Prologue

"Welcome to Sydney, please enjoy your stay here,"

As those words rolled off my custom officer's tongue, I was now officially registered as a resident of Australia with my student visa. He handed me back my passport, leaving me to grab the rest of my hand luggage and walk past the custom booth so that he could attend to another visitor. I made my way towards the luggage turntable, trying to recognise my luggage among the hundreds of others that had popped out of the luggage chute. Upon seeing them, I hauled them onto a luggage trolley that I had grabbed earlier on my way to the luggage turntable. I wish I hadn't brought so much stuff, but mum insisted that I pack extra clothing in case it was cold or the clothing here were too expensive.

Finally leaving the luggage turntable, I walked towards the arrivals gate. Throngs of people were amassed there, some with balloons, others with flowers. A few business-suit clad men were in the background apart from the crowd, holding up little signs of their customers' names in large bold letters. Probably chauffeurs, I thought. Wish I was someone famous (or rich enough) to have a chauffeur. Heh. That'd be cool. I was temporarily lost in my thoughts when I heard someone call out my name.

"Hey, over here! Eken! Eken Chan! Yo!"

I turned my head instinctively towards the direction of the person who called me, searching among the sea of heads. I finally spotted a familiar face. It was Andrew, my friend, waving frantically with both of his arms trying to grab my attention. When he saw that I had already noticed him, he made his way towards the exit of the arrivals gate to receive me. As we met face to face, he gave me a bear hug and a hearty slap on the back.

"G'day mate, welcome to Sydney!" he pipped.

"Oh please, don't tell me you've already adopted an Aussie accent..."

"Heheh, not really, but I'm getting there." he said, this time in his old voice that I've known for the past 5 years. "Just having a little fun with ya. So, how was the flight? Bumpy? Turbulent? Any cute girls on board?" he winked at me.

"Except for the air hostesses, who more than likely already have boyfriends of their own back home, no. Sorry to disappoint you,"

"Pity. Come, let me help you with your bags," he said as he reached for my trolley.

"Aiyah, there's no need. I can handle it by myself," I weakly protested.

He ignored me and gleefully wheeled my trolley as we walked side by side towards the airport exit. The automatic doors slid open, allowing a slight gush of cool air to greet my face. Is Sydney always this cold at this time of the year? I felt thankful for the cardigans and sweaters that mum had packed for me. I reminded myself to give her a ring later once I reached Andrew's place. I was slightly surprised at how dark the airport surroundings were already, despite it being only around 7:30 pm. I gazed back at Sydney Airport behind me, shining like a giant beacon; light seemed to pour out from every crevice. I looked back at Andrew, who was busily looking around.

"Taxi?" I asked Andrew.

"Nah, I drive," he said, showing me his car keys, pointing towards his car in the parking lot.

"Sweet,"

After I loaded my luggage into the boot, I hopped into the front seat next to Andrew who was starting up the car. We exchanged small chat as we exited the parking lot booth and reached the freeway.

"So, you're staying at my place, right?" he said, still keeping his eyes on the road.

"Well, until I have my own 20 room mansion by the bay, I guess I'm stuck with you,"

"Heh," he chuckled. "Well, I guess that'll have to do in the meantime. Are you tired? 8 hours flight and jet lag tend to do that to most people,"

"It's only about two hour's difference from Malaysia, but yeah, I'm a bit tired. Don't mind me taking a nap now?"

"Go ahead. I'll wake ya up once we reach my place. We might even grab something to eat later in the city,"

"Thanks," I mumbled, already with my eyes half-closed.

The neon colour lights of the freeway billboards and car spotlights soon blurred from my view. I closed my eyes and crossed my arms, listening to the radio softly playing another mindless boyband song. I rested my head on the cold leather headrest...already missing my old bed and pillow back home. Have mum and dad reached home yet? Will I be able to settle in? I wonder if the Chicken Laksa here will taste just as good as back home? What's going to happen to me now? These questions lingered around my mind for awhile, until I fell asleep, dreaming one of my dreamless dreams.

Tonight was just beginning.





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