ULAM. -- The Escaped Version

"Hey!! Hey!! Rene!! RENE!!"

Rene woke up with a grasp. Panting. Cold sweat running down her face.

What the hell happened?

“What is going on? You were found lying on the street!”

Is this a hospital?

“You seemed to be struggling just now; I had to wake you up. Are okay? Here, drink some water”

It’s ALL a fucking dream?? But it seems to be so fucking real! Thought Rene. She angrily took the cup from Ruby’s hand.

“You said something about ULAM…”

ULAM.. shit. As if the word brought all her senses back to her, Rene gets out of the sick bed and looking for her handphone.

Where is it dammit??

“Hey where are you going? You supposed to be warded… atleast until… Rene, listen to me!” begged Ruby but Rene is already out of the room.

I’m gonna get that son of a bitch. Rene was walking fast; almost running to… she didn’t know where.

But it COULD be real. I mean, alien always have this telepathic way of communicating. IF he is one, he surely can penetrate into my dream. And without a doubt he surely can know that I WAS at the 76 street. ANNNDDD now there’s there no mistake of how he got my number!

Rene kept on walking. She’s too busy in her thoughts that she didn’t realize where her feet took her. Not that she care.

But it doesn’t make any sense at all. What is Rain trying to tell me! New Ulam, weather delivery, strange lab with huge window and now aliens?? HAHAHAHAHA comon!!! As she laughed by herself, Rene noticed few heads turned to her.

WHAT? What are you looking at? Do I look crazy to you?! Mind your own shit!

Honk! HONNKK!! SCREEEECHHHH!!!

A car missed Rene by an inch. Only then, Rene realized that her feet brought her to the launderette.

Fuck you, drunkard. Rene couldn’t seem to calm herself. She’s so angry, tired, confused and blank with no idea of what was going on. Everything seems to be a little too much for her to digest at one time.

And of all places… why do I go here in the first place? Although her heart and mind didn’t agree with her actions, she still pushed the launderette door to come in.

Kling, kling!

Hmm? Eh? Where is Mrs Hagger. She should be here. It’s only 8:30pm. And why issit darn quiet in here? Rene wondered around the launderette trying to find her employer, trying to find if everything is fine. Rene found it weird that Mrs Hagger left the place unattended.

Suddenly the lights went off.

Oh crap! What now?! Finding her way out of the launderette, she bumped herself on the counter and fell over a chair.

“Who’s there?!” a voice from the back room shouted.

Unable to get up quickly, she was caught. Then the light went back on.

“Oh it was you.” Rain appeared from the back.

At this point of time, Rene couldn’t believe her eyes. She lost of words to say.

Now what?? He MADE me come here? With is freaky alien superpower?? Rene whispered to herself.

Hey we really need to talk. Rene was not sure if that tone is serious enough to make Rain realized how bad the situation Rain had put her in.

“Come let me help you up.” Rain helped Rene to the waiting seats beside the coffee maker.

Oh, there you go, trying pretending to give me sweets before the poison. And where is Mrs Hagger? Is she really okay?? Darn I feel dizzy. With a thank you nod, Rene tucked her hair behind her ears as Rain passed her a fresh brewed coffee with aspirin.

“Mrs Hagger was out. She was pissed off before she got out - getting a pizza. And she asked me before she left to fix the light bulb.” Rain explained.

The launderette appears to be quieter than usual. The two of them sat opposite to each other. Awkwardness seems like a heavy fume filling the air. Only the smell of brewed Brazilian coffee able to ease the atmosphere.

Wait. HOW did he know I’d do with a couple of aspirin for my headache?? Rene puzzled.

No way.

“Everything is possible nowadays.” Rain’s tone was soft, trying to calm Rene for her astonishment.

“Aak… hmm… aa” Rene cleared her throat trying to say something. Grasping in disbelief!

“Hey it’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. You need to rest.” comfort Rain.

“Ehheemm… aakk erm ai…” Rene tried again. But this time, she knew it.

She lost her voice.

