Chapter 5

+ CHAPTER 5 +

 

The Secret Passage

 

A nine years old Malay boy was playing a game of warriors and pirates with his friends.  The game is said to have its origin from the legendary myth of Hang Tuah and his fellow warrior friends fighting off and capturing pirates in the Straits of Malacca.  Suddenly, he tripped over and hit a tree, and so he bled his forehead and knees. 

 

Melor came to the rescue, requesting for some herbal leaves and oil to be placed on the boy’s knees and forehead to prevent from further injury and wrapped them with stripes of white clothes.

 

“What do you say to this young lady?” asked the boy’s mother, who was standing next to him.

 

“Thank you,” replied the boy.

 

“Please be careful next time while you’re playing,” said Melor.

 

“Yes, Miss Melor,” said the boy.

 

Three months had gone by.  Two opposing teams were getting nervous and every player was prepared to conduct their most professional skills.  There were crowds of spectators attending the Football Cup.  On the first day of the Football Cup, a formal introduction was made, announcing the names ‘Tudor Lions’ and ‘Golden Tigers’. 

 

The Golden Tigers tried passing around and communicate a lot but the Tudor Lions, who had tricks up their sleeves, planned in any way possible to prevent their duelling team from scoring.  Although the Golden Tigers managed to score goals, their hard work did not win sympathy at first, as they lost to the Tudor Lions by 5 to 3.  Daniel was cheerful that his team won but his sister, Jane, was not.

 

Three months had gone by.  Two opposing teams were getting nervous and every player was prepared to conduct their most professional skills.  There were crowds of spectators attending the Football Cup.

 

On the first day of the Football Cup, a formal introduction was made, announcing the names ‘Tudor Lions’ and ‘Golden Tigers’.  The Golden Tigers tried passing around and communicate a lot but the Tudor Lions, who had tricks up their sleeves, planned in any way possible to prevent their duelling team from scoring. 

 

Although the Golden Tigers managed to score goals, their hard work did not win sympathy at first.  The Tudor Lions defeated them by 5 to 3. 

 

Darren was cheerful that his team won but his sister, Eleanor, was not.

 

No matter, Megat, Demang and Niall did not give up hope and they still strived for excellence.  The trio decided on the change of their players after observing many times on whom was best at what for the soccer games.  Ciaran was there to support the Golden Tigers to the fullest, since that his only son, Niall, was playing for the team.

 

A few days later, Eleanor sat with the Tudor Lions audience, and she was pretending to support them, yet her heart goes for the Golden Tigers team.  Her applause tended to be more cheerful for the Golden Tigers than the Tudor Lions.

 

“Excellent performance, Golden Tigers – I mean, Tudor Lions!” she shouted out.  “Keep the good work going, gentlemen!”

 

Finally, Eleanor decided to just cheer for her chosen team silently after seeing her brother’s disappointment as well as that of her English compatriots.  They gave Eleanor the frozen looks, as if she was a criminal suspect. 

 

Mak Delima wore a purple kebaya shirt with three golden brooches on it. 

 

Pak Ujang wore his collarless neck lined teluk belanga shirt together with his cotton black Malay cap.  Tok Kencana was also wearing a teluk belanga, in which it matched his black waistband and head cloth.  One of the Golden Tigers passed the ball to another player some distances away from the goal post.  The game was almost halftime. 

 

During the break, Darren was whispering something onto his team’s ears.  When the next match started, tensions started to arise, as the Golden Tigers no longer wanted to be the losers to the leading Tudor Lions.  Some Golden Tiger players tried to make long distance shots.

 

The duelling team managed to sneak up to the soccer ball when the ball was somewhere on the way to the goal post.   

 

The Golden Tigers acknowledged that a better strategic plan was needed.  In the following matches, the Golden Tigers kicked the ball more swiftly among themselves, finding ways to counter the obstacle of their rivals.  Megat, Niall, Demang and Angus each had their turn to score points.  They began hugging one another to show their dramatic joy of triumph. 

