Novel 7 - Roslan shoots IF, Meor meets Adam

Meet Meor, a dedicated journalist

Meor Shariman works with The Malay Mail, an English language newspaper which is based in Kuala Lumpur.
His superior is Zainal Alam Kadir, the uncle of AF season one seventh placer Nana (Nurul Hana) Mahzan, who is also a popular DJ with Era Radio.
Other entertainment writers who are friends of the IF include John Tiong, who comes from Sibu, in Sarawak, and Joe Lee, who is a friend of Zahid Baharuddin (AF season two champion).


It is one of those evenings when Adam Mohd Saman hangs out at Starbucks Coffee in Bintang Walk, Kuala Lumpur, with fellow Idols from a different franchise, Nikki Palikat and Rydee Rahim.
And of course, the Idol Fellowship’s cat, Nemo.
By coincidence, Meor Shariman of The Malay Mail is in Bintang Walk and spots Adam, his favourite Akademi Fantasia Idol.
“Hello, Adam! Apa khabar? (How are U?)” says Meor.
Adam reciprocates, followed by Nikki and Rydee.
“Hi, Nemo!” says Meor.
Meor says: “Adam, I’m a big fan of yours and I’ve been waiting to do this.”
Meor hugs Adam, and congratulates him on his acting debut.
Adam asks Meor: “U not hugging Nikki and Rydee?”
Meor replies: “No, I don’t think so. Kena ikut rules sikit. (Gotta follow rules a little)”
For the next hour, Meor has an interesting conversation with Adam, Rydee and Nikki.
The East Malaysian trio tell Meor that The Malay Mail is their favourite English evening daily, and that it always gives good coverage for MI and AF.
Meor tries to ask Adam some nosey questions, but Nikki and Rydee tactfully fend off those questions with funny answers.
For example, Meor asks Adam when was the last time Farah Anuar (AF fourth placer) visited him at Sugar Bun, Beach Street.
Rydee replies: “Hello! We always meet up at Beach Street. All the MI and AF Idols.”
Nikki adds: “If you want to know where Farah Anuar hangs out, ask Saipul Bakeri (MI fifth placer) and Nurul Hamid (AF eighth placer). I guess it’s Kuching Waterfront.”
Meor invites Adam to visit his house.
He says that he has lots of VCDs and CDs at home.
“That’s wonderful, Mr Meor. I do hope to visit some of you guys from The Malay Mail,” he says.
Meor subsequently says goodnight to the East Malaysians, and returns home.
Adam tells Nikki and Rydee: “He is a nice chap and I would love to visit his house, tapi Adam takut sikit (that means “I’m a little scared of him”).”
Rydee notices that Adam has a slight nose-bleed and pinches his nose firmly. Nikki quickly takes an ice-cube out of her drink and rubs it on Adam’s face.
“Why must U be so afraid of Mr Meor? He is only trying to be nice,” says Nikki.
Rydee adds: “Nobody in The Malay Mail would go overboard. They have always been our friends.”
Nikki strokes Nemo with her hand phone and contacts an American Idol finalist who has a calming effect on Adam, and who is their best friend in the IF.
She is none other than sweet Diana DeGarmo.
Diana appears in front of the East Malaysians, wearing a very short pair of shorts.
“Sorry, folks. I may not be dressed appropriately. I was in my bedroom earlier,” she says.
Nikki says: “It’s OK, Diana. This is Bintang Walk, one of the most happening parts of Kuala Lumpur.”
Diana tells Adam: “It’s OK, Adam. Your ketchup bottle problem is over.”
Rydee releases Adam’s nose from her iron grip.
Adam says: “Thanks, Diana. You are truly magical, and sexy.”


At a leading shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur, a photo session involving Malaysian Idol and Akademi Fantasia stars is being organised.
The producers of both reality television shows are co-organisers of the event. It is sponsored by 2 television stations and two leading telecommunications companies.
The photo session is specially for the entertainment media and individuals who made the 2 shows a success.
One of them is Roslan Aziz, a judge of Malaysian Idol.
He is making MI and AF contestants pose stylishly before his camera.
One of Roslan’s favourite MI contestants, Dina Nadzir, is made to pose with AF season 2 winner Zahid Baharuddin and AF season 1 number two Khairul Nizam Wahi (Khai), and his pet cat Nemo.
Roslan makes Dina sit on a chair, while Khai and Zahid stand behind her.
Roslan also makes Dina hold on to Nemo.
Dina tells Khai: “Shall I contact Jasmine Trias? You don’t look well today, Khai.”
Khai says: “I’m OK. Get back to work.”
Zahid says: “Dina, I guess we should let Khai sit down and we should stand up.”
Zahid and Dina thus stand behind Khai, who sits on the chair and holds on to Nemo.
Dina says, playfully: “Where’s Diana DeGarmo?”
Nemo pricks up his ears and meows.
“Hush, Dina!” says Zahid. “Nemo might fly off to Georgia”.
Roslan tells the trio: “OK everybody, say Nemo!”
The photo shoot is a success. Only one problem. Khai did not smile as broadly as Zahid and Dina.