You’ve gotta be kidding me!!! You took away my voice?!! Rene stood up. Pushing away the cup of coffee Rain made her.

“Listen, I need to know if you won’t tell it to anyone. I mean ANYONE. Did you get me?? I will surely return it to you when I know, I can really trust you.” Rain hold both of Rene arms, trying to both calming her and to ensure that Rene understood everything that he said.

Is THIS guy... thing.. or whatever THINKS that he CANNOT trust me?? I'm THE ONE who can NEVER trust him!! Rene was thinking to herself knowing that it'd still be known to Rain, no matter how.

Feeling helpless, Rene just stared at Rain cluelessly.

Ulam? Whatever.

Rene switched back to calling mode in her phone while keeping her pace constant enough to not cause her fatigued. The rain outside was still going on, never showed any slight signs of stopping. 88-555-2-6, Rene redialed the number.

Rene was in the midst of sorting out all the chaos in her mind when the number got connected, as usual.

"Location marked. Status confirmed. You're already there. 3 days earlier? Good."Hung up.

That's it?

The call did not help at all in solving all these mysteries, obviously. Rene sighed, out of her exhaustion of trying to see through all these. She felt like she was now a mouse that was chased after by something she had no idea at all, a mouse that was running for almost no reason.

She started to slow down her pace, turned to the building that she had run out from. Fuck you. She cursed, and then shouted the same word loudly, again and again. "I don't know WHAT are you, I don't know WHAT are all these about, but you know what? I DON'T CARE!!" followed by another 3 times of cursing which started with F.

"Rene...?"
Rain?
Rene turned around and she saw Rain, the god-damn pale pig that she would first beat him up before asking him to reveal all about this god-damn stupid game.

"Why are you here? Oh my God you shouldn't be here! Oh no... Didn't you read my message in the launderette?"Rain seemed clueless about her appearance, which really pissed Rene off.

"YOU!" Rene started to move forward to Rain. She would definitely crumple him up once she reached him, "Tell me all about this SHIT before I kill you!"

"Hold... hold! Rene, I told you not to listen to them.. I....I'm sorry to get you involved... Rene.. cool! cool! Calm down!.. I..I...LOOK! I can't call you... that's why I had to leave you the notes.... I really wished I could explain it thoroughly to you... but not on paper... Rene! Calm down! Calm down!" Rain was stepping back while trying to calm Rene down, by the end or his explanation, he saw Rene slowed down and eventually frozen at the point she stood.

A thunderclap roared. The storm seemed getting stronger. Both Rain and Rene were now soaked wet, in the middle of the abandoned 76th Street.

The sudden change of Rene made Rain wondered. He stepped forward, closer to Rene.

"Rene?" almost whispered, "...you OK?"

Rene looked at Rain and mumbled, "... so you're saying you can't call me? so you're saying.... I shouldn't get ANY calls from you?"

Rain nodded. "Well if I don't call you, why will you get my call at the first place?" Rain tried to make the statement clear as everything was in his control, until he figured out what JUST happened to Rene...

"Wait.. Rene," Rain looked back to Rene cautiously, hoping what's in his mind was not real, "did you......."

Rene nodded. Rain's face turned pale. Shit.

"I thought that was you!" Rene tried to explain, realizing she had done one big mistake, which she didn't know what kind of consequences would ensue.

"What did he say?"
"He made me dialed the number again... and I just did..."

A flash of lightning, flashing on Rain's pale face. That made him looked like a white creatures with human figure, not a human being.

".. and then the one answering the call said something about confirming location and status... Rain, what is this? Tell me! Rain!"

Rain took a deep breath when another thunderclap sounded. He could feel his fright, smearing upward from the ground he stood on.

"They are coming."
"Who?"
"They invaded the system, and claimed themselves as New Ulam.."
"Huh?"
"Ulam is a system managing weather in each planet of the universe. I was sent to Earth as messenger.."
"........."
"I didn't realized the invasion when I asked you to call the number -- the number is a signal sent to the center, it's our way of reporting.."
".... and what happened?"
"When you called, you've just revealed ourselves to them.."
"Ourselves?"
"Yeah, planet Earth."

