Ride on Time

Chapter 74

Mitsuo finally got a reply after nearly an hour. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw that she was inviting him to tag along when visiting a Chinese family for the Lunar New Year. The thought of going to someone's home sent shivers down his spine, especially not in a foreign country.
But why?
I don't wanna go to someone's house!
Especially since I don't even know them...
Shree sent him a reply that made him think.
But u didn't hesitate when coming to my home yesterday?
Mitsuo dropped his phone down on the bed in surprise, crossing his legs as he realised something.
Why hadn't he hesitated one bit when visiting Shree's family for Pongal? In fact, he felt at home with them, almost as if he had known them for years, even decades.
And now he's afraid of going to another family's home for Lunar New Year?
"This doesn't even make any sense!" Mitsuo muttered in Japanese.
Saying that phrase aloud suddenly reminded him of his homeland, his family.
Maybe he should ask them if he should go...

***

"Is Nasi Lemak Atap really the best in Petaling Jaya?" Mitsuo asked. "The vegetarian one was good too but... far too spicy... where else can I get good nasi lemak? Only a local would know this "
Shree nodded as she frowned thoughtfully. "Ah, there's a good one in Old Town, Section 3, then there's a good one in Section 14. I think there's one near Two-Two-Two."
"Near what?" Mitsuo asked in surprise.
"Two-Two-Two," Shree repeated. "Jalan Two-Two-Two. Street 222."
"Oh... so it's two hundred and twenty-two?"
"Yeah," Shree said, retying her hair. "Also, can we just talk here? I don't wanna accidentally end up in your room..."
"Oh, sure," Mitsuo nodded and sat down on the bench beside the vending machine. "So which is the best among those?"
Shree frowned thoughtfully. "The one in Section 3 has good chicken and sambal, but doesn't include anchovies and peanuts. The one near Two-Two-Two is standard nasi lemak, which means no chicken. Actually you can buy it separately but that's sambal chicken so it's not technically included. The one in Section 14 is complete, with chicken and anchovies and all."
"Can you give me the address to this place?" Mitsuo asked. "I just want some good nasi lemak. I only had one so far."
"Yes, and Nasi Lemak Atap isn't exactly the best," Shree shrugged. "It's good, complete set, the chicken has a herbal touch to it, and they give a lot of cucumber. But their sambal is not so good. The one in Section 14 is better."
"Take me there!" Mitsuo cheerfully said.
"No," Shree got up and walked away, much to Mitsuo's surprise.
"Eh?!" Mitsuo said in surprise, going after her. "Why not?"
"Because I'm not your personal driver," Shree simply said as he followed her.
"Aww... please?" Mitsuo almost begged. "Pretty please?"
Shree turned around and looked at him giving her pitiful puppy eyes. It was hard for Shree to say no, in fact, it was impossible.
"Fine..." Shree inwardly groaned. "When do you wanna go?"
Mitsuo gasped in joy. "Dinnertime? That's okay, right?"
Shree reluctantly nodded. "Sure. Nasi lemak is technically a breakfast food but literally no one follows it since the best nasi lemak is mostly sold at night."
"So you're taking me, right?" Mitsuo asked hopefully, nodding slightly. "It's fine if you can't, I'll just take a Grape. Just send me the name of the shop."
"It's a food truck, not a shop, and it's fine," Shree offered a smile. "I'll pick you up later."
With that, she waved at him and made a beeline for the locker room.

