Sweet Sorrow - Chapter Four

Hi Guys, I have uploaded the chapter 4 as i have promised earlier....chapter 5 will be up after next week as i will be away for Deepali. Enjoy the novel and Happy Deepali to all Hindhu readers out there.

Chapter Four

“So this is your house. Hmm..Classic.You did this all by yourself?” Lydia was amazed over the interior design of Ridzuan’s house.

“What? The interior? Nope, I just painted the walls. Those are my favorite colors and I love uniqueness, that’s why I used mix colors.” Ridzuan explains while showing around the house.

“Do you know something….hey we forgotten to introduce ourselves. By the way, I’m Lydia.” The introduction follows a moment of laugh.

“Introduction should come first,but not for us, I’m Ridzuan. My height is 5 feet 11 and my weight is…..”

“Enough Ridzuan, stop it…hahaha” Lydia can’t stop laughing over his gimmicks. “Never ask my height and weight, age especially.” Lydia warned him and continues her laughing.

“Hey, come on, I’m a doctor so I can guess exactly what your number is…you want to try?” Ridzuan challenges Lydia. “If you are clever enough.” Lydia dares him.

“26?” he wild guessed.

“Oh my god!!” Lydia was shocked to death. “How?”

“Well,I just guessed it. Who told you a doctor can tell your age?” Ridzuan teased her again.

They both broke into laughness.

“Ouch!!” Ridzuan shouted when he was trying to pour the iced water for Lydia.

“Be careful. Why are you troubling yourself? Bring it here, let me help you.” Lydia showed her hospitality. “By the way, why you bought so much of stuff but you are all alone here? Are you stocking it?” Lydia asked out of curiosity.

Ridzuan then explains why.

“So you are good cook huh?” Again Lydia asked him.

“Nope, not really. I’m good at boiling water, boiling egg and heating food using microwave oven.” He answered her shamefully.

“Then how are you going to cook all this?” Lydia stood up from the couch and stared sharply at him.

Her eye balls were widely opened. Ridzuan moved down to the coffee table and took a recipe book and passed it over to Lydia.

“Recipe book? Ridzuan you must be kidding me, aren’t you?” Lydia was again shocked.

Ridzuan stood up from the couch too and headed to the kitchen. Lydia followed him. Ridzuan filled the kettle with filtered water before boiled. It is an electric kettle.

“Make yourself at home. Tea will be ready in a while.” Ridzuan took out the Lipton tea sachet from the container on the shelves of the kitchen cabinet.

“So this is how you make tea professionally? Impressive!!” Lydia smiled cynically at him while walking out of the kitchen.

“Is this your family?” Lydia is pointing to the big frame hanging on the wall in the main hall.

“Yup, that’s my happy family, both of them have settled in Australia.” Ridzuan answered her from the kitchen. “Tea is ready, come on, have them Lydia. Careful, its still hot.”

“Wow, it’s tasty. Thank you and sorry for the trouble. You are a good tea maker or should I say expert tea boy…hahaha”

“Thank you. Bachelor’s tea.”

“How many friends of you are coming over?” Lydia raised the question as she finished the tea.
“About 4 of them, 2 guys and 2 girls.”

“Would you mind if I cook for you today since you’ve hurt your fingers?” She offered sincerely.

“Off course….i mean..if I’m not troubling you….but with a condition.” Ridzuan was so happy with her offer as he will have the chance to taste her food.

“I have a condition too, before that, whats yours?”

“Your lunch is with me today.” He tries to persuade her.

“But…..alright..and I will prepare the food at my place and I will bring them over to yours later.” Lydia showed some hesitance to cook in his place because she is more comfortable in her own nest.

Ridzuan nodded and passes all the stuff to her and walk her to her apartment.

“You won’t invite me in, aren’t you?”

“Not now Ridzuan. It’s a big mess in here. There are clothes all over the place.” She refuses to let him in.

“Well its just clothes.” He tries harder to make her get him in.

“Ridzuan, its CLOTHES…understand me….hahaha…”

“Oops..now I understood. It’s okay I’ll make a move because I need to prepare the drinks. See you later Lydia.

Ridzuan left with a smile. Lydia closed the door and went right to the kitchen to prepare the food. Lydia is a good cook. She learned from her mother Lisa who used to own a food stall during Lydia’s childhood. Lisa too was a cook in Lydia’s former school.

“tok..tok..” Lydia knocked Ridzuan’s house door gently. “Yah, a minute please.” Ridzuan responded.