Silent ensued. Rene wished she could accept Rain's explanation, but it seemed so illogic. On the other hand she felt Rain's seriousness was really ... impressive....

"So is this going to be the end of the world?" Rene tried to posed a tone that didn't sound insulting.
Carefully, after a few seconds of pondering, Rain opened his mouth,

"..maybe.."

"MUAHAHAHAHAHaHahahahhahahahaahhaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Rene just couldn't hold anymore, she burst into HUGE laugh.

“Meet us at 76 street West End Avenue, three days from today at 11pm. Sharp.”

The unknown lady voice of the unknown number seems to haunt Rene as she continues wondering what the connection between the odd number and weather is.

The voice sounded familiar, but… She is on her way to 76 Street. Thinking that she still has 3 days before the meeting, she’d check out the “delivery” place first.

The streets are getting darker and quieter as she goes on. She seems to be walking away from the crowd, away from the noisy background. Taking off her iPod she needs to listen to her surrounding…

for caution.

What is this place?

“Is someone ther?” Her reluctant voice echoed within the empty street. For once she felt like someone is following her, watching her.

I swear to God, I heard someone. Okay this might not be the smartest move. Thought Rene, but still she went on the dark street trying to figure out what kinda place it is.

Rene went into an aged building which stood proudly opposite her. The place is evidently abandon with rats wondering every here and there.

Eeuww. This does look like an old research center or lab or something.

THUD!!

“Who’s there??!” grasped Rene.

What the hell is wrong with me getting all jumpy like this! It’s prolly just rats. Note Rene to herself, hoping to calm her senses. She went upstairs of the building and found herself stood in amazed in fronna huge window looking out to the city.

Wow.

Tijb, tijb, tijb.

Isn’t that the sounds of footsteps? Rene heard something, but she wouldn’t dare to look back.

Tijb, tijb, tijb, TIJB.

Wet footsteps? The sound gets closer and closer. And Rene can’t move. Seems that all her legs muscle just die. She felt like her feet were glued to the floor. Or it’s more like she wouldn’t dare to move a muscle.

Tijb, tijb, tijb, TIJB, TIJB. The sound gets louder and louder.

Then, dead silence. The sound seems to stop on its own.

OKAY think. Think! Oh… the reflection! Rene tried to catch a figure from whatever that making such noise behind her from the reflection of the old window. And from there she saw…

Rene let out a lil squeal as her handphone rings.

“Hello”
“Hello” Rain answered.

Rene glanced again at the window to check if the figure is still there…

but it’s gone. Dammit.

“Hello, helloooo, I can’t hear you, speak up!” Rene went closer to the window, trying to get a better reception for the conversation.

“Hellooo did you get my message?” Rain asked.
“Are you ther? Yes, I did get your message. Hey what’s going on? Hello??”
“Hey you are breaking up. Your voice is not clear. Hello?? Where are you??”
“Yes, yes, I can hear you now. What’s up?!”
“Listen I need you to call the number again. Can you hear me?”
“Yes I can. But didn’t you say to forget about it?”
“I know but something came up, and I need your help again. The number is 8855526.”
“Come again, you’re breaking up too!”
“JUST CALL 8855526. CATCH YOU LATER.”
“But…”

Rain hung up.

CRASSHH!!

Something’s broken. By this time, Rene thought it’s only wise to leave the place. She quickly went downstairs and out of the building. She’s running to get out of the street and at the same time, trying to dial the odd number again.

Dammit, why doesn’t this number connect?? Is Rain making fun of me??

Rene stopped for a breather when she reached the crowded street again. She checked out her handphone to see if she dialed the correct number.

Oh my God.

No wonder the number didn’t get connected. Instead of dialing it, Rene was mistaken to type the number for texting.

88-555-2-6 spelled ULAM.

So no, Rain is not making a fool out of her.