 

A player in their team scored one point, as he kicked the ball into the goalpost.  He missed out the shrewd kick from one of the Tudor Lions’ players.  He was trying to take the ball away but the Malay boy knew his motives.  The Golden Tigers played more like snakes than tigers and it certainly made the mounted Tudor Lions confused.  This time, there is not much of a long distance shot.  They spread out and were all over the field ready to receive the ball from their team players.  They immediately turned away after kicking the ball to their team player.  The ball managed to slip pass the duelling player and they found it difficult to get the ball. 

 

A Tudor Lions player kicked a Golden Tigers player’s shin to get the ball, pushed him to the ground and called him foul names.  A big argument occurred between the Golden Tigers and the Tudor Lions.  The referee came forward to break it up and gave the offending Tudor Lions player a red card.  After hours of playing, the Golden Tigers finally won against the Tudor Lions 7 to 5.  There was a grand cheering amongst the Golden Tigers’ supporters. 

 

“My hero!” she murmured to the direction of the Golden Tigers to ensure her high society lady friends do not hear her. 

 

“Congratulations to the Golden Tigers, as I am an honoured to see the tremendous effort they had made,” said Sir Holloway.  “I will conclude by presenting this enchanting football trophy to their captainand co-captain – Mr. Megat Sulong and Mr. Demang Sulong.” 

 

“Well, thank you, Your Excellency,” Angus replied. 

 

“Do not accept the sweetness too easily, nor should bitterness immediately be thrown away,” said Pak Ujang, with a feeling of suspicion.

 

Darren gave a grimace facial expression to his opposition soccer team.  Megat and Niall looked at Darren’s grimace with their straight faces that replaced their cheers of happiness.

 

Meanwhile, Musang planned on sneaking off to somewhere and disappeared from the football scene. 

 

“Well, it has been a long day for us,” Demang said to Sir Holloway.  “We would like to take some rest now and would like to depart.  Thank you for your kindness in spending this valuable time on a special occasion such as this.  We hope to see you again sometime in the near future.”

 

“That is most wise of you to speak of it, Mr. Sulong.  I hope you all have a wonderful afternoon as well.”

 

“Thank you, Your Excellency,” replied Demang modestly.

 

“Golden Tigers clawed the Tudor Lions!  Read all about it!” called out a young newspaper boy, who was showing the front page of a newspaper, and many people bought the copies from him.

 

Darren and Keith wore long faces upon hearing it.  Keith grabbed the one the boy was holding and threw it to the ground.  Then, the two friends walked past, and he picked it up.

 

Angus’s mother was at her house kitchen.  She was holding onto out a batch tray of biscuit fingers with her gloves and placing another tray batch of dough into the brick layered oven.  Angus brought her his delightful news. 

 

“My football team won against our opposition team, Mama,” said Angus cheerfully. 

 

“I am proud of you son!  Congratulations to all the Golden Tigers!” said an average size redheaded woman, who hugged her son. 

 

“By the way, this is Niall.” 

 

Angus introduced his good friend to his mother. 

 

“I am pleased to meet you, Niall.” 

 

“It is a pleasure to meet you too, Mrs. McDougall.” 

 

Niall and Angus’s mother shook hands. 

 

“How do you do, ma’am?” Niall asked Angus’s mother. 

 

“I am fine thank you,” replied Angus’s mother. 

 

Niall said, “If I am not mistaken, I can smell deliciously baked shortbread biscuits at this very spot.” 

 

“Well, thank you for your compliments on my shortbread biscuits,” she replied.“I notice that many people have recently take delight upon eating these shortbread biscuits.”   

 

“My pleasure, Mrs. McDougall.  I am sure your business will continue to be a success.  May I sample one of your shortbread biscuits?” asked Niall. 

 

He was optimistic about trying out the shortbread biscuits. 

 

“Yes, you certainly may taste it, Niall,” replied Mrs. McDougall, as she handed out her samples. 

 

Niall tried one and thanked Mrs. McDougall. 

 

“Where are the rest of your friends, Niall?” asked Mrs. McDougall.

 

“They are all at the Malay Town having a big feast at one o’clock, Mrs. McDougall,” replied Niall.

