Flip Chart : Chapter Three

Ezekiel begins to feel restless and uneasy....the present feeling which he can't even explained to his own state of mind right now. He turns to the left side of his bed, as he looks out of the close window of his grandma's apartment. It's almost, one in the morning, however there were still no sign of his mother and that new man in his mother's life hovering around their front door. Ezekiel gave a huge sigh of disappointment....another empty grayish promises. The strong wind had definitely making it's present make known, due to the sound of the rustling branches and the leaves of the aged tree which had seems to overgrown itself, from the ground of the building of their apartment. And soon, the sound of the pattering falling rain makes it's way from the heaviness of the clouds above. Ezekiel shuts his eyes...as he tries to get himself some sleep....and soon he begins to drift himself away inside his imaginary world....as he begins to fantasied himself to be Ashlan...no..not exactly..but to have some admiration on Ashlan..the majestic empowering beast.

"What was I thinking right now?" asked Ezekiel to himself as he snapped himself away from his fantasy world. Ezekiel sat up on his bed and turns on the table lamp, which was place on his bedside table. And then he stood up and slowly pace towards the long standing mirror, which was place right beside his closet. Standing in front of that long mirror, as he peers through his own image. Ezekiel removes his glasses and stared hard towards himself....! Whatever his image had projected itself towards him...was not what he had often desire. The ugliness which he had often feel about himself...was killing him, sucking away his spirit and self-esteem. He simply despise how he look....how he was created...and that sick notion was very well-kept deeply rooted to his own thoughts. Tears well in his eyes as he struggles hard to accept things...to accept himself. Ezekiel, wipe the falling tears off from his cheeks as he quickly put on his glasses back on....a disguise to hide his 'ugliness'.



In the verge of tears, Yasmeen tries to regain her composure and consolidate her mind about this life threatening voyage, which she had threw and indulge herself in. The boat was seems to be floating without any certain coordination, as it tries to maintain it's balance upon the vast deep ocean, in the middle of the torrential storm. The floor board of the lower deck, has been contaminated with vomits of the drunken souls of the 'crews' of that boat, making Yasmeen to feel sick too. She refused to have any sips of those alcohol drinks, however her back away from all those negative acts, had cause her to be the main tormented creature to be mock and spite at by Bashir...much to Yasmeen dismay. Tears fall on her cheeks, as she struggles to balance herself pacing around the deck while searching for her bag packed. Digging through the pockets of her bag as she took out her cell phone from there and decides to try her luck in calling Ezekiel, hoping that he's still have not turn in yet. It seems the rain falls, begins to get heavier by now as Yasmeen peer through the fogging tiny window from the lower cabin of the boat and the tidal wave seems to be getting rougher, splashing it's merciless waves upon the upper deck of the boat, causing some minimal ankle length flooding on the lower cabin.The ringing tone seems to take ages and Yasmeen almost gave up when finally Ezekiel takes her call.

"Yasmeen...oh! My...it's two in the morning....what's up?" utters Ezekiel as he tries to snap out from his grogginess. There was a remote silent from Yasmeen's line, much to Ezekiel surprised. "Yasmeen, are you there?" asked Ezekiel as he sat up on his bed and turn on the lamp. Suddenly, he heard soft weeping and this cause some anxiousness and concerned about his beloved friend. "Yasmeen, what's wrong?" coaxed Ezekiel as gently as he could, as not to intimidate Yasmeen. "Did he tries to hurt you?" and this time, Ezekiel's tone was convert to more cold and tense.....much to Yasmeen surprised, as she had discovered the other essence of Ezekiel's, which he must have been concealing it beneath his soul.

"No." replied Yasmeen tearfully. "Eze...I'm scared. I'm still in this stupid boat in the middle of no where. Everything seems to be so dark and cold. The storm is getting on us sooner or later." sobs Yasmeen as she clasped her weeping face with her palms.

"Yasmeen, where are the rest?" asked Ezekiel wondering.

"They are too drunk...even to realise the incoming danger which we are facing right now." utters Yasmeen.

"Please don't tell me, the one navigating the boat..is drunk too?" cried Ezekiel anxiously.

"He's one of the senior guys of our school...by the look of it...he seems to look lost himself." exclaimed Yasmeen as she turns her attention towards Rick...who seems to be turning and adjusting the gear of the boat, as he tries to maintain it's coordination....being caught in this sudden storm.

"Used your phone now..contact the authorities. That's the only way, you could get yourself away from this mishap." advised Ezekiel, as he held on to his cell phone as close to his ears as he could. He realised his heart was palpating at such a massive speed....as his anxiety has taken a full toll on him.

