Dr. Ghazali is still waiting patiently for Ali to tell his story.
Ali took a deep breath, trying to find a way to explain all of this to his father. He glanced at BoBoiBoy, but the orange cap boy just drink tea without paying attention to anything at all.
He had a quarel with BoBoiBoy earlier because he didn't want to go, but BoBoiBoy used his "Mama Quake" voice. So he can't compromise.
No one can say no if the voice has sounded.
Anyway, back to the real world..
Ali fumbled with the bandage on his hand before letting out a small sigh.
"Dad...You know that I love you right..?" started Ali. Dr. Ghazali nodded.
Ali sighed again. Dr. Ghazali held Ali's hand slowly.
"Ali...Tell me why..I just want to know." Dr. Ghazali gently persuaded. Ali complained again.
It's hard to be honest...
Without saying anything, Ali lowered the sleeves of his long hoodie and let Dr. Ghazali see all his scars.
"Ali...You.."
"Yes dad.. I did it.. I had to.. I had no way to stop it before, dad... I'm not strong.."
Dr. Ghazali gently caressed Ali's hand. He could feel the rough surface of the scars. But the effect seemed to be long gone.
"I didn't do it too much...When I can't take it too much, I did it..." Ali added again. Dr. Ghazali sighed.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?"
Ali bit his lip hard.
"Dad...always busy. I don't want to burden you like the bullies at school say..." finally Ali admitted making Dr. Ghazali surprised.
"Oh God, Ali. It's true I am lways working. But it's not to the point where I will ignore you if you tell me something like this!" said Dr. Ghazali, making Ali look down.
"Dad... are you angry?" asked Ali. Dr. Ghazali shook his head slowly.
"No Ali, I'm not angry. Look at your scars, I knew it's something that you rarely do, right?" Dr. Ghazali guessed. Ali nodded making Dr. Ghazali smile.
"So you're okay.."
Ali smiled before looking at his hand which was held gently by his father.
"Dad...I..I want to ask for permission..." said Ali.
"What permission,Ali?"
"Can...you let me stay with BoBoiBoy?" Ali asked slowly. He saw that his father's face changed.
"Huh? Why? You don't like living here with me?" Dr. Ghazali asked worriedly.
Being rejected by your own son is hurt like hell-
"N-no dad! It's not like that..It's just..I can't stand the school there anymore. Since Viktor wasn't there...I...always got bullied...The teachers don't even care, they even insult me...I can't stand it..That's why I want to go far away from here..."
Ali's reasoning made Dr. Ghazali surprised.
His son was bullied all this time and he didn't even notice.
It looks like he really failed to be a father.
"Ali.. I, I'm sorry for not always being there for you.." said Dr. Ghazali slowly while gently stroking Ali's hand.
"Dad.... You did nothing wrong. You works for the good for me too. Not even once I ever blames you." said Ali smiling before getting up and hugging Dr. Ghazali.
"I love you,dad."
"I love you too...My dear child."
They just hugged each other with full of emotion. Seeing the atmosphere made BoBoiBoy's heart skip a beat.
Ali released the hug with a smile.
"So, will you allow me to stay with BoBoiBoy?" Ali asked full of hope. Dr. Ghazali looked at BoBoiBoy before sighing a little.
"If that's what you think is best, then I'll allow it." said Dr. Ghazali.
Listening to Dr. Ghazali's granted his permission made Ali happy. He threw a hug for his father again.
"Thank you dad!" said Ali repeatedly. Dr. Ghazali happily nodded and hugged his son tightly.
"Don't forget to call me, okay? Take care of yourself..." said Dr. Ghazali. Ali nodded quickly.
"I promise! Er.. Can I pack the rest of my things from the house?" asked Ali.
He asked politely despite it being his own home too.
Dr. Ghazali nodded and Ali went up to his room.
Finally he can get away from Cyberraya!
Away from Cyberraya, away from MATA!
When Ali disappeared to his room, Dr. Ghazali turned to face BoBoiBoy.
"BoBoiBoy, do you know all about this?" asked Dr. Ghazali. BoBoiBoy nodded.
"I've heard it from him. Now I want to heard it direct from you." said Dr. Ghazali.
BoBoiBoy was actually quite surprised.
Does Dr. Ghazali doesn't believe Ali?