Mitsuo showered and changed into a t-shirt and knee shorts before making his way down to the Japanese provision shop. He found that Shree was actually a big fan of his country, judging by how most of her music consisted of remixed City Pop and actual City Pop. She once even asked him about Ramune and how it was so hard to find.
The shop downstairs had rows and rows of it arranged in the fridge so he grabbed a few bottles of those before making his way to the snack section. Mitsuo decided to get her some matcha-flavoured chocolates too.
And then came the onigiri, mochi, and melon pan. He couldn't resist getting some for himself too before making his way to the fridge to see if they had mugicha, barley tea. Mitsuo took a few bottles of those too, not really sure if Shree would like it, but he certainly did.
Finally, Mitsuo went to the cashier and paid for everything, including a bottle of milk in case the nasi lemak was too spicy.
Not long after he left the shop, Shree gave him an Internet call which she quickly cancelled after a few rings. Mitsuo made his way to the lobby and saw the lapis blue Arteon waiting for him. He was actually waiting for a close look on the Perodua Viva since it was a Kei car, a Malaysian version too.
But for some reason, they were never bringing it.
Mitsuo sighed to himself and got into the front seat, which was always left empty for some reason.
"Good Evening," Mitsuo greeted as he closed the door.
"What's that in Japanese?" Vasu asked excitedly, popping between his sister and Mitsuo.
"Konbanwa Gozaimasu," Mitsuo replied.
"Yeah, and Konichiwa means good afternoon, but many people mistake it for Hello," Shree added. "Ohayo means good morning, right? And then they add gozaimasu at the back for respect."
Mitsuo nodded excitedly. "Correct! I didn't know you speak Japanese."
"I went to Japanese class back in secondary school," Shree grinned proudly.
"Oh!" Mitsuo gasped and then started saying something in Japanese that the siblings didn't understand.
"Wait, the only thing I understood is Nika, Vasu, boku, and kimochi," Shree admitted. "I only know certain words, not whole sentences. Also, what was kimochi?"
"What's kimochi?" Vasu popped between them again. "Kimchi ah?"
"No, kimochi means really nice or good, or really like something," Shree sighed. "Also, what you were saying, Mitsuo?"
"Ah, I said that I really appreciate you and Vasu bringing me to buy nasi lemak," Mitsuo translated. "You didn't understand? I thought you said you went for class?"
"Yeah, like less than a month," Shree admitted. "Our teacher transferred before we could even speak sentences."
"Was your teacher Japanese?" Mitsuo asked.
"No, Chinese. She studied for a few years in Japan, as an exchange student or something, so she knows the language."
Mitsuo nodded. "I see... you know, it's almost as if I'm an exchange student and you guys are caring for me."
"Oh yeah, you even call our mom and grandma Okaasan and Obaasan," Shree smiled. "They didn't even know what those meant but we're very pleased when I told them, honourifics and all."
Mitsuo smiled proudly. "What do Malaysians actually call elders?"
"Auntie and Uncle," Shree said. "But don't call our mom that."
"She thinks that being called Okaasan is a good thing," Vasu added with a chuckle. "Awah also."
"Okay..." Mitsuo smiled. "I'll keep it that way."
Shree drove directly to Section 14 and parked near a mosque, where a food truck was parked. Maghreb had just started and a voice sang prayers from an overhead speaker.
"Akka, stay in the car, I'll go and order first," Vasu said before getting out of the car.
Shree gulped at the thought of being alone in a car with Mitsuo and reached for her seatbelt. "Never mind, you stay here, I'll go."
"Akka, at this time you shouldn't be out," Vasu sternly said. "It's prayer time."
Shree sighed and let her brother go out instead.
"What was that all about?" Mitsuo asked, puzzled. "Is there something wrong with the time?"
"It's because it's Maghreb," Shree explained. "It is at this time, twilight, that ghosts and spirits roam about. This is why they sing prayers over the speakers. And also, it is bad for young women to be out at this time too."
Mitsuo nodded slowly. "But you're out now?"
"I'm in a car," Shree pointed out. "Also, there's Vinayagar here." She pointed at the Ganesha idol on the dashboard.
"Okay, then," Mitsuo smiled. He looked over at the food truck and saw Vasu walking back after giving the order. "Your brother seems to be very protective of you."
"Yeah, he's sometimes like a dad, even though he's younger than me," Shree smiled.
Mitsuo was about to ask about their father when the backdoor opened and Vasu slipped behind him.
"She said it will take five to ten minutes, and she said she will lambai once it's ready," Vasu informed.
"Oh, okay lah then," Shree nodded.
Mitsuo was slightly confused. "What's lambai?"
"Wave," the siblings said together.
"She said she'll wave at us once it's ready," Vasu explained. "So we wait."