"I've wanted to....but I'm afraid. Once the authorities were involved, all of us will be in deep shit..because, there's not only liquor could be found in this cabin..but there's some illegal substance..pills! My mum..she will kill me for sure!" cried Yasmeen remorsefully. "Just, please stay on the phone with me..!" pleads Yasmeen.

"All right...I will." utters Ezekiel. "Want to know something funny happens today?" cried Ezekiel as he tries to cheers Yasmeen up...hoping this gesture, could divert her fear away from her thoughts.

"Okay." exclaimed Yasmeen...with a tinge of slight joy, slips into her heart.

"It's about Oasis again..!" begins Ezekiel, as he relates back towards the lost incident of his grandma's pet turtle...which eventually has been found safe kept inside his grandma's coffee mug. Yasmeen, laughed until her belly hurts..as she felt so much enlightenment ...just being able to have Ezekiel close by her side...despite, he's at the other end of the line.

Suddenly, there was a loud scream...and then an engage tone on Yasmeen's line. Ezekiel becomes frantic upon hearing that terrifying scream, as he frantically dials on Yasmeen's number several times...but it was all in vain. Ezekiel ran towards the window, and to his horror...the storm has definitely shown it greatness sign of rage and terror.



Yasmeen, was roughly swept throughout the cabin, as she frantically tries to stay afloat. The rest of the inmates of that tiny boat..soon realised the deep trouble they were facing right now...as they woke up feeling sober and shocked...seeing the heavy torrents of crashing waves smashing through their pathetic boat. Bashir, grab as many life jackets as he could find...which was kept inside the mini closet...right opposite him.....and quickly threw them around the living crews of that unfortunate boat. And soon, all of them managed to fix the jacket onto their body and pulled the string to allow in the air..entering the float. Everyone and everything seems to be in chaos..as some of the floats were damaged...including Yasmeen's. Panic ran through her spine..as she struggles to grab on to the pole, before she will be totally swept out into the merciless ocean. Bashir, saw Yasmeen was in trouble...and with all his might he waddles through as fast as he could...and held on to Yasmeen close to him. Yasmeen who was already soaked with the coldness of the waves and her warm tears....felt extremely furious and rejected by all this happenings. But she can't afford, to solely pushed this blame towards Bashir....cause, she was the one who had literally indulge herself in this trouble. All they could do now is wait...for the authorities to come by and rescue them...much to their dismay.


The ringing tone of Ezekiel's cell phone...had almost makes his bones jumps out from his skins...as he swiftly grab his phone to take that call. "Hello!" utters Ezekiel, in desperation hoping that it was Yasmeen on that line, but to his dismay...it turns out to be someone else.

"Hello Ezekiel...it's me mummy." utters Eva feeling some sense of gladness upon hearing her son's voice.

"Hie! Mum..!" cries Ezekiel with disappointment.

"Ezekiel, please forgive us for not coming over yesterday night." exclaimed Eva, hoping Ezekiel would not be too upset about the faded promises, which she had gave to him. Ezekiel remains silent in a while...but he was hoping to end this conversation soon...as he was hoping for Yasmeen to return back his several missed calls.

Eva could sense, Ezekiel was not keen on having a conversation with her. "Ezekiel, I know you are upset about me, being unable to come over due to this unexpected storm...so please, try to understand." explained Eva hoping to subdue Ezekiel's dejected spirit.

"Mum...please, just stop it will you. None of this is about you....none at all! Whatever and however I feel right now..have got nothing to do with your life." replies Ezekiel, with some sarcasms in the tone of his voice.

"Okay." utters Eva as she tries to hold back her tears in her eyes. "You know about my current situation with your grandma...and all, so I was wondering can we meet you at Cafe Bug's later this evening?" requested Eva, hoping her son will agrees with this meeting plan.

"Mum, I shall get back to you soon. I'm expecting other calls." exclaimed Ezekiel as he shut his mum off from his line.....with tears in his eyes. 

"He must be upset with me." utters Eva sadly as she sank on her couch feeling rejected and remorseful with herself.

"He needs time to adjust to all this." exclaimed Riley as he gently wipe Eva's tears away from her cheeks.