 

“Mum, I am thinking of joining the rest of my mates at the Malay Town and enjoy the delicious delicacy,” said Angus.  “Would you care to join us?”

 

“I would love to, Angus and Niall but I cannot,” replied Mrs. McDougall.  “I have to bake more of this popular shortbread biscuits, enough to be sold tomorrow. Promise you will be back before dark.”

 

“I promise, Mum,” replied Angus, comprehending his curfew.

 

“You two take good care of yourself,” said Mrs. McDougall.  “Have a safe journey, boys, and have a lovely time there.”

 

“We will, Mum,” said Angus. 

 

“Thank you, Mrs. McDougall,” Niall replied.

 

The two young men then approached the wooden entrance door, opened it wide, got out, and, closed the door behind them. 

 

It was late in the afternoon.  In front of the wooden Kedai Makan restaurant with flapping window shutters and an entrance door, there were Hawaiian torches standing on both sides of the entrance door.  The Golden Tigers have had a boisterous celebration at the Malay restaurant. 

 

Everyone had their delicious meals and sat on the benches designated for the dining tables.   Ciaran and Niall were somehow not present.

 

Demang and Megat were wearing their black caps, neck lined Malay shirts and matching pair of trousers with short-sarongs worn beneath their shirts.  As the leaders of their soccer team and sons to the Malay community leader, Demang and Megat made a short charismatic speech in front of everyone to reward their efforts in winning against the Tudor Lions.

 

I would like to congratulate our players and supporters for our proven glorious victory against the Tudor Lions.  After all our persistence to succeed, we all truly deserve this brass trophy,” Megat said. 

 

“Have pride in yourself,” Demang said.  “Let the sign of our victory be a reminder to our generations to come, of our honouring courage and spirit of determination.  We hope you have a pleasant lunch.  Thank you for your attention, ladies and gentlemen.” 

 

The audience gave their loud applause to the two boys.

 

Melor had been wearing her medium blue kebaya and a matching floral batik sarong.  On the other hand, Megat and Demang wore their light blue set of Malay costumes with dark blue waistbands. 

 

At the corner of the restaurant, Melor congratulated Megat on his best effort.  “Megat, aku puji kerja tekun yang awak telah lakukan.”

 

“Terima kasih, Melor,” Megat thanked her. Seeing her hesitation to say something, he was waiting for her response on that.

 

Demang saw tears rolling down Eleanor’s cheeks. 

 

She came forward to him and they hugged each other.

 

Upon noticing that some Malay elders watching them coldly, they quickly let go of each other.  Shortly after that the elders looked away from them.

 

Whilst wiping the tears that rolled down her cheeks, he asked her, “Why are you crying Eleanor?  Is everything alright?”

 

“For these past few months, you have been caring tremendously of me.  I could no longer withstand this thought of you, Demang, and it is best that I tell you now.” 

 

After approaching closer to Eleanor, Demang responded in his hushed voice, “What is it that you wish to tell me, Eleanor?”

 

Demang and Eleanor stood in front of one another speechlessly.  She had been wearing her straw hat and white gown all day.

 

The Bank of Australasia staff had been taken hostage by masked men who held firearms.  In the bank manager’s office, there was a spectacled dark haired man with olive skin and big nose.  There had a menorah standing in the background.  He was standing behind his deskand soon placed a moneybag on top of his desk while he was at a gun point.

 

Meanwhile, Darren and his cronies have entered the Kedai Makan. 

 

“Where on earth could Niall be?  What game is he playing?” Megat thought, noticing Niall’s sudden disappearance.

 

“I must protest against this intrusion!” ejaculated Demang.  “What is the meaning of all this?”

 

“Darren, I really think you should leave them alone now,” said Sir Harold.  “I find it very incompetent to barge in someone else’s premise.  Please, do not call for rush actions to resolve this matter.”

 

“Father, I know what I am doing!” Darren harshly replied.  “I can handle this matter myself.  Please, leave this all to me!”

 

“Very well then, if you are very convincing of it,” responded Sir Harold, sighing in disappointment.  “As you wish.”

