couldn’t quite concentrate on the questions as the fright she received failed to peter out. “I…” she fidgeted in the couch, ignoring the police officer sitting across her. “I didn’t see him come in. By the time I got downstairs, he was already in the house.”

“Then what time is it?” Inspector Taufik asked again. He looked just as tried and harassed as officers always looked on those realistic cop shows. The rest of his team mates were around the living room, searching for useful clues.

“About 1 am, I guess.” replied with doubt.

“You guess?” He cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably in his seat again, “Erm.. Can you please be more specific?”

“I can’t.” let out her breath slowly. “If I knew there’d be a burglar in the first place, I would have check the time properly.” Now, she was genuinely cheesed off and part of her fear was gone.

“.” Sylvester, who was sitting beside her reached out for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, “Be nice. They just want to help you.” he reminded in a soft whisper.

If had any energy left, she would have rolled her eyes. How could she be nice to this police officer when she had just gotten a scary encounter with a burglar? She was irritated. She felt like she had already answered hundreds of questions but they still hadn’t got to the meaty part.

“Then can you describe how the burglar looks like? Any physical attributes of him?” Taufik inquired, twirling his pen around his fingers.

“I can’t even see him. He’s wearing a mask.” pondered hard, “He’s in a red tee shirt and the mask he’s wearing looks like a banana.”

“The banana man!” Inspector Taufik exclaimed in shock, bouncing back in his seat. Sylvester and were astounded by his behavior they were speechless for words.

“Sir, is there anything wrong?” Sylvester asked, a little anxious.

“Red shirt and banana mask! From the way you describe him, this burglar is definitely the banana man! He has committed a couple of break-in cases and is now on the run from the police!” Taufik explained eagerly, slamming his fists on his lap. “Alamak! Got to catch him fast! If not I will be sacked!”

Now, the serious and stern inspector had vanished. Inspector Taufik looked like a nervous kid as he kept on mumbling “Oh God.. Oh my God.. I’m damn nervous now lah.. Must bring that banana man to justice as soon as possible.” He grabbed his hair to the back, looking fed-up and hopeless.

::::

“No matter what, you must catch that ass-hole for me.” pointed to the Inspector Taufik as Sylvester and her sent the police to the door. “Look, he injured me and I want to sue him.” With a grumpy sulk, she pointed at the bruised patch on her forehead.

“Of course the police will catch him.” Taufik guaranteed, “I must bring this banana man to justice! I swear in my father’s name I will do the police force proud!” he hit his chest with his fist, eyes burning with fervor of catching the baddie.

After the police left, rushed to every room and place of the house, switching the lights on. “What do you think you’re doing?” Sylvester frowned, bemused by her odd behavior.

“Switching on every lights!” she fumbled with dread, flicking on the lights in the kitchen. “So that the burglar won’t come anymore. I read it somewhere that thieves are afraid of lights.”

That scared pale face of hers reminded Sylvester of children who believed in monsters under their beds. He laughed.

“What are you laughing at?” she grimaced with both hands at her waist.

“That’s ghosts. Ghosts are afraid of lights. Not thieves.” he corrected with an amused grin. “I think you must be too frightened that your brain is distorting.”

“Anything.” she muttered. “I’m too restless to argue with you.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve made sure that every window in this house is locked. The burglar won’t come again.” Sylvester ensured. He approached her and brushed her fringe to the side.

“What are you doing?” shrank back, surprised by his sudden warm attitude.

“Your wound. It needs to be cleaned.” he remarked, looking at her bruised forehead. “Return to your room first while I get the first aid kit.”

“Oh.” she glanced away, feeling a wash of hotness on her cheeks. She was actually wondering if they were getting red. Sylvester walked off, leaving her alone.

“Hey wait for me!” she shouted in trepidation, scurrying behind him. The thought of being left behind left pinpricks of shivers in her.

:::::::

Fear made hasty and a little more klutzy. She fidgeted on the bed, unable to sit properly and Sylvester was having hard time applying cream on her wound. Finally when it was done, she dived her head under the blanket, shutting herself from everything.

