Things That Go Bump in the Night.

I was home alone the other night with emak away at Emi's. Nothing much to worry as I have come used to it. But after the blogger's meet last Saturday where I was engaged in a particular conversation with a particular someone, sometime the mind can and does play a trick or two on a person. Now, who that particular someone I had the conversation with does not really matter, but the particular subject we touched was on the supernatural which, well, left me with a shiver or 2. And talking of shivers, I am shivering cold now from a bout of fever.

Earlier today, I took emak to a government office for some personal matters which she needed clarification. On reaching the entrance, my blood shot-up almost immediately when I noticed that the public parking was situated some distant away from the office building, while there was a sign showing the way for VVIP and VIP parking! I mean, given the situation where those VVIPs and VIPs already have a driver, why should they be accorded a parking near the building? And the public, many who are the elderly have to park a distant away - I honestly think that Malaysians have to reset their priorities. As for my fever, well, when we came out of the office, it was already raining. Without a bench for emak to sit and wait out the rain, I took a casual walk to the car. No point rushing, I thought, as I would still be drenched (a certain friend would say this: padan muka tak bawa paying!). But hey!, how was I supposed to know it would rain in midday? Oh well...

Anyway, back to the story, I've had some personal experience with the supernatural and not one of them were pleasant, I don't mind telling you. I mean, were they pleasant, heck, I might not be here to write this tale of mine, and be having the time of my life in some other planes of life which we mere mortals see not. Like, some tales I've heard of some people who are married to 'orang bunian' and what not - perhaps quite similar to P Ramlee's film Sumpah Orang Minyak. Heck! I wouldn't want come back to Earth had I been to those planes! Off course, that is assuming such planes do exist and they are as beautiful as some people would make them out to be! As a Muslim, I off course have to believe life, other than those on this plane we live, do exist. But that is as far as it should go - I acknowledge, but I bow to none other than Allah s.w.t. Hmm...I'm going far off from what I want to write about, aren't I?

Now, before I continue rambling, one must be reminded that this cakapaje fella only partakes in 1 heavy meal a day (just to emphasise: that's ONE meal only a day). Off course, sometimes in given situation, he may break the rules but that is only on rare occasions; like for instance, the night when he took Doc TA and Matsalo for Ayam Golek Halim. But other than that, its strictly a one meal a day routine.

On this particular night when emak was away, that cakapaje fella decided to sleep in the upstairs bedroom which he rarely does. No, it's not that he rarely sleep, but on most nights one may find him sleeping on the carpet of the living room downstairs. And no, it is also not because he is too lazy to climb the one floor up, but...well, since emak sleeps at the bedroom downstairs, he feels like it is his duty to sleep on the same level or below emak. Pretty conservative if you ask me but, that's cakapaje fella for you.

So, that night he was alone and was hovering between the conscious and...sleep, off course. And suddenly, he was shaken out of it by a strange noise! Looking around, he could not see much of anything as it was, well, dark! He kept still for a few very long seconds hoping to make out the sound which seem to have quieten by then. Since no noise was heard again, he happily turned to the lovely soft bed and the slightly wet pillow. But not long afterwards, that cakapaje fella was awaken again by the same noise. This time however, it was much louder which prompted him to switch on the lights and saw...nothing!

Curiousity got the better of him and he decided to check downstairs for the possibilities of some night prowlers or something like that. At that moment, 2 things crept into his mind. The first, was the possibility of a rodent which the tail, oops, I mean the tale was told sometime last November or so. Having had a look-see, he found no telltale evidence of a rodent, and that gave him the shivers as the other thing that crept into his mind was, of some supernatural things which that cakapaje is not too particular fond of.

With the mind now on full alert - and the hairs standing on ends - he decided to check all the doors and places which could lead some valuable clues to the mysterious noise. Granted, it was not such a big thing the noise was, more like some growling sound. But that's the whole thing, where and what caused such noise?

By then, cakapaje was already holding a piece of hardwood with his right hand, and slowly opening each drawer in the kitchen. If ever anything suddenly pops out of a drawer, well, the hardwood would have to make do either as a defence or offensive weapon. But with each drawer opened, nothing was found till at last, only the refrigerator remain unopened! Thus, with one eye closed, cakapaje slowly pull open the refrigerator door. And sure enough, there it was, the culprit that caused the growling noise! Cakapaje looked down to his midsection and lovingly patted his stomach! I mean, since I was wide awake already, might as well!

Soon later, the only noise that disturbed the night was those of cakapaje slumbering away. The stomach, having been sated with 2 pieces of fried chicken, was too busy to make noise any further. Well, its not really a tale of things that go bump in the night, but it certainly did go burping!

Now, for the fever...