“Hi Lydia, yes.” “ The cooking is done Ridzuan, would mind if you could gimme a hand?” Lydia have completed the cooking and need Ridzuan to bring it over to his place.

“The aroma…it’s tempting!!” The aroma of the food filled the entire house of Lydia. “Come in Ridzuan” Lydia invited ridzuan with grace. “So you sure I can enter now…?” Questioned Ridzuan jokingly. “I have cleaned them up. You are free to come in.” Lydia leads Ridzuan to the kitchen where the food is. “Wow..it looks great. Smells great too. I am sure to eat more than usual today.” Ridzuan seems to be very excited and can’t wait to have a taste of the food. Lydia has stuffed all the food in few tupperwares so that it would be easier for Ridzuan to carry it up to his house. “You are not joining us for lunch?” Ridzuan asked doubtly. “Nope Ridzuan. Am afraid I can’t join you today, I have some other important thing to settle.” Lydia responded while handing over the tupperwares to Ridzuan. Ridzuan was puzzled but he nodded and walk towards the door. “Oh my god, I misplaced my mobile phone, do you mind if you miss call my phone so that I can trace it?”. Ridzuan purposely hid his phone between the cushion so that he could have her number pop up in his phone. Lydia quickly went into her room and missed call his mobile. “Whats your number?” Lydia asked with a loud voice from inside the room. Ridzuan replied gladly. He feels like jumping but apparently he can’t because he is still holding the food on his both hands. A very low density music was heard and it came from the cushion on which he sat before. “Here it is. Thank god. It was my dad’s gift to me.” Lydia smiled and led him to the door. “Better enjoy the food and make sure you finish it.” Lydia warned him gently. “Am gonna lick it clean….hahahaha.”They laughed loudly as Ridzuan walked towards the elevator. “Thank you so much Lydia. By the way….i owe you a lunch.” He waved towards her and went into the elevator.

Sweet Sorrow - Chapter 3

Hi guys...sorry for the delay...i was back in home town last week....it was my convocation and was really busy all time around.....so here it goes...your much awaited chapter 3.

Sweet Sorrow - Chapter 3

Ridzuan is a handsome hunk from the same neighborhood where Lydia stays. He is a doctor practicing in HUKM. He is a neurology specialist who loves what he’s doing. Ridzuan was hailed and raised in Johor and he is the only son for his parents. Both his parents have settled down in Australia. Ridzuan refused to follow them to Australia though his parents insisted him. Ridzuan feels that his service is needed by Malaysians and he feels obliged to serve them. He is among the best doctors in HUKM and highly approachable. The unique thing about Ridzuan is whenever he smiles he’ll have dimples on both his cheeks which make him to look really adorable. Ridzuan loves people and has the manner of getting close to any patient without any hesitance. Although Ridzuan came from a well to do background but he is always down to earth. The only drawback of him is that he loves his job too much till sometimes he’ll work the whole day without eating and sleeping. For Ridzuan, his job is his world and the hospital is his second home. However, Ridzuan loves to play golf and swimming. Most of his past times will be dedicated towards golfing and swimming. The world of Ridzuan is so small until he meets Lydia. Ridzuan met Lydia by coincidence and that very moment nailed deep down into his heart. A gentle nail that holds the true meaning of life and love. Ridzuan decided from the very second that Lydia is his lady love and that he will have her no matter what it takes.

Ridzuan met Lydia when he was shifting to the same neighborhood as Lydia, in fact they stay in the same apartment. Lydia stays on the lower storey but they often collide while getting down through the elevator. Ridzuan was unloading all his belongings from a lorry on the day he was shifting. Ridzuan accidentally blocked the exit way of the elevator and was too busy unloading stuffs till he was not realizing that he made Lydia stranded at the elevator where she could not come out from the piles of boxes blocking her way. Lydia tried calling out for help but no one cares to bother. Seeing the elevator door is wide opened, Ridzuan tried to load some of the boxes into the elevator and was shocked to see Lydia standing helplessly at the doorway. She stared at Ridzuan so angrily that it sents fear into him.

“I am very sorry miss, really sorry. How long have you been standing there, just now is it?” Joseph tries to calm Lydia down but Lydia blast out as raging fire.

“I am already late for work and you guys testing my patience. Move the boxes quickly, I need to go. What a bad morning. I hate this, hate this completely” Lydia rushingly left the place while muttering something.