"Oh my God... " Mrs Hagger was shocked when soaked Rene hit the door.. "I thought it's another laundry who needs to be urgently sent in to a spin-dryer.."

"Yeah, tumble me dry please.." Rene's mind was on the '76 Street West End Avenue' while she responded to her boss. 76 Street? What will happen over there? And who the hell is the lady's voice from the unknown number? ..And Rain...

Oh, Rain.
"Oh, Rene." Mrs Hagger suddenly chipped into her wondering process, "there was a customer looking for you just now.. erm.. pale, skinny, pretty much a malnutrition type.."

"So he took his laundry?" "Yeah, and he left you a note as well -- over there," Mrs Hagger pointed to a note stuck on washing machine number 2 by a magnet. Rene put down her stuff and reached the note.

“Wake up!! WAKE UP!!”
“I’ve been waiting a long time”
“For this moment to come”
“I’m destined for anything at all…”
“Dumbstruck calling me stupid”
“Good luck you gonna need… Pik”

Ah damn...

As much as Rain likes THAT song to wake him up every morning, it sure is a torment sometimes.

Sigh. What time issit now? Ah crap I’m late!!

Rain takes a quick shower, put on his favorite black t-shirt and peeking out the window.

Great. It supposed to be clear, sunny day today.

Grabbing his raincoat his own his way to…


---------------------------------------------------------------------------


“OUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCHHHHHH!! Are you out of your freaking mind??” Rene screams her lungs out when Ruby pull both of her ears trying to wake her up.

“I tried to wake you up for the seventh time! And you are gonna be late for your train to work, up! UP!”

Bitch. Scowling, Rene drags her ass to shower.

When she was out of shower, Ruby was already at the door making her way out. Glancing at the table, there was breakfast with a note.

“YOUR Rain might as well pick up his laundry today! Goodluck! *Wink*”

"I'm not sure whether you realize this, you are wet every time you come here..."

"..maybe because I'm rain." He smiled.

Yeah, just because you're rain. Rene stirred her latte, recalling the first conversation happened between her and Rain, while waiting for another day of disappointment to fill in.

It was the 3rd day Rene waited for Rain. And It was the first time Rene waited for a customer to come here and pick up his laundry. Well it was apparently abnormal because those who come to a launderette are responsible for picking up their own laundry, nobody cares to pick up for them.

Nobody cares to wait for them to come to pick up their own laundry.

The washing machines behind the counter were rumbling, so was Rene's state of mind.

"Things r alwayz like tis my dear, u got nothing when u anticipated, and it comes so naturally to u when u don't expect. Oh yeah BTW, I thought he's just ANOTHER customer of your launderette, why r u w8ing for him? Is he cute? *wink wink*" SMS reply from Ruby after Rene sent out her complaints to her roommate.

No, he's not. He's pale, and wet. Rene smirked at Ruby's SMS. You're right Ruby, not worth a wait at all.

Rene turned to a washing machine behind her which was just stopped spinning before her phone rang. Unknown number.

"Hello?"

"What did the weather forecast say this morning?" it was Rain.

"It said, if rain doesn't come, storm will certainly ensue.."Rene tried to put up an emotionless tone.

"No seriously, please. What did the weather forecast say this morning?"

"I'm not sure... last night's version was mentioning another clear sunny day.. Hey, How did you get my number by the way?"

"..... sunny day?" Rain was obviously ignorant of her question, he was mumbling something about some system was out of control before he cleared his throat and said, "Hey can you do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Go and get my jeans from my laundry, I think there's a piece of paper inside the pocket, and there's a number written on it, dial the number for me... OK got to go, I'll see you later after you've dialed it." Hung up.

There's a jean in Rain's laundry -- she certainly knows very well which laundry belonged to Rain, it was the one with at least 5 rain coats every time he sent in his laundry. And the paper she found from the jeans' pocket was severely crumpled. Rene had to make some effort before she could eventually unfold it and read the numbers on it.

88-555-2-6.

