Second Chances (Kathneil FF)

Second Chances - 2

Second Chances - 2

"Mr Rodrigues? What are you doing out here by yourself? Where's your entourage?" The evening has turned dark and Wan Hakim was surprised to find his guest sitting alone by the road.

"I'm alone, Wan," he answered the hotel manager who was in charge of his group stay there. "I just need some fresh air that's all."

"Yes, but you are sitting by the road side," the man in the smart maroon jacket said. "A side road no doubt, but still... the air here is not too clean to breath. Definitely not fresh."

"That's ok, I just need to stay here a while," Kevin smiled, putting out his cigarette onto the flower bed. "Just needed a break, that's all."

Wan watched the handsome Filipino movie star carefully dropped his cigarette stub into a metal container he took out from the back of his denims, impressed that the latter did not litter his waste.

"Ok, I understand," Wan nodded. "I'm just worried that your fans may accost you out here."

The hotel manager continued with a grin, "What will my management say?"

"What fans?" Kevin Rodrigues laughed. "One thing I'm glad about filming here, is that Malaysians don't seem to know Filipino artistes. Imagine if I was Korean?"

"True, sir," Wan continued conversationally, "but I believe there is quite a strong following of Filipino dramas here in Malaysia, just not here in Malacca, I suppose."

Kevin was part of a Filipino drama production, scheduled to film for three weeks in Malacca, a city south to the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. Apart from the main shooting taking place in Manila, some shots were to be taken at various spots in the history-rich Malacca.

The young star has been in the city for three days, familiarising with the chosen filming sites, an assignment not really needed for a star like him. But with his growing interest in production and at the same time getting away from his mother's constant nagging, he found an earlier visit a good excuse.

"We are quite kampung here," his host continued, himself leaning against another huge pot.

"Kampung?" Kevin asked.

"Well, it really means village but in this context, it's more like err...backward."

Wan liked talking to the Filipino, whom in his eyes was a likeable young fellow, despite his extremely good looks and unmissable aura. His 18 year old sister has been constantly bugging him to introduce her to the handsome star.

And whilst it was true that Malaysians were not quite familiar with Filipino artistes, heads never fail to turn, whenever Kevin Rodrigues walk by.

Fair and clean cut, with boyish good looks that was made interesting with occasional scowls.

"Aaah... I see," Kevin smiled, displaying a slash of dimple on the side of his chiselled cheek. "Backward is good. Kinda peaceful for me."

"Ok, sir," Wan took the cue and stood up from his leaning position, ready to start work after his evening prayer break. "I'm glad you're feeling relaxed here. I shall leave you then."

"Ok, Wan, thanks. I'll be in shortly."

"Ok," Wan answered as he walked up the slight slope towards the hotel's side entrance. As an afterthought, he turned back towards Kevin.

"Oh, what about a ride throughout town? See the town at night? Would you prefer that? I can arrange for a car for you."

"Yes," Kevin stood up and nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, why not? I'd like that."

"Great," the manager smiled. "Give me a few minutes and we'll arrange for a pick up at the lobby."

"Sure, I'll walk in with you, then."

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Fifteen minutes later, Kevin was seated comfortably in a hotel limousine, slowly cruising the night streets. He has been to Malacca on a recce trip a month before and has seen many suitable places for his drama, but this was his first time experiencing the small town at night.

Malacca was approximately two to three hours drive south of Kuala Lumpur.

So given the fact that his mother arrived at around six that evening, he counted that he would be safely away from her when she arrived at the hotel at about half past nine. It was a little before nine yet most of the streets were nearly empty.

As predicted, the driver who did not speak much English, went through the historical sites, passing by the iconic red Dutch clock tower and the old cathedrals.

They also drove along the Malacca river where Kevin had the pleasure of seeing warm lit windows of the little shop houses lining it. Funnily enough, Kevin felt at home here, with many of the town's old building quite similar to those that the Dutch left behind in Manila and other Filipino towns.

"You have dinner already, sir?" The limousine driver asked.

"Well, in actual fact, no."

"Ok, I take you to Portugese restaurant."

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