He reflected back in the past (Madhuri was murder part)Narrator : Saleh Abdullah wiped sweat from his forehead as he stood there looking at the dilapidated fence. Saleh : Ill need more wood to fix this mess.Narrator : Madhuri had taken in the washing and folded them. She had cooked breakfast and fed her mother too. Madhuri : Goodbye, Abah. Im headed home now. Saleh : Ive raised a good and beautiful woman whos also a good wife. Ive never regretted rescuing her. Narrator : He shouldered his parang and headed into the forest to collect thick brances to mend the fence. Saleh : Good thing I sharpened my parang two days ago, otherwise chopping woods going to be a hard task. (*thought)

At the rubber estateNarrator : He worked for an hour till he reached the border of the rubber plantation. The tool shed was occupied. Saleh : Hmmm, the rubber tappers probably getting ready for his rounds. (*thought)Narrator : He was about to leave when he first saw her (Madhuri) .*Madhuris smiling face Saleh : Madhuri? My Madhuri? And that is not Ghani, her husband. Narrator : The man turned and walked away. Saleh approached his daughter. *Madhuri : Abah! (*shocked)Saleh : Who was that man? Narrator : Madhuri simply shook her head.*Saleh : Move aside then, Ill kill him!! (*he said and pushed her aside)Madhuri : No, Abah. Please dont. I love him. (*she grasped his arm in desperation)Saleh : Insolent, ungrateful child!! (*he saw red)*The blade flashed in a flurry before his eyes.*Salleh pulled away the parang. But it was too late.Narrator : She fell knocking over the latex container. Saleh stared in horror at the lifeless body of his daughter. Saleh : Madhuri?

On an island, south of Langkawi At the rubber estate Narrator : One day, an Indian boy who works at the rubber estate was on his way to the tool shed when he tripped on what he assumes to be an extremely large root. He rubs his chin and kicks at the inconvenient root when he realises it is not root at all.Indian boy : Ahh! Stupid root!! What the Aah!!!Aah!!! (*He grabbed his fallen cap and ran fast...)

In London, England At the matrons office * The elderly Filipino man behind the front desk looked up from his moving papers as she (Azreen) approached him.Mr. Costa : Rather early today, love? (*flashing his fatherly smile)Azreen : Yes, Im leaving in an hours time.Mr. Costa : Straight back to Malaysia? Azreen : Yes. Can you please tell Mr. Goldman that I wont be able to help out at the desk tonight. Mr. Costa : Sure thing. Have a nice trip then, love. Azreen : See you, Mr. Costa. *He returned to his papers.*Azreen left the hall to her room

Azreens room *Azreen stared at her side of the room and bit her lip, she did not feel like leaving London. Azreen : Why did this have to happen? Why now? *moved to bed, knelt down and pulled out tattered suitcase. Narrator : She packed her bag and left her empty apartment. Narrator : As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she spotted the last person she wanted to see. Azreen : Oh no, not Julian. Narrator : But he caught up with her outside the building (*Julian running up to her)Azreen : Hello, Julian. Julian : Hey, youre leaving? Are you done with your exams already? (*said after managed to catch breath)Azreen : I havent. I have to go home ealier. Ive spoken to the principle that Ill be taking my exams next month. Julian : I see Is everything all right at home? *Azreen tapped her suitcase, trying not to look at Julian. Azreen : My My sister died yesterday. Julian : Im sorry. Is there anything I can do? (*Julian seemed to have lost his ability to speak)Azreen : No, Thank you. My plane leaves at ten. I have to go. (*glanced at her watch)Julian : Youre taking the tube to Headthrow? Ill help you with your bag Azreen : No. I Ill be fine. Thanks. Youd better return to the desk. Old Goldman might realize youre missing. Julian : I guess youre right. Maybe Ill visit you when Im back in Malaysia after the exams. Azreen : Bye, Julian. (*smiled and picked up her suitcase)Julian : Safe journeyand send my condolences to your family. (*Azreen turned away)Aboard the flightStewardness : Chicken or fish? Azreen : Chicken please. *stewardness gave her a plastic smile and handed her a packed lunch of cold chicken piece, yogurt and fruit sald. She then moved on to the next person. *Azreen stared at her food without much appetite. She took a bite of the chicken and glanced out of the window. Narrator : Acres of green terrain reminded her of home of Madhuri, her recently deceased sister.