It's not a normal number that you can dial. But that's not the main issue, because Rene was going to dial it anyway. The main issue here was, then what? Before she started to wonder what will actually happened, she received response from the other side of the line.

"You're late. 3 days late. We need to catch up the schedule now. Bye." Hung up.

Whada hell? Rene was stunned at the moment. So this number can actually call to somebody out there? And what was that? 8855526?

The sunny clear sky started to get dark. Rene could hear thunder roared from far. Wind started to bluster, rain started to pour.

Dear Rafee,

So that's your real name huh? Rafee...

Weird. I did not know my biological brother's name, until just now.

Funny. I did not know that you're my biological brother, until just now.

EERIE. I did not know that... you're still alive, until just now....

Abah told me everything, EVERYTHING he read from your diary before you left us, and EVERYTHING he knows about your 'death' -- Thank to Pak Zainol's confession to him on the day abah discovered your diary...

..so, I suppose you're reading this email, right? -- Oh no maybe you are not, in fact you did not read ALL my mails send to your mailbox -- even though I suspect you cleared your mailbox once in a while -- but at least you did not read my mails regarding my plan of escaping with Melur...

.. because if you've read it, you would've warned Hakimi, and Hakimi would not get what he got right now in the hospital.. oh yeah FYI, Hakimi's NOT DEAD, I mean if you are KIND enough to concern. What you heard about Hakimi's death is only rumor they spread out, in order to pronounce the 'death sentence' on THE project, so that the investors would have no say at all.

-- Oh BTW, it was until just now too, I know all about THE project... and your 'high level' involvement in the project..

I mean, well.. it's.. ops.. it WAS an impressive project. An impressive way to make HUGE money, PERHAPS. But too bad, I guess you failed just simply because Melur is on my side. And in fact, I discovered what you all were trying to hunt for, and you might be in GREAT disappointment if you know what's really about the 'ulam melur'... -- OOOOH YEAH OF COURSE I know 'ulam melur'! It is now sitting quietly beside me.

"... I might need Melur's help in my quest of looking for the 'ulam', the 2nd thing that mum left to me, after the star-like sea shells, the bintang....." -- Quote from your diary, remember? And Rafee (sorry I feel disgusted to call you angah...), that quote made me laugh! -- ARE YOU SURE MUM LEFT YOU THAT STAR-LIKE THINGY?? Or were you just being dramatic?

The star-like sea shells, according to Melur, were something that she picked up from sea bottom just because you wanted her to pick up something like a star.. . That's it. Period. You added your own sentimental value on a rubbish, she just couldn't help out.

"Mari ikut akak, mencari bintang timur; mari lawan ombak, mencari ulam melur"-- I know you and Pak Zainol were so devoted to the hidden treasure beneath the lines of this clue, and Melur knows the best about the answer -- and she actually brought me the 'ulam melur' from deep sea, finally.

It's not any precious treasures dropped out from a sunken pirate's ship, it's a seaweed, yeah, S-E-A-W-E-E-D. Disappointed? Melur said it's more common in South China Sea region, she could hardly find a small one from North Sea region. The seaweed is in a shape like a manta ray, big leaf with tiny fur on the surface, and it glows with the colors of rainbow when I brought it out of the ocean..

Oh yeah it sparkles too, those tiny fur, they sparkles like stars in the sky.. yeah, bintang, you're right. And that's it, except it sparkles and shines like jewelry, I don't think that it'll bring you any wealth -- I mean, you can't claim that this IS a NEW discovery from the mysterious sea and show it to the world by charging them expensive entrance fees, the truth is, Mr Rafee, this seaweed, already had a scientific name, something like Caulerpa prolifera.. -- If you're aware enough, the existence of this magical seaweed was presented by someone called Linda, in the conference that me and Melur just ruined.