 

“Mr. Darren Harold!” exclaimed Mak Delima.  “What is the nature of this absolutely disgraceful intrusion?”

 

“We apologise for this impertinence,” Darren said.  “We are investigating the robbery of the Malmesbury Bank, and we suspect the stolen moneybag with a Pound Sterling symbol imprint is kept within this restaurant.  The moneybag has a value of £500 in it.  Someone had conspired with the bank robbers and hid the stolen moneybag in here.  We are yet to find out the truth behind this.  Guards search this place!”

 

“As gentlemen, we could have first negotiated this matter in a civilised manner and not abruptly break into this premise,” said Pak Ujang.  “You have ruined our auspicious occasion.”

 

“That would no longer be necessary, Mr. Erdoğan,” said Darren. 

 

Darren pushed the cupboard and then to everyone's surprise, it was not locked.  Inside it was a moneybag.  After Darren took out the currency notes, he counted them efficiently.

 

“£500, and this indeed is the moneybag stolen from the Malmesbury Bank,” said Darren.

 

“How could you commit such an outraging scandal to yourself?” asked Sir Harold, feeling astounded and looking disappointed.  “Are you not ashamed this shall ruin your good reputation as respective leaders of your people?”

 

“With due respect, we honestly did not place the stolen moneybag here, Your Excellency and Mr. Harold,” asked Pak Ujang.  “We do not break the law.  It is a grave mistake that I find extremely incompetent.”

 

“It is unwise to blame this omit on us, as you have wrongly accused us,” said Mak Delima. 

 

“Our witnesses are now present for the crime scene,” Darren said.

 

The so-called ‘witnesses’ said that Pak Ujang and his family stole the moneybag.  They were all young people about Darren and Abraham’s age but they had rugged faces.  They found the stolen bag of money in a cupboard in the restaurant and they proved their suspicions correctly this way.

 

“Bravo!  The testimonies of these witnesses are nothing but talented acting,” said Mak Delima bravely.  “My family and I have not touched the cupboard.  Question my community and they will say that we are innocent and indeed we have been framed.  We have nothing to hide.  Have you any witness to testify against us from the moment the bank robbery?  Do you have witnesses to testify from the bank robbery and how this suspect had managed to place it into Kedai Makan’s cupboard?  If you can answer me on this, then you are just and telling me the truth.”

 

“All right, you may have found the stolen moneybag here but you have not found the actual offender behind this conspiring illegality,” said Pak Ujang.  “You have accused us of a crime we truly did not commit.  Before you decide to place us in gaol, you must investigate this stolen moneybag case more thoroughly.  Find the bank robbers and those who have assisted them, that may include the bank manager, other people at the bank and those that saw the criminal suspect that placed it into this restaurant.  Yes, Darren – we are looking for the user in possession of the cupboard’s golden key, and this person should be our first suspect.”

 

“Musang, where were you when the Golden Tigers received their football cup trophy at the stadium earlier on today?” asked a Malay man, who had thought of his whereabouts.  “We did not see you there with us by then.” 

 

Another man said, “We saw you sneaking out at the end of the football match.” 

 

            The five witnessing Malay men nodded, and said, “Yes, that’s true!”

 

“Well, I was not feeling well at that time.  So, I decided to get some rest at home,” Musang replied with his shifty eyes. 

 

“I find it difficult to believe you, Musang,” said Melor.  “The strange matter is we have never discovered the stolen moneybag until now.  Since you were the one who left early, it brings forth a strong suspicion against you as the criminal offender.  It would be not be easy for you to enter with the many eyes on you.   I have a feeling there is an unknown enemy amongst us behind this obsequious matter.” 

 

“It could have been anyone who was not at the football game earlier today that have muddled this,” replied Musang defensively.

 

“I am extremely amazed how the cupboard door is opened, which is the crime scene spot for this stolen moneybag that is worth £500.  I wish someone could give me the answer to this mystery,” Darren said.

 

“The cupboard had always been locked,” said Demang.  “Someone must have opened it today when they got into Kedai Makan.  It would be illogical to deduce its automatic opening.”