Hafidah Samat and Amir Hafizi, two respected entertainment journalists who are also amateur photographers, join Roslan in the photo session.
The three photographers arrange for Bob Usop, Rosma Sidik, Fitri Zainal Abidin and Anding Zaini to pose together.
“Let Bob have the seat,” says Anding.
“I think it should be Fitri’s since he is the eldest among us,” says Rosma.
Amir says: “Yes, let Fitri sit and the rest of you stand. Fitri looks like a Yakuza don, and the rest of you look like his henchmen.”
“Excuse me,” says Rosma.
Amir says: “Sorry, I mean the rest of you guys.”


Hafidah gets Saipul Bakeri, Nurul Hamid, Farah Anuar, Azizi Mohamad and Vick Teo to pose together.
Saipul tells Hafidah: “U can pass of as Jaclyn’s long lost cousin.”
Nurul and Farah agree.
“Jac knows about this. I interviewed her recently,” says Hafidah.
Saipul insists on having the chair, even though Nurul advises him to reserve it for Azizi, the eldest of the group.
Vick says: “Guess Azizi and I will stand on the side of the photo. After all we are both lions.”
Azizi says: “Yes, I’m born under the dragon, and the dragon becomes a lion.”
Hafidah tells Farah to wear her hand phone around her neck, since the hand phone which rings “Breep!” is Farah’s trade mark.
Farah tells Saipul: “On second thoughts, I am glad that you are sitting and not standing next to Vick. He might start sending you flowers again!”
Saipul sits on the chair, and Farah and Nurul stand behind him. Cheeky Hafidah orders Nurul and Farah to play with Saipul’s spiky hair, and they sportingly do so.
Azizi and Vick stand on either side of Saipul.


Roslan, a poetry lover, gets fellow poetry lover Zarina Zainoordin to pose with her close friend Edlin Rahim, Liza Ismail, Nija Tahar and Andrew Tan.
Zarina tells Andrew to sit down.
“Why don’t you unwind your pony tail, Andrew?” asks Zarina.
Andrew replies, jokingly: “Today isn’t my good hair day.”
Edlin suggests: “Perhaps U should do the Bob Marley thing some day.”
“Sorry I ain’t got the right look for Mr Marley’s successor. I’m more of a Bee Gees fan,” says Andrew.
Zarina tells Nija and Liza to stand behind Andrew, while she and Edlin stand on either side of Andrew.
She says: “The 3 of you are men and women of superlatives.
“Andrew is the MI guy with the longest hair. Nija is the AF star from the southernmost tip of Asia. Liza is the AF star from the wettest town in Malaysia.”


Fahmy Zakaria, Fazly Zainal, Kaer Azami, Nana Mahazan and Sufiah Mohamad Noor are made to pose together by Amir.
Amir tells Kaer to sit down, and Fahmy and Fazly to stand on either side of him.
“One of U is shaking. I can’t take a photo,” says Amir.
Nana feels Kaer’s pulse and says: “U R right.”
Amir says: “Kaer, please relax. This camera will not hurt you.”
Nana and Sufiah calm Kaer down.
They tell him: "We'll be meeting Diana DeGarmo later today."
Sufiah tells Kaer: “I think I know why U were nervous just now. Jenny Malai Ali of Filusic walked past us.”

Hafidah gets Victor Lee, Zamil Idris, Sahri Sarip and Adi Fashla Juraimi to pose together. She tells Zamil to take the seat, while Sahri and Adi Fashla stand on either side of him.
“Please relax, guys! Don’t look so serious,” says Hafidah.
Zamil says: “It would be better if U joined us in the photo, Fida.”
Amir tells Hafidah: “Yes, go for it.”
Hafidah sportingly joins the guys in the photo.
Victor comments: “U do look like a cousin of Jaclyn.”
Adi Fashla and Sahri both agree.