-- My point here is, you can't even use it to generate any side income, I mean IF you manage to find one without Melur's help. And yes sir, 'Ulam Melur' has miraculous healing power, it's certainly good for medical purposes, but hey dude, listen carefully --

---- I'm letting Melur off to her own freedom. She might be still in the North Sea, or maybe somewhere around Pacific Ocean by the time you're reading this mail, and the only 'Ulam Melur' discovered in the world is now in my hand, and I'm on my way meeting Ms Linda and her team in a research center in Edinburgh. And I think that would be the end of your dream, huh?

Don't blame me to be cruel on you, after all the lies you showed to us -- Me, abah, Melur and Raja.

Good luck and good bye, forever.


Abu

Abu, yes I know him. He’s my brother. And Maya, thank you for reminding me why you too look so familiar to me. If only I could say these words out loud. If only..

Our conversation was put on halt when my phone rang. I looked at the number. It’s from UK. Hakimi perhaps..but.. I gestured to Maya pointing out that I have to take that phone call and she nodded. I stood up and walked away so that no one could hear our conversation.

“Hello?”

“It’s Bill.”

Oh, ok. Bill, one of our ‘project’s’ team member. But how did he get my number? Only Hakimi knew this line. Did something happened to him?

“Ok. But how did you get this number? Did something happened?” My heart was beating fast. Please, don’t tell me the plan went wrong. Please..

“Something DID happen. That’s why I call. I found this phone in Hakimi’s room. And your number was on it. Shit, man. We’re in deep shit. Hakimi’s gone man..gone.” Bill went berserk. There was panic, frustration and depressed all mixed up in his voice.

“What do you mean gone? Did he fled or..”

“He’s dead man!DEAD! Something happened during the conference..” and Bill told me everything. From the escape to the accident.

I was numb. I couldn’t respond. How was I supposed to react? Sad? Happy?
Yes, Abu! We did it! You did it!

Although it didn’t turn out perfect and Hakimi had been a victim of our plan, we did it! We never expect anything bad to happen. But..if a sacrifice had to be made, what done is done. It’ll be worse if Hakimi’s alive, I thought. It’ll be bad for us. I knew about his plans. How I was going to be disposed…along with Abu.

“Hey, Raf, you hear me or not? I have to call Prof Z and tell him of our situation. The project’s a disaster. We lost everything. And our mastermind, Prof Z, he should know how to handle this.” Bill said and hung up. He didn’t give me any chance to respond.

I steadied myself. I started to feel the adrenaline rush. Oh, so close. We are so close than ever Abu. You’ve done your part and now it’s my turn.

I composed myself and walked back towards Maya. Prof Z was still in his room. I’m sure he’ll be getting a call by now. I was surprised to see tears in Maya’s eyes. She was gripping her phone in her hand.

“What is it?” I asked, not sure if I should be involved with any of her personal problems.

“It’s Hakimi. They said an accident occurred during the conference. Lots of people were hurt. And Hakimi, he..he’s dead!” Maya obviously tried to control herself from crying.

“I didn’t know you knew him. In fact I just received the same call. Prof Z’s going to devastated. This project of ours, I’m sure it will be affected. Badly.” I said. It’s hard to try consoling a woman. Let alone someone you just met. I felt bad. I’m sure it’s not because Hakimi’s gone now. But those tears..

“I don’t exactly know like really know him. It’s just that it’s been a long time since we’ve last met and we were supposed to meet up tomorrow. I guess, the fact that he’s someone I knew although not close and that this meeting that would’ve take place if he’s still here. It feels weird you know. To lose someone like that. I dunno. With everything that’s happening to me right now, it’s like everything’s falling apart somehow..” Maya sighed. Wiping the tears from her cheeks.

She’s strong, I thought. Although I had no idea what was going on with her life right now, it’s just that I feel that she’s a strong person. I’m sorry Maya. For making you lose someone. But in the end, I guess I’m actually doing you a favor. Hakimi is bad news. To us, to you, to everyone. I mean..was. Past tense.

Suddenly I heard footsteps behind me. I turned and saw Nina and Mike running towards me and Maya.

“Rafee!” Mike called and stopped at his track when he located me. “ It’s Prof Z. We were in his room discussing about our project. And then he received a call. All I know he looked shocked and the next thing we knew he was on the floor, fell from his wheelchair!” he was talking as fast as he could.