The sun had risen to it's utmost identity, as the glorious rays significantly shone's it's glaring lights through the curtains of Ezekiel's room. Ezekiel check upon his cell phone for any miss calls from Yasmeen, however to his dismay, there were none. He gaze through his window, as he stood up and turn on the small radio which was place on the side table just next to the night lamp. Ezekiel awaits anticipating for any news report and the outcome of the current situation, which their state were facing at that point of time due to the storm last night. It was such an agonizing turmoil, a horrific feeling that some mishap might had happened to Yasmeen. Only with her, Ezekiel feels free to be himself, to show the real side of him….there’s no lying or any deception throughout their five years of amazing platonic relationship. It seems, only with Yasmeen, that he could relate his true unspoken self identity, which he had been secretly trying hard to conceal…! His inner self-realisation of not being a him...! It hurts....it is painful.

The news which he had been anticipating awaits, had finally been announced on the radio. Ezekiel anxiety ran through his spirit, as he could vividly recalls the horrifying storm which had occurs the night before. There were chaotic scene almost every part of their state town, flash floods, fallen trees, heavy traffics and drowning pets. Ezekiel stand close to his radio transistor, as he tries to pier through the next statement of the radio deejay..and the dreading news was finally been said about some of the unfortunate boats which had been capsize or simply destroyed by the horrendous storm. Ezekiel clench his fists by his sides, as more news were read on and this time...it involves the boat which Yasmeen had risk her life in. The tragic boat has been ruptured by the torrent waves...however fortunately, all of the high school kids survivors has been swept on shore and has been place under the local emergency department for further treatment....much to Ezekiel's relief. Without wasting any more seconds, Ezekiel ran to the shower room to have his quick shower and then he put on his three-quarter Bermudas pants, a t-shirt, with his grandpa's cardigan over it...! As he was about to step out from his home,suddenly he heard his grandma was calling for him.

"Where are you going in such an early morning? The weather is kind of chilling outside...I do not want you to catch a cold." utters his grandma as she place Oasis bowl....with Oasis inside that bowl onto the island cabinet.

"Grandma, I had this thick woolen grandpa's cardigan...so please don't get worry about that..all right." exclaimed Ezekiel, while he balance himself against the wall as he puts on his sneakers. "I need to go to the library for a while...to borrow some books..and I might be lunching outside." continues Ezekiel as he took his step towards the front door and left.

"He must be seeing that woman." thought his grandma to herself, as she was thinking that Ezekiel might be meeting his mum without her knowledge.

The bus ride almost took him an hour, before he finally check himself inside this emergency department, which seems to be loaded with patients that came from all expect of lives...the Young's and the older ones...which seems desperately in need of medical attention. Ezekiel cranks his neck, as he hope to find some familiar faces...even if it turns out to be Basil. Ezekiel walk pass several section of that area, and then he saw her....sitting all by herself on one of the empty seat along the waiting lounge area..looking remorseful towards herself.

"Yasmeen." exclaimed Ezekiel, with a tone of relief and a tinge of emphatic towards her.Upon hearing that familiar voice, she jump out from her seat and ran into his arms and held him with all her might....with tears of comfort and security in her eyes. "It's okay..Thank God you are safe now." utters Ezekiel as he gently caress her long dangling hair with his arms around her waist.

Suddenly, Yasmeen felt an unexplainable feeling of greatness.....pleasure and enlightenment just being held on close by Ezekiel. A strange feeling of not wanting to let go....was this love? She asked herself. Could this be happening to her right now....to fall in love with a best friend?

"Yasmeen...come on let me take you home." it was Bashir, as he came closer towards them and roughly pulls her away from Ezekiel's embrace. Ezekiel, was shocked by his tendency for being aggressive towards Yasmeen..and this does not please him at all, as he stared coldly towards him....a dark side of Ezekiel which he rarely projects himself.

"Get out of my side wimp." cried Bashir as he roughly tugged Yasmeen arm and bring her closer towards him.

"Let go of me...I'm not coming with you....not ever again! Our relationship is over....!" cried Yasmeen as she pulls herself away from Bashir and ran back towards Ezekiel. Bashir was not letting her off like that, as he insist on taking Yasmeen away from Ezekiel.

"Maybe you should back off." warned Ezekiel as he had his fiery eyes fix on Bashir...and this time Bashir felt intimidated by Ezekiel's gesture. Bashir hissed furiously, but at last he decides to leave, as he storms out from the emergency department and headed towards the taxi stand to hail a cab.

"Thanks Eze, for doing this for me." utters Yasmeen solemnly...as Ezekiel had used his money to buy some clean clothes for Yasmeen at the local department store nearby.

Ezekiel smile and shrugged his shoulder. "Just, don't fall into that kind of situation again." exclaimed Ezekiel, as he walks her towards the front door of her apartment. Yasmeen smile tearfully....and suddenly she gave Ezekiel a kiss on his cheeks, much to his surprised. Ezekiel widen his eyes as he place his fingers on the spot where Yasmeen had kiss him.

