The Journalist

Part 50: Inciting Khalila

I didn't answer the question. Just like that, I was also surprised by what we just learned. I never thought Zaheera was Ameena. A cyber friend who has helped me a lot in uncovering big cases. It turned out that we were very close, even before the second meeting. Though I often feel there is a resemblance between Zaheera and Ameena.

We were both petrified for a while. Ameena kept looking at me as if she was asking for an explanation from me.

"Yes. I am ... indeed Khairunnisa. I used that name on purpose so you'd be friends with me." I'm confessing because there's no reason to cover this up.

It only took four seconds to make things awkward. We just keep each other quiet. However, his eyes said more than what the words might convey. I don't know, is that anger? What is Disappointment? I can't guess.

Just as my phone stopped roaring, Ameena moved without saying anything.

"Mina-chan!"

Ameena refused to look. I got off the bed and rushed after him, without regard for my still weak body.

"Sorry, there's no intention of lying to you. I also really didn't know that Zaheera was ...."

The line of words I wanted to take out seemed to be swallowed back as he continued walking without turning towards me.

"Don't disturb our teacher! You've made our teacher angry!" A boy who came with Ameena spread out his hands at the door, as if blocking me from chasing Ameena.

I walked back to bed. Like a man who drank wine nonstop. Because it was too drunk, to see no swimming pool and finally I splashed to the bottom of the deepest. That's how I feel right now. Just felt kasmaran, now even close to bitterness.

By late afternoon, Ameena had not returned. In fact, he was no longer the one to deliver lunch for me. Is he no longer willing to see me? So, what does it mean that I stay here?

I looked to the side. I took his notebook, and I tore off an empty piece of paper. I started writing notes for him in English. The result of the scratch of my hand then folded to form a stork. When putting the crane letter, my eyes were directed to a small, pocket-sized thick book that was also on the nightstand.

I then packed my things even though my body had not recovered. I took my camera which was already placed on the table. This thing is very meritorious for being my reason for coming back. Unfortunately, I have to leave immediately. But before that, I want to talk back to Ameena. Even if you just say goodbye.

The sounds of the kids distracting me. I walked towards the window. From here, I can see the kids playing down there. Apparently there was Khalila who was busy distributing snacks from me to her friends. There was also a boy who was with Ameena this morning. Unfortunately, I didn't see Ameena there.

"This is for you!" Khalila gave the snack to the boy.

"No, that's for you!" reject the boy.

"But this is your part. I already have. Anyway Brother Blonde told me to share it fairly."

"It's okay. My share is for you, "please ask the boy with a big smile.

I don't know why I'm even interested in seeing them resist each other. The boy looks older than Khalila. Maybe about ten years.

"Yes, that's it. Thank you, yes!" Khalila left immediately.

The boy kept staring at Khalila who was busy handing out snacks to his other friends. I reached into my pants pocket, picked up a piece of candy that I threw down. The candy fell right over the boy's head making him shocked. I waved my hand as she looked up at me.

"You like Khalila, don't you?" I raised my forehead while winking one eye to tease her.

"Self likes Ameena's teacher, right?" reply with a big enough voice.

My eyes wide. "Ssttt ... Don't talk carelessly! Who likes it," I looked a little too ugly.

"Ah, guess what! Look, even your face is flushed!" He even teased me back. Ah, no, I think he's taunting me. "But unfortunately, Khalila will definitely not let her future mother be taken by another man other than her father" he continued, pulling his eyes down.

Instantly, my face darkened. Along with that, the door of the room suddenly opened. I thought it was Ameena, it was Mr. Ali who had just arrived. He spread his arms, then hugged me as a warm welcome as other Middle Eastern men do to their friends and family.

"Brother, you're back here again!"

"Mr Ali, you're back. Sorry, I was too careless to leave the camera" I stammered between condolence and a little embarrassment.

"It's okay. You should be relieved that the camera was left here, not somewhere else. I heard you fainted and got sick, must be so exhausted. Stay here for a few days until you recover!"

"Thank you for your offer and kindness, Sir. But .. I have to go home tomorrow."

"Why should you hurry? Look, your face is still pale like this."

"There's a job I need to finish before I go back to Japan."

"Go back to Japan? You're going back to your country?"

At the same time, Ameena came in carrying clothes. I could see that his face changed when Mr. Ali alluded to my return to Japan. It seems he heard Mr. Ali's last words.

