Chapter 01
~ April 5, 2018 ~
One of the reasons why I'm worried about leaving my home country is because of the new school I'll be entering. A new school means a new environment, which means new people. A new school also means a new kind of curriculum.
Oh yeah, have I mentioned that schools in Malaysia start around January? Meaning, I'm late for a quarter in a semester. This is why I put in extra effort to catch up on the lessons I missed. This sucks. I just moved up from 10th grade and I started 11th grade immediately. Oh well, no break for me, I guess.
It's almost been a month since I started my classes here at Pulau Rintis School, and I must say, I'm impressed with the education system they have here. I'm currently in Year 11, which is called the senior high school back in the Philippines, and upper secondary education here.
So far, I'm starting to adjust well to the new environment. I already made friends with whom I go out to lunch with. There are times that I suffer from school works, because of how late I entered this term, but it's okay. I can manage. It's all for the dream, yeah?
I've always wanted to be an economist; I'm curious about how the production and distribution of wealth happen in a country. I also want to know more about the system of the production, buying, and selling of goods and services. Economics is general itself and there are varieties of options after taking that course; getting a job, taking up a Master's degree, or even go to law school. It sounds exciting yet scary at the same time, lol.
Currently, it's 5 PM and I'm hurrying up to get home by walking. My classes always end at 3 PM, but since I have to catch up for some missed classes, I have been going home at 5 PM ever since I started schooling here. Since it's Thursday and we have no classes tomorrow, I decided to stroll around the neighborhood for a bit, since I never got the chance to do that since I started school right after I arrived here.
As I walked around, I kept on looking at the sky. There are a lot of clouds today, I thought. Because of that, I didn't see what's in front of me which resulted in me bumping against a lamp post.
"Ouch!" I cried, realizing what just happened. I grunted because of my stupidity, then I just walked away. 5 minutes after that, I come across a huge stall, well, it was like a small shop with seats and a counter. There was signage that says Tok Aba and Boboiboy's Kokotiam.
I didn't know there was a cocoa shop near us? How come I never noticed? Oh yeah, because I was busy catching up with school since I entered late. Sighs. I walked towards the shop, seeing an old man fixing some things.
"Uhm, hi." I politely greeted. "Are you guys still open? I know it's kind of late, but I was thinking if I can order a drink." Hell yeah, my water bottled is already finished. I felt the need to have a refreshing drink.
The old man in front of me chuckled, "Of course. We're open until 9 PM. You're still early for closing time." I felt my cheeks going red, did he assume that I wanted it to close? Watch your words next time, Lia. Hay.
"G-great. Can I have a....." I stared at the menu in front. "Uhm... One special ice chocolate... Yeah, that's all. One special ice chocolate." I said as I got my wallet from my bag.
I paid him 10 RM, then he gestured me to sit down. Once I sat down, I took out my notebook that has all the reminders I needed for my requirements. I sighed in relief as I checked it, I have around 4 more pending to go. Ugh, better than 15, right?
"You know, I haven't seen you before." I heard the old man starting a conversation as I heard him using machines to prepare my order. "Are you new here?" I looked at him with a small smile, "Yeah. I actually moved here from the Philippines, around a month ago. I started schooling here as well right after moving in. This explains the reason why I'm still in my uniform, I just came from school."
"At 5 PM?"
"Yeah, I have to catch up on the missed classes. It has been like this ever since I started studying here. I'm like, 2 months late from the official start of classes so I really had to work hard to catch up." I felt like crying after saying that, it wasn't really easy since I'm still adjusting to all the new things.
I saw his face fell, I guess he was pitying me. "Oh, poor you. It's not that easy to adjust to everything. Given the fact you came from a different country." I sighed, "Yeah. That's life, I guess."
There was silence after that conversation, I resumed checking my notebook. I was overthinking that I might miss something. I didn't even notice the man serving my order, which startled me. "Oh my. Thank you so much. Sorry, I was checking my notes."
