Old Town
Hffyl blinked and squinted, adjusting to the dim lighting of the room. It had a nostalgic atmosphere, adorned with wooden furniture and an air of old-world charm. Across the room stood a man in a plain white shirt, with a traditional 'kain pelekat' wrapped around his waist.
Hffyl's mind raced with uncertainty, and panic began to set in. "Did this man abduct me?" he wondered.
Seeing Hffyl's unease, the man raised his hands, signaling that he meant no harm. "Easy there, young man. I'm not here to hurt you," he said calmly.
"How did you break into my home and kidnap me?!" Hffyl demanded, his voice laced with suspicion.
The man sighed. "Name's Pak Rahim. As for why you're here... well, that's a bit of a story."
"Alright, Pak Rahim, go ahead," Hffyl replied cautiously.
Pak Rahim nodded. "You fell from the sky into the river, my boy. It was like the heavens themselves sent you our way. The entire town witnessed it."
Hffyl's thoughts raced. "Is this person... no, he doesn't seem like a drug addict or an alcoholic... maybe a bit insane."
Pak Rahim continued, "You showed up wearing very comfortable fabric clothes. At first, we thought you were an outsider, but your way of speaking... it's our native Malay tongue, just a bit... informal... like a pirate."
As Pak Rahim's words sank in, the creak of the door interrupted the room's silence. A tall man in casual clothes entered.
"This is Syafiq. He's the one who pulled you out of the river," Pak Rahim introduced.
Syafiq smiled but kept his distance. "Salam. Nice to see you're up."
Hffyl shifted in place, glancing between Pak Rahim and Syafiq. "Thanks, I guess. But how did I end up in the river?"
"We're still trying to figure that out," Syafiq explained. "I was by the river when I saw someone falling from the sky. By the time I reached you, you were floating away."
Pak Rahim added, "And the skies were clear. Your... fall was unexpected. It's like a sudden dusk carried you here."
Hffyl took a deep breath and muttered, "Great, there's two of them..." Then he asked, "Why did you help me?"
Syafiq answered, "It's our duty to lend a hand to those in need. It's our way, our culture."
Pak Rahim turned to Syafiq, "I think he's also a Malay."
Syafiq nodded, "Oh, then... well, we just want to help."
Gratitude washed over Hffyl. "Thanks to both of you for looking out for me."
Pak Rahim nodded, "You're welcome, young one. Take your time, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
Hffyl cleared his throat. "I appreciate it. I think I need some fresh air."
Hffyl stepped outside into the bright daylight. The sky above was a perfect blend of blues and whites. He blinked and squinted, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. Cautiously, he made his way to a raised platform that offered a panoramic view of the town. Modest buildings stood proudly, and the streets below bustled with activity.
"What is this?" he muttered, pinching himself to confirm he was awake. The vibrant reality of the city was undeniable.
"This isn't home. Home is far away from here..." Hffyl murmured to himself. As he stood there, a world away from everything he knew, his mind buzzed with questions. How did he come to this place? Is there a way back?
Taking a deep breath, he stepped off the platform and onto the bustling streets of the unknown town, ready to explore and uncover the mysteries that brought him here.
Hffyl walked through the unfamiliar town, feeling a mix of awe and disorientation. The streets were alive with activity, bustling with people going about their daily routines.
His thoughts raced as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. "This place must be holding onto tradition... Where in Malaysia could this be?" he wondered.
Approaching a stranger, he greeted them in Malay. "Salam, Uncle. Can I borrow your phone for a moment? I need to make an emergency call."
The stranger responded in traditional Malay, "A phone? What's that?"
Hffyl awkwardly walked away, feeling a sense of disconnect. "Nevermind. Thank you, Uncle," he muttered under his breath.
His eyes scan signs and banners adorned with intricate Jawi script. He recalled places that held onto Jawi script as a testament to cultural heritage, but never this many. It's almost like every word was written in Jawi instead of the usual Roman letters.
Hffyl's eyes settle on the script, brows furrowing as he attempts to decipher its meaning. The familiarity is there, thanks to the UPKK exam he recently completed. He reads the words slowly, mouthing them as he goes along.
Hffyl walked through the unfamiliar town, feeling a mix of awe and disorientation. The streets were alive with activity, bustling with people going about their daily routines.
His thoughts raced as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. "This place must be holding onto tradition... Where in Malaysia could this be?" he wondered.
Approaching a stranger, he greeted them in Malay. "Salam, Uncle. Can I borrow your phone for a moment? I need to make an emergency call."
The stranger responded in traditional Malay, "A phone? What's that?"
Hffyl awkwardly walked away, feeling a sense of disconnect. "Nevermind. Thank you, Uncle," he muttered under his breath.
His eyes scanned the signs and banners adorned with intricate Jawi script, a writing system he recognized from his recent UPKK exam. It was unusual to see so much Jawi script, almost as if every word was written in it instead of the usual Roman letters.
As he attempted to decipher the script's meaning, he found a sense of familiarity. His brows furrowed in concentration as he read the words slowly, mouthing them to himself.
Entering the market, Hffyl was drawn to its lively atmosphere. Colorful stalls displayed a variety of goods, vendors haggled, and customers engaged in lively exchanges. Traditional music and the scent of street food filled the air, immersing him in the vibrant scene.
Moving through the bustling streets, Hffyl's gaze settled on a large board covered in Jawi script. He approached it, murmuring translations to himself as he tried to make sense of the words.
"Let's see... 'event,' 'celebration'... What's this about?" he muttered, puzzled.
His eyes widened as he caught phrases like "perayaan" and "pameran seni," and he noticed the numbers, 1509.
"Could it be... the year?" he whispered, taking a step back. "You've got to be kidding. I'm in the year 1509?"
Panic began to rise within him. "How am I going to get back? What if I'm stuck here forever? Why is this happening to me? WhynowwhynowwhynowWHY NOW!" he fretted, punching a nearby brick wall in frustration.
Memories of his family flooded his mind, and he felt a surge of desperation. "That time at the mall... I never wanted to be away from them... not even for a day," he whispered, hyperventilating.
Realizing he needed to stay calm, Hffyl took a deep breath and tried to collect himself. "I can't break down now. I need to find someone... someone who can help. I need to get back home, I need to find someone—someone who can help. I need to get back home. Okay, think. think. You need to trust someone, or you'll never find your way back," he muttered to himself, steeling his resolve.
[INT. PAK RAHIM'S SETTLEMENT - DAY ]
Inside Pak Rahim's humble abode, Pak Rahim is engrossed in a task when a knock echoes through the room. Startled, he makes his way to the door.
Inside Pak Rahim's modest home, Pak Rahim is focused on a task when a knock interrupts the quietude. With a start, he makes his way to the door, curiosity evident in his expression.
"Now, who could that be?" he muses to himself as he opens the door.
To his surprise, it's Hffyl standing before him.
"Oh, it's you," Pak Rahim acknowledges, his tone warm and welcoming.
Hffyl hesitates, visibly uncertain. "I- I... I'm sorry for leaving abruptly earlier," he stammers, a hint of regret in his voice.
Pak Rahim waves off his apology with a gentle smile. "No need to apologize, young one. These are confusing times for you."
Hffyl looks down, nodding slowly in acknowledgment. "You have no idea," he murmur.