“Yeah, and we tried calling him a few times. He was unconscious. And when I tried checking his pulse…oh God! There was none. I think he had a heart attack!” Nina continued, panting a little.

“ He’s dead?!” I asked, startled and shocked. I heard a soft gasp behind me where Maya stood.

“Uncle Zainol’s dead?” she asked, her voice came out. Almost whispering.

“I..we think so. I..I need to call the ambulance though. I’ll report to the hotel,” Nina ran past us towards the lobby, looking for any hotel staff available.

“Rafee, how about the project then?” Mike closed on to me while consciously staring at Maya making sure she couldn’t listen to us. “ I just heard about Hakimi. And then Prof Z. We are the only one left. It’s your call now.” Mike lowered his voice. I could practically feel his breath on my face. We were too close for comfort.

I took a step back and said, “We abort. There’s no point continuing it now. Melur’s gone. Hakimi and Prof Z’s dead. We need to dispose all our documentation. And you know what to do after that’s done. We never met. I don’t know you. So does the whole team, whoever that’s left.”

Mike nodded and headed back to where he came from..Prof Z’s room.

It’s going on as planned. But not this way. Too many deaths. Too much sacrifices. It had been a disaster from the start. It always have been.

I was supposed to dispose all of the project’s files but now, it’s pretty much done for me. All I can do now is wait. Wait for the end to come and start a new life.
“Maya,” I turned, calling Maya. She was now sobbing. Any strength that was left in her was now gone.

I walked towards Maya, sat down beside her and put my arms around her. For comfort. For all the losses. I’m sorry, Maya..

THE DAY. I’ll show the whole world and define the word MIRACLE. Communication with animals was something beyond human capabilities. Some may have claimed success but nothing as compared to what we have found. SSW..as tacky as it sounds, this new finding will obviously create an uproar within the scientific community. I could already smell the success this will bring plus the fame and glory.
I know I have Angah to thank for the project. If it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t be here. But once this is revealed, there is no need for him anymore. Just the team..and me. Just a little longer, and he is disposable. Just like Raja….

Few more seconds…

I hear my name called out..I’m ready…

“Without further adue, I would like to present Mr Hakimi from Malaysia and his project on “Silent Sound Wave”. Let’s give him a big applause!”

The sound of applause was like music to my ears. By the time I reached the stage, with a grand introduction, the huge maroon velvet cover behind me was pulled up revealing huge aquarium. I heard the audience started to gasp in awe. In the tank, Melur was swimming freely although I did notice the slight show of weakness and in the diving suit, Abu. In his hand was the star like sea shell. The secret of the ocean. The key to the whole project. I’ll get rid of him once this is over, I thought. making a mental note in my head.

I was just about to make my presentation when I heard a crack. It sounded like thunder. I searched for the source and to my surprise, the inner side of the tank that was connected to a passage that leads to the open sea had cracked. I was trying to absorb the situation when I saw that brat Abu was whispering something to Melur. I was distracted. Not because that the tank was about to break or my project will be a disater. But what was happening in the tank. Abu was not using the star shell to talk to Melur. No. He was whispering. Actually whispering. And what was stranger was that Melur was actually responding. It was as if she understood every word and started nodding to Abu. Melur then started hitting the other side of the tank. That was the abnormality of it. What was going on? Is this just a trick that my eyes were playing or what I was witnessing was something beyond explanation?

Then I heard gasps and screams. The tank exploded. Because of the pressure, shards of glass were flying all over the place. Since I was the nearest to the tank, I felt its impact. I felt large pieces of it slashing my face, my body, and liters of water start to spill out. Like the wave of the sea, the water pressure hit me off my feet and I wanted to scream but was drowned by the capacity of the water that had hit me.

I was struggling for my life. The conference room started to flood. Audience were scattered, running for their lives. I could see some, like me were swept by the current. Struggling not to drown. My lungs started to feel heavy.

