The Bet & The Heart.

CHAPTER XIV

Syafiq sat at the kitchen table, pushing around the food on his plate. The aroma of freshly cooked nasi lemak filled the air, but he barely registered it. He felt like a ghost in his own home, haunted by the memories of Sofia and the whirlwind of emotions that had consumed him since her departure.

Aunt Emelda, noticing his distant demeanor, set her coffee mug down and studied him with concern. "Syafiq, what's wrong? You haven't touched your breakfast," she said, her voice a blend of warmth and worry.

"Nothing," he replied curtly, avoiding her gaze and focusing on a spot on the table.

"Don't give me that. I can see it in your eyes," Aunt Emelda pressed, her tone shifting to one of gentle firmness. "You're shutting everyone out again. You need to talk about what's bothering you."

He clenched his jaw, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. "I said I'm fine," he snapped, the edge in his voice surprising even himself.

Aunt Emelda sighed, her expression softening but her resolve remaining strong. "This is exactly what I'm talking about, Syafiq. You can't keep isolating yourself like this. It's not healthy. You used to share your feelings with me; what changed?"

He glared at her, frustration mounting. "Maybe I just don't want to talk about it, okay?"

"See?" she continued, undeterred by his coldness. "That's what's wrong with you. You bottle everything up until it explodes. You're angry, and you're hurting, and pretending it's not there won't make it go away. You have to confront your feelings."

Syafiq felt the walls he had built around his heart begin to crack at her words. But instead of opening up, he crossed his arms defiantly. "I don't need this right now," he muttered, pushing his chair back and standing up.

"Where are you going?" Aunt Emelda asked, her concern deepening.

"Out," he replied tersely, not bothering to explain further. He grabbed his jacket and walked out the door, leaving her behind with a heavy heart.

As he stepped outside, the cool morning air hit his face, but it did little to clear the storm brewing within him. He couldn't shake the feeling that Aunt Emelda was right, yet he felt so lost and overwhelmed.

Without a specific destination in mind, he hopped on his motorcycle and rode through the winding streets of the village, the wind whipping through his hair. It wasn't long before he found himself outside Maziz's house. The familiar sight of his friend's home brought a flicker of hope.

Syafiq parked his motorcycle and walked up to the front door. He knocked, and Maziz opened it with a wide grin. "Syafiq! Long time no see, man! Come in!"

As he stepped inside, the warmth of the home enveloped him, a welcome contrast to the storm of emotions brewing within. The sounds of laughter and music filled the air, and Syafiq immediately felt a sense of relief wash over him. Maziz's family was bustling about, preparing for a gathering that evening, and the lively atmosphere was infectious.

"Want to chill for a bit? We've got some games set up in the living room," Maziz offered, leading Syafiq to the cozy space where a group of their friends were gathered.

"Yeah, sounds good," Syafiq replied, grateful for the distraction. He sat down with the group, joining in on their banter and laughter. As they played games, he managed to push thoughts of Sofia to the back of his mind, if only temporarily.

But even amidst the laughter, he felt a pang of guilt. It was as if every joke and every smile was a reminder of the void Sofia had left. Despite his efforts to enjoy the moment, her presence lingered like a shadow.

After a few rounds of games, Maziz nudged him playfully. "Hey, what's eating you? You've been quiet since you got here. It's not like you."

Syafiq shrugged, unsure of how to articulate the mess of emotions swirling inside him. "Just... a lot on my mind, I guess."