Wilson Anak Damien Kukut was probably the best senior midshipman any navy cadet could ask for.
Although cadets Michael Stone and Shazni Hafizi often found themselves in Wilson's hostel room singing Indonesian dangdut songs for Wilson's entertainment, they greatly respected and admired the guy. In fact, they looked forward to being summoned to Wilson's room. They would sit cross legged on the floor, listening in awe while Wilson leaned back on his bed and held court, teaching them the most interesting things - from the origins of naval traditions to the latest technology in marine warfare.
Mike will prolly never forget the first day he wore his navy whites. The night before, he was in Wilson's room learning to shine his white shoes. As if it weren't good enough that they were already pearly bright, they had to friggin' sparkle. Wilson sat as usual on his bed, overseeing his juniors sprawled across the floor vigorously rubbing wax onto their shoes.
"Esok bila engkauorang pakai putih," he began. He reached over and lowered the volume of the dangdut karaoke VCD playing on his laptop. "Orang semua akan pandang kau..."
"...Lagi-lagi cewek." Stupid boyish smirks broke out all across the room.
Wednesday was the day the Armed Forces Reserve students would wear their respective uniforms to lectures. We navy kids would get a good ribbing for sporting our blue attire because it looked too similar to the outfit the pak guard at the campus gate wears. All that would change tomorrow.
"Kalau kau tak p'caya," Wilson said, drawing from experience. "Cuba kau naik bas pigi kelas esok. Tengokla brapa orang cewek pandang kau masa tunggu bas."
Yes.
* * *
7.45am the next morning, the bus stop was scattered with a variety of students waiting for the shuttle bus to the lecture halls. There were the nerdy types, the gender confused types, the religious types, the ‘glamour’ types, the… heck, you get the idea.
All of a sudden, the whole place went into a sort of slow-motion sequence as two figures in Clorox white shirt and pants made their way to the bus stop, strutting at an effortless pace of their own. It was almost a reenactment of the scene in Top Gun where the fighter pilots walk into the bar as if they owned the place and everyone in it. Except this wasn't Tom Cruise or Val Kilmer, it was Mike and Fizi.
Every other day, the two of them would speed off to class on their motorcycles. Today, they decided they would bask in the silent awe of their adoring fans.
"Waaaw, adik navy!" a squawky voice called out. "Hensemnye hari nie! Nanti dalam bas duk sebelah I, ye?"
Stunned, Mike and Fizi turned to see who it was. A dude in a baby tee and stuffed bra waved to them. His/her friend piped up.
"Shazzy, I nak yang kulit gelap tu taw... Yummy betul!"
The little groups of people who had earlier been minding their own Wednesday morning thoughts all broke out in laughter.
Fizi pulled his cap low over his face like he always did in awkward moments. Mike stared down at his sparkling white shoes.
In the corner of his eye, Mike saw a black Proton Satria drive by. In the driver's seat was Wilson smiling like a madman. He honked and sped off.
Yup, Wilson Anak Damien Kukut was the best senior midshipman a navy cadet could ask for.
