Chapter 5 - Hakee Zafran's Idea - Maria's Refusal

“Are u thinking of something? You look worried. You told me that we need to discuss an important thing. What is it, dear?” Maria took her seat at the wooden bench in front of Hakee’s farmyard.

“Take a deep breath first. You seemed tired.” Hakee is still trying to find suitable words to inform her loves one about the marriage.

“Of course I am tired. You told me it is urgent. So, I came here as quickly as I could. Mother, oh…she asked me too many same questions when I am about to meet u!” Marlia’s mumbles is normal to Hakee.

Maria slowly look at Hakee when she realized that he did not interrupt her say which he would say one or two words if she started to mumble. She moved her seat next to him. She looked at him wondering how she can fall in love with him. From ‘brother-sister’ relationship, now they are lovers. She could not even recall the exact date of their anniversary as lovers.

Hakee felt guilty of wanting to tell her about the marriage. He knew Maria will definitely detest his decision. That’s the reason why he took three days to contemplate about the marriage proposal and of course, the Tengku Hafiz’s last wishes! After all, all he need is to be ready for any consequences manifested by his decision.

“Maria, there is no doubt that I have the feeling for you. We have been together for so long, isn’t it? We are friends since childhood and we did promise that we will be together in whatever situation. Am I right?” Hakee gave a single glance to her as he knew his words put her into confusion.

“What’s going on? Are u saying all these….to propose me or you will be going somewhere else far from me? You make me feel disquiet! Tell me!” She stared at him vigorously.

“The thing which I am going to tell you isn’t my decision but I have to be a part of it. Even though this decision hurts my feeling in a way that it might hurt yours as well but I’ve no choice, dear. I want you to know that you are the best for me now and I believe we will still be together if we are meant for each other.” He tried not to impose an outrage feeling due to this all unexpected thing. He felt it happened so soon. “I am in dilemma. I have to be someone’s husband. Unfortunately, you are not the wife. I am glued in this whole plan of the marriage made by Tengku Hafiz, a friend of grandpa. I need to be a part of this marriage to find out who is responsible for our lost in the past. I heard too much hearsay between my family and Tengku Hafiz upon the story of wealth and shares of HMI holdings. And now, this is the perfect time.”

Maria felt upset as he declared his decision of marrying someone else. “You are forced to be someone’s husband just to know about your family history of – urgh! Whatever! Then, how about me? Are you expecting me to wait for you? Make up your mind as at that moment you are surely be someone’s husband! Oh my…I am not going to be part of this childish thing..urgh!” Maria isn’t able to be calm anymore.

“You can ask your grandpa if you indeed seriously want to know about the past. Why you should agree on the marriage? You don’t have to scarify yourself if it is just because you want to know the past.” She could not understand Hakee’s decision. She felt so miserable upon this whole idea.

Hakee slowly gazed into her lovely brown eyes and said, “Maria…you just don’t understand.”

Chapter 4 - Marlia~

Marlia had been wondering and thinking for the past three weeks. She did not even say a word. She remembers the family of Tengku Masri and his wife, Tengku Zatty but she could not recall the little girl named Tengku Izah. She could not remember her face well. All she heard Tengku Izah is said to be fair and has grown wonderfully as corporate women, not to mention, she has intelligence to handle Tengku Hafiz’s HMI Holding.

In times like these, Marlia feels glad that her father in law still could make decision on behalf of her own family matter. In fact, to be thought of, her mind would not want to have any connection with Tengku Hafiz’s family if the decision would be made by her upon the marriage proposal. In reality, she didn’t fully understand the misunderstanding happened between her late husband and Tengku Hafiz’s family. All she knew, her late husband, Hamdi had despicable feelings towards that family. Moreover, he had never spoken about it when he was alive. Whenever she asked, he would yell to her not to dare to interrogate him. From that moment, she started to blame Tengku Hafiz’s family for her own husband’s demeanor. After all, she remembered her husband claiming that Yusoh, her father in law shall be at Tengku Hafiz’s position – to live in wealthy life! Regardless what had happened, she is wondering for the past three weeks when Yusoh told her that all happened were out of Tengku Hafiz’s culpability.

Marlia’s late husband died five years ago due to car accident. Hamdi left her with Yusoh, her father in law and Hakee Zafran, her only son! Sometimes, her son will go to the sea to fish or he will be at his allotment collecting fruits. Sometimes, he might go to his farm where he rears goats for sell. To be thought of, Marlia’s family could be categorized under the well-to-do family as her son owns a business in this small village. On other side of the story, she feels distress for her son’s future. He had graduated for Bachelor of Business Administration yet her son did not contend to find a better job outside the village. It is all because her son does not wish for other than to be with his family. His ideology – family stays together!

Chapter 3 - Yes? No?

