Labels: novel
"Caleb is fencing in the yard," said the maid, once she allowed Naqi to enter the house.
Naqi followed the maid down the hall to the same living room in which he'd met Eloise two weeks ago. It felt like it was ages since.
The maid stepped into the room and announced his arrival.
"Mr. Naqi!"
Naqi turned with alarm at the figure of Clarice, Eloise's charming sister, who was seated nicely on a wooden chair. He was quite uncertain why he was so shocked to see Clarice, since she would obviously be home at this hour. But in fact, he had only pictured Eloise on the way over.
"Clarice, it has been a while," Naqi said, smiling, "Too long."
"Indeed it has, take a seat and have a drink. I have the finest tea in town," she offered.
Naqi shivered. He absolutely detested the beverage.
"He dislikes tea," came Eloise's voice. She descended the stairs quietly. Caleb followed behind her, a smirk on his face.
"Nice to see you, Naqi. Eloise confessed to me how much she misses you." Caleb grinned.
Eloise turned to her brother with a piercing glare, "One more word, brother. Just one more," she threatened.
She faced Naqi, her cheeks flustered, "I didn't say anything to him!"
"An arrow through the heart," Naqi replied, his hand on his chest.
Eloise resisted a smile.
"She is inconceivable, i assure you." Caleb said.
"Caleb!" Eloise screamed. "Quite an astonishing characteristic for a young lady, i might add."
Naqi choked on his drink.
"No arguments there," he muttered, cleaning the spilt tea with a handkerchief.
Clarice chuckled, clearly amused by the whole scenario.
Everyone stayed silent.
"Caleb, i would like to have an audience with you." Naqi broke the awkward moment. "In private."
Caleb proceeded to the door and stepped into the house library. Naqi bid his farewells to the ladies and joined him soon after.
Caleb turned his gaze towards the window before taking a seat across the table. "I imagine you know why i'm here." Naqi said. Caleb's hands moved to support his chin, "I'd like you to state your intentions evidently, to save us the humiliation from certain upsets."
Naqi groaned, he knew it would not turn out as easy as he expected. In his mind, he pictured Caleb man-handling him before throwing him out of the window.
"I would like to date your sister," he spilled the words.
"Clarice... is already attached to someone, i'm sorry to say.""Not her..." he closed his eyes, surely bewildered by the man's obliviousness, "Eloise. I meant, Eloise."
Several things occured at great speed, Naqi barely noticed.
For one, Caleb let out a long, joyful sigh. An unexpected gesture. His lips seemed to part too, and if Naqi was a good observer, he could have sworn he heard him saying, "Finally." Not to mention his eyes gazing upward, scanning the ceiling for some sort of sign.
And just when Naqi thought things couldn't get any peculiar, Caleb rose to his feet, banging the table with his bare hands.
"What took you so damn long?" he blurted out, "I heard you were a smooth charmer. Serves me right for heeding uncanny rumours, i suppose."
"Err...." Naqi said, unable to digest the sudden turn of events.
Caleb handed Naqi a glass, "Cheers. Welcome to the family," he took his own glass in his hands and gulped the drink in one sip.
"A splendid day, it is." Caleb spoke aloud. "Without a doubt," Naqi guzzled his drink in a flash.
"If you hurt her, i will hunt you." Caleb looked sharply at him.
Naqi choked on his drink, yet again.
"You care for her, as her brother. I respect that." Naqi recovered. "Certainly. It's what i do best."
"Now, is there anything else you wish to mention to me?"
Naqi quirked a brow. Did he wish to tell him of his prehistoric relationship? He certainly wouldn't like to, not to Caleb. Not to a man with an intimidating figure, and a loving brother. Well, at least not before he told Eloise.
"No. Nothing of significance."
Caleb seemed to stare at the ground, deep in thought. "I trust you, we've known each other for six years now. I know you'll make her happy."
"I will," Naqi implored, with a sounding conviction.
It was a wonderful day after all, Naqi thought. Brilliant.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Labels: novel
Naqi smiled, a loony grin, one that he would have died before letting anyone else see. He tapped his fingers against the table, aware of the noise he was making in the study chamber. He didn't care, not anymore.
Eloise.Something had happened the previous day. Something significant.She liked him. She truly liked him. A rogue, a charlatan. He couldn't help but smile on their way home.
