NOVEL : THE CURSE

Chapter 4

Naynee : A very good morning to our beloved English teacher, Madam Salbina, and to all my fellow friends who are present today. We are honoured to be able to share with you about the chapters 4,5,6 that we have studied in the novel The Curse.

Mahathir: As you can see in chapter 4, the villagers were gathering around the house for the funeral and Azreens eye got caught up by some groups of women that she recognise gossiping especially Puan Normala. Azreen is still curious about her sister, Madhuris death and keep on asking Datin Sharifah who is not telling her anything about it.

Halim : Then, Azreen went to the cemetery along with her mother but unfortunately, Azreens father was unhappy about her wifes presence. So, he ask them to leave. After they left, Azreen bumped into Asraf and they had a brief conversation.

Warren : On her way back home she recalled about how she met Asraf when suddenly a frightened movement outside her house caught her Attention. She thought that she saw a women resembling Madhuri but the figure stated dissapears and she left a soft cry at a hungry cat. Meanwhile, Fatihah, the village chief first wife revels in the absence of Madhuri from her home. She blame Madhuri for her life. And thats it for chapter 4.

Chapter 5

Naynee : Next on chapter 5, where Azreen took a trip into the jungle to visit her friend, the Old Lady at the forest. Too bad the Old Lady was not at home,so Azreen takes a detour into the village centre. As Azreen walked pass the mosque, she saw Asraf who was walking quickly towards her.

Mahathir : Azreen bleads with Asraf to tell about her sisters death. As they walk along the path leading to their homes, Asraf told Azreen what he knows about Mahduris death. According to Asraf, Mahduris death was due to an accident in the rubber estate. He also told her that Haji Ghani and his men cleared the area and removed Mahduris body immediately.

Halim : But when Azreen presses him for more details, he excuses himself and went home. Azreen returned home and prepares breakfast for her mother. And suddenly her mother exclaims that Mahduris life is in danger. She also told Azreen that she does not have a sister. Azreen cannot make sense of what her mother had just told her. Outside the house, Saleh was chopping wood when he suddenly hears an odd sound of something mewing or weaping.

Warren : Meanwhile, Awang was frightened by the pontianak - looking for figure who dashes passed him. He searched for a sacrifical animal for his ritual and was reminded of an incident long ago where Azreen took the blamed for someone elses mistake. The mistery of Madhuris death was discussed in the classroom but Cikgu Asraf puts a stop to it. Azreen returned to the house in the jungle and finally met the Old Lady, who was pleased to see her and the Old Lady told her that Madhuris death was not an accident at all but it was a murder. Chapter 6

Naynee : Now we move on to chapter 6 which is our last presentation for today where, when Awang the bomoh was disturbed by the resemblance between the pontianak and the Old lady and Madhuri. The Old lady told Azreen that Madhuris death was covered up by Haji Ghani and his men. She told Azreen to be patient and wait for the truth to revealed itself. Meanwhile, Fatihah bitterly recalled how her husband had first met and fallen in love with Madhuris. Azreen discovered Maduris torn photograph in the room but her father ordered her to leave the room before she could investigate further.

Mahathir : Then Azreen recalled the incident with the runway bull and how she had taken the blamed for letting the bull out. Little did she know that her parents would be in an accident with the bull. She had gotten in beating from her father for her involvement in the accident. And again she recalled how the misterious lady used to followed her and Madhuri around. Azreen also remembered when Asraf met Madhuri for the first time and how smitten he was to the point of totally ignoring Azreen. In despair, she had to run to the Old lady for comfort.

Halim : The Old lady had consoled her and adviced her to revealed the truth of what had happened at the farm. The Old lady told Azreen how she had killed her husband in self defensed and had been cast out by the villagers. Azreen also recalled how she had gone on her exchanged programme and how her foster parents had presented her mother with a wheelchair. The Old lady had simply commented that Azreen should be honest with herself about the reasons for waiting to leave the island.

Warren : And that is how chapter 4,5,6 is all about. We hoped that you understand on how the story goes on. Thank you for lending us your ears .