THE LIFR HE CHOSEN.
The factory floor wasn't never quiet.
Machines roared without mercy ,metal clunged against metal and heat clung do the air like it refused to leave.
Sweat ran down Aiman back long before the morning shift ended but this hand never slowed.
He tightened the last bolt carefully.
Wiped his palms against jos worn uniform and moved to the next station without award.
"Aiman".
He turned.
Mr Rahman the supervisot,stood behind him holding a thin file.
"Yes ,sir ".
"I checked your application form again".
Aiman stayed silent.
"You got a good SPM result".
Still silent.
"Honestly....with this result like your's,you shouldn't be working here.
The machines continued screaming srtound them.
Aiman lowered his eyes slightly.
"I need this job"
Mr Rahman frowned.
"You could work in an office,easier work,bettet future.
Aiman forced a small smile.
"This is enough to me,sjr"
Buf deep inside-he knew its wasn't.
That evening,the sky was already turning dark when Aiman reached home.
Theirs small house stood quietly at the end the narrow lane.
The same as always,the faded walls,
The same wooden gate that cracked whenever he opened it.
But before he could even step inside.
"Abang"
Aina voice sounded.
Bright.
Warm.
Alive.
She ran toward him with her school bag.
Still hanging frim ine shuolder.
"You're late today?".
Aiman smilled immediatly.
"Extra work".
She studies his face carefully.
"You didn't skip lunch again,right?"
"I already ate".Aiman lied
"You're lying again!"Aina replied.
He laugh softly.
"Did you finish your homework?"
Aiman asked Aina.
"Almost"
"Almost means not yet,right".replied by Aiman.
Aina grinned.
"Come help me"
At the moment.
The exhaustion in his body dissappeared.
For her,
He never felt tired.
That night while Aina wad asleep at the small study table beside her books.
Aiman sit alone near the window.
A folded envelope rested quietly in his hand.
He opened and read it.
After that...slowly folded that letter and placed back inside the drawer.
Were never meant to be his
Not when someone else needed him more.