MANCHESTER EPIPHANY CHAPTER 1: MANCHESTER AWAITS!

Eiyo my dear Fadneiras,

I decided to do a free reading session before the book is launched. So here's chapter 1 for ya ^_^ New life, new adventures, new excitement begins here for Yasmeen.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy your free reading session ...

XoXo,

Fadima Mooneira ^_^

(Author of Manchester Epiphany)

PS: For this free reading session, I will share chapter 1-5 with ya ^_^

SEPTEMBER 2019/ EMIRATES AIRLINE FLIGHT FROM DUBAI TO MANCHESTER 

I’VE BEEN WONDERING … why is one achievement not enough for a person? Why do we still want more when we have already achieved something? Are we greedy and ungrateful? Hmm …

“Meen … are you done eating?” Ibu’s question brings me back to reality.

“Yes. I’m done,” I answer Ibu with a smile. My mother smiles back at me. She slowly lifts the half-empty tray from my table and passes it to Ayah. Ayah hands the tray to an Arab stewardess and says, “Thank you.”

I lift my table and clip it back to the front seat. Ayah rises from his seat and walks to the back.

“Hmm … he’s going to the toilet again, I guess.” I hear Ibu saying. A tiny laugh escapes my mouth.

I lift my right arm and stare at an emerald green Daniel Wellington watch on my wrist. Umm … it is already 10.15 am. I already set my watch to Manchester time. We are going to land at Manchester Airport in about two hours.

I am opening a new chapter. And new adventures are about to begin for me. I feel excited to start anew in a foreign country. I will be a student again this September at the Manchester Fashion Institute. BSc (Hons) Fashion Marketing is the course I chose to study.

I hope to achieve success in a foreign land and return home as a better person with pride. That is my prayer when I first decided to further my studies and leave behind what I had.

Initially, everyone was shocked by my decision. “What? You want to close MY Evergreen Wardrobe? After all the success you’ve achieved?” I remember the look on my sister’s face when I announced my desire and decision.

“Yes,” I answered with confidence and pride.

“But why? MY Evergreen Wardrobe is doing well,” continued Kak Maya.

The conversation we had a week before Kak Maya’s wedding plays in my memory.

“Of course … It’s doing well. But I have other plans for myself,” I responded and continued, “you too are leaving MY Evergreen Wardrobe and Malaysia soon. Well, I want to move forward, too. I have new dreams to chase.” I hope that my sister and everyone close to me will understand my decision.

MY Evergreen Wardrobe was a pre-loved boutique that my elder sister, Kak Maya, and I managed. We started the business back in 2016, right after I graduated from the Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA) with a Diploma in Textile and Fashion Design.

Opening a pre-loved fashion business was my idea since I had a hard time getting a job that suited my passion and qualifications. And yes, being a pre-loved boutique owner was the only dream I had back then. And during that time, Kak Maya resigned from her torturous job at a high-end boutique. Kak Maya was unemployed and also had a hard time getting a new job. So, I invited her to join me in this pre-loved boutique business. Kak Maya accepted my invitation even though running a pre-loved boutique wasn’t really her dream. And so, we opened MY Evergreen Wardrobe. MY stands for Maya-Yasmeen. Seniors must always have their name first. Hehehe …

MY Evergreen Wardrobe operated for two years. The pre-loved boutique achieved some successes and had the potential to move further. Everyone was shocked when I decided to switch my route. Why is my Evergreen Wardrobe not going to be in my next journey? Well, I have my reasons …

“You’ll be rooting for me, right, big sis?” I stared hopefully at the bride-to-be’s glowing face.

She smiled at me and said, “Of course … I will.” Kak Maya threw her arms around me. And I pulled her back into my embrace.

“I will always pray for you. That’s what sisters are for,” added Kak Maya before she kissed my right cheek. I was touched. This is how Mr. Habibullah and Prof. Meriam’s daughters show their love for each other. Sister love!

My elder sister, Maya Juhara Habibullah (a.k.a Kak Maya), is a journalism graduate from the MARA University of Technology (UITM) and aspires to be an author. In 2017, Kak Maya traveled to Seoul, South Korea, to write her first manuscript. When Kak Maya was in Seoul, she worked as an Assistant Librarian at a library café, Saranghaeyo Namsan. And at Saranghaeyo Namsan, Kak Maya met a Korean-Muslim hunk named Haikal Kim Eun Seop. Haikal Kim was Kak Maya’s boss and the owner of Saranghaeyo Namsan Library Café. Haikal Kim had a thing for my quirky sister. And yes, they fell in love.

So, Kak Maya did not just return to Malaysia with a manuscript in hand. She also brought home a husband-to-be. Kak Maya is the luckiest woman on earth. Haikal Kim is not just eye candy; he is also kind-hearted, smart, charismatic, and has all the qualities of an alpha male. He is also from a wealthy family. His family is one of the richest Korean-Muslim families in South Korea. Wow! Wicked!

Kak Maya and Abang Haikal got married in December last year. And early this year, Kak Maya moved to Seoul with her husband. Since then, Kak Maya has self-published her first novel, Saranghaeyo Chosun, a historical romance. Saranghaeyo Chosun became a bestseller in Asia, received good reviews from book experts, and recently entered the Western book market. Alhamdulillah. I am happy for Kak Maya.

