The morning traffic had grown substantially by the time Arman got to the highway leading south. Vehicles merging into a flowing mass of rush hour commuters moving from home to work and elsewhere.
Beside him Ain was fast asleep, nodding off after Arman had finished telling her what he knew. She had asked no question. He knew too little anyway. What she did agree however was that the patient's death would be on them. She did break his neck after all. John Doe's machinations a convenient yet unbelievable divergent.
When she woke up, Arman showed her the MP3 player he had used at the hospital.
"This thing has helped ward him off, I think. Something about my clouding up my thoughts with sound."
"It worked with me for a while," was all she said.
He raised an eyebrow at her frank confession. Which meant she had been able to read him like a book despite the makeshift defense.
"You've heard him as well, didn't you? John Doe? Any idea who we are dealing with?"
She shook her head at this. Arman thought she was hiding something from him, but he couldn't really tell from her blank expression.
She just woke up from a long coma, Arman. What do you expect?
"How long was I out, Arman?"
"Huh? You mean in comatose? I think five, six months."
"And there were no visitors?"
"I don't think anyone was told of your being there. It was all hushed."
He saw her yawn and stopped talking, the break allowing her to catch a nap. The drive was so relaxed Arman began to feel drowsy. The lack of sleep was making its lethargy felt. He massaged his neck with one hand and glanced at Ain, admiring her facial lines, the bobbing shoulder length hair cut, her …
Please watch the road ahead and not your passenger.
He smiled and faced forward. Perfect timing as the lorry in front of them slowed down as the highway's gradient increased. He switched to the rightmost lane for the climb towards the Menora Tunnels. A long stretch of uphill drive saw the left most lane hogged by the heavier lorries and trailers. On occasion, one or two impatient one would try and overtake their brethren along what was once a major accident zone of the highway.
The lady behind us is angry you didn't use the signal when switching lane.
"You're like a nanny system," said Arman. He quickly lifted his left hand for a few second, his lips mouthing a "Sorry" which he hoped the driver behind could see. Saw Ain smiling, fully awake.
"Where exactly are we going? Do you want to switch? You look tired."
"Probably Putrajaya. I'm thinking that's the best place to look for an answer. As to how, don't ask. I really don't have anything in my mind. Do you know how to drive?"
"Not sure. I think I can, but I won't know until I try. Although this is a manual and it's quite the brute, so…"
"Figures. Everyone is on automatic these days they've lost the skills of using the clutch."
"Now who's the nanny?"
Ain swept her hair backwards, massaged her eyes, nose and cheeks and then stretched her hands outwards.
"Can you spare me some cash for clothes? I don't really need anything. T shirts, a proper pair of pants. And undies," she said, blushing slightly.
"No problem. We'll stop for a break as soon as the shops open."
"Thanks. Appreciate this. These clothes I'm wearing… are they mine?"
"I suppose so. They were already there when I first came to check you a day after you arrived at the hospital."
"Thank God. I'd be running naked if not for these."
A smile crept on Arman's face. A naughty thought began forming in his mind's eye only for a sudden flash of light creating a static. His smile turned to a frown.
"Did you just do something to me? Don't do that…"
Silence. A sheepish look from his passenger.
"Sorry. I'm still getting the hang of my abilities. I was just trying to give you the equivalent of a nudge."
A black MPV lead by a single outrider speeding on the opposite lane heading north interrupted their repertoire.
Just like the entourage which brought Ain and her companions to the hospital all those months ago, thought Arman.