Something extraordinary.His breath grew heavier. Maybe she would kiss him again.. Well, she made no such attempt the day before, but soon. Surely, soon. "Naqi, are you quite alright?" Dharshanan asked. Naqi shifted uncomfortably in his chair."Oh.. I'm fine. Perfect. Absolutely perfect." He said, with an expression that could only be described as joy."You look rather distracted, do you have someone on your mind, perhaps?" He questioned further."N- no, of course not. I was merely deciphering an incalculable maths formulae. A hard one, it was." Naqi drew an imaginary square in the air, a convincing gesture."I'm sure," he replied with a hint of sarcasm, before moving on with, "Are you still thinking about, her?""Who?" "Her. The one sitting by the door. That her.""Oh. Her, you mean," he couldn't believe the rumours were still circulating. His afficionado with Jaslyn Gan Ju-lia. Oh bother, this was trouble."No, definitely not. I'm done with that phase in my life. And stop teasing me, if, you value your life." He formed his fingers into the shape of a knife and ran it along his throat.
"If you say so, bigshot." He shrugged his shoulders before taking a seat behind.
Naqi stared at the wall, fear enveloping him. Shocked by oblivion. Or, to be more precise, he was oblivious. Julia. He forgot to mention her to Eloise.
He should, he would. No, he must tell her. Tomorrow, definitely.
After his meeting with Caleb, that is.
Naqi sighed, he had a bundle of tasks at hand.
"It's worth it. She's worth it." Naqi muttered under his breath.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Labels: novel, pieces of me
Labels: novel
Congratulations to the Ssi Debate Team 08 for their slim win(thanks to me and my devilishly weird accent, a mistake i hope not to repeat) over Mutiara Rini. May their good fortune continue in the next round. Cher SYn, EliZabeth, Naqi, JuLia, LiSa. Also known as, the Gangs of Flowers(quite uncertain as to the origin of the nickname. nevertheless, it sounds cool)
Labels: novel
Labels: football
Quite an interesting magazine i picked up for 3 euros. Featuring me and my friends.
Labels: novel
Labels: novel
Biography of M. Naqi, Harbinger of Sorrow. The institution's worst, foolish, idle student was none other than Naqi. Although, it probably wasn't his fault for earning such a terrible reputation. There were dozens of other men who behaved with equal lack of self-control, and more than a few who were as clever as abominable, but Naqi was one of the rare ones who managed to combine the two to great success.His mere presence an annoyance to many. One would shake the head in disbelief if a day went by and Naqi kept his speech in check, no sarcasm, no teasing, no women running off in tears.People held him is such low esteem, especially after the intricate affair he led the 2 previous years with an innocent young lady. The gossip ran rampant. He poured his entire affection for a sole person, his friend. However, most of society knew his relationship was indefinitely one-sided. Conflict followed soon after a series of misunderstandings. And he emerged from the ruffles as a new man, his heart wounded, but resolute. The affair though, did lent an air of mystery to the already charismatic man, and to most, he was a bit of a challenge to the women in general. No one seemed quite certain how to portray him. Due to his lack of interest in women, or perhaps, his disability to interact with them in a proper manner, he was labelled as the snobbish gentlemen. Heavy perceptions of him did lighten though, when, almost a year earlier, he was nominated best pupil of the region. Which had only served to make him a more unfathomable- but, eligible -figure.To date, Naqi's interests are widely known to dwell in the extra-curricular arena. A wide variety of sports, exceptionally fit for the young athlete, a symbol of confidence and a picture of health. "I sport, because i have to, and because i'd like to take my mind elsewhere, far from the comforts of my conflicts." He quoted. People claim that, arguably, he is a man full of secrets. Although, many of his mysteries are yet to be unravelled.
You know you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake
6:47 PMA birthday CardRemembering is caringGod created brothersto be there our whole lives through,To care about our troubles,to share our secrets, too...God knew sometimesthey'd make us smile,sometime's they'd make us frown,But we could always count on brotherswhen the chips were down...They may be pals... or pranksterswhose teasing never ends...They may be tough, but underneath, they're still our warmest friends...And when they land a hand, they say,"that's what a brother's for..."That's why a brother's great to haveand couldn't be loved more!-Courtesy of my siblings, Irfan, Nabilah, and ZharfanA loving hug from me to you.And to Eloise,you're my friend,you're my love,and just Because.
Eloise: bites-her-lower-lip-when-she's-thinking, stares-right-into-your-heart-with-her-deep-blue-eyes, and looks-unbelievable-in-her-skating-uniform
8:02 AMShe leaned forward and kissed him. The whole world seemed to halt for him, pausing, as though this very moment was truly- everything. Indeed, she was everything. Everything he wanted, everything he needed.