"Oh, yes, here are some clothes for you. Wear this for the night" said Mr. Ali as Ameena put the clothes on the bed. They seem to know I don't have a change of clothes anymore.

"Thank you" I said with a glare fixed on Ameena. He just came to bring me a change of clothes, and then he just left.

"Brother Kei, what do you think of that woman?" ask Mr. Ali after Ameena's departure.

"Eh?" I gasp. "Not ... he ... very close .. with Khalila," I faltered.

My pupils dilated instantly. I feel my heart beating like a gong.

"Are you going to propose to her?" ask me carefully.

Mr. Ali crossed his arms back, then turned to face the window. "Lately many have urged me to marry her immediately, but I cannot decide yet."

"Why?"

Mr. Ali turned towards me with a laugh. "I'm afraid my proposal was rejected by him!"

"Huh?" I'm imbecilable. How could a person who almost entered the perfect category like Mr. Ali feel insecure and afraid of rejection? Then, how are you doing with me who is far below this man?

"Brother Kei, you better get back to rest to recover soon. Tomorrow morning I will take you for another walk before you leave" said Mr. Ali.

I bowed my body, began his departure, then took the clothes he had just given. Apparently it was a long dress that the men were wearing here. Looks a little strange on my body, like wearing a woman dress with a straight model cut without curves.

By nightfall, there was nothing I could do but stay in the room. Pretty boring because the internet network in this place is difficult to reach on my phone. I can't walk out either. Not long after, Khalila approached me cheerfully. He came to report that all the snacks had been distributed, then asked for help to solve the English problem.

"Kata Ummi, Brother Blonde is very fluent in English. So, he suggested I study on you."

"Did your mother really say that?"

Khalila nodded quickly. I helped him do something about it too. I also wrote down some common vocabulary that is often used in everyday language. Including noting sixteen tensis that need to be studied. Maybe this is a little useful for him and his friends because they do not get the distribution of English books and dictionaries.

I suddenly remembered what the boy said this afternoon. I shifted my body towards Khalila who was sitting on the side of the bed.

"Sister, I have something to ask you!"

"What's that?" ask khalila while doing the exercises about me with the prone position.

"What ... do you allow if your father is married?"

"Of course, but only if she's married to ummi."

I immediately went to his stomach beside him. "Why do you want her to be your mother?"

"Because only she can be my mother."

"But can't anyone else be your mother? Younger and more beautiful women! They fit your father better" I persuaded.

"I don't like him any more! And only he deserves it!" khalila was busy writing.

I shifted my body again until there was no distance between me and the little girl. "Have you ever seen Cinderella or Snow White?"

Khalila looked at me while shaking slowly. "What is a movie about?"

"Look, Cinderella and Snow White have a very evil stepmother. At first the stepmother looked good, but gradually they turned violent like wild animals!" I moved my hand towards him as if I was about to pounce.

Oh, my God, what is this? I scared the boy out of fear that Ameena would be his father's wife.

Khalila's eyes glared with a terrified expression. A second later, however, he raised his eyes.

"Ummi!" his yell.

I'm aghast. My eyes are glaring. It turned out that Ameena was in front of us bringing me dinner. Gawat, I don't know since when Ameena was there.

I immediately turned to Khalila and said, "But .. I think your mother is very similar to Cinderella and Snow White who are kind and patient."

Khalila clapped her hands and said, "Yes, ummi is like that. That's why I want ummi to be my father's wife!"

I nodded while smiling wryly. Ameena came out without saying anything after putting dinner on the table. My head fell down on the bed. Instead of brainwashing Khalila, I helped promote Ameena as a woman worthy of her father.

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author notes ⁇ ️️️️️

Not feel already entered 50 chapters, gays. who previously only wanted to make a bonus chapter eh even become a novel 🤭😂

It's a story nearing a climax, yes. It means that soon Kei's adventure in the middle east will end. Usually if you climax in cave novels, you must be ready2 drain the bathtub and esmoni 😂

if in the novel never not you have a shadow of what Kei looks like after coming from the middle east. He was the most influential figure after Rai and Shohei and helped the two main characters in the novel the most. There are a lot of questions in the comments here about the fate of Kei's romance if you look at the novel NN. Will it be answered later? maybe if it continues in advanced until Kei mature age.