Well, Kak Maya is not the only person who was shocked by my unexpected decision. Ayah, Ibu, my elder brother, Abang Taufik, and his wife, Kak Safira, were surprised as well. But luckily, they understand and agree with my decision. Alhamdulillah.

Seeing everyone I know moving forward with their lives makes me feel that being a pre-loved boutique business owner is not enough. I want to achieve something else. Something bigger.

Oh … before I forget, Kak Maya did not just become a published author. She also started a publishing and creative content company called MJ Imaginative Empire (MJIE). Wow! My big sister is now a girl boss! Wicked!

Besides Kak Maya, my friends during my years at MIA have also moved forward with their lives. Some of them are now famous fashion designers in Malaysia and have built their empire in the industry. Some have moved to New York, London, Dubai, Tokyo, and other cool places in the world to build their careers there. Wow! Most of my friends have become successful. And my cousin, Cempaka Sari, who graduated from Limkokwing University last year, has also gone to Melbourne, Australia, to further her studies.

Their achievements drive me to move forward and achieve something more than just being a pre-loved boutique owner. I’m now 24 years old. I still have a long way to go. My dreams must not end as a pre-loved boutique owner. I must achieve more and do better.

As a fashionista, I dream of building a career in the fashion industry. Yes, I want to be a somebody in this glamourous industry, but the problem is I don’t know what. Kuang … kuang … kuang …

Yasmeen Aizura Habibullah … what do you want to be after you graduate from Manchester Fashion Institute? That’s the billiondollar question that I have been asking myself. Hmm …

“Hello, my youngest princess … looks like you have so many thoughts in your head. What are you thinking?” asks Ibu. And I return to reality. Whoa! Ibu always reads my mind. There is nothing I can’t hide from my mother.

“Hehehe … I was daydreaming of the life I’m going to have in Manchester.” I flash Ibu a shy smile. Ibu takes my hand in hers.

“Meen … are you feeling excited to start fresh in Manchester?” asks Ibu. There are sparkles in her eyes.

“Umm …” I nod. Of course, I am feeling excited. Very excited in fact. I’m going to start a new adventure soon. I’m going to meet new cool people, particularly the one I’m planning to seek. Hooray!

“Study hard, ok. Don’t just go there to chase Ricardo Alonso,” says Ibu with a cheeky grin. Ouch! I can’t believe Ibu reads me again.

When I first expressed my desire to further my studies in England, Ayah and Ibu wanted to send me to London. But Manchester is my choice instead. That’s because I have another mission besides furthering my studies. Hehehe …

I want to be near my football crush, Ricardo Alonso. I am simply crazy about him. Unfortunately, of course, Ricardo is unaware that I exist. How can he when I am thousands of miles away? Ouch! That is why I must move to Manchester. I must seek Ricardo Alonso and make him know that a wonderful person named Yasmeen Aizura Habibullah is waiting to be by his side. No worries, Yasmeen. Once Ricardo sees you, he won’t stop thinking about you. Hehehe … I motivate myself. Although I know I sound crazy, who knows what lies ahead? Ibu always says a girl has to work hard to get what she wants.

“Ayah and Ibu will always pray for your success. We hope you will return home with an outstanding Bachelor’s Degree in hand.” Ibu prays for her youngest child.

“And also … please look after yourself well. This is going to be your first time being away from us,” continues Ibu, and she is right.

This will be my first experience away from my family. And I am going to be very far away from them. Furthermore, I will be a foreigner in a new land. I must be strong. I must not be faint of heart.

“And one more thing …” Ibu gazes at me. Oops! Ibu is not done yet.

“Don’t ever miss your daily prayers,” commands Ibu. Dang! And that is her most important advice.

“Okay, Ibu. I will never forget what’s important to me,” I respond with confidence. Alhamdulillah, so far … I have never forgotten my daily prayers. Praying five times a day is one of our pillars as Muslims.

While Ibu and I are chatting, Ayah returns to his seat. “Hah … so you’ve done your business?” I hear Ibu asks Ayah. Ayah flashes Ibu a smile.

“There were so many people. The queue was long,” says Ayah. I laugh at my parents’ antics. Ibu starts to chat with Ayah.

I roll up my window screen. Wow! The sky is already bright with fluffy white clouds. Alhamdulillah. The weather looks good. I am glad that Manchester is not going to be gloomy on my arrival.

Ding! Dong! The chime signals for landing, and the flight captain makes an announcement, “Ladies and gentlemen … this is your captain speaking …”

I sit back and relax while listening to the captain’s announcement. According to the flight captain, we are going to touch down at Manchester Airport in an hour.

I take out a blackcurrant-flavoured Hacks candy from a small pouch and put it into my mouth. The candy helps protect my ears from the air pressure once I suck on it.

This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. New chapter! New life! New people! New adventures! Ricardo Alonso! Manchester Town Football Club! All is happening so soon for me. Manchester, here I come! Say hello to Yasmeen Aizura! Wow! I’m feeling flushed with excitement and enthusiasm. Hehehe!

-TO BE CONTINUED-

#FadimaMooneiraWriter #ManchesterEpiphany  #ContemporaryRomanceNovel #SelfPublished #IndieAuthor