Hakee Zafran looked hopelessly at white sand in front of him. The breeze of the Teluk Beach did not make his heart more comfortable. He recalled his meting with Encik Arif few days ago. The lawyer of Tengku Hafiz told him that Tengku Hafiz had passed away. He could not remember the face of Tengku Hafiz even though Tengku Hafiz did frequently come to their place when he was still a kid. That was long time ago. He is now 30 years old.

"The deal is made long time ago. I thought Tengku Hafiz will not take it seriously but I was wrong. He planned something for your marriage with Tengku Izah where he gambles all his family wealth for this marriage. I do not really intend to have the wealth. It is enough for what we have now…” Yusoh felt not at ease with Tengku Hafiz’s decision to continue the deal. He knew his grandchild already had someone which apparently the woman was not agreed of Marlia to be Hakee’s wife. Marlia’s child, Hakee loved Maria who was his childhood friend.

Hakee did not feel much worried about the wealth and the death of Tengku Hafiz but he was more concerned with the deal for marriage. He did not remember a woman named Tengku Izah even though he was told that Tengku Izah was once his childhood friend. He counted the years, it had been more than 20 years that he did not meet Tengku Izah or worst he could not recall when was the last day he communicated with her.

20 years ago, Hakee reminisced about his childhood life. His grandfather used to live in a bungalow fully furnished with Italian sofa. At the corner of the house, he used to swim in the peanut shaped swimming pool. Next to his grandfather house is the house of Tengku Hafiz. He could not assure the reason for his grandfather to leave the house and settled in the village three hours travel from the city!

Assaulted by his own thought, he tossed his memory upon those miserable accusations that his father told him. “Daddy had told me once that what had happened in our family caused by Tengku Hafiz. Am I right, grandpa? By all odds, he planned this married just to give us all of our glory back.” Hakee was sandwiched between two possibilities. This arranged marriage had put him into choices either to marry Maria or continue with his hidden secret if he would continue with Tengku Hafiz’s will.

Chapter 2 - Your Say Is My Command?

Encik Arif without hesitated played the video. He knew the things said by Tengku Hafiz would make someone’s blood boils at maximum level. He took a deep breath and let Tengku Hafiz delivering his will to his beloved family members.

“My son, now HMI holding is under your care. You are the advisor of our company and no longer the company’s managing director. Before that, I am deeply sorry for not making any endeavour to be close enough to my own son and hence, I am greatly thankful to dearly daughter-in-law who has always been here for your husband as well as taking care of me. Masri, the position as managing director in the company will soon be handled by your future son-in-law who is also the future husband for my grandchild. Again, I am thankful for all the care that all of you had poured before my death. My son, I think it is time for you to take a temporary leave out of work. Go for vocation with Zatty!”

This short and meaningful dictum broke Izah’s heart into pieces. Not for once that arranged marriage will come across in her life. Not even once! A momentary glimpse and gloomy at the thought of what she had to face soon.

“Tengku Izah…,” the voice made her turned her eyes back to the screen. “My beloved young girlfriend, I am truly sorry for what I am going to say. You might think in a glance that I am a mad man to do this kind of things without your concern at all! I can understand if you want to decline this marriage but listen to me carefully. I believe I made an excellent decision for my only grandchild. Dear Izah, I will entrust all my wealth including the company and this house to you if you will marry the man that I chose. The marriage must be done within these three months or else you, including your parents will not get any cents! And, one more, you are needed to give this family a grandchild within two years from now. If these never happen, all the wealth will be given to orphan houses.”

“Hah! He couldn’t be serious telling us all these? How could he do this to me? Daddy? Mummy?”

“If all the wealth is entrusted to the orphan houses, this family has no right to sit in this house any longer. Remember Izah, it is now your responsibility to help this family. Do you recall a boy name Hakee? He is your childhood friend. He is your future husband! Hakee’s family is already been inform regarding this marriage. I really hope I did a great decision. I hope you will learn to love him. Again, thank you for all the kindness and tenderness given by this family. Take care till we meet again.”

'Although he is telling us all this, I couldn't quite grasp why he was telling us this,' Tengku Izah murmured to her mother who are inevitably speechless as well as Tengku Masri was in the state of being wordless. 

The video stopped. The screen turned black – no image of Tengku Hafiz. Tengku Izah’s heart and mind were having tremendous shocked. Her beloved grandfather had gone not for a day but forever. He left her with things to ponder. She will need to marry someone who she didn’t meet for years and finally she will need to give birth within two years! Tengku Izah felt confused and feeling grey! All she knew, “Nenda is unfair!!!!” She forgot the feeling of lost. The things she heard had provoked her insanity. 

Chapter I - The Lost

"Love will easily come to those who are ready to accept it"

Chapter 1

The premise at Tengku Masri resident surrounded with silence. Only sometimes the Persian cat belonged to Tengku Zatty meow for food. Most probably he felt hungry. No one in that house would want to fulfill the cat needs. Everyone was in despair with the lost of Tengku Hafiz, the father of Tengku Masri.

