packed our stuff in a box. Aunt Deb told me “you want to stay with me?” Ah.. Aunt Deb please carry me to paradise. Mom pull me back “you are the eldest, and how about your younger sister and brother ?” I began to think and said to mom “maybe they could stay with me?” Mom knock my head and lectured me “what about welfare do you think you handle it?” I could not… 

My mom's stern response was firm: "Don't be selfish, you'll stay with me." Aunt Deb consoled me, "When you're a bit older, you can visit here again, okay?" I nodded reluctantly, feeling disappointed.

Mom asked me to inform my teachers that I'd be leaving school at the end of summer. When I broke the news to my friends, they were devastated. "Come on, Alex! Don't leave us! We're a great team, like the Power Rangers!" We struck a pose, earning strange looks from everyone around us. Matt mentioned that someone else would miss me too.

That someone else was Natalie. She approached me, wearing a stunning Victorian dress, her excitement palpable. "What?! Why are you leaving me? What about our summer party?" Natalie's beauty left me breathless - her French curls, brunette hair, and big eyes made my heart skip a beat. "I know... but... do you think I could disobey my mom?" Natalie scolded me, pulling my ears. "That's not nice, talking to Aunt Mas like that. She's your mother, for goodness' sake!" Natalie's tears began to fall, and she forced herself to agree with my mom. "Then... I want to visit your house." My heart fluttered. "Yeah... I'd be happy!" I held her arm, and she hugged me, kissing my cheeks. I felt myself melting into her embrace.

I met with my teachers and principal to bid farewell. "Well, Alex, all the best in Malaysia. Don't forget your education... I'm sure we'll meet again." Then, I encountered the bullies, and I stood up for myself. "I've been patient, Hiew. Making sure I'm a good boy. Well, good luck finding a new boy to bully." He sneered, towering over me with his followers, and I felt the familiar sting of defeat. Ouch... my cheeks still hurt.

Natalie waited for me, looking concerned. "Always like this... why don't you just stand up to them?" I shook my head. "I hate them. They think they own the place just because they're Asian..." Natalie and I walked together for the last time, savoring the moment. She wore a classic 80's outfit - jeans, boots, and a red lip that left me breathless. Her eyelashes fluttered, captivating my attention. Ah... I'm going to miss this so much.

Natalie suggested visiting the park where we always hung out. We sat on the swings, reminiscing. "You know, you're the only one who understands me, who can handle my ways. And I remember when in French class, you tried to pick a fight with me." She giggled, and I felt my face flush with embarrassment. "Ah, please, let's not remember that." But I knew I'd miss her dearly.

Natalie pulled out her Polaroid camera and snapped a selfie of us together. "Here, take it, so you don't forget about me." She took another photo, and we now had two keepsakes. Then, she surprised me with a gentle kiss and whispered, "Promise me you won't forget me, okay?" Our lips touched, and my heart raced like never before. Was this love or lust? I couldn't tell, but I knew I didn't want to be torn apart from her.

As we walked to my home, hand in hand, Natalie's energy was infectious. We arrived at my farewell party, where Matt teased us, calling us "happy couples!" Natalie chased him with a broomstick, shouting, "You damn bastard!" I tried to intervene, but she knocked me with the broom, laughing. "Yikes, the pink ranger is angry, run for your lives!"

Mom said to the apartment community “well this is the last week we will be here, hope this day we will meet again, to the batch 1995” everyone cheers with drinks all round. My friends and I play dodgeball together while Natalie is talking to Mom. I wonder what is she talking about. I meet her “hey Natalie what are you talking about?” Natalie said to me “its a secret…” Mom looking at me and pull me “I will whip him to a gentleman don’t worry about it Natalie” Huh?! What happen? Who is this ? Moms eyes were shining. I’m now confuse, Matt, Travis, Davis, Cole, and Xavier meet mom as well. “Alex you had good friends but sometimes in life we must part ways” Mom tried to cheer me up but I hated to leave this place, it is already my home “I don’t want to go back home, its painful with dad…” Mom said to me “well….” Mom hug me and said “don’t forget Hana and Sam is look up for a big brother, who is going to protect them when mom went to work?” I felt burden but is my responsibility as well. 

