Hello guys! I am back once again with a special chapter. Of course, by the title, we are going back to the past, or at least remember Malaysia during the old days. No smartphones, computers, MP3...heck our parents' phone is a good old Nokia that can stop a bullet and still usable afterwards. That time where Malaysia is still a young nation where she is getting used to everything. Inspired by the Star News' star throwback.
Replies to guest reviewers:
a random girl: For tips on writing good fanfics...I do not have. I'm self-learnt. Internet is my only help after I graduated from high school as most books I read are from there and yeah I am pretty busy with life and college that I'm too lazy to write. But thank you for your concern and reviews. But even an author needs her break (lazy time).
mirii: Cencaluk? The prawn one? Ah thank you for the info, I'll try to write it but won't be a main topic though. My mom eats the cencaluk, she's madly in love with it so maybe I'll use that as a reference.
Other guest reviewers, at least write a nickname instead of guest to avoid confusion. Also, why not create a FFN account? You can keep track easily of your favourite stories. Convenient.
Another thing before I continue on with the story, readers are required to give a shoutout of your state. Reason? I just want to see how far my story is being read. Curiosity you could say.
Warnings: Manglish maybe?
Characters: Male and Female Malaysia, the states and grumpy England.
_
FDM Special:
Throwback
_
1. Mini Bus
A small bus that has the capacity of possibly 20-30 people but in reality...well, let's just say, you might have a laugh from it. Ask your older siblings, parents, aunts or uncles that are way older if they had ever boarded it.
The small mini bus stopped as passengers went in. From a distance, a young nation was running towards the mini bus, carrying a backpack while holding onto another nation or a man's hand. Some might cry foul but...who cares about them.
"WAIT-!" she cried out.
As the bus was about to leave, the young nation grabs onto the bar of the door to the bus, panting and sweating profusely as some were amazed that she is able to catch up. She hoisted up the man, older than her by appearance throw him in before shoving him inside with one hand and probably the only thing that sticks out are his struggling legs.
"Wah! We made it!" she breathes out, satisfied.
A muffled grumbling came from the inside.
"Oh sorry about that!" the girl apologized sheepishly, reaching inside and pulls out a foreign young man with quite interesting eyebrows while ignoring the yelps, complains and amused look from other passengers. His hair, messier than just now and if looks could kill, the girl would have already been dead since the glare she received are quite deadly and dangerous.
"You better be." the man grumbled angrily.
The girl giggled. "Oh yes, you better hold onto something."
Before Arthur could say a word, the bus sped off in a crazy speed that is similar to Italy's driving in a way. These drivers should just registered themselves as F1 racers already and they might bring the country glory in a way. Worse, at the next stop...
"Oi, masuk lagi! Masuk lagi! Ada tempat!" [Oi, go in further! Go in further!]
"Mana ada tempat lagi? Dah penuh lah!" someone at the back yelled. [Where is the free space? It's packed here!]
"Tak ada tempat? Turun!" [No space? Go down!]
"Hoi mana boleh turun?! Sudah penuh lah!" [Hoi, how can we go down?! It's literally packed here!]
2. Mimaland Recreation Park (you have guts no?)
Almost everyone knew America is a chicken when it comes to supernatural, though Italy is a good choice but the poor cute boy never done any wrong to her while America...his annoyance already counted as wrong. Overhearing England's and America's challenge, Malaysia decides to suggest this brilliant idea of hers to his ex-father.
"The relics are perfect. All you have to do is to do that magic tricks of yours and he'll be running away screaming. Sweet right?"
Of course payment, video plus durians plus dinner treat.
Although it hurts that the park closed down but they had no choice as no operations can be done. The doors closed on that fateful day but that doesn't stop a certain others from utilizing the place especially a certain nation.
3. Horse Racing
Kelantan yawned as he walks over to answer the phone. He wondered, who on earth would call him this late? Once he picked up, he was not surprised when a familiar voice of a certain someone from the West side of Peninsular Malaysia called him.
"Oi Kelantan, can I come over tonight. I mean like right now?" Kedah asked from the other side, his face gloomy and tired.
"Um...why? My place so far lah. Can't you just sleep over at Penang's or the twins' pla-"
A sharp 'NO!' startled Kelantan. He knew that Kedah is a someone who does not get angry or scared easily. But judging from the other's reaction, he could only come up with one thing.
"Did you make Penang lose again in that horse racing stuff?" Kelantan deadpanned.
"SHHH!" Kedah hushed the other, before frantically looking around for any signs of his sister. "Hey it wasn't my fault this time! I just randomly said 'Ah I wish Penang would lose in horse racing so she could stop spending.', I never expect any of that to be true! Worse, it's the day her instincts said, good for horse racing! Right now she's gonna kill me!"
"...you were there weren't you?"