Tengku Izah, the granddaughter felt wretched as she is the only grandchild for Tengku Hafiz. Her lips continuously recited the Surah Yassin since the departure of her late grandfather. The only person who always embraced her with courage had gone forever – leaving her alone to brace herself.

“Why did Nenda leave us so soon? He is my old boyfriend!” Tengku Izah’s heart mounted in sadness.

“Dear, don’t feel hopeless. He is in heaven by now. I am here with you – will always be here for you.” She embraced her beloved child with hope Tengku Izah’s bad mood slipped away.

“I know…but-“ Tengku Izah lost in her own tears. “But he didn’t show any sign that he will be gone forever. How can I expect that?” The way she said it made Tengku Zatty felt as though that was something to be regretted. She hugged her daughter.

It was nothing else but an ugly truth that Allahyarham was not having any health problem. He died in his sleep after Subuh prayer in early dawn and no one expected that he would leave the world. Tengku Izah is the first who found him lying in bed silently – cold when he was touched by her. She cried hysterically!

Tengku Masri tangled with the lamentable situation. He felt sorrow to see his daughter and her wife sitting with grieve next to Allahyarham’s empty bed. Even though, he lived in one house with his father and he is the only son of Tengku Hafiz but his relationship with his own father isn’t closed. Hence, he regretted it. Hectic schedules inevitably persuading him to scarify the family time. Moreover, Tengku Masri busies himself with developing the family empire, the HMI Holdings Berhad till it has become one of the successful contractor companies in Asia! Tengku Masri is also among the ten richest people in Asia.

“If you feel sad, I am in grieved! I thought there will be enough time for me to draw our relation closer but I was wrong!” Tengku Masri wiped his tears.

Tengku Izah instantaneously hugged her father. “Nenda loves you, dad. No worries, okay!”

The door knocked at eight o’clock. They knew it must be Bibik Jimah, the housemaid. While Tengku Zatty ran to the door with Surah Yassin in her hand, both Tengku Masri and Tengku Izah stood calmly next the bed.

“Excuse me, Tuan…Encik Arif, the lawyer of Tengku Hafiz has arrived. He is waiting in the living room. He wants to meet everyone in this house.”

Tengku Masri nodded his head showed that he understood. At this moment, his only wish is he could bring back his beloved father to the family – safe and alive!

“Zatty, Izah…the lawyer is waiting downstairs. The sooner the better we can solve all these. His will is our command.”

Tengku Masri walked down from the stairs to the living room followed by Tengku Zatty and Tengku Izah. Everyone looked in grieved of not expecting that they would listen to the testament which was formerly prepared by Tengku Hafiz two weeks before he died yesterday. Tengku Izah’s nose and eyes seemed to be painted red on white canvas due to overly crying since past few hours. She could see that her father was displeased and felt some disappointment. She wished she’d made an effort to look better in her parents’ eyes.

“Assalamualaikum. Everyone is here?”

“Yes. Mr. Arif. Everyone is here. Should I call Tengku Hafiz’s other relatives?” Asked Tengku Masri.

“There is no need to call other relatives, Tengku Masri. His testament is only for this family. First of all, my condolence to Tengku Masri and your family for the lost of Allahyarhamah Tengku Hafiz. Secondly, Allahyarhamah told me two weeks ago that he requested me to read his will a day after he died. But, he seemed to know that he was about to leave the world and hence, he had prepared future plans for this family. After all, we all shall be pleased as Tengku Hafiz was an honorable person when he was alive. Shall I continue to read his will?” Mr Arif smiled when he saw Tengku Masri nodded his head.

“This is the video from Allahyarhamah which he recorded last two weeks.” Mr. Arif gently inserted the compact disk into the DVD player.

Tengku Izah smile when she saw the video recorded by her old boyfriend. They were silent for a moment.

“Assalamualaikum everyone. I guess when all of you watch this video, I am no longer here. I hope all of you wouldn’t cry. Let me go in peace. To my dear Izah, please wipe your tears.”

She looked down onto the red carpet in the living room, trying to hide the fact that her eyes were once again filling with tears. Words that came out from her grandfather had also brought tears to her heart. Tengku Izah cried out loud and she hugged Tengku Zatty hoping for little strength from her mother.

Mr Arif stopped the video for a while and to ensure that Tengku Izah is indeed ready to pursue. “Tengku Izah, shall I continue?” She nodded her head even though she was tired of the wrenching pain inside her – tired of crying.

The video made by Tengku Hafiz constantly puzzled her mind. If it was only an ordinary will, her grandfather shall make his testament in written form. Unlike this, she felt something buzzing her mind. She waited for the next words to be heard as Mr. Arif pushed the play button as she drifted into a dream of her grandfather.

To be continued with Chapter 2 ^_^

Update

Hai dear friends,

My short story InsyAllah will be uploaded latest by Sunday.

Thank you!

Regards;
Mizah