He smiled, "That's alright. Say, to cheer you up, if you come back here again, your order is on the house." I was shocked. What? I was about to answer, he spoke again. "Then after your next visit, I can give you some discounts. I really admire people who work hard, even if it means going beyond their limit."
My heart melted upon hearing that. For a stranger like him, I felt comfortable with him already. "Wow, uhm... I don't know what to say... Just... Thank you." I introduced myself to him, and he did as well. He's the owner of this shop, can't you believe it? He's THE Tok Aba.
We had a short talk about how he brought up this shop, operations have been going ever since the year, 1967. I was amazed, for sure he made a lot of profit with this shop. I also heard from him that his grandson, although I forgot the name, helps him in managing this shop.
"Do you know him?"
"Who?"
"Oh, my grandson. Boboiboy."
"Oh, I'm sorry. No, I don't know him." Should I know him?
"That's alright. You're new here, you'll eventually know more people here in the neighborhood."
After I finished my drink, I thanked Tok Aba and told him I'd be back soon. "Take care, Lia! Go home as quick as possible, it's getting dark." I left the cocoa shop afterward, all lightened up because of what happened. I took out my phone to message my mom, who is still at work right now. She didn't have trouble finding a job because her job back in the Philippines, relocated her to the branch here in Malaysia.
My mom works at Lazada Group; it's a technology company that focuses on e-commerce. She's a senior associate there, specifically in logistic operations. They do quality control and operations. To everyone who loves online shopping, Lazada is for you guys.
I sent a message to her saying that I'd be home in a bit. I told her about Tok Aba's Cocoa shop, which was the reason why I'm later than before. I was scrolling on my phone afterward, still walking to my house. With my attention not on the road, once again, I bumped into something.. Oh wait, it's someone.
"Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry. Agh, I keep on bumping into things lately." I apologized as I shoved my phone into my pocket. I looked at the person in front of me. Oh my, he's tall. I thought as fear was eliciting in my body. All I can say about him is.. he was wearing an orange cap, that has a symbol of B.
He gave me a warm smile, and what he said afterward washed away my fear. "It's okay! I guess you're preoccupied at the moment." I gave a sheepish laugh, "Yeah, sorry. I just came from school, and I'm heading home at the moment."
"Oh, at this time? It's already late. Let me walk you home."
I kindly refused, and said, "It's okay, no need. Uhm, I think I'm almost there. I'll be fine." Okay, I accidentally bumped into him, yet he still offers to take me home. It's kind of awkward for me, and in the same time, what if he was a bad man who's going to kidnap me?
"Don't worry, I'm not a kidnapper." He chuckled. "I mean if that's what you think. Besides, it would be rude for me not to walk you home. C'mon, it's getting dark." I guess I have a companion now.
As we were walking home, he started up a conversation. He said I was a new face to him, and asked me if I was new here. I explained to him about how I got here, and how's life for me currently. He was surprised by what I said, especially after knowing I study at Pulau Rintis School.
"Oh, I used to study there." AWw, used to. It's sad that I won't be seeing him in school. He told me he was in year 12, which was a pre-university level in their case. He explained that he is in a Biochemistry degree because he had been interested in that since he started going to school. He also explained the education system here in Malaysia.
I didn't notice that I already reached home, "Hey, as much as I want to continue our talk, I have to go now." I pouted. He gave me a warm smile, "Oh no worries. I'm glad to meet you today. Will I see you again?"
"Uhm," I started, feeling my cheeks go red. "Y-Yeah, I guess. We can just, uh, communicate through social media or something... But yeah of course! I just live here. Wait, we haven't introduced ourselves to each another!"
Can this day get more embarrassing? I saw him laugh, "Oh yeah. Sorry, I was getting immersed with our conversation to the point I thought we knew each other for around.. years."
"I'm Lia," I introduced letting out my hand for a handshake. "Lia de Vera. It's really nice to meet you. Thank you for walking me home today." I smiled. He shook my hand and said, "Really nice to meet you, Lia. I'm Boboiboy."
Crap. He's Tok Aba's grandson!