“Hey! Stop being an ostrich.” Sylvester shook her arm, “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Hiding.“ squeaked, popping her head out of the blanket. It was clear and evident she was still recovering from the trauma earlier on. “Is the window locked?” she asked timorously, eyeing at her room window.

“It is.” he assured for the tenth time. “I can’t believe that you’re so timid.”

“Who won’t!” hissed, her shoulders so tensed with anger they were touching her ears. A while ago she was grateful for his company but now she felt like strangling him. “You would have pee in your pants if you were me!”

“If there’s nothing else, I’m going back to my room.” Sylvester said and got up, “We still have lessons in the early morning.” He started for the door but quickly reached out and grabbed his wrist.

“Can you stay here?” she requested with apprehension in her eyes. “I don’t want to be alone.”

Sylvester, looking embarrassed, shook his head. “Its inconvenient.” he explained with a slight croak, feeling discomfited at her unexpected demand.

“Pretty please?” she pleaded with puppy eyes. “Fine, I admit I’m scared. So scared that I dare not sleep alone now.” Ignoring her, he made his way for the door.

“Hey! You’re so heartless!” screamed and jumped off the bed.

“Can’t I get my sleeping bag?” he shot back, trying hard not to laugh at the terror in her eyes. She smiled, grateful to him.

“I will follow you.” she tagged along, too frightened to stay alone.

::::

Moments later, the duo returned with a sleeping bag and Sylvester laid it on the floor beside ’s bed. It would be his nest for the night.

“But I still have a feeling you would crept back to your room once I’m asleep.” pouted.

“Can’t you trust me?” he challenged.

“Your name suggests it all! As Sly as a fox.” she countered back with a snort. “See! How can I believe you?”

“Hmm..” Sylvester thought hard, rubbing his chin, “Okay, since you’re afraid of me running away, why not you hug me when you sleep?” he winked at his comment. ’s face turned tomato red and he laughed even louder. Before he could say more, she had flung a pillow at his face.

“This is not funny!” she yelled angrily, pulling his ear.

“Ouch! Let go!” He shouted, bowled over by her hostile temper.

“Quick! Think of a solution!” commanded. At once, Sylvester rushed out of the room and came in several seconds later upon her hysterical screams. She frowned in puzzlement to see a bundle of rope in his hands.

“Its to tie you and me.” he explained with another wink. “That’s the best solution I can come up with.”

swallowed hard. This time round, her cheeks got redder and hotter while her heart threatened to pound out of her throat. “Are.. Are you mad?” she stuttered. Sylvester motioned for her to sit on her bed while he sat on his sleep bag.

“Come.” he pulled one of her hand to his side. He draped the end of one rope around ’s wrist and created a knot. “With this, you won’t afraid I would sneak out.” he explained as he tied the other end of the rope around his wrist. “We are now linked together. You can sleep in peace now.”

“O.. Okay.” stammered with jumpiness. What does Sylvester meant by this? She thought. But nevertheless, a tinge of sweetness found it ways to her heart.

“Good night.” he smiled as her. Then, he slipped into his sleeping bag and dozed off soon after.

beamed. A feeling of happiness, joy, sweetness and of course, nervousness made her world went round.

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End of chapter…

Okay, this is a rather long chapter.. Hope you guys get it. Haha.. I added a little on Taufik and yeah.. The burglar is the banana man!! LOL.. =)

Man, I’m so happy Sly got in!! And he’s so cool yesterday!! Smiling all the way even when Gurmit hadn’t announced the results. He looked like it wouldn’t matter much if he gets into the grand finals.. Lol.. ^^,

Did anyone of you read the newpaper today? The article about Sly and his mother.. I pity him lots… sobs.. Which makes me sort of admire him too.. I mean, with so much things happening in his family plus the tough competition of SI, he must be stressed but he doesn’t show it. Instead, he still have smiles on his face… Kudos!!

Leave me your comments here!! or drop it at the SI forum. (^.^ ) … …

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