No! Why me! Not now! Please God! Save me!

**********************************************

I was about to pack my bag when I saw her. She looked familiar. Too familiar.

“Excuse me, do you happen to know Professor Zainol?” she asked.

I was still staring at her when she popped the question and blushed slightly after realizing I was practically gawking. “ I’m sorry. I thought I’ve known you from somewhere. Have we met?”

“Mmm, I don’t think so. I’m not from here. Probably in another life?” she joked.

“Oh, my mistake. What was your question again? Prof Zainol? Oh yeah. He’ll be down in a minute. You are..wait. it’s Amy right?” I asked remembering that Prof Z had mentioned about a couple of girls who will be meeting him today.

“It’s Maya. Amy’s my sister. So I guess Prof Z told you we were coming.”

“In fact he did and he send me to wait for you guys." I stood up and offered a hand shake."I’m Rafee. Nice to meet you.”

Maya smiled and shook my hands. Suddenly the shaking halted and an expression of curiosity was displayed on her face.

“Since you did mentioned it earlier, you do look kind of familiar to me now,” Maya stated. Her hands still in mine.

I smiled. Thinking that if we did meet before, she wouldn’t have been able to recognize me. No one will. Not even Abu.

In the course of 4 years after I disappeared from this face of the earth, I’ve became a new person. For the sake of the knowledge I knew, I had to leave everything that I once owned. My family, my identity. Even my appearance. I had to go under the knife for a face job so that no one would be able to recognize me. Only a handful of them knew. The team, Hakimi..Prof Z.

“It’s just that..” Maya continued,"oh well, there’s just something about your eyes. You remind me of someone but I just can’t grab who.” She let go of my hand, realizing that the handshake took a bit too long. I noticed her blush.

“Maybe in another life,” I joked trying to make her at ease. Maybe, maybe we did meet, I thought to myself. Because if there’s only one thing I cannot change, it is my eyes. Nobody can change that. Not the eyes....

Dear Angah,

This time tomorrow Hakimi will be presenting his paper on the conference. His research team is expecting a turnout of more than 2000 audience for his paper. Yeah, you should know the topic of the paper I guess, "The recognizable behavior of Manta-Ray towards the attribute of SSW " -- yeah, I agree, it's very pretend-to-be-sophisticated, like his own personality.

-- and I don't give it a damn. I've surveyed the lab area and it's no way for me to move Melur out of this highly-secured zone, but tell you what, the conference hall is my good news.

The aquarium of the conference hall is actually an infrastructure that connects to the open sea behind the convention center, in order to supply sea water into the huge aquarium that they set up for the purposes of this conference. This time tomorrow, Melur will be transported to the aquarium of the conference hall. Hakimi needs me to be with Melur during his presentation, in order to show the audience on how his theory of 'SSW' works --

-- yup! I almost laughed when I first heard of 'SSW'. What the hell is SSW? Well, it's 'Silent Sound Wave'. That's how they name my 'special whistle' of communicating with Raja and Melur. What those moron don't know is, there's no such thing as 'special whistle'...

... we can 'talk' to Raja and Melur, it's simply because we can.

Whatever. Let's proceed with my plan.

I'll be diving with Melur in the aquarium during Hakimi's presentation, and don't worry my dearest brother, certainly I'll sabotage his show. He just need to be taught not to be over-confidence. And after that, Melur and I just need to find the conduit to get out to the open sea.

I've studied the conduits network of the building, no worry on it. The only thing that worries me is the condition of Melur. She is getting weaker and weaker. I know she misses Raja. She told me last night.

..but she promised me that she'll work with me to get out of here.

Angah, wish us luck. I'll send you my next email telling you our great escape!


Your brother,
Abu
ps.. I think I'm nervous now because I'm feeling hesitate to hit the 'send' button to send out this email to you. BTW, I wonder why is your mailbox never full after so many mails I've sent into it? Don't tell me you have all the luxurious to check emails and spring-clean your mailbox up there. Man, you're truly haunting! ;p