Saturday came with the buzzing sound of cicadas outside and the smell of fried noodles drifting from the kitchen. Siti woke up earlier than usual, her heart beating fast with anticipation. Today wasn't just another day off school—today, she was going to the mall to buy her very first stack of games.
After helping her mother sweep the porch and hanging the laundry, she quickly showered and changed into a simple floral blouse and jeans. She tied her hijab neatly, checked her wallet twice, and slipped her phone into her sling bag.
Her destination: Paradigm Mall, one of Johor Bahru's busiest weekend spots.
The mall was alive with weekend energy—families carrying shopping bags, kids running to toy stores, teenagers snapping selfies in front of cafés. Siti felt small in the crowd but also… thrilled. She wasn't here for clothes or bubble tea. She was here for something new, something hers.
She followed the glowing signs until she found it: GameStop Malaysia.
The store's glass doors were plastered with colorful posters—anime heroines, armored knights, and fierce fighters frozen mid-punch. Inside, shelves overflowed with game cases, each cover screaming with adventure. Consoles glowed under bright lights, demo screens flashing gameplay teasers.
Siti stepped inside slowly, almost reverently. It was like walking into another universe.
"Whoa…" she whispered.
The shopkeeper, a young man in a black hoodie, greeted her with a nod. "Looking for something specific?"
Siti clutched her bag strap nervously. "Um… Fatal Frame: Maiden of the Black Water?"
"Ah, horror fan?" He grinned, disappearing behind a shelf and returning with the dark, eerie cover art. The image alone made her shiver.
As she held the case in her hands, she felt a mixture of fear and excitement. This was the game Asmawati had teased her about. Soon, she'd be the one holding the camera against the shadows.
But then, something caught her eye.
On the shelf beside her, fiery red letters screamed: Mortal Kombat 11. The cover showed fierce fighters locked in combat, their expressions deadly. Siti's heart skipped. She remembered her cousins once talking about this game—about how intense and brutal the fights were.
Her fingers itched.
"One fighting game wouldn't hurt…" she muttered, and grabbed it.
Further down the aisle, another title gleamed like a jewel: Elden Ring. Its golden ring logo pulsed with mystery, the cover showing a vast, ominous world waiting to be explored. She had no idea how hard it was supposed to be, but something about it called to her.
"Maybe… adventure for later," she said, slipping it under her arm.
Finally, she spotted a softer, warmer cover: Kena: Bridge of Spirits. A young girl with a staff, surrounded by adorable little creatures. The art looked magical, comforting—like a storybook. It was the perfect balance to all the dark and scary games she was collecting.
By the time she reached the cashier, Siti's arms were full.
The shopkeeper raised his eyebrows as he scanned the stack. "Wow. First time buying games?"
Siti blushed. "Yes… it's my first console."
He chuckled, handing her the bag filled with colorful cases. "Good choice. You've got horror, fighting, hardcore adventure, and something light and magical. You're set for months."
As Siti walked out of the store, the weight of the bag felt like carrying treasure. She couldn't stop smiling. Around her, shoppers bustled past with their own purchases—shoes, food, gadgets—but in her hands was something different. A door to countless worlds, countless adventures.
When she returned home, she placed the games neatly on her desk. The glossy covers reflected the light, each one daring her to begin.
"Fatal Frame, Mortal Kombat, Elden Ring, Kena…" she whispered their names like spells.
For the first time, Siti Suhaili felt like she was stepping into a future she had chosen—not just the future of school and expectations, but one where she could create her own stories.
And tonight, the first story would begin.