 

Demang and Megat saw a shiny golden object on the ground next to Musang.  When he was about to place it in his waistband, someone interrupted him.  

 

“Pray Musang, where did you get that golden key?” Megat asked.  “It looks like the cupboard’s key to me.”

 

“Oh, I had just dropped it,” replied Musang.  “It is for my desk at my house.” 

 

“I have seen no one using it for their house,” said Demang.  “As far as we know, with the incomes we have, we cannot afford to have such expensive desks with that golden key.  Where can you get the desk with the golden key then?” 

 

Musang did not formulate a response for them.

 

“I bought it for him as a gift when he was talking about it,” Sir Harold replied for him.  “He said he had no money for it and thus I bought it for him as a gift.  I have heard complaints about you not paying back.  You better repay your debts that you owed to me, Musang, as soon as possible.  I trust you this time but do not make me distrust you or there will be deep consequences for you.”

 

“Yes, I shall repay all the debts I owe you, sir,” Musang said with a nervous face.

 

“Strangely, I have not recalled from anyone saying a gift as big as that had made its way into your house, Musang,” said Pak Ujang.

 

Musang was once again silent without a reply.

 

“You are a menace to society in causing troubles to others, Mr. Harold,” said Demang.  “I bet it could be you who planned the opium placing into the moneybag just to get us into trouble.”

 

“You are a real spoilt rich brat, and deserve a big iron hammer on your head!” fought Megat courageously.  “There is not much scrutiny on the investigation for this bag of opium matter, is there?  We knew nothing about this opium matter until you arrive.  You are falsely excusing us of such matter to get us into trouble.”    

 

“Oh did I?  Have you any proof of that?” Darren asked.

 

Megat replied, “Explain to me how you know that the opium moneybag had been here before we knew it?  I am also suspicious as to how Musang obtained the golden key, which use is only meant for the cupboard as it fits the keyhole well.  Yet, he denied saying it was for his desk at home.  I can sense a lie from that.”

 

“Hand me the golden key now, Musang!” said Demang.  “Fear nothing if the key is really yours.  If you resist, it means you fear lies.”

 

He grabbed the key from Musang and inserted it into the cupboard’s keyhole, shut it, locked it and opened it again with the key.

 

“Here, how do you view this?  Is this sufficiently convincing?” asked Demang.

 

“Very well, have it your way, but the evidence is still against any of you here who had planned on hiding the stolen moneybag, and indeed you are the suspect that have assisted the bank robbers,” said Darren.  “Since no one is willing to admit their fault in this matter of security, I have no choice but to arrest the Sulongs, as the community's leaders.  Arrest them guards!”

 

Demang, Megat and their parents fought against the blue uniformed men who were about to arrest them.  They blocked the weapons that were about to hit them, avoided the sharp blades.  They showed their tremendous acrobatic skills, punches and kicks to defend themselves against the attacking police officers.

 

Darren took a girl in a white gown as a hostage, gun pointing at her head. 

 

“So shall it be that history will record a hero seeing the death of his good friend.  Mr. Demang Sulong – look at who I have here with me?” 

 

“Eleanor!” Demang cried out. 

 

“Demang, do not listen to them – it’s a trick!” said Eleanor.  “They planted the bag of opium in here.  Think of your people and your reputation!”

 

“It is no trick.  You do not know what you are blabbering about,” said Darren.

 

“Yes, I most certainly do!” snapped Eleanor.

 

Darren grabbed her and pointed the gun closer to Eleanor’s head.  “Silence, Eleanor!  One more word and you shall never see the daylight again!  Is that clear?”

 

“Your words are perfectly clear to me,” said Eleanor.  “Be my guest and shoot me!  Let the world acknowledge how inhumane you are!”

 

“Mr. Harold, you are not gentlemanly to use a lady as a hostage!” Demang pleaded.  “Please spare her now!”

 

While pistol pointing at Eleanor’s head, he said, “Please do tell me, Eleanor, my darling sister.  Do you still wish to see all your good friends, Eleanor?”