"Eloise.. stop." He pressed his hands against her chest, pushing her behind. She looked up, her blue eyes questioning him.
"I can't.. We can't," he held her hands, "It's not right."
"But- " She bit her lips. "It's not fair."
"Nothing is fair. Nothing ever is," he held her chin, holding it up, his face meeting hers. He could see her tears trickling down her cheeks all the way down to her lips. Her lips! He noticed the way they curved as she pouted, clearly in deep thought. He wanted her, he wanted the feel of her.
He closed the gap between them, and his lips touched hers. He took her by surprise.
She embraced him and tugged him closer. Her lips were warm against his. "Naqi.."
He severed their intense bond and sealed it with a final kiss. "I love you. I truly do."
"I know."
"Smart girl." He replied, having the last say.
"What about Caleb? He'll know, and he'd- " She shuddered at the thought. "I'll deal with your brother. For now, let's keep it under the lid." He comforted her, kissing her fingers.
He reminded her of a lion. Always in control. His hair resembled a mane, often unkept. To her, he was Naqi. Just Naqi. And she loved him.
The Compatriots Conspiracy; Rise of the amateurs.
4:40 AM
There were Five.Five representatives from five different origins. Each unique in their own way.The Five needed practice. They needed to win. The Five were a band.A musical band.Zaky strummed his guitar strings, tuning the sound to perfection. Well, nearly.Their drummer was a girl. A girl.Their guitarists were Darren and Julian.Jeremie/Marc was to be their pianist.And their inexperienced vocalist, chosen due to lack of manpower, Naqi.The signs were not good. Everything was grim. This is a reminder to the Five. Strive and excel. Naqi.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
One man's sunset is another man's dawn
11:25 PM
How our protaganist meets the heroine, in which he finds her intensely annoying.
10:19 PM"Why are we watching that?" Naqi pointed his finger at a nearby cardboard resemblance of Nicholas Cage. An old version of the blockbustor acter.
"Because, you told me you needed to get out and smell the fresh air. I figured, why not watch a movie?" Caleb persisted.
"One would think," he paused to look at the ticket in his hands, clearly bemused, and clearly choosing his words wisely, "that i would have learnt my lesson two years ago when you dragged me to the opera house."
"You never learn. Next, is a nice movie. You'd love it. Trust me."
"Of all the things i do, i can never understand why i always, and i mean always, give in to you. By any chance, are you uniquely telephatic?" Caleb grinned at the sarcasm in his tone.
"My sister is coming with us. She can't wait to meet you, not after the interesting details i told her about you." He dismissed Naqi's question. Fire with fire.
"Now wait just a second, you never mentioned girls. And is she the one you always tried to invite whenever we hang out these days? Oh bother, i can never trust myself in the presence of women. I squirm, insufferably."
"I believe you are right on that one," Caleb agreed, "but i have decided to have faith in you anyway."
"Rather kind of you." Naqi sighed.
"Indeed."
Naqi narrowed his eyes at the smirking figure of Caleb. "So, what did you really do to ascertain her presence here?".
"Like i said, i told her about you."
"Liar."
"You do treat me odaciously, do you know that?" Caleb bellowed.
"It's a defence mechanism, i'm afraid. One that has kept me alive for many years." Naqi replied, resisting the urge to question him further.
Naqi looked over Caleb's shoulder. He had caught sight of a girl staring at him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that she found him entertaining.
In the same way he found centipedes and milipedes entertaining.
She was beautiful, he thought. Her lips lush, and her eyes a meaningful shade. Not an overwhelming beauty that Men his age would clearly gravel for. He shook his head. Quite taken by surprise at his privy thoughts.
Naqi turned back to Caleb, motioning towards the girl standing behind him. Caleb spun around at an alarming speed.
"Thought you could snap my neck from behind, did you, little Eloise?" Caleb held his hands up, a fairly awkward stance.
"Not quite, but surely somewhere along those lines, brother." She replied in the most charming voice.
"Thank goodness i brought my friend here, saved my life he did," Caleb nodded towards Naqi, "He has a rather keen eye, don't you think?"
"Ah, the reputable Naqi, i presume. It's a shame, i almost had him if it weren't for you." She blinked at him. Very much amused.
"Th- Thank you." He managed to squek an answer. Eloise was highly, profoundly, exceedingly intellectual. Much like her brother. He stared at her eyes. Her blue eyes. It made him uncomfortable.
Eloise smiled blandly, pleased with herself for his reaction. Clearly, she was intimidating to most men.