Ridzuan stopped loading the stuff and keeps looking at her until she disappears off his sight. She was so beautiful and her sweet face and her lovely angriness hooked him to her and make him to fall for her. He unloaded all his stuff and went into his apartment after paying the lorry driver. In his room, Ridzuan could not resist Lydia from his mind. She keeps appearing in front of him and he realized that she has some chemistry with him. He started to whistle while dancing and jumping, reactions of his excitement of being in a new kind of feel for the very first time in his life. A feel of chill although his body, he feels so light as if he is flying, unknown happiness and that the whole world is belongs to him. The feeling that he can’t interpret.

Ever since that day, Ridzuan hoped to see her atleast once in a day but unfortunately, his working hours does not permits him to do so. The only time he will see her is on Sunday morning, when Lydia will come out of the apartment and waits for a van to bring her to the nearby church for a Sunday prayers. Lydia is a Christian by birth. Ridzuan does not know that Lydia is not a Malay girl as he has been assuming until the day when the both met in a nearby wet market. It was a very interesting event for the both.

Since Ridzuan is staying on his own he planned to invite some of his friends over to his place. For a change, he decided to cook for his friends and went to the nearby market to get some chickens and some seafood stuffs. Ridzuan patiently walk through from one stall to another searching for the best seafood he could get. Ridzuan was so happy to have found the stall selling fresh prawns and fishes. He was delighted to see the stall do also sell crab, live crab. Crab is his favorite.

Excitement forced him to touch the crab and suddenly, “Ouch..ouch..oh my god, somebody please help, it’s biting my fingers…please…sir…please take it off…it tearing my flesh off…!!!’’ Ridzuan was crying loudly as one of the crab’s chelae pinched his finger.

The Fishmonger has no idea what to do as he was busily looking for something that could help Ridzuan. All the eyes in the market are staring at Ridzuan but unfortunately no one is lending a helping hand. As Ridzuan’s cry gets louder, A lady from nowhere suddenly appeared in front of Ridzuan to try her luck on helping Ridzuan. Ridzuan is still in pain that he closes his eyes and let the lady to do her part without even looking at her. The lady requested Ridzuan to hold on for another minute. She demanded the fishmonger to bring a basin full of salted water and sinks Ridzuan’s hand into it while she slowly took off the chelae from his finger. The water color in the basin changed to red. It was Ridzuan’s blood. She asked Ridzuan to open his eyes. Ridzuan was astounded to see Lydia standing in front of him and later realized that it was Lydia who helped him. For a second he imagined Lydia as a super lady, wearing the superwoman costume, off course with the brief’s on the outside. Without wasting anymore time, he invited Lydia over to his place for a tea, morning tea.

“But I need to finish my marketing first.” Lydia requested with sparkling smile.

“Oh yes, off course, I have not finished my marketing either.” Ridzuan clumsily replied.

Lydia nodded her head to the left and right then they walked together. Ridzuan let Lydia to walk ahead and he can’t stop looking at her,” Damn, I love this lady!!” He whispered to himself.

Swwet Sorrow - Chapter Two

Hi Guys, since i have finished the second chapter ahead the schedule...so m publishing it for you guys...stay tune the third chapter....leave your comments please....happy reading and thank you.

Sweet Sorrow - Chapter Two

“Hello Joseph, I need to talk to you immediately. Please return my call once you got this message.” Lydia left a voice message on Joseph’s mobile as he couldn’t be reached. Lydia sound so desperate to meet and talk with Joseph. She spent a sleepless night the day before. Something is bothering her and she really needs Joseph by her side now. Lydia could not stay focused on her job, thus she came back home on a half day leave. She bought some cookies, her favorite chocolate cookies on her way. Lydia, although owns a car but she seldom uses them. She prefers to travel on LRT to her work place since it’s more convenient and cost saving. Lydia will only consider driving when its rains.

After biting some of the cookies, she kept the remaining in the fridge and grabbed a bottle of iced lemon tea and headed into her room. None of her housemates were around today. They were working. She switched on the television in her room and muted it. She took her mobile from her brown with yellow and black striped handbag, the one that she bought in Bangkok some years ago and started to browse through it. She sent sms to Reena, her associate in her company informing her that she might not be coming to work tomorrow. Lydia then put aside the mobile and took the iced lemon tea while her another hand unmute the television using a remote controller. Suddenly her phone rings. It was a message tone. She received a reply message from Reena.

Dear Lydia, you better take care of yourself. Don’t worry much about the workload. I will manage. Just take rest and see you on Monday.