"I know Ali. He's really good at lying to cover up the real story. The story he was bullied is true, but the one to live with you is a bit suspicious. So, tell me. What really happened?" Asked Dr. Ghazali.
BoBoiBoy chuckled.
Dr. Ghazali really shown the reason why he is one of the three main leaders of Cyberraya.
"You're sharp,uncle. And here I thought we could avoid talking about this.." said BoBoiBoy.
"Okay, uncle, do you remember the big explosion that happened two months ago?"
Dr. Ghazali nodded.
"Good, there is...a group of boys...Eh,I will just keep it simple! Uncle, Ali is one of the young MATA agent."
BoBoiBoy speaks frankly.
He didn't have the heart to lie to Dr. Ghazali after seeing how sad he was when he wanted to let Ali go.
"MATA young agents? They train kids to be agents?"asked Dr. Ghazali.
Oh wow,so he knows about MATA as well?
"H-How did you know?"
"Dear child,I literally worked there,of course I knew!" replied Dr. Ghazali.
"Okay, it's nice to know. Save my time. Well, to cut the story short, the young MATA agents don't like Ali because of an incident that Ali couldn't control. They treated Ali badly. The day the explosion happened, Ali was carrying out a mission nearby and was left behind GEGAS protocol because he was trapped in there but he was able to free himself."
Dr. Ghazali could only listen while restraining his anger.
"After Ali escaped with injuries, he returned to the MATA Academy, but after he heard what the young agents of MATA said, he decided to run. Supposely,Ali is presume dead but I don't know why MATA didn't say nothing."
"So he ran to Pulau Rintis to look for you..." Dr. Ghazali added.
BoBoiBoy nodded.
Dr. Ghazali shook his head slowly before looking at BoBoiBoy. He put his hand on the young superhero's shoulder.
Dr. Ghazali; I am so grateful because you helped him..
BoBoiBoy smiled a little.
"Ali is like my brother,uncle." said BoBoiBoy making Dr. Ghazali and he laugh.
Shortly after, Ali came down with a backpack on his back. BoBoiBoy looked at the time on his power watch
"Okay uncle, we have to leave now." said BoBoiBoy. Dr. Ghazali nodded.
Ali hugged his father again tightly.
"Take a good care of yourself, alright dad? I promised I will always contact you." said Ali. BoBoiBoy gave something to Dr. Ghazali.
"This is a holo-communicator. With this, you can contact Ali even if we are far away." said BoBoiBoy. Dr Ghazali kept the small plate in his shirt pocket.
"Thank you."
Dr. Ghazali escorted them both to the front door. Comot from earlier meowing asking to come along.
"It's not possible Comot. You have to stay here with dad.. Who will take care of dad if you're not there? I promise I'll be back, okay?" persuaded Ali.
Aaaaa adorable...
"Eh, wait. How about the news of you being kidnapped? Shouldn't we settle that first?" asked BoBoiBoy. Ali was silent for a moment.
He forgot his status which is still missing.
"You don't have to worry about that. I will take care of it." said Dr. Ghazali. He then knelt in front of Ali.
"Ali..Take care of yourself, okay? Don't forget to eat, sleep enough. Don't think about anything else, okay? Listen to what BoBoiBoy is saying!" Dr. Ghazali's reminder made Ali chuckle with tears pooling in his eyelids.
"Okay dad... You too. Don't work too hard. Don't forget to rest."
Ali hugged his father for the last time.
"I love you,Dad.."
Dr. Ghazali hugged his son tightly, his heart is heavy to let him go,but can't do anything.
Ali had made a decision.
They let go of the hug and Dr. Ghazali wiped Ali's tears.
"See you soon son."
"Bye dad. Peace be upon you."
"Peace be upon you too,Ali."
With a final hug, Ali and BoBoiBoy walked to BoBoiBoy's motobike. After starting the engine and wearing a helmet, they waved towards Dr. Ghazali for the last time before speeding off and disappearing.
Dr. Ghazali just smiled bitterly.
"If you can see your son now, you must be proud...Aliya.."
At the traffic light where the light was red and BoBoiBoy stopped, he turned to Ali.
"I'm proud of you. You did your best." said BoBoiBoy making Ali smile.
He feels free from guilt.
Now is his time to build a new life, a new identity.
Time to build a new Ali.
**********
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~To Be Continued~
Author Kim_Ezra