"And what brings you here, Miss Eloise?" he asked. "I didn't know you were a great fan of Nicholas Cage." Naqi smiled back, revived and replenished.
"It was all Caleb's doing, i'm afraid." Eloise coughed as she said so.
"Dear sister, i was quite certain that you were intereste- " Caleb stopped mid-sentence, Eloise's elbow firmly nested on his stomach. Her cheeks were pink.
"Alright then," Caleb clutched his shirt, hurting, "I'm obviously overjoyed by the intriguing introductions earlier. Shall we proceed to the theater, or do you kids need some time to chat?"
"Not at all," the reply came from both of them. Eloise looked up at him with those startlingly blue eyes. Naqi felt his jaw stiffen. He was clearly annoyed. Eloise, he thought, was full of wit and tact. "This is going to be a long day," Naqi scanned his ticket. "A rather tough one," he added.
"Let's get to it then. Nicholas Cage it is." Caleb cheered.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Football: The Memoirs of Stamford Bridge.
12:08 AMChelsea Football Club
Nickname: The Blues
Formed: 1905
Stadium Capacity: 41, 841
Pitch: 103 x 67 metres
Training Ground: The training ground is at Cobham in Surrey but sessions are not open to the general public. Special open days are organised at Stamford Bridge when fans can see the team train.
For years, Chelsea's trophy cabinet was a pretty empty place. In the last decade though it's been positively bulging at the seams!
Our first 50 years were a desert as far as silverware was concerned with the league title in 1955 the first great achievement. The 1960s and early 1970s saw more silverware added but then another barren period of 26 years followed.
Then Ruud Gullit taught us how to win again with his side lifting the 1997 FA Cup. Teams managed by Gianluca Vialli and Jose Mourinho have since taken up the trophy-winning baton.
I love Chelsea. May the 2007/2008 season bring more trophys to the cabinet.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Magazine of the year award goes to, 'Dum duh dee dum duh dum'
11:09 PM
Of strums and picks
7:09 PM
Guitar sweet guitar. I prefer acoustics. Handcrafted by Yamaha. The F310 Yamaha features nato neck, spruce laminate top, meranti back and sides, rosewood bridge with black PVC pickguard. Comes in natural gloss finish for a classic, elegant look.
Ps. Zaky, lets jam sometime
Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, "Do over!"
7:07 PM
"We don't know what day it is. We never will. Mark important dates on the calendar." Naqi barked.
"Men."
The reply came swift. "Eloise, whenever possible, please say whatever you want to say during commercials."
"Uh- you are unbelievable," she grunted.
"It's one of my best qualities." He tilted his head in that slightly unnerving manner.
She beamed at him, her eyes blinking with intensity.
"I suppose you are right."
"I always am."
~A short conversation between Naqi and Eloise~
Born on Monday, Fair in face;
Born on Tuesday, Full of God's grace;
Born on Wednesday, Sour and sad;
Born on Thursday, Merry and glad;
Born on Friday, Worthily given;
Born on Saturday, Work hard for your living;
Born on Sunday, You will never know want.
eloise. eloise. eloise. you're all i think about. i'm sorry for forgetting your birthday? i sincerely am. "Do over?" :)
Decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-mo"
7:01 PM"Oh, for the love of- " Naqi cut himself off in the nick of time. "Who do you think you are?"
She closed the gap between them. "The woman who is going to be your girlfriend".
For a moment, he said nothing. But then, he stepped back and said, "I want you to leave."
Her reply came practically on top of her last syllable.
"And i want your promise. Promise me you'll say yes."
He clamped his mouth shut. It would have been an easy promise to make; but a promise would have been akin to an apology, and he would not give her the satisfaction. Call him foolish, call him an idiot, but he would not do it. Not after what she'd done to him.
"Good God," she muttered, "you're stubborn."
He gave her a sickly smile. "It is going to be a joy being my girlfriend."
"Naqi," she said, or rather, half-sighed. "In the name of all that is- " She raked her hand through her hair, and she seemed to look all around the room before finally turning back to him. "I understand that you're angry . . ."
"Do not speak to me as if i were a child."
"I wasn't."
He looked at her cooly. "You were."
"Good heavens, do you take me for a fool?" she inquired.
"Do you know why you asked me to be your girlfriend?" he demanded.
"What the devil are you talking about?"
"Do you know?" he repeated."Of course i know. It's because- " But she cut herself off, and she obviously did not know what to say.
He shook his head, blinking back in tears. "I don't want to see you right now."
She flinched from the venom in his voice. "What is wrong with you? Tell me- "
"No." Checkmate.