In the party, I saw Natalie playing with my brother and sister, I could see in their eyes they like her. I was hoping that this goes on forever. In the night, after Magreb prayers. Natalie stayed in our place, she wanted to stay for the night. After mom, called her parents allowed her to stay the night. In this tiny house, Natalie is helping mom packing our stuff. “Nat, anything for drinks?” Nat wanted coke and mom said to us “coke is not healthy, let me make some ‘Teh Tarik’” mom make the best ‘teh tarik’ 

Nat big sister visit us including her parents was there as well. “Well there is still few days before you going back, how about dinner with us at home” mom hesitate 

“I would not want to trouble you all for this”    

“Nah, since Alex is Nat’s close friend, you know her she always the stand among others but Alex is always with her” 

“Dad…” Natalie is embarrassed 

“It will be short, make it tomorrow night okay?” Natalie’s Mom offered 

“Very well, okay…” Mom finally agreed “YES!!” Air punch from me. 

“Then, tomorrow it is, Nat don’t forget they are all muslim, better prepare..” Natalie smile and nod. I could not said anything now. “Phylis did you bring my clothes?” Phylis is her big sister and she hand her a clothing including a school bags plus something inside. Natalie is surprised and said to her whispering. I wonder what is going on? They leave at night, waving goodbye “Nat, you better not doing anything to trouble Madam Mas” Natalie blushed and shouted “just go back will ya!!” 

“Nice to have family like they quite open, even us foreigners…” 

“There is nothing between us, we human beings also…” 

Natalie is half-native American, and French, she could understand about me. Her dad is an anthropologist and her mom is a Professor at the university that help Mom. She had a fair share of discrimination and racism as well. Me and Natalie went outside at the playground nearby, we sat there at the swing. 

“Time move slowly here…but days moving closer…” 

I could not said anything because it painful for me to said to her. “Don’t forget about me, alright?” 

Natalie kiss me our lips lock together and hand together. After we have done packing, we set our beds in the living room with my brother and sister. I could not sleep watching her, though I do see mom and aunt Deb was talking behind. I listen to their conversation, Mom is a Lun Bawang, an ethnic from Malaysia in the island of Borneo. I could understand what mom is trying to say with Aunt Deb. 

“Alex hated his dad you know, after what he did to you. He just punch Man, which Man beaten him down” 

“I know but…he is my husband….and I could not leave Alex here, with Sam and Hana is still young” 

“I sure hope, you know what are you doing, because with Alex is a hot tempered boy ever since you know what I am talking about..”

“I sure hope so…”

I look at Natalie and she said to slowly “just be with them okay…” I know that she is trying to console me but my hatred towards my dad is something that could not be contain. Ah.. she is still beautiful in her sleep. I still remember her lips touch my lips, she is pure and delicate even though she is also a hot tempered like me. I could not sleep through the night watching her sleeping.

I heard Mom and Aunt Deb still packing, which I heard them having another conversation. 

“Look sis, if Man still hurts you. I worried that Alex will make a drastic action…”

“Insyallah, May Allah protect them” 

I could not sleep, while watching my brother and sister here including the one that I love. Ugh just close your eyes already Alex. Slowly I fall asleep. 

I woke up in the morning, I heard Natalie was talking to Mom, and making breakfast. 

“Nat better get ready to school, I will sent you all to school.”

“No worries Aunt Mas, me and Alex is walking to school today” 

I woke up and change my clothes to prepare to school. It was early the sun is still touching the ground. Natalie beautiful as ever, What the hell am I thinking? I need to say something to her. Come on Alex, open your mouth! 

Natalie suddenly getting closer to me, “What are you thinking?” “Uh..nothing…” Natalie then ask me about the incident that I had with my dad. 

“You know….I know what you did is right, because you want to protect them. That’s the reason I like you for that, its terrible what have happen but maybe there is reason for it, I am not sure how people in your country does.” 

“Its because dad is jealous when Mom had a meeting with her classmate and they begun to discuss about subject, Dad becomes irritate and warn mom about it” Natalie look at the sky and said to herself “if that happen to me, what would you do…?” What!? But I begin to think for myself maybe there is a reason for all of this. But still Dad hurting Mom is what I could not accepted. 

End of part 1 of chapter 1