Chapter Three

At half-past eleven the next day, sunlight slipped into Zharif's window. His right hand covered the eyes. Despite of the heat, Zharif was still sleeping on his left side in his room. He seemed comfortless, he still had his yesterday’s attire on.

Zarina, Zharif’s younger sister had to knock the door repeatedly to wake him up. She had something to say to Zharif. After a few minutes of knocking; he opened his eyes and got up from the bed. He walked swaying across his room; he unlocked the door. "Wait up." Informed Zharif and let Zarina in.

“Ah, what is it, Ina? What time is it now? Is it already twelve?” Asked Zharif; rubbing his eyes.

“Oh, it’s already eleven-thirty, Zharif. What time did you sleep yesterday? Did you sleep that late?” The girl asked Zharif; she was looking up and down. “You look so wrong, Zharif. You still have your t-shirt and jeans on. Where have you been yesterday? And you smell. Please, wash up, change your clothes and let me serve you breakfast.” Said the young girl; folding Zharif’s blanket. "What do you want to eat?"

“Thanks, Ina. Just bring me tea and a couple slices of bread. Well, last night was too much for me, I was too tired; I must have fallen asleep yesterday." Sighed Zharif. "I was really tired, I don't remember a thing." He laughed as he walked toward Zarina. "Oh, and Ina, leave that, I can clean my room by myself. You don't have to do all these. Thanks again.” He smiled. "No, let me clean this room first. It's a mess." Said Zarina. "It's fine, let me clean the room by myself. Thank you." Said Zharif. "Well if you said so, let me do you breakfast." Said Zarina; He pulled  the blanket off from Zarina’s hands. He looked on his bed and saw his hand phone.

Zharif ran and put his hand on his sister's shoulder; stopping her from leaving the room. “Wait, Ina, did anyone call you or sent you a message? My hand phone’s battery is dead; too tired to even charge the hand phone, yesterday.” He laughed and shook his head.

“Well, yes, thanks for reminding me that. The messages, that's why came knocking on your door. There are a lot of messages, Zharif!” Answered Zarina.

Zharif asked. “Really, Ina?” She put her hand on her forehead and said, “It says... Wait, I forgot what it says.” Zharif looked unbelievable. “Come on, Ina. What does it says? Who is it from?” Insisted Zharif.

“I don’t know. I am not sure. It’s from one of your friends of course.” Said Zarina; shrugging her shoulder. “My goodness, Ina. Go get your hand phone!” Cried Zharif; pointing outside of his room.

Zarina frowned. “Relax. Hold on. Give me a second; just let me get my hand phone in the kitchen, first.” She said to Zharif.

Zarina walked fast to the kitchen to reach the hand phone. It was a strange reaction from Zharif. But she didn’t think much, she knew that her brother, Zharif, was in pressure, he had just lost one of his best friends.

“Here you go.” Said Zarina; handing her phone to Zharif.

Zharif took the phone and read. “Oh, they were from Hafiz...”

“Yes, it was from Hafiz! But why do you sound disappointed. What's up with Hafiz, are you guys fighting?" Asked Zarina; elevating her eyebrows.

“No, no way." He laughed "I was expecting they were from Ilya instead.” Explained Zharif.

“Oh, Ilya? Is it the girl with long hair and always wear red dresses?” Asked Zarina.

He handed the hand phone back to Zarina and said, “Yes, Ina. why? Do you have something to say to me?" "Tell me!” He pleaded - curiously.

“Well yes, I think I saw her this morning. Does she drive a Myvi, Zharif?”

 “Yes, she drives a Myvi, is it black?” He asked, remained calm. "Yes, it was a black Myvi.” Answered the girl; drawing a smile on her face.

He didn't remain calm any longer, he was in shock, it was really Ilya Imani. Many thoughts were playing on his mind, but nothing seemed to be relevant. He was confused; Ilya still didn’t reply his call and messages.

“Where did you see her? Did you talk to her? Did she see you? When? Tell me, Ina! Tell me!” Cried Zharif; asking repeatedly; standing still in front of his sister.

“I didn’t talk to her of course. Why would I? It would be a total weird; I don't really know her. Well, she was in a car and I was just passing by to the market. The car stopped in front of the 7 Eleven across the street, Zharif. Mind if I ask you why?” Asked Zarina; elevating her eyebrows once again,

“Tell me who was she with, was she alone?” Asked Zharif; plugging in the charger’s pin into his hand phone.

"No, she was with someone..." She looked up to the ceiling; shrugging her shoulder “I don’t know; but it was a guy.” Said the girl. 

“Was it Hafiz; the guy who wears glasses?” Asked Zharif listlessly. “Maybe, I’m not sure, but I am pretty sure it was a guy. Wait Zharif, first of all, you still haven’t answered my question; I asked you, why - why are you so worried about this?” Asked Zarina; wondered her brother's curiosity.

“Well, nothing, Ina. There's nothing worth knowing about it. You go and serve me breakfast, I’m hungry.” Said Zharif; had his hand running across his forehead. “Are you sure there is nothing? You look sad.” Asked Zarina. “Yes Ina, nothing. I was just asking.” Said Zharif listlessly. "Alright then, let me get your breakfast ready." Said Zarina; leaving the room - biting her lips; scratching her head - wondering.

“Oh but wait, Ina." Zharif stopped Ina. "I still haven’t read the messages that were sent by Hafiz. Give me back your hand phone for a second, please.” Said Zharif.

Zarina laughed, handed her hand phone to Zharif. “There you go, silly brother. Put it in my room when you are done with it.”