Stillborn - The Legend of Pontianak

Chapter 3 New Friends

Aaron sat in front of the box. He didn't know what to start with. Of course, he wanted to see everything in the box, but all of those things were similar, but yet so different, that triggered some sort of confusion in Aaron's mind.

Eventually, he grabbed something from the box and started analysing it. The first thing was an old document in which was written something called "The Legend of Pontianak". He put it aside, intrigued, decided that he will google that later, so he will understand more about that legend. Maybe he could provide a new story for Nelydia and her comics. He took another document and again interesting things caught his eyes: something about "Raja Musa", about vampires and ghosts, about stopping demons and people followed by monsters. Everything was so weird to him, all of these documents had something strange, something he wanted to know more about, like an impossible attraction after something destructive.

He finally removed a document entitled 'Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth', followed by a photo with a Malaysian woman standing in a swampy area.

"Who is she?" he asked the void.

***

Nelydia was still with Fasha and she was analysing her thick portfolio. She was more than impressed, she was astonished. This girl had everything she had ever looked for in an illustrator: talent, creativity, sensibility. She found her golden star.

"This is just amazing! I cannot believe how perfect your illustrations are. They provide me with so many feelings! You've got a great talent, I am honestly impressed," Nelydia said with an enthusiastic tone.

"Thank you! So, what is your answer?" Fasha said smiling.

Nelydia handed back the folder to Fasha. She thought for a little bit, then the response came to her mind.

"Okay, I tell you how we are going to do this. You can have the job, but only if you are coming with me tonight. I am having dinner at my best friend's place. Accept my invitation and tomorrow you'll have an office here. I promise you he is a nice person and if he has friends over, then it will be even better. His fellas, Hisyam and Ady are very funny. They're a duo. They never leave each other's side."

Fasha smiled and accepted very politely.

"Great!" said Nelydia. "I'll let him know you are coming."

***

Two knocks on the door, one at a time, like a secret code to let Aaron know it is safe to open. In front of his entry were standing Ady and Hisyam, two friends of his that were almost never separated.

They greeted each other in Malay, hugged and laughed. Aaron was happy to see them again after a long pause in their communication, due to work and distance. Ady handed Aaron a carton of root beer with a wink.

"Ah guys, so you are planning a great afternoon here, don't you?" said Aaron laughing.

"Of course, we are, seeing an old friend after a long time deserves some real celebrating!"

They sat on the sofa, drank their favourite root bear with ice cream and chatted about everything! They had so many stories to share!

"Tioman Island? Are you serious?" said Hisyam.

"Yes, I am serious! Oh man, you have to go! You must go! It is...", Aaron responded.

"Breath taking?" asked Ady.

"Breath taking, yes. I won't even bother to describe it, bro! It is too beautiful to describe."

"I'd love to go, but...", started Hisyam. "The company is working me like a dog! I don't have time to do anything, I am always busy! I assume that they are pressuring me so much because it is my first year. I hope they will chill out a bit in the next months."

Aaron nodded, he definitely understood Hisyam's situation as he had been there before, but now he was in a better place, taking a break from the fuss. He was now collecting things and helping Nelydia, as much as he could.

"I did hit up the waterfront last weekend though, me and the ladies' man over there.", continued Hisyam, pointing to Ady.

Aaron seemed confused. Ady explained that it was a long story and it wouldn't be necessary to continue. While they were talking, a knock on the door distracted them from the conversation.

"It appears that the ladies are here. Pay attention Ady, you might want to be nice to them," said Aaron while going to the door.

He opened the door and as he expected, there were Nelydia and Fasha.

"Hi, peeps!" said Nelydia feeling elated.

"Hi, beautiful! Come here, let me hug you!" responded Aaron. They had a very beautiful reunion. Aaron loved her more than anyone on Earth. She had always been his rock, his peace of silence when the storms were coming and it was hard to sleep alone or to even sleep at all. She was more than a friend, more than a sister, she was a part of him, the shiny, attractive half of a tired, sad man.

"And you are Fasha, I suppose?"

"Yes, hi!"

Fasha and Aaron shook their hands, but their eyes couldn't be separated. It was a sweet, small spark between them, like a fire that was about to start. Nelydia noticed the nice way they were starring in each other's eyes and hoped that this would lead to something great, to a young love that Aaron deserved so much, after everything he has been through.

After everyone met and a familiar atmosphere was settled, they started a topical discussion about Asam Pedas, an incredible local dish.

"I just do not agree with it, guys! I mean, I really like seafood just as much as this girl next to me does, but eating too that spicy Asam Pedas every day?" said Nelydia really confused about the others strange preferences.

"Anyone can say Asam Pedas is common across the country, but no one can say that all Asam Pedas is the same," Ady tried to explain.

"But dude, the style of preparation and the special ingredients used make Malacca's Asam Pedas special and different from those in other places," interrupted Aaron.

Fasha's eyes were following Aaron and all of his gestures, a thing Aaron noticed so he decided to start a more intimate conversation.

"Fasha, are you single?" he asked.

Fasha chuckled briefly and took another bite from her food while giving Aaron a menacing yet seductive glare. Aaron wasn't a fan of her gesture, so he got a bit turned off.

"I guess not," he responded to his own question, raising one of his eyebrows.

Thankfully, Hisyam switched the conversation back to the original topic, so the awkwardness disappeared.

"I'll tell you one animal that doesn't have to worry about being poached to be made into," said Hisyam with his mouth full. He swallowed and Fasha's eyes shifted towards him. "The 'belut'. Otherwise known as the electric eel. Let someone try and make a meal out of that guy, huh?" he continued making the group laugh, except for Fasha who was watching everyone with cat eyes, focused on details and gestures, vocabulary and even particular tastes. She was devouring every piece of information she could get from them like she wanted to enter their lives and change it drastically. Fasha wasn't scared to stare for too long, because her talent was not only to attract but also to distract when needed, so no one was noticing her intensive, long looks.