"Take care Ezekiel...see you tomorrow in school." utters Yasmeen as she enters into her home and closed the door....with Ezekiel still looking daze and blurish after been given that peck on his face.

"The horrific fear, spill and sprout itself upon Marish's heart, as she ran out from the palace with tears of anger and shame in her eyes. Not knowing where exactly her path might be leading her too....as she continue to run, passing by several of the official councils and some of the servant maids around that area...ignoring their whispering and glares of doubtfulness about her strange reaction. Marish wouldn't care less about all that, as she ran pass the royal garden ...until finally she saw an empty barn house and ran into it. Marish, tries to catch her breath...as she sank onto the straw of hays which has been strewn all over that area. With her knees close to her chest, she begins to weep tearfully....! Suddenly, she felt the back of her head has been nudged by something warm and huge. Marish was startle in a fright, as she turns towards that creature which had continue to tug her hair playfully. With a great sense of relief, when she discover it was a white stallion which had actually gave her that sheer fright. Marish, wipe her fallen tears and a beautiful smile came upon her sweet gentle face. Marish stood up from the hays and slowly begins to pet the white stallion as he stood poise with his magnificent striking beauty.

"You one lovely creature aren't you." exclaimed Marish and to her amusement, that stallion nods his head as he teasingly brings his nose closer towards Marish cheeks.

"He seems to fancy you." cried a voice...making Marish almost lost her footing among the hays but she was glad as she held on to the stallion's neck to balance herself. To her horror...it was Prince Ashlan...as he came closer towards her and held his hand and gently begins petting the neck of that stallion.

"His name is Noah, he's my favourite horse." exclaimed Ashlan with a smile.

"Please forgive me, your highness...for my rudeness. I swear...I didn't know...this magnificent creature belongs to you." exclaimed Marish as she looks away from Ashlan brazen stare.

"Want a ride?" offered Ashlan as he place the horse girdle on Noah's back and secure the fittings and the buckles around it's body.

"You meant I could?" asked Marish with excitement in her voice.

"Why not? Come on!" exclaimed Ashlan as he hopped onto his stallion and reaches out his hands to help Marish.

"No..no..this is not right! I'm still on my duties..! I shall clean up this barn which seems to be in a mess with hays..!" rattles Marish, as she tries to clear them by picking them up with her hands.

"Forget about these hays. All right, under my order, you are off duty now...so are you coming along?" utters Ashlan with a glee. Marish looks at Ashlan with interest, tall and charming, such an intense, with full of tales behind those dark bluish eyes....small lips like a rose bud petals......ash brown hair, such a beautiful man. Marish heart flutters ...as she tries to avoid his eyes again...and prays that, she don't look like an idiotic fool in front of a crown prince. Ashlan smile charmingly towards her, as he could sense some strange emotion inside of Marish, from the way how she had blush.

"I better go....my mother, she's might be waiting for me at our dormitory so....please forgive me your highness." exclaimed Marish...as she back away both from Noah and Ashlan.

"Be....!" utters Ashlan...but it was too late as Marish had accidentally, hit her head onto the lower rimmed of the barn house. Marish glee, as she begins to feel stupid at that point of her life right now. She nods her head several time before she decides to take her leave...and this time no turning back.

"Wait," utters Ashlan. "I still haven't got your name?" requested Ashlan as he jumps off from his horse and came closer towards Marish, before she got her chance to run again.

"Marish." exclaimed Marish shortly as she looks towards the dry hays. "Your highness." continues Marish as she slowly begins to raise up her face and look straight into his eyes.

"Just call me Ashlan." utters the crown prince with a smile of enlightenment in his eyes.

"I'm not used to be calling a crown prince in such a manner." cried Marish.

"Get used to it now." exclaimed Ashlan, as he bring himself closer towards Marish. Marish took few steps backwards as she remains silent but begins to give him a wondering look. "Just, be careful with Aden next time...all right." continues Ashlan as he remind her gently. Marish nodded with a smile, before finally she left. Ashlan, had his sight on her until she was seen entering upon the gates of the dormitory area. The strong sense of alluring pleasure of seen her soft delicate features....had somehow or rather bring in some unimaginable feeling of wondrous and joy inside his heart...he knew...he had fallen for her." Ezekiel shut his book after placing his favorite bookmark on the latest page of his reading.

"In love? Is is possible." utters Ezekiel to himself...as he place his slim finger onto the side of his chisel cheeks where, Yasmeen had implanted a kiss on it.