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Chapter 6 Paid

I fumbled to find where's my sketchbook book that I put in my backpack just now. It's not in my backpack. Does it drop out from my backpack?
I quickly walk out of the restroom in a panic state.I walk back and forth outside the restroom. 
"Did someone saw what I did and steal the book? It's impossible."
"I need to check at the restroom."
I run towards the restrom that I went to before. I look at the signage, and thank god it's not that far.
Fortunately, the direction of the restroom that I have to go did not have to pass in front of my parents. I already told them that I'm was going back home. If they see me, for sure they will mad. By imagining mom's fierce face making me goosebumps.
As soon as l arrive in front of the restroom, I stuns. There is a signage infront of the door. The signage in yellow colour that written cleaning in progress.
I am nervous when saw the sign. Does my sketchbook is really in there? If yes, hoping they not throw it away. My body starts to sweating.
I wanted to rush into the restroom but thinking about what does the cleaner feel when see rude people coming in. I'm still thinking about manners, I cancel my the intention to rush in. 
But suddenly a woman come out of the toilet while holding a mop. She's look like the same age my mom. She who see me standing stiffly outside the restroom immediately greeted me.
"Do you want to come in? In a moment, Auntie is about to get it ready."
She's smile and moping the floor. 
"I'm sorry, Auntie. During your cleaning, have you notice a sketchbook inside?" I frankly ask her. She stops her work and seems to be thinking whether or not she saw the book that I meant. 
But immediately she's shook her head.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I even saw any book inside. I have cleaned all the cubicles, but it seems that there are no books near there." She's answer.
I sighed in annoyance. This is all my own fault. If I had been calm, maybe this kind of thing wouldn't have happened.
"But, before I came in to clean this restroom, I saw a male nurse carrying a book. But I'm not sure whether it's your book or his." She's continue.
I breath a little relieved when heard about it from her. But I'm is still not completely relieves because I still does not know whether the book belongs to me or not. I hope it's mine.
But now there is a problem. Who is the male nurse that maybe took my sketchbook? I starting to dizzy thinking about it.
Before the cleaner wanted to continue her work, I called her back. She's turning her back looking at me.
"I'm sorry, Auntie. By no means do you know who the nurse was?" I'm hoping she know who he was.
"Oh that's Mr. Rizal. He takes care of the front counter." She's smile.
I breath a sigh of relief. Fortunately, this aunt knew who the man was. If not, then I have to walk around the hospital looking for the man. 
I quickly thank the Aunt and continue to run towards the front counter that she's pointed at earlier.
But when I arrive,  there was only one woman at the front counter. Is what the cleaner said true?
I walk slowly towards the nurse. She seems busy infront of her computer.
"Hi, miss. May I know.. hmmm... Is Mr. Rizal there?"
The nurse look at me with a strange expression. But then she's smile and got up from the counter. She enter the room behind him. Then less than a few minutes later, the nurse came out accompany by a rather tall and neat man dressed in a white uniform.
"Hi kid. Is there anything I can help with?" He's a soft spoken man. He smile at me from inside the counter. He was so tall that I had to look up to see him. But he seems to understand and bent his body towards me.
"Errr hmmm…”
Mr. Rizal just smile looking at menwho was stuttering trying to get out the details of my speech. I need to make sure that he's holding my book. If not, it will be shameful.
"Hmm sir. Have you see any sketchbook inside that restroom? I ask while pointing towards the toilet that I went to earlier.
"Sorry?" He seems confuse with my question.
"The cleaner said she saw you came out holding a book."
Mr. Rizal thought for a moment then he seemed to remember something.
"Oh that book. Your name is Aidan, right?" 
I nodded.
He's going back to that room and he came back while holding a book in his hand. And it was true that the sketchbook belong to me.
"Yes. Yes. That's was mine." As I saw a familiar cover of the sketchbook.
I jump happily when I see that's the sketchbook that I was looking for.
“Well. You have to take good care of things. Don't be careless again." Mr. Rizal handed the sketchbook to me. I take it and continue to thank Mr. Rizal. He just smile at me.
As soon as I found my sketchbook, I run towards the restroom near the payment counter. I enter the restroom and quickly headed towards the farthest cubicle and sit on the floor. I open the sketchbook and flipping to a page that containing a picture of a RM100 note. I needed to draw again.
"Hmm how many RM100 notes are needed to make up RM1200?"
I count the amount using my fingers until I have the answer. I need to draw twelve pieces of RM100 notes to make it enough for RM1200.
When do what I do back then. I need to nakensure I draw the money perfectly. When I finish, I put the sketchbook inside myback. I need to calm down, I'm afraid of dropping out for the second time. I need to make sure the zipper is really close after I put my sketchbook. 
I counts all the money and it is enough RM5000. After confirm, I insert all the money inside my backpack and walk out of the restroom.
I then rushs into the payment counter room and headed straight for the counter. The woman who served me just now smiles and call me to go straight to her without giving any number.
"Hi. I thought you wouldn't come back. How was it?" She ask. I'm nodding my head as answer.
I take out all of the money and give it to her. She then take it and counts all of it using an automatic counting machine. More accurate and faster. When the amount is correct, she then proceeds to give the payment receipt to me.
"Thank you. Here, the receipt."
I take it and thank her. I smiles since all the payment are clear and now there is a receipt in my hand. I did not expect to managed to pay such a large amount. 
I immediately walk towards my mom and dad who were still sitting in the same place. Mom still sobbing beside dad. When she's see me, she's getting furious.
"Hey! I told you to go back! Why are you still here?"
I'm shocked. I forgot about it. Before it's getting worse, I quickly hand over the payment receipt to my dad. He frowned when he see the receipt that i gave.
"Already paid? Who paid, Aidan??” Dad asking in semi-surprise. I did not answer the question.
"What? Already paid? Really?” Mom then take the receipt from dad. She's look happy reading the description.
"Come, let's go. We have to go to the doctor and show proof that we have paid the hospital bill." 
Mom quickly got up and pulling Dad's hand.  I just still standing there watching them go to the doctor's room.

Book Comment (290)

  • avatar
    Justin Dld

    I love the story was all about, it's a classic kind of story and it's so stunning reading it because it's give me a old-school vibes even the story have a highly technology or just maybe an old school plot it's gives me chill especially Aidan giving me more lessons in life.

    14/08/2023

      0
  • avatar
    CastroAzriel Isabel

    I have never been soo addicted to a story this story totally blew my mind,I believe that you people will be addicted to this novel too.

    08/08/2023

      0
  • avatar
    FernandoDaryll

    really nice story.. it reminds every one that you have your own ambitions in life..what we need is to know were our hearts desire and fashion

    07/08/2023

      0
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