On an island, south of Langkawi Puan Kamsiahs house*Puan Kamsiah bustled in, lips pursed and shaking her head Siti : Whats the matter, Mak?P. Kamsiah : Nothing. (*glanced at Siti irritably)*She picked up the empty cup and wiped away the coffee stain from the coffee tableNarrator : Siti followed her mother to the kitchen and waited patiently for her to open up. P. Kamsiah : That Normala! Spreading nonsense again. Terrible, terrible lies! Shes going around the village telling everyone thatSiti : That? It isnt about Madhuri again, isit? P. Kamsiah : Again? What do you mean again? (*looked at Siti abruptly)Siti : Her daughter telling everyone that Madhuri was murdered.*Puan Kamsiahs eyes bulged out like a toads and her jaw agape. P. Kamsiah : That wicked woman! Shes just trying to create a scandal! If Saleh hears thisSiti : I saw Madhuris father yesterday, He seemedabsorbed.*Siti peeled a mango and offered it to her motherSiti : So, what did Puan Normala say, Mak? P. Kamsiah : Nothing really. Nothing at all. Narrator : Alone, Puan Kamsiah recalled what Puan Normala had said. ( I saw Madhuris body at the rubber estate. Her blood was white! We have all been cursed, I tell you! )*

At Langkawi AirportNarrator : Azreens foster parents, Dato Zulkifli and Datin Sharifah were there to pick her up. Datin Sharifah : She should be here by now. (*glanced at her watch)Dato Zulkifli : This airport is too crowded. People could get lost (*warily eyed a group of tourists)Datin Sharifah : Dont worry, Zul. If she can find her way around London by herself, Im sure she can find her way around the airport. Besides, I dont think its crowded. Of course, it isnt as big as KLIA. But this place is just nice. Very pleasing to the eye. *shuffled some brochures at the information counter (keep moving)Datin Sharifah : Ah, there she is now! Azreen! Azreen! *Azreen waved back at them\Datin Sharifah : Now, dont say a word about her sister yet. And smile, wont you? (*wishpered urgently to her husband)*He helped her with her suitcase

At Azreens houseNarrator : They took her to her house in the kampung. Narrator : At one corner of the house, Puan Normala, the village gossip, was gathering a group of women to her side. As Azreen walked into the house, the hiss and whispering from Puan Normalas corner stopped abruptly. P. Normala : I told you, that girls nothing but trouble. Look what she just did walking in without greeting us. How disrespectful. No wonder her parents sent her away. One of her confidantes : Very rude, never had much manners to begin with. Remember the last time when she beat up Minahs daughter Another woman : I think shes just angry with her parents. (*interrupted)P. Normala : Of course she is. They didnt even wait for her to return before taking the body over to the mosque. Another woman : Poor girl. She didnt even get to see her sister for the last time. P. Normala : Bah, she hated her sister so much that she refused to even write to her. Can you imagine being so vengeful to your own family? I tell you, shes a hateful and ungrateful child. And not a drop of remorse about what happened to her mother. I knew she would grow up to be like that. She was such an ugly little baby. Narrator : A few minutes later, Puan Normala excused herself from the group as she had some house chores to attend to. Other woman : Do you suppose its true what she saw? I mean, Normala couldnt possibly have seen the body, couldnt she? Madhuris blood couldnt have been white, couldnt it? Another woman : I dont know. Do you think it could be a sign or omen or something? I think the less we talk about it the better. *The others nodded in agreement.

