At the long dining table, everyone gathered for the first time. Various dishes were served on the table, including fried rice, chicken rendang, and vegetable lodeh, steaming hot, along with some other dishes.
"Wow!" Aliff's eyes sparkled as he looked at all the food in front of him. His nose sniffed the aroma like a cat smelling fish. "Did Siti cook all of this?"
Siti smiled warmly. "Yes, with the help of Aminah and Sarah too. I heard from Mom that you really like these dishes."
"Alright, everyone can start eating," Siti invited after making sure everyone was seated comfortably.
The sound of spoons and forks clinking against plates began to fill the air. Aliff eagerly scooped a spoonful of fried rice.
"Hmmmm..." Aliff chewed with his cheeks puffed out. "This is so delicious!"
"Really?" Siti laughed at her little brother's antics. "If so, you can eat as much as you want. I made plenty just for all of you."
In the warm atmosphere, Zain, who had been quiet, gazed at the empty chair at the end of the table. The chair that should have been occupied by their father.
"Hey, Mom," he finally spoke, his voice low and cautious. "It seems Dad isn't coming, right? Is he very busy?"
Mom's hand, which was serving rice, paused momentarily. Her eyes stared far into the distance before she answered, "Yes... your father has to keep working there. He... can't join us."
Silence enveloped the dining table for a moment. Siti, Aminah, and Sarah exchanged glances. Zain frowned, looking dissatisfied with the answer.
"But Dad will come, right, Mom?" Aliff asked innocently, his mouth still full of food.
"Aliff, swallow your food first before you speak," Razak advised, trying to divert the attention. He could sense that something was off in this situation.
"Alright, alright," Aminah tried to lighten the mood. "Let's eat before it gets cold. Oh, Aliff, Razak, you should try Sarah's rendang. She's really great at making rendang."
The conversation shifted to lighter topics.
After a satisfying dinner, in the living room, the television was on, showing the evening program, while Aliff and Razak sat on the soft sofa, their eyes feeling heavy from exhaustion after the long journey.
At the flat's door, Siti, Aminah, and Zain were getting ready to head home. The three of them had to return to their original home, which was quite far from Klang City, and they came here to welcome their mother and younger siblings.
"Zain, Siti, and Aminah," their mother gently whispered, "When will you three get married? Haven't you met your partners?"
"Huh?!..." they all looked at each other.
"We're still too young to get married, Mom, so..."
"Oh... just say that you actually haven't met your partners yet, right?"
They nodded slowly.
"Alright then, be careful on the road, don't drive too fast, understood?"
"Yes, Mom, we're leaving now," they said their goodbyes. "We don't know when we'll come back again."
"Yes, be careful on the road, my children," Mom hugged each of them affectionately.
After the departure of the three eldest siblings, the room felt quieter. Now only Aliff, Razak, Sarah, and Ina remained. Ina slowly closed the door and returned to the living room.
The sight that greeted her made her smile widen. Aliff and Razak were sound asleep on the sofa. Aliff curled up like a kitten, while Razak slept in a sitting position, his head tilted to the side.
"They must be very tired, right, Mom?" Sarah whispered, gently stroking Aliff's head. Her eyes radiated love for her two younger siblings.
"You're right," Ina nodded. "Sarah, please help me. You take Aliff to Zain's room, and I will carry Razak to Siti's room."
"Huh?" Sarah blinked. "So... Mom will sleep in the same room as Sarah?"
"Yes," Ina smiled. "Do you mind?"
Sarah's face suddenly lit up. "No, not at all! I'm very happy to share a room with Mom!" she replied enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling like a child.
Carefully, Sarah lifted Aliff's small body. Although she was 16 years old, Sarah still had the softness and innocence that made everyone adore her. She walked slowly toward the room that Aliff would occupy, trying not to wake her brother.
Meanwhile, Ina gently woke Razak. "Sweetheart, let's move to the room. Sleeping on the sofa isn't good."
Razak opened his eyes slightly, half-awake, and walked with his mother's support toward the room.
***
"Huh?!...
"Hm... where is this?"
Aliff opened his eyes, finding himself lying in an unfamiliar place. It was very dark where he was; there was no light at all, no shapes or colors, just an overflowing emptiness. The air felt cold and heavy, making the hair on his body stand on end.
"It's so cold," Aliff began to stand and look around.
"Mom?" His voice trembled with fear. "Razak? Sarah?"
Only the echo of his own voice answered. His small feet started to move slowly, groping in the darkness. Every step felt heavy, as if something was pulling at his legs.
"Mom... hic... where are you?" Tears began to flow down his cheeks. "Razak... Sarah... anyone... please..."
The darkness seemed to swallow his voice. There was no response, no light, nothing at all. Just a growing fear that consumed him. Little Aliff curled up, his body shaking violently, his sobs growing louder in the suffocating silence.
"MOM!!!"
*****
"Aliff! Aliff, wake up!"
Aliff opened his eyes quickly. In front of him was someone he recognized, Sarah, looking worried as she sat on the edge of his bed. Aliff felt his cheeks wet—he had been crying in his sleep.
"Hm... what's wrong? Why were you crying?" Sarah gently wiped the tears from her brother's cheek.
Aliff immediately hugged Sarah tightly, his body still trembling. "Aliff... Aliff had a strange dream... it was so scary, Sis..."
Sarah returned her little brother's hug, stroking his back with affection. In her heart, she smiled, *"Hm... my little brother is so cute."*
"What kind of dream did you have?" Sarah asked softly, still holding Aliff.
Aliff furrowed his brow, trying to remember. "I can't remember clearly, Sis. But it felt very dark... and scary..."
Sarah slowly released their hug, gently stroking Aliff's head with love. "It's okay, it was just a dream. It's morning now, and your sister is here with you."
"Really?" Aliff rubbed his still-wet eyes.
"Yes," Sarah smiled reassuringly. "Now, let's go out of the room. Mom has prepared breakfast for all of us."
Aliff nodded and got out of bed, holding Sarah's hand tightly.
At that moment, for some reason, Aliff felt a slight pain in his head, but he didn't tell his sister.