Magic Key

PART 9 - STOP TIME

"I'm scared, Zaaakkk. I'm takuuut." My whine in Zaki's arms.

"Shhh..." Zaki calmed me down like he was calming a child. Maybe I feel like a child now.

Instead of being calmer, I was even more so that my breath stung.

Zaki pushed my shoulder slowly, to take off his embrace. "Hey, hey, hey. You calm down, now I'm here." Then Zaki wiped my tears.

Really am. There was a sense of shame because I cried in front of Zaki, a person I had only known in a matter of days. My face must be so ugly right now. But the shame was lost. I don't know what I lose, but my feelings are saying I don't have to be disinclined by Zaki. Like I said, I feel Zaki is very close to me.

"Oh, don't cry anymore. My heart hurts to see you cry like this." Said Zaki again. That way my crying that almost subsided is now back unstoppable.

"I can't stop crying, Zak. I don't cry anymore, but I can't." I still keep crying.

"Shhhhh... Yes, I understand." Zaki stroked my cheek gently. A moment of warmth spread throughout my bloodstream.

"What do you want to tell me?" Ask Zaki on target.

I looked at Zaki for a moment, then controlled my breathing.

"I thought it was just a dream or my own hallucination, but they really do exist, Zak. They were in front of my room when I opened the door this morning."

"Who are they?" Zaki's question sounded like it was caring.

"A little girl dressed in pink batik. There is someone greater than him who also wears the same clothes." Quickly uttered. I want Zaki to know soon.

Slowly Zaki lowered his hand from my shoulder. His face turned 180 degrees. Just this time I saw an unusual Zaki look like this. Suddenly I was worried.

"Zak, what's wrong?" I patted his arm.

Like the person who had just woken up from his daydream, Zaki gasped. "I'm fine."

"Forward story. What do you know about those two people?" Sue Zaki.

"Nobody I can understand. They're just pointing at the boarding house I used to live in."

"So that means the boarding house has just been renovated?"

I nodded in agreement.

"Did the girl carry a big glass?" Ask Zaki who after that he seemed to be cursing his own question.

"There's something you know about this, right?" I intimidate.

"I'm just guessing." Zaki replied while taking his eyes off me.

Is Zaki really just guessing? Huh, I don't believe it at all. If it was true he was only guessing, the chances were only a few percent of his match. 99% of the guess is correct.

"Let's know who I am, Zak." I said to urge him to speak frankly.

"I don't know what you're asking." Said Zaki looking relaxed and remained calm.

I'm upset. Very upset. I'm pretty sure Zaki knows something about those two people. But why won't Zaki speak up? Why should he hide it from me? Wh why?

I closed my eyes, throwing away all emotions by breathing out a rough breath. Then I turned around and it was better for now that I stayed away from Zaki.

"Yes, wait." Zaki said not excited. He clutched my wrist, like he was channeling his unsettled feelings towards me.

"Make what? I came here early in the morning, told you everything, I wish you could help me. Until now I still don't know why we got this close. I don't know why you can always be there for me. I don't know why you're all I need, you're all I can count on. But now?" I rubbed my face rough.

My breath went back to hunting due to the explosive emotions.

I shook Zaki's hand which was still clutching my wrist from earlier and had no intention of letting go.

"Obviously you know something but why did you choose to shut up? Why can't you tell me the truth, Zak!" I said in a high tone. But Zaki remained unmoved and voiceless. Am I talking to a statue?

"Are you mute?" I said at last because I couldn't take it anymore.

"Later you'll know by yourself, Ay."

"That's what you said, Zak. Don't you have any intention of telling me early so I can keep watch?"

Something flew out of nowhere and hit the pile of asbestos that was prepared for development. Until the asbestos broke. What great thing was that?

I kept looking at the asbestos shards. And suddenly a head appeared with long hair without a body. Was that the one that flew and destroyed asbestos?

My chest's up and down. I freaked. And before my movements locked up like before, I chose to run as fast as I could. I don't care about Zaki yelling my name anymore.

I saw the clock in my hand. It's still 05:40. What the fuck? Half-six I left here, why is it still so bad? Does time stop turning? The factory is still dark and no one is coming.

Is this place really being set up as a performance venue between me and Zaki, and also the astral beings that are here? Can it be like that? Just be right!

Zaki managed to catch my arm. Unexpectedly, Zaki immediately took me in his arms, rubbing my hair. His movements seemed to be not calm.

I could hear her heart beating so much. Even tighter than I thought. Is Zaki as scared as I am? Or for some other reason?

"Zaki's." I tried to look up, but Zaki wouldn't let me.

"Just a second. I need to hug you." Hearing the trembling voice coming out from Zaki's mouth, I again realized his human side.

He also has fear. He also has a feeling of unease.

I was silent and silent. I let Zaki do what he wanted.

I myself tried to inhale Zaki's scent which was like a soothing therapeutic scent to me.

"I'm just worried about you." Said Zaki suddenly. His voice sounded firm, but implied a clear concern.

I grabbed Zaki's hand that was cupping both of my cheeks.

I looked into Zaki's eyes and... Zaki crying?

Good Lord! My heart was sobbing watching him cry. He showed me his weak side. He's male. Not many men are able to show their weak side to people they just knew. Does he think I'm that important?

It's my fault for not thinking about how she feels and not listening to her explanation.

"Don't cry for me, Zak." I wiped her tears, just like she did to me.

Zaki shakes. "You deserve it, Ay. Because you're important. But please don't make fun of me after this." After that Zaki laughed blandly. I laughed with him.

Who would make fun of someone for crying. I was crying in front of him too.

"Don't ask me about this again, yeah. I'll tell you when the time is right."

I nodded and forced a smile.

"I don't want to be a burden."

Zaki shook his head again. "You're not a burden at all. You are my light."

Zaki wasn't bragging, was he? I felt like crying again when I heard her sweet words that sounded sincere.

Ah, don't cry anymore. My eyes will be swollen if I keep crying.

I looked back at the clock on my wrist. At 06.17.  Time is normal. It is only fitting that some people begin to enter the canteen area for breakfast.

All right, I'll have breakfast too. Let's see what food Zaki brought for breakfast this morning.

"I was just trying to make some jam bread this morning. Because I thought of you and it's true that you've arrived here."

I can't wait to feed my stomach worms, but Zaki can't even accompany me to eat the provisions.

"I'm sorry you had breakfast today. I had to make up a story for the asbestos that broke earlier to make a report. Because I'm testifying." Zaki said before walking behind me.

I laughed to myself. If Zaki reported that the asbestos was destroyed by flying heads, then the company would be in a hurry.

Thanks, Zaki. And sorry for me for putting so much weight on you. I wish there was always you in my life. Never get bored with my attitude.

*****

Can anyone guess what it's going on? Or can anyone guess how Zaki can know about the two ghosts that Ayri told? Scribble in the comment field. Don't forget to click like. Awaiting for its continuation. Thanks though. See yaa's...