"I am just picking her up! I wasn't involved in gambling! Okay, you know what, leave your door open because I am going over right-"
"Brother dearest~"
If Kedah can get whiter than tan, he would already be white like a sheet of A4 paper. He turns slowly towards the locked door where his sister's voice came from. The banging on the door frightens him even more. The sickening sweet voice from Penang means bad news.
"Kelantan, I will pay everything, rent, food, water, bills, whatever just please let me go to your place!" Kedah cried out.
The other state sighs. "Okay but how-" Without waiting for Kelantan to finished, Kedah hung up right after muttering a thanks. He just hoped that the older won't be killed yet.
He stood at the same spot before nodding. "I'll just go pray for his soul instead."
4. Bicycle as transport outside of KL
Each state own a bicycle as transportation. They would cycle around the neighborhood or to work or to compete against each other. Some kids might cheer them on as well with a few others betting on who will win. No money involved just simple words or maybe treasure or maybe doing duties.
"Oi you're so slow!" Malacca called turning to the 'oldies' who are cycling at a snail's walk pace. The twins, Negeri Sembilan, were echoing the word 'slow' repeatedly while paddling around Malacca and Perak. Penang, still on her bike, counting with an abacus for some reason.
"Why need to go fast? I'm tired already mah!" KL complained, though he's a youngster, his bicycle speed is enough to make a tortoise laugh at him if not the snail.
Perak gave KL a deadpan look "You are supposed to be ahead but I can't believe you were behind Johor and Kedah."
The capital shot Perak a glare. " Excuse me, I can paddle fast. I just didn't use my full energy just now."
Sarawak rolled his eyes. "Then I guess you are breathing heavily because of it? And not because you are extremely out of breath and energy? Real good KL."
"Diam lah u. I'm going to show you how good I am" KL takes a deep breath before pedalling at full speed, surprising the states. It seems cool until Russia, who was pedalling at a speed that will surpass those mini buses and currently being chased by Belarus, who is also on a bike, send KL out of his bike and into a nearby bush where a wild cat creates art on his face.
"That is going to leave a mark for a while." Pahang remarked, wincing at the beautiful scratch mark given to KL.
5. Watching a movie
In this modern day, cinemas are everywhere. Indeed it's true, but what about the old days like during the 80's? Of course they don't have a lot of cinemas, only very few are the place frequent by people.
The queue? Well...
KL yawns as he patiently waited. His siblings practically abandon him in this super long queue for some stuff he doesn't even know. He leans a little to the side to check the queue. Hm...practically 50 or more people queueing. They better hurry up, the lady at the ticket counter is really fast.
He checks the money in his pocket, only enough for two. He said to the stray cat wandering next to him "It's just you and me buddy."
The stray cat merely gave KL a confused (adorable) look. "Meow?"
| TAMAT |
~HARI RAYA SPECIAL~
The Girl From Next Door (Sequel)
Human AU
Singapore: Johnathan Lee
Malaysia: Maya Salena
...
It is that time of year once again. The girl next door would eventually dragged me to her house. I learnt that she celebrates a very special day or days called Hari Raya. Well, I have been living here in the UK after my parents have to work a little further and thankfully, he just happen to be close.
Well, the celebration started the night before. Maya literally dragged me out of bed for this, she called it 'buka puasa' time. Of course I am young and living in a foreign land so terms like these are very unfamiliar to me. What gets Maya excited is the food. Again, I am not surprised. Food has been playing an important role in Maya's life.
"Johnathan~! Come over to my place now!" Maya called out, again I admired her for being full of energy despite the moon hangs high in the sky. Really her energy should be use in the day time not night.
"But it's night time," I said as I yawn after I opened the window to my room. "can't we play tomorrow?"
Maya adamantly shook her head. "Cannot! Tonight you have to come!"
And to my utter horror, she climbed the tree, yes, it's dangerous if she falls, and I do not want to see her getting hurt just because I was so reluctant in going to her place. To prevent her from doing such an act, I give in to her. "Ok, ok, let me get dressed first."
I just hoped that Arthur won't accidentally let her barge into my room and dressed me. Honestly, I think I would just hide myself in the room and never come out.
..o..o..
I went down the stairs only to see Arthur getting ready, probably Maya kept on pestering him to go. I won't be surprised if she did just that. A simple buttoned shirt with a vest and trousers for the bottom. Yeah, that's his usual look but slightly bit formal but goes well on him. Maya even admitted he looked great with a vest.
"Ready?" Arthur asks.
I nod as I walk over to him, taking his hand, guiding me out of the house before Maya decides it's the right time to tug me out of Arthur's hold and run to her place with me in a tow. Her bright smile accompanied with the twinkle in her eyes will forever be engraved into my memory. The way she smiles, it's like everything is lighter and brighter. Though I am unsure how long we will be together but the times we spent together are real.
Maya is the girl from next door. She is Malaysian and she is celebrating Hari Raya. That night before the Hari Raya, her smile is carved into my memory. I suddenly have the urge to protect that bright smile, bright enough to lit up the night sky.