 

Eleanor replied, “Yes, I do.” 

 

“Then, you must let them listen to me and do not impugn me,” said Darren.  “They shall be upset to see if they ever lose a friend.”

 

“I am very disappointed with you for befriending these savages, Eleanor,” said Sir Harold.  “Furthermore, I disapprove your mingling with those who are not in high society.”

 

“They are no savages, and you cannot judge people of such standard from a certain society, Father,” said Eleanor.  “It is Darren and Musang’s doing to frame the Sulongs.  I cannot believe that you, as a highly educated gentleman, can be easily brainwashed.”

 

“You may take our lives but you will never take away our dignity!” Melor spoke up daringly, not caring if she was gun pointed.  “How many lives of innocent people are you going take?  If you do all this, everyone will see how ruthless and wrong you are to do all this cruel intentions!”

 

Demang replied, “Mr. Harold, Sir Harold, please just let Eleanor and our people go!  Do not take them as hostage!  They have nothing to do with us.”

 

“I shall not let this lady go, and I shall not leave this vicinity until someone confesses to the stolen moneybag here,” said Darren.

 

The police have arrested the Sulongs. 

 

“If you ever intend to escape, your friends and their families shall be executed, and then, there will no longer be good hope for the Malays,” blackmailed Darren. 

 

“Hold your tongue!” replied Mak Delima.  “As a leader you are in doubt one of most distasteful quality.  At what cost would you prefer to concur? Do you wish to envision that more citizens will suffer under your tyrannical rule?”

 

“Your injustice will be held responsible against you should my family and I be unfairly executed, Mr. Darren Harold!” Pak Ujang said.  “I would rather bow to Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, rather than having to submit to your authority.”

 

“I shall see to that judgment myself,” Darren replied in his coldest tone.

 

“Father, please halt this abhorring act of his!” said Eleanor.

 

“My apologies, I’m afraid I cannot be of help to you and it is beyond my discretion,” said Sir Hastings.

 

“You are the mayor, Father.  You have the discretion to halt his scandalous remarks.  I consider you a weak father to be easily influenced by his son, whose authority is puny as compared to your social status.  You should be ashamed of yourself!” said Eleanor, who was then taken in by some police officers.

 

“Eleanor, for the sake of Malmesbury’s safety, I must arrest these Malays for their imperilling commitment,” said Darren defensively.  “By acknowledging their potentials, they could further lead a rebellion and established anarchy in Malmesbury.”

 

“Nonsense, that is a mere speculation,” replied Eleanor.  “They were clearly defending themselves and strived for the right of a fair trial.  You have planned on sending them behind bars without manifesting the link that directs them to the conspiracy with the bank robbers.  Would you deny such an integral part of human rights for trial?  Are you ambitious to wrestle Father’s post as mayor?”

 

“I am unlikely keen to supersede Father as Mayor of Malmesbury,” said Darren.  “I am merely serving in the name of justice.”

 

“Clearly, by challenging those who seek protection of the law,” replied Eleanor.  “You may not realise this but the words you spoke forth insinuated a mockery to the prides and justices that Malmesbury and Britain offer.  I demand for their release at once!”

 

Sir Harold just looked at the wall silently with a grim face.  Some police officers pointed their firearms at the Sulongs, while some handcuffed them. 

 

“You have done well, Mr. Maling,” said Darren, looking at Musang.  

 

“I disagree to this fraudulent judicial decision!  I beg you to release them!” Melor said whilst trying to pass her way through the police force in blue uniform. 

 

The Malays rushed forwards, demanding the Sulongs’ release, and then there was a gunshot.  They were ladies shrilling but then no one had been harmed. 

 

“Stay back!” said the same British police officer.  “If any of you intend to take another step forward, you will all be shot instantly!”

 

“I suppose you gentlemen want be remembered for your barbaric misconduct,” said daring Melor, and she was sarcastic. 

 

Niall and Angus grabbed by her arms and calmed her down. 

 

“Testing their patience now will not favour our interest, Melor dear,” said Niall.  “We shall take our chances when time permits it.”

