chapter 8

Suasana di dalam bilik kuliah agak senyap, hanya suara Raihan dan Cik Sabrina yang kedengaran. Janice sibuk dengan buku latihannya manakala Sir Faezan pula asyik dengan laptopnya. Jam tepat menunjukkan 3.55 petang. Pintu bilik kuliah dibuka, Izzuan, pembahas keempat melangkah masuk diikuti Zarul dengan rambutnya yang tidak terurus.

“Where did you find him?” Soal Sir Faezan, Izzuan memandang Zarul.

“I was in my room…sleeping.” Jawab Zarul.

“I can see that, Dato’…does that look like 3.30?” Ujar Sir Faezan sambil melihat jam dinding bilik kuliah tersebut. Zarul tersengih.

“Sorry…” ujar Zarul. Sir Faezan tersenyum sambil menggeleng.

“You’re lucky that I am a good guy…” ujar Sir Faezan. Zarul menggeleng perlahan sebelum melangkah ke tempat duduknya. Sir Faezan berdiri dan mencapai marker hitam di atas mejanya.

“These…” Ujar Sir Faezan sebelum menulis beberapa perkataan di papan putih “are the motions for the debate that we’re in. Sabrina and I have got the informations that you’re going to need as both the government and the opposition.” Ujar Sir Faezan setelah siap menulis tajuk – tajuk perbahasan di papan putih tersebut. Zarul mengangkat tangan.

“The roles? Sir?” Soal Zarul.

“About that…Raihan’s is fixed, she’s going to be the first speaker. You, Zarul, are the third while Janice and Izzuan will rotate through the motions as the second speaker. Izzuan will go for the first debate, Janice for the second and so on. Everyone okay with it? Any objection?” Terang Sir Faezan.

“That’s good…I intend not to object…” Ujar Zarul sambil ketawa kecil. Sir Faezan tersenyum.

“Sir!” Satu suara lembut dari belakang memanggil; Janice.

“Yes?”

“Is ‘the number of female leaders in parliament is the result of gender discrimination’ the first motion?” soal Janice. Sir Faezan mengangguk. “Yes.”

“Can I be the second speaker if we get the government role for that motion?” Soal Janice.

“And…why is that?” Soal Faezan kembali.

”I reckon that it will be better to have more female speakers in the team for the motion.” Jawab Janice yakin. Zarul merenung dalam wajah Cina di belakangnya. Sir Faezan tersenyum.

“That’s what I thought…too. Yes, you’re on for it.” Ujar Sir Faezan. “Sab, the papers…” Ujar Sir Faezan lagi, mengarahkan Cik Sabrina untuk membahagikan kertas – kertas kerja kepada pembahas – pembahas. Cik Sabrina mengatur langkah ke arah Sir Faezan.

“Liar…you haven’t thought about that don’t you?” Bisik Cik Sabrina sebelum membahagikan kertas – kertas tersebut.

“I gotta look professional, ain’t I?” Ujar Sir Faezan sambil tersenyum nakal.

“What’s wrong?” Soal Zarul perlahan.

“Nothing…just read these, sweetheart.” Jawab Cik Sabrina sebelum menjeling Sir Faezan yang berada di belakangnya.

‘You’re envious!’ ujar Sir Faezan perlahan. Jerk! Getus hati Cik Sabrina.

*****

“You’re good!” Puji Janice sambil Zarul mengikat tali kasutnya. Zarul tersenyum.

“Takdela…nanti bila dah masuk pertandingan nanti kau tengoklah sendiri…camne aku jadi patung Easter Island!” Ujar Zarul. Mereka berdua ketawa. “Dewan makan?” Soal Zarul.

“Yup…I’m starving. Izzuan?” Soal Janice kepada Izzuan yang sedang teliti membaca kertas – kertas yang diberi oleh Cik Sabrina tadi. Zarul turut berpaling ke arahnya.

“Oh?” Izzuan bulat mata.

“Are you coming?” Soal Janice lagi.

“Oh no, no, I’m fasting today…thanks for the invitation anyway.” Jawab Izzuan. “Zeck, aku naik dulu…enjoy!” Ujar Izzuan sebelum beredar.

“Perlu ke kau bagitahu aku? Ceh…budak!” Ujar Zarul.

“What did he mean by that ‘enjoy’?” Soal Janice.

“Nothing…don’t mind him…dia tu loyar buruk je lebih!” Jawab Zarul sebelum memulakan langkahnya. Janice mengikutnya dari belakang.

“Kenapa Rara blah awal?” Soal Zarul.

“Tak tahu?” Jawab Janice ringkas. “Anyway, I didn’t know that people call you zeck…” Ujar Janice.

“Aku tak suruh pun panggil camtu. Budak – budak ni yang pandai – pandai.” Terang Zarul.

“Can I?” Soal Janice. Zarul berpaling ke arah Janice di belakangnya.

“Ikut suka hati kau…” Jawab Zarul ringkas.

“Zeck…I’m sorry about the other day…” Ujar Janice perlahan.

“Other day? What other day?” Soal Zarul.

“That Saturday, astaka…remember? Where I bailed on you without saying anything…” Jawab Janice. “Oooo…” respon Zarul.

“Hah…baru aku ingat…apsal hari tu?” Soal Zarul setelah diam beberapa ketika.

“Huh? Err…I was in a very bad mood…nothing much…” Jawab Janice.

“Bad mood? Kenapa pulak?” Soal Zarul walaupun jawapannya sudah ada di benaknya.

“There’s something about kak Sha’s handycam…but then, it’s settled now. Thanks to Sir Faezan.” Jawab Janice. “Talking about that day…didn’t you have something to tell me?” Soal Janice. Dengan serta – merta, wajah Zarul berubah warna.

“Did I?” Soal Zarul berpura – pura tidak tahu.

“You were the one who called me to the astaka, remember?” Soal Janice kembali. Zarul sudah tidak keruan, peluh sejuk menitik dari dahinya. Apatah lagi, mereka berdua sekarang sedang berjalan di tempat sama kejadian yang memahat wajah Janice di kotak fikirannya berlaku.

“You know what? Why don’t you go first? Aku baru teringat…ada kerja kat kelas, okey?” Soal Zarul, tidak memandang wajah Janice.

“Okay…whatever…” Jawab Janice sebelum beredar. Zarul menarik nafas lega.

“Janganlah kau tanya pasal tu…” keluh Zarul.