Lydia smiled unwantedly after reading the message. Before she could put away the mobile, the mobile vibrates harder. It’s Joseph. Lydia immediately answered the call. “Hello, Lydia. Are you alright? Sorry dear, I was quite busy with work. By the way, I am free tonight. Shall we meet?” Lydia was unable to say a word as Joseph keeps shooting out words without any pause. “I am fine. Feel like I wanted to see you and talk to you. Can we meet in Bukit Jalil Lake Garden?” Lydia suggested. “That’s shouldn’t be a problem. I will meet you there around 8pm.”

“I am sorry again, please forgive me. I knew I was late and kept you waiting. I’m sorry.” Joseph apologized to Lydia because he knew Lydia doesn’t like to wait. She is always punctual and expects the same in return from others as well. Surprisingly, today Lydia isn’t angry at all. She keeps smiling at Joseph. This made Joseph to wonder. “Let me guess, you got promoted, aren’t you?” Joseph was trying his luck on Lydia but she nodded her head to the left and right, showing her disagreement towards Joseph’s wild guess. Joseph still keeps guessing. “Your boss praised you! Or you got bonus, increment? What else could it be? Please Lydia, break the suspense!!” Lydia keeps smiling to him. She took out a letter and passed it over to him. “Read it” Lydia commands him gently. “And please save your comments first.” Joseph unfolded the letter and started to read the contents of it, line by line. He seems to be very focused to the words written in the light blue paper, a single piece torn from a notebook Joseph lifted up his face upon Lydia, but she was not around. Joseph stood up and shouted her name in amazement. Lydia was standing by the lake while looking at the fishes swimming in the pond just beside the lake. “Lydia, here you are, I was looking for you.” Joseph was relieved to see Lydia. “I heard you calling out my name but…..” Lydia paused. “But… what Lydia? Do you know how happy I am for you now after reading the letter? Actually this was what I wanted for so long. So are you serious about this?” questioned Joseph. Lydia walked away from him without saying a word. Just a big sigh. The silence of the night engrossed the entire lake. Joseph pulled few steps closer to Lydia and touched her shoulder. “Lydia, I knew its a very hard decision to make and I will be by your side always. It’s your future dear. Lydia, look at me…look at my eyes.” Joseph tried to convince her over the issue contents in the letter. It was a love letter. Suddenly, Lydia breaks the silence. “Joseph, I don’t think am ready for this now. I have a lot more things to do and achieve.” Lydia showed some resistance over the same issue. “Lydia, being in love is not an excuse for someone not to achieve their goals in life. You can still be successful if you have the determination.” Joseph tried to convince Lydia. Lydia turns around and holds Joseph hand and muttered into his ears, “I am scared of relationship and commitments.” Joseph just laughed over the statement and leads Lydia to the bench where they were sitting earlier. “Lydia, listen to me. Now tell me what your problem is?” Joseph lifted up Lydia’s face towards him. “I am scared of losing you.” Lydia voice filled with uncertainties and she couldn’t stop crying. It made Joseph to cry too. “Lydia, I love you too but life goes on right. Now stop crying and tell me what you know about Ridzuan.” Joseph asserts.

Sweet Sorrow -Chapter One

HI guys, as i have promised earlier, i have published the first chapter of my self written novel - Sweet Sorrow. Please leave your comments after reading it. The second chapter will be posted next week as i plan to publish the chapters on weekly basis. Enjoy it.

Sweet Sorrow - CHAPTER ONE
She looked terrified. Tears are pouring down her pretty pinkish cheeks but Lydia was nowhere in the bus. She is deep down into her own world. It’s raining heavily outside while she laid her head against the window of the bus. Eyes are not blinking and she is not there either. She seems to be very confused, confused about her future. She is on her way back from her hometown in Penang. She took the latest bus available to Kuala Lumpur. Lydia migrated to Kuala Lumpur some five years back. She was not even bothered when the steward kindly places the tuna bun on the sit next to Lydia. Lydia departed Nice bus which will normally serve the passengers with complimentary drinks and pastries. The pretty steward, puzzled to see Lydia crying but she don’t dare to signal her.

