House of Koi by Lilian Li

Author:Lilian Li [Li, Lilian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781641376686
Publisher: New Degree Press
Published: 2019-11-30T20:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13:

Terima Kasih

Sean had learned how to ride a bike using no hands. His back straight, he reached into his sling bag and pulled out a rolled newspaper bounded with a thick orange rubber band. He chucked it over the gate, and the newspaper landed perfectly on the doorstep.

“Yes!” Sean silently whooped and patted himself on his shoulder.

The sky was bright and blue and promising. Today—his plan began.

When he reached Mila’s house, he braked and looked into the kitchen window.

He saw Mila walking around with her cup, and he guessed it was Milo. He could hear the silence all the way from here, except for the cling cling of spoons against cups. Aunty was sitting with her back turned to the door, so he could see her looking down at her cup, probably coffee. Sean watched as Mila placed her cups in the sink and looked at her grandmother.

“Say something,” Sean urged from afar, hoping she could hear his silent prayer.

On cue, Mila opened her mouth but then shut it and left. He watched Aunty put her cup down and turn around. Determination coursed through him.

When Mila stepped out of the door, he waved and yelled, “Princess!”

She whipped around and sent a scowl toward him as she walked toward the gate. She opened the side door and went to him.

If all she needed him for was to get down Bukit Mertajam, he’d happily drive her down every morning. If only to see her face. And hopefully her smile.

“Your chariot, miss?” he said and handed her the helmet.

“You’re finished with your newspaper rounds?” She asked.

“Ya. Now kuai dian lah,” he said impatiently. Now hurry up lah.

She rolled her eyes but took the helmet. “This is only until Jane’s mum can come pick me up.”

“Sure, princess,” he said.

“You won’t be saying that nickname for long,” she retorted as she climbed onto the motosikal behind him and pinched the back of his shirt with her index finger and thumb.

Sean turned around. “Don’t fall off,” he said. Then letting out a snort, he kicked the engine and sped down the mountain.

He heard a yelp as gravity pulled them closer together, and he let himself have a satisfied smile when her hands instinctively went to his sides. And then he nearly jumped.

With his elbows, he nudged her hands higher. He hoped she couldn’t feel the ridges of his lungs. He really needed to put on weight. Especially muscle. He felt a little self-conscious at how small his arms must look now, with the wind riding his sleeves upward.

They reached a sharp turn, and Mila’s hands flew back to his sides. He screamed into the wind, “I’m ticklish!”

Big mistake. He knew it as soon as he said it out loud.

He could almost feel the horns growing from Mila’s head behind him, poking him, taunting him, ready to strike at any second.

He gulped. Then he saw the roti man.

“Hey!” he said. “Want bread?”

He led his motorbike to the side and hopped off before Mila could start her attack.

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