In Azreens room*Azreen looked up from her bag and smiled weaklyDatin Sharifah : Now, do you want to go over to the burial grounds? We can still make it before*Azreen did not reply Azreen : Mak Cik, please tell me the truth. How did how did Madhuri die? Datin Sharifah : I dont think its up to me to tell you that, my dear. Azreen : You must tell me. Nobody else would. (*voice pleading)*Datin Sharifah shrugged and sat down on the chair. Her fingers tapped in a frienzied manner.Datin Sharifah : But my dear, nobody bothered telling me in detail either. Everything was so hush-hush. Well at least from your familys side, my dear. Its all so sad. Your poor sisterAzreen : Im sure you know something.Datin Sharifah : Yes, on the grapevine. That Normala woman said we should go home and save ourselves. She claimed that Madhuri had been murdered and that she had put a curse on us before she died.Narrator : Azreen strode to the window and looked out so that Datin Sharifah cant see her face. Datin Sharifah : Her husband and his friends found her at the rubber estate when they went looking.Azreen : How did she die? (*voice sounded far away)*When Datin Sharifah did not answer, she turned around and approached the chairDatin Sharifah : I dont know. They did not tell us anything. But I dont blame them. To them, were outsiders. *Datin Sharifah grabbed the girls hand to try to soothe her.Azreen : By them, you mean my father? He took her body away so early on purpose you know. To spite me! Datin Sharfah : My dear! Your father wouldnt do that. Azreen : You dont know him.*Azreen went back to the window and her hand gripped the window pane tightly. Azreen : You dont know him at all.

In Azreens mothers roomNarrator : Azreen inched the bedroom door open and went in.Azreens mother : Madhuri, is that you?Azreen : No, Mak, its me. Its Azreen, Mak.*Azreens mother noddedAzreens mother : Have you come to sell us some fruit? Ive told Huzaimi we dont need any more papayas. Azreen : No, Mak. Im Azreen, your daughter. Im home from London. *A frail hand reached for her Azreens mother : Azreen? Youre home! We must celebrate. Telltell your sister Madhuri to prepare a big lunch.Azreen : MadhuriDid Abah tell you what happened to Madhuri? *The woman blinked hard to remember. ThenAzreens mother : Madhuri? Oh, yes, I remember. Its her wedding today.Azreen : No, Mak. That was two years ago. Why didnt Abah take you along to the burial ground?Azreens mother : Burial ground? What was he doing there?Azreen : Come, Mak. Lets go there.

At the burial groundsNarrator : The metal wheels of the chair crumpled the dry leaves as they moved towards the site. Azreen : Abah! Were here to see Madhuri. (*voice, strong and loud, almost defiant)*Azreens mother twisted in her chairAzreens mother : Azreen? Why are we here? Wheres your father? You said well meet him here.Saleh : Take her home. (*voice was low)Azreens mother : Saleh, oh, youre there. I didnt see you. Why are we here? *Azreens hand rested gently on her mothers shoulder.Azreen : Were here to see Madhuri, Mak.Azreens mother : What? But Madhuris back home with Ghani. Shes not here. *Saleh turned around fully and glared at both mother and daughter.Saleh : I said, take her home. Now. (*angry)*Someone moved behind Azreen. It was Datin Sharifah.Datin Sharifah : Ill take her home. (*whispered)Azreen : No, Mak Cik. She will stay.*A man came forward and rested his hand on Salehs arm. Haji Ghani : Come, lets not fight here. Saleh : Stay out of this, Ghani. *But Haji Ghani blocked his way. Datin Sharifah quickly maneuvered the wheelchair away. Datin Sharifah : Ill take your mother home, Azreen. And I think its also a good idea if we all leave as well.*Azreen stood rooted stubbornly to the spot. Narrator : Later that evening, after everyone left, Azreen sat by her sisters grave when she heard someone approaching. She recognised him immediatelyeven after two years. *He gave her a weak smile. He did not make any sound or movement. Azreen turned back to the mound and said a prayer. When she turned back, he was gone. *She stood up, dusted away the soil from her clothes and left the cemetery. Across the road she could make out his figure on the low fence. Mohd Asraf : How are your studies?Azreen : Im doing well. And you? (*she took a seat next to him on the wooden fence)Mohd Asraf : Im all right,I suppose. Why arent you at the village hall for the kenduri arwah? *Azreen shrugged but said nothing. Narrator : They spoke for a few minutes, then parted ways.