Lydia, a Project Manager attached with a MNC company around Ampang area, is a very well established personality. Her smart dressing and flawless make-up simply adds beauty to her. Lydia was graduated from Malayan University and obtained a bachelors degree in Information Technology. She possessed keen interest in computer related jobs thus she pursued the profession that suits her best. Lydia stays with her bunch of friends, not close enough but they do spend some time during the weekends. Lydia will be during most of the time alone in the house. She is renting a whole room because she loves privacy. Her past-time is none other than playing with her favorite guitar and fighting with her teddy bears. Lydia love collecting teddy bear, one will not be surprised to see as much as 57 teddy bears from all sorts of colors and sizes can be found in her room. Sometimes, it will be kidnapped by her housemates. Lydia love to play and talk with her teddy bears. Her best was a teddy bear that stands 5 feet tall, was gifted by her favorite auntie from Medan. It was presented to Lydia during her convocation. The bear, she calls them with name, only selected ones, as Boboy. Boboy is more like her own boyfriend. Lydia cant sleep well without her teddy bears especially boboy.

Immediately after her graduation, Lydia received an appointment call from the company she is attached till today. Lydia started as programmer and has successfully climbed the ladder to become the project lead. She is a real workaholic but if she decides to take leave, then that’s it, she will become very lazy. Lydia too loves cooking and creates her own recipes which prove to be a favorite among her housemates. Her most sought after dish is her tomyam and chicken rice. She makes a very good tomyam. Usually her housemates will prepare all the ingredients and will persuade her to cook.

She will go back hometown at least once in three months. Lydia father passed away when she was four years in an accident. Since then, she was cared by her single mother. Though her mother received many proposals for marriage but she refused just for the sake of Lydia. Lydia’s mother works as a cook in a school canteen where Lydia spent most of her time both as a student and her mother’s assistant. Lydia’s mother Lisa is a good cook, no wonder Lydia too can cook so well. Lydia and Lisa are more like friends and they have so many things in common. They share many things together. But when it comes to studies, Lisa is very firm because for her education comes first and she will never compromise. Knowing that Lydia will try to do her best and excel her education. Lisa’s wish is to see her kid succeed in her life. Lisa shows no hesitance when Lydia told her that she wanted to take up computer related courses in University. Lydia managed to enter varsity under her preferred course and completes the course with flying colors.

Lydia is a tall slim girl with bright complexion and flawless skin. She was approached twice by a modeling company requesting Lydia to become their part-time model. Lydia agreed after many episodes of refusal. She agreed at last because of Joseph, her friend she known since varsity time. Joseph is a very genuine guy who loves to be around Lydia. Joseph is Lydia’s well wisher. Many times Joseph was thought to be Lydia’s boyfriend mistakenly. Even Lisa once asked Lydia if there were something going on between her and Joseph. But Lydia replied with a smile, “Mum, he is my best buddy and he will never be my boyfriend, not even in my wild dream. He is a nice guy, very nice guy but I couldn’t see him as my special one. He is not the other half. We are meant to be friends, mum.” Deep inside Lisa, she was expecting for something else. Lisa love to see them, Joseph and Lydia to tie a knot. Joseph really takes a good care of Lydia.

“Joseph, do you still remember, the last time I bought a teddy bear was some two weeks ago, would you accompany to the Store?” Lydia asked Joseph politely. Joseph just nodded his head and the next second he was there beside his car, Toyota Vios, waiting for Lydia who is changing her dress in her room. “Auntie Lisa, come along with us, we will go for Pak Rahman’s special the tarik!” “Yes mum, come with us, what you going to do anyway in the house all alone, come on mum!!” Lydia added to the invitation by Joseph while pouring boiled water into her favorite water bottle. “But Lydia, mum need to cook for dinner…” “Mum, please. Today we will eat outside, it’s my treat.” “Yes auntie, come on, your daughter sure o have different plans in her head, don’ you Lydia?” Joseph teased Lydia. Lydia just smiled back at Joseph while putting on her shoes and walked towards her car while Lisa locked the house.

Was Awfully Away

Sorry guys i was away for quite sometime.....i mean for a long time i suppose...was really busy with work and work...i've been to few places during the time period i was hibernating. I was in Singapore in August for training purpose i regret to tell my phone was out of battery and i forgot to bring along the charger hence i couldn't snap many photo.

Last week i was in Bangkok, a very short and brief vacation trip. i was there with a friend of mine who basically arranged everything. It was during the Hari Raya holiday. Will tell you guys more about Bangkok and Singapore. So many things to share about Bangkok, pictures, foods, places, people and the environment. Totally a different world.

I am writing a novel and plan to publish it online on weekly basis. I need some comments from all you readers. Stay tune for it. I have finished the first Chapter and the second chapter is in progress. Its a story about Lydia, her past and future. Look forward for it. Sweet Sorrow is the title i gave to my masterpiece.