 

Some British police officers were still pointing their firearms at the Malays until all four members of the Sulong family were led out of Kedai Makan.

 

The moment the Sulongs left the building, Musang approached Sir Harold and stood right next to him.  “You have also done well, Master.  You have made a wise commitment listening to your dearest son,” instigated Musang. 

 

Sir Harold froze like a wax statue of Madam Tussaud and did not provide any response.   

 

Poor Megat, Demang, Pak Ujang and Mak Delima faced public humiliation.  Fruits and vegetables were thrown at them and there were crowds of people mocking them.  Yet, the Sulongs did nothing that breached the law.  A little boy and a little girl were just watching them, not knowing what was going on.  There were hanging loop ropes on the gallows.  The Sulongs were heading that way and Eleanor was terrified at what she saw.

 

“Get in, you scums!” said one of them in a rather coarse voice. 

 

The warden pushed all the four family members disrespectfully behind bars and locked the doors abrasively. 

 

Tok Guru was rather gravened to see his students and their family in such state.  

Melor covered her face and soon she shed her tears.

 

“He is a kind-hearted boy and everyone respects him,” Melor said.  “I have long known him, ayah.  I bring my utmost respect to his family and himself, for their generous leadership over us.  Why is it that God wish us misery?”

 

Tok Guru came to his daughter, wiped her tears off and hugged her.    “Shhh…Please do not be so upset, Melor.  Rice has turned to porridge.  The injustice caused is not God’s work.  It is the outcome of human cruelty.  God does not change the condition of a people unless they change themselves.  Kita harus melakukan sesuatu tentang ketidakadilan ini (we must do something about this injustice).” 

 

“Baiklah, ayah (Alright, daddy),” said Melor.

 

Eleanor tried to push back and she was still protesting angrily against the injustice but the guards that hold on to her were too strong for her to fight back.  They placed a white cloth on her mouth and around her eyes.  They then took the cloth away from her mouth as they forced her into a room.  She went to her long gold door handle to open the door but it was too late.  She was locked up in her bedroom from outside.

 

“I should not allow such an inhuman act to occur!” Eleanor said whilst deliberately banging on the varnished wooden door with her two hands a few times. 

 

Her bedroom had damask wallpaper, ornately decorated sash windows and polished floorboards.  Sash windows were commonly seen in all bedrooms of the mansion.  She leant her back against the door and slowly slid herself down.  Tears of sadness ran down both her cheeks.  She glanced at the mantle clock in her room.  It was three o’clock in the afternoon.

 

Soon, Eleanor placed her face on her bed and cried on it.  She couldn’t do anything to change everything for the better. 

 

“They have breached the Church of England and the Crown, and, as such, they shall be hung by their necks today for committing their hideous crimes,” announced a redhead man whose sideburns were thick. 

 

The redheaded man was wearing a blue police uniform and a tall hat and a front brim to cover his face from the sunlight. 

 

Niall and Angus were witnessing the scene from a building with their bush hats overshadowing their faces.  From a distance, four people were seen standing on the gallows, and their heads covered in black cloth bags. 

 

Nooses encircled the necks of four people with unseen faces on the gallows in public.  The drumsticks rapped incessantly on the drums.  Soon, a big thumping sound was made.  The floor traps fell down and all four hung in midair.   

 

Eleanor burst into tears the moment she sat leaning her back against the door, and Darren could hear it from outside in the corridor.

 

Eleanor remembered the times when they rescued her and Demang’s gentlemanly behaviour towards her.  He served her a cup of tea, had a light-hearted conversation with her whilst sitting next to her and they always took a walk together.  She enjoyed his company and saw him fit to be her friend even if they were of different social classes.

 

On the opposite end of the mahogany bookshelf, stood a varnished dark wood writing desk leaning itself against the wall.  Eleanor’s bedroom wall was filled with yellowish gold-coloured wallpaper and a finely decorated fireplace. 

 

What would happen to the boys she greatly admired?  Was she ever going to see them again?  What would happen to the Malays without their strong leader?

 

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