In the past: At school Narrator : Azreen first met Mohd Asraf when she was 13.*Azreen was sitting on the stone steps of the empty school hall with a thick of storybook on lap.*Suddenly, a shadow fell upon her book and when she glanced up, she saw Mohd Asraf grinning at her from the top of the stairs. Mohd Asraf : Hi. Azreen : Hello. Mohd Asraf : Youre Azreen right? Why arent you at the field? Areen : Umm, I need to finish this book. Why arent you there either? I thought you were in the team. Mohd Asraf : How did you know I was in the team? Azreen : A friend told me. Mohd Asraf : I see. (*he lifted his left foot) I have myself to blame. I twisted my leg yesterday when I got down from the school bus. I must have been too excited about the game and literally leapt from the top of the steps. And tripped . *Azreen laughedMohd Asraf : I saw you playing hockey with Leela and her friends that day. You were really good. Azreen : Thanks.Mohd Asraf : Look, the guys and I are planning to have a little hockey match next Friday and my friend, Hock Seng, cant make it. Would you like to play?Azreen : You mean (*Azreen was too shocked to go on)Mohd Asraf : Would you like to replace Hock Seng? He wont mind. Neither with the guys. Theyll be really impressed when they see you play.Azreen : And youll be playing too? I mean, with your injury.Mohd Asraf: Itll be healed by next week. So its a yes?Azreen : Yes, I would love to. (*She let out a laugh)Mohd Asraf : Okay then! See you next Friday, right after school. Were going to bulldoze the opponent! Narrator : They bulldozed the opposing team. And by the end of the semester, Azreen was like one of the boys. The girls in her class couldnt decide whether to be disgusted or jealous of her.Mohd Asraf : You know, I dont think Ive met anyone like you before. Youre so different. (*they were walking)Azreen : What do you mean? And youd better come up with a good answer or this hockey stick will end up somewhere between your ears.Mohd Asraf : Cool down, will you? I only meant that Ive never met anyone who is so nerdy and ganas at the same time. (*he grinned as he moved instinctively away from her)Azreen : Ganas? (*raising her stick). Im not aggressive!Mohd Asraf : Right! You proved your point! (*laughed)*Azreen stuck out her tongue at himMohd Asraf : But seriously, youre good in your studies and youre brilliant in the field as well. Its hard to be good at both. I know Im barely keeping it together. Azreen : But people like you. Its not easy to be socially accepted, I mean, look at me. Everyone hates me.Mohd Asraf : Well, not everyone. The hockey guys like you. Azreen : They probably think Im weird. Mohd Asraf : Well, I like you. But then again, I have a fascination for weird stuff. Good bye, weird friend, see you in school tomorrow.

At present: At Azreens houseNarrator : Azreen returned to her dimly lit house. Datin Sharifah had left some things for her. Azreen : How kind of her.Narrator : While opening a window to let the night air in, a sudden movement caught her eyeAzreen : Madhuri? Impossible. But then who is that? Narrator : She slammed the window shut, jumped on her bed and buried her head underneath a pillow.

At Haji Ghanis house Narrator : He sat flipping through a photo album of his wedding from two years ago. Puan Fatihah : Abang, dont you want to come to bed?*Her husband shrugged slowly and gave her no replyPuan Fatihah : Youll be all right? Dont you need to rest already?*Haji Ghani shook his head Haji Ghani : Ill come in later.Narrator : Puan Fatihah walked into the living room and took down the olive-coloured curtains that Madhuri had bought and put up.Puan Fatihah : Why did she have to come into our lives and dominate my home? I should never have given Abang permission to marry her.Narrator: With the help of one of her husbands valuable keris, she tore the thin olive drapes to shreds. Puan Fatihah : Ohh, that feels good.

To be continued