This story is inspired by a song called "love me, love me, love me" by Kikuo
This story will be in English but some other languages are included
Book cover is not mine, I found it on google
All students from ASEAN class gathered at the notice board to see the rankings for last exam.
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(I literally have to write this in my notepad)
"Singa is the topper again, as always" Said Myanmar, getting bored of seeing the same thing everytime. "I know right, isn't it great to have a smart friend like Singa" Said Brunei with a cheerful tone. While the others are praising Singapore, talking about how he is always ranked the first, Indo is the only one who noticed that Mal looked a little sad. "Eh, Mal, lo kenapa sih? Kok kayak gak gembira jadi juara dua?"(Eh, Mal, are you okay? Why do you look unhappy being in the second place) He asked the Malay girl. "Takde lah, mana ada tak gembira, aku ok je"(There's no such thing, of course I'm happy, I'm OK) she answered while giving a smile so that her friend wouldn't be so worried. "Mahusay, wala ako sa huling lugar sa pagkakataong ito"(Great, I'm not in the last place this time) Said Phil, feeling proud of himself. The others are confused by Phil's words since they don't understand tagalog, except for Mal and Indo.(The Maphilindo trio always understood each other)
The bell rings, which means it's time to go home. "Mal, pulang bareng yuk"(Mal, let's go home together) Indo said, asking her to cycle together. "Tak boleh lah, aku kena balik awal,kalau tak nanti bapak aku marah"(I can't, I have to get back home early, or else my dad would be mad at me) Mal said. "Yaudah deh, aku pergi dulu ya"(well then, I'll get going) Said Indo, a little disappointed.
-At British house-
Mal's pov-
"Assalamualaikum" i greet, literally forgetting that I'm the only Muslim in this household.
Ame's pov-
I heard Mal's voice, I quickly turned of the TV since I don't want to traumatized my lil sister with what I'm watching. "Hey Mal" I said. Then I noticed she looked a bit sad, "Hey... Are you okay Mal?" I asked, feeling a bit worried about her. "I'm fine... I'm just tired" she answered with a voice that didn't sound tired, but sad. Just then, father come out of the kitchen with a cup of tea like usual.
Mal's pov-
"Father, I got second place in the exam" I showed my exam results to him. "Why not the first place? You could've done better than this right?" he answered with a disappointed voice. "Yes.....Father" I replied, I knew he would be disappointed. "I want to see your name in the first place the next time you show the results" He said with a strict voice. "I'll never disappoint you again, father" I said while keeping a straight face, trying to not let out a tear. "You better do as I say or you will get the punishment" He threatened me. "Yes, father" I said before going to my room. Once I reached my room, I closed the door slowly, trying to not bang it. I dropped my bag on the floor, lay on my bed with my face down and started to let out my tears. Then I cried myself to sleep.
-in Mal's dream(or nightmare)-
"That's the best you can do, second place?" "You're a worthless child" "You're bad studies, exercising, and speaking" "You can't even say your own name" "crybaby" "stupid" "useless" "DIAM, DIAMLAH!" "JANGAN GANGGU AKU" "PERGI!" ABANG MPAJA, ABANG MNLA, TOLONG MAL!"
I woke up from that nightmare, my tears are still flowing eventhogh my eyes are already hurting and red."Dinner's ready" I heard mother calling us, I wipe of my tears and put on some make up to cover up my bruised eyes. I get out of my room and walked downstairs to the dining room.
