The Cerpens

The Visit

"Papa, let's go watch the submarine. I think they had 'cleaned' whatever inside it and it's already open!" I encourage my dad. Since we were Klebang Beach, an area close to the submarine museum, it's a good chance to see it. Honestly, I like to visit museum. A lot of stories behind those artifacts I could discover.

After paying to enter, I was stunned with what were inside. I walked slowly. They walking path wasn't big (what do I expect then, after all, it's a submarine). While waiting for my parents who were blocked by some tourist and have to take time to reach me, I sat for a while on a tiny seat placed there, besides the 'controlling area'.

My eyes glanced at a mannequin of a man, wearing army outfit. It was placed a room, which only has seats and a table. I was shocked at first because the face looked so real. I continued staring while my mind wandering around.

'How is it like to be marine army?''

'How's their life.''

'Do they enjoy-'

I realized the face looked serene. Its hand was holding something, like a necklace. I tried to reach for it but the sign says 'Do Not Touch'. Oh well, I have pushed several buttons. But I decided not to touch it. The hand was too far anyway. A half-door-sized glass was at the door the door to avoid tourist from entering it.

When my parents reached me, we continue walking, but my mind still wondering about the mannequin. But I saw several other mannequins, so I was kind of forgot about it.

I took a picture of my parents until something hit my head. I turned around to see a kid accidentally throwing something to me. I took it, it was a necklace. Before returning, the mother saw it and scolded the kid. I knew that the necklace wasn't theirs. They look worried, maybe scared being accused as thieves, so I decided to help them returning it back.

I went back to the room without my parents. It's kind of raining outside. No tourist, so the museum was empty. I look at the necklace. It was a heart-shaped necklace where you can put pictures inside. I opened it (I don't know what I'm thinking) and I saw pictures of a couple. I look at the man, looks familiar and the woman's picture. I assumed they were married. There were their names crafted on it, Joseph and Lily.

I reached the room. The mannequin's face looked sad, or maybe that was only my imagination. There is nothing in its hand, so I guess it is really his. I throw it but not that hard because it's too far from me (I still have no idea how the kid reach it). I left because I'm worried my parents would left me inside (I lost them at mall, not in the museum too XD). At the corner of my eyes, I see the mannequin's face brightened up a bit.

My parents and I went outside together (glad they were waiting for me). I told my mom that I heard news saying they must find a lots of 'things' when they found the submarine, including skeletons (trying to scare my mom). We left quickly because it's going to be raining again.

I looked at the submarine once again and turn around. I don't know if I'm being imaginative or I really heard someone whispered 'thank you'.

I smiled. Maybe the story is true. Maybe the husband died while in service. Maybe he never see the wife again.

I'm glad I returned the necklace.

Few months later, I went there again with my friends. I quickly walked to the room. I found him, still in the same position, only the necklace neatly placed around his neck. I don't know, maybe he just wanted to make sure he won't lost the memory he had with his lover again.

And I have to make sure to obey all 'Do Not's in any museums.

P/S: okay actually this one was written back long ago when they first opened the Submarine museum in Melaka. I have no idea to whom the submarine belongs to, or the backstory. I just kinda feel something odd in there (I don't like small space; claustrophobia) and decided to write this piece.