SOUND
by
Yusof Ihsan
In the washroom, James could hear the music and beats and echoed raps’ playing from his room.
And he was smiling and combing his hair.
Few days ago, he received a message from his colleague.
SZ1001 - The latest model of Space Virus Speaker had finally made itself into his city.
Sunday morning - This very morning, is going to be the first day of it to be sold in Z Mall.
I’m going to get the old-timer replaced. I’m going to hold some parties and make some noises. I’m going to explode the house!
James shaved. Looking neat with his guitar tattoo on his neck. First date with his speaker, he wanted the best for both of them.
He walked out from the washroom. Picked the finest cloth. Put it on. He walked to the garage and switched on his car.
Tuned to his favourite morning FM. Then he drove to the mall.
And it was 6.39am.
*****
James reached the mall at 7.21am. Parked the car near to the lift. He took it to the ground floor of the courtyard.
The courtyard was empty, just as he thought. To avoid traffic, he purposely came to the mall early in the morning.
He walked around and spotted an unlocked door to the mall.
He went into it to get a comfortable waiting place near to shop. To seat and wait patiently.
Because he knew people’d flood the mall in an hour or two.
He walked alone in the mall, the floor was dark blue and dull.
If someone drop a dime anywhere in the mall, he’d hear it. He knew.
It was so quiet.
The sound of his steps was echoed in the mall. James could hear it.
He found a spot near to the hardware shop. He sat and looked around.
All the shops were closed. And there’s no other people in the mall.
It was so quiet.
The only thing James could heard, after his footsteps’ gone, is the beating of his heart.
If someone stepped into the other side of the mall, or spoke, even babbled - James would hear it. He knew.
But in another two hours, he wouldn’t be able to hear a person speaking to him - even from the length of an arm.
James thought of that.
The mall was so quiet.
So strange.
Yet he found himself being so comfortable there.
What is this feeling?
He hadn’t had for days, months. Or even years…
What is this… Moment of silence?
He sat there and went into deep thought.
8.30am, workers started to came in and opened the shops.
He’s seating there without moving an inch.
9.00am, people started to came in and shopped.
He’s still seating there without moving an inch.
10.00am, people flooded the mall. Just like another Sunday.
He stood up and checked around. Couldn’t found anything he wanted.
And he went home without buying anything.
He wanted something else.
Days later, the mountains at the edge of town had a new visitor.
And that visitor became a lover of nature. He played music, sometimes. But most of the time, he enjoyed the sound the jungles, mountains, oceans, and other gifts of mother nature till the very end of his life.
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© 2013 Yusof Ihsan. All rights reserved.
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