"Aidan, why you look so gloomy today?"
I who was daydreaming, is shocks when Laila reprimands me. I just shooking me head as answer that I had no problem. But Laila is not convinces by the my shakes.
"When you're dazing like that, I know there must always be a problem that you're thinking about right now. Am I right?"
I look at Laila who seems to picking up there's something wrong with me. She's then put a piece of candy at my desk.
"Why don't you go see Mr. Razak? I always see you chatting with him. Maybe, he can help you?"
I feel uneasy and guilty when I hear Mr. Razak name. There's a thought in my head blaming Mr.Razak for all that happen to me. If only I hadn't taken this magic brush from Mr.Razak, surely all this will not happen. 
I'm regreting about why I accepted this gift from Mr.Razak before. If only I've had my mind back there and returned this brush, definitely all of this won't happened.
"So Aidan, would like to mee Mr. Razak later?"
Laila's voice makes me wakes from thought. Maybe Laila noticing me I am daydreaming. 
I just shaking my head without saying anything. Laila give up. She knows it's not easy to change my mind.
"Hmmm..By the way, Aidan. Your new house is massive and beautiful."
I gasp as soon she's mention about house.
"Err.. have you seen it?"
My voice starting to tremble. If possible, I doesn't want anyone to know about my new home. But it is really impossible since my house is too striking. 
There will definitely be an uproar from the sudden existence of my house in the area.
“Yes. My family and I have seen your house. It's beautiful and big." Laila grinned. But I'm simply not happy hearing this.
"All villagers in an uproar yesterday about your house. Everyone was stunned when they saw a big house like that nearby. I was also impressed." 
Aidan sighed inwardly.
"But, I'm weird. Since when did your family build the house? I didn't notice either?"
Yes. This is the question that makes me is unable to answer. This question makes me anxious, it's impossible to let them know that I painted that house. There is no way I would tell this in public. 
I looking at Laila's face who couldn't wait to hear my answer. But I am unable to give her an answer. 
I then lay my head down and cover it with both hands. Turn away from Laila.
"Ish, now he's sleeping."
Laila seems unsatisfied with me and give up. She's got up and left me alone at my desk.
I sighing behind my hands which cover my face.I didn't know how to face all this. Is this all my fault?
____________________________________
Kriiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnggggg…
The school bell rings, signs it is the end of the school. 
Normally during afternoon, children around my age are preparing l to go to religious school. But I'm not attending the religious schools since my family could not afford to send me to the school. 
Sometimes I'm envious when seeing all friends of my age complete with white malay clothes and green side skirts, the uniform for religious school. But I've never blame my parents who couldn't afford me to attend that school.
Everyday I commute to school and back home by walking. The distance from home to school is almost 45 minutes.
I once asked my parents to buy me a bicycle, but my dad could not afford it. They can't even afford to pay the monthly school bus fee.
Sometimes I manage to had a ride in Laila's father's car. However, I had to huddle with Laila's siblings, a total of 5 people who attend the same school. I was uncomfortable with all of that, so I often walked home alone.
But today while I am walking to my house, I suddenly stumbled on the shoulder of the road. I complained of pain slowly because it wasn't too painful.
My knees are bleeding but I'm not interested to seeing it. But what attracts more attention is my shoes. 
My shoes tear off. I get up and proceeds to take off the shoes and reveal a white sock that also have a tear on it. 
I continue my journey even though only one foot is wearing a shoe.
Once I approachs my home area, I am surprises when seeing a lot of people flocking and walking into some place.
"Is anyone fighting here?" I mumbling to myself as I walk limply with only one shoe.
I'm getting near, the noise getting clearer on my ears. The strange thing is that everyone is heading in the same direction where I'm heading too.
Suddenly I see Laila who is also excited to see people flocking in that direction.
"Laila...Laila..Laila.." I calls her.
I called Laila's name many times but due to the noisy atmosphere , it's drowned out my voice. 
After Laila's notice her name being called, I run towards her.
"What's wrong Laila? Why is it so noisy around here? Is there a fight or a fire?” I ask.
She's then laughing out loud. I don't know what's so funny.
"What were you thinking? They all heading to your new house. Everyone is excited to see your massive and beautiful house."Laila's answer while she's still giggling.
"Huh? Is that so?" I confuse. What's happening?
"Your mother also wants to give her old furniture to the villagers, that's why everyone flocking to go to your house."
My life is pulled at once. Stunned to hear it. Never once did such a crowd wants to come to my house. In fact, during Eid al-Fitr no one from this village wanted to come to my house. Except Laila's family. Maybe at Laila's insistence.
I run quickly and left Laila who's dazing back there looking at me. Although the road is quite bumpy but I have to be fast. 
If I could, I just wanted to go straight into the house and run to my room. I feel miserable when thinking that a lot of people will comes to my house. I hate the attention people giving to my family.
As soon as I arrive in front of nyhouse, everyone praised the beauty of the mansion. Yes, it is beautiful, luxurious and massive. But they must be wondering how my family can afford to own this large and luxurious mansion. 
I am aware that my family is not likeable in this village because we were poor. 
It can be seen from afar that the all villagers are taking my family's old furniture. There are alot of  items and furniture that my mom's threw out. This is their chances to get items for free.
I walk slowly towards the house, and several times I heard the villagers talking about my family in the back.
"Hey Senah, how can Zainab be this rich? As far as I know his husband salary can even feed his families."
Zainab is my mom's name. That's how I know they are talking about us.
"Maybe they robbed bank? Or they won a lottery?"
"I think so. But you know that Zainab once slandering my husband. She's said that my husband taking bribes money. I think all this money she's got from bribes money too." They laughing.
"Really? Why she's said your husband taking bribes?"
"Zainab was not satisfied when he saw my husband buying a new car. That's why she said my husband taking bribes. How dare she is."
"Oh my god. She has a foul mouth. This is not the first time people talking about her. I heard people say that Zainab likes flint, right? I think she is the reason why Dollah divorced Raudah."
"Really? I heard that too but I don't know the details."
"Well, before this I saw Raudah is not communicating with Dollah. And one day, I saw Zainab chatting with Dollah. After she's finished talking, I saw both of them fighting. I don't know what bad things Zainab is telling Dollah."
"Wow this is hot. I'm scared of Zainab. No wonder before this her life is miserable. His husband, never stop working morning until night but their life is like that too. With Arifi who likes to squeeze in, and Intan who likes to go out with men at night."
They glance at me when I'm walking beside them. 
"Yes, Imah. I feel sorry for Aidan. He is a smart student at school. My daughter Wardah always says that Aidan often gets number one in his school. It's a pity that he got a family like that."
The noisy atmosphere made me uncomfortable. I walk quickly and slipping through the noisy crowd in front of my house. I'm trying to reach my house.
Suddenly I heard a voice that I knew very well.
"Alhamdulillah, all the villagers. With God's blessing, our family has become rich. Hahaha."
Yes I knows. That is my mom's voice. The closer I am, the more clearly I see my mon's is standing at a balcony, grinning at the village people crowding in front of my house.
She's seems so proud to see people scrambling taking my family's old furniture.
"It is impossible to become rich overnight. What tips do you use Nab?"
Villagers like to call my mom's as Nab instead of Zainab. It's easier and shorter. 
From afar, my mother is giddy by wearing a pair of clothes that I had never seen before she wore. It looks like a really expensive clothes. She's wearing a liquid blue kebaya and decorated with beautiful beads and patterns. In fact, my mom's has started to show off her hair which she's used to be always covered with a tudung. 
Did dad's not saying anything when he saw that his wife had started showing her private parts in public?