Roslan makes Adam, Nikki, Rydee, Atie Abu Bakar and Azza Suhaimi pose together.
He tells Adam to take the seat, and tells Atie and Rydee to stand behind him.
Adam is exceptionally quiet and calm during the photo session.
Atie and Rydee place their hands on Adam.
Rydee and Nikki are a little surprised that their chatty friend from Kota Kinabalu is so relaxed.
Atie taps Adam’s shoulder.
He begins to speak again.
“I felt that someone had plastered my mouth for a few minutes,” Adam says.
Atie says: “Maybe Nemo has given me the gift of pacifying you. Just as Diana DeGarmo has a calming effect on you.”
Azza says: “When we interact with Nemo, we all receive special gifts. I have not discovered mine yet.”
Adam says: "Oh, yes U have. When U take a photo of me alone, a cute white rabbit's photo emerges. Remember our last visit to Genting Highlands?"
Nikki says: “Atie, that was really cool. You are from Bentong district, also called the Gap District (Genting means Gap). And you have the power to shut Adam’s gap and reopen it.”
Rydee says: “Perhaps, US fashion label The Gap should make you their spokesperson.”


Meor later meets Adam in the shopping centre. Adam tells Meor that he would love to visit the entertainment writer and view his VCD collection.
“It would be great to visit your place, Mr Meor,” says Adam.
“At first I hesitated because I am always mindful of avoiding pirated VCDs and pornographic VCDs.
“But I have confidence in Malay Mail staff because they come from The Paper That Cares.”

Hafidah tells Jaclyn: “Send my regards to Fantasia Barrino.”
Jaclyn says: “Don’t worry, Fida. I’ll tell her that the Fantasia Barrino of The New Straits Times says hello.”
Hafidah tells Vince to send her warmest regards to Kelly Clarkson.
Vince replies: “Her latest hit song Breakaway from The Princess Diaries 2 soundtrack is dedicated to all young people who dare to dream. That’s all of us, including you.”
ends


BAHASA MALAYSIA VERSION

Novel 7 - Roslan Ambil Gambar IF, Meor Jumpa Adam

Meor Shariman adalah seorang wartawan hiburan di The Malay Mail, sebuah surat khabar Bahasa Inggeris yang beribu pejabat di Kuala Lumpur.
Bosnya ialah Zainal Alam Kadir, pakcik kepada pemenang tempat ke-7 AF1, Nana (Nurul Hana) Mahazan, yang juga DJ Era.FM.
Wartawan lain yang berkawan baik dengan IF ialah John Tiong dari Sibu, Sarawak, dan Joe Lee, kawan karib Zahid Baharuddin (juara AF2).

Pada suatu petang di Starbucks Coffee, Bintang Walk, pemenang tempat ke-3 AF2, Adam (Mohd Aizam) Mat Saman bersembang dengan kakak angkatnya Rydiana (Rydee) Rahim, pemenang tempat ke-9 MI, dan kawan mereka, Nicolette (Nikki) Palikat, pemenang tempat ke-6 MI.
Nemo, maskot IF, berada di sisi mereka.

Meor sedang berjalan-jalan di Bintang Walk dan berjumpa dengan ketiga-tiga orang penyanyi dari Sabah itu.
“Hello, Adam! Apa khabar?” tanya Meor.
Adam pun menjawab, diikuti oleh Rydee dan Nikki.
“Hi, Nemo!” kata Meor.
Meor berkata: “Adam, saya ni peminat setia kamu.”
Meor memeluk Adam dan mengucapkan tahniah ke atas penglibatan Adam dalam bidang lakonan.
Adam bertanya: “U tak peluk Rydee dan Nikki?”
Meor menjawab: “Tak boleh. Kena ikut rules sikit.”

Meor bersembang dengan Adam, Rydee dan Nikki selama sejam.
Ketiga-tiga penyanyi itu berkata bahawa mereka adalah pembaca setia The Malay Mail.
Mereka menyokong The Malay Mail kerana banyak memberi publisiti kepada MI dan AF.
Meor cuba bertanya kepada Adam beberapa soalan sensitif, tetapi Rydee dan Nikki dengan cepatnya “menangkis serangan” Meor.
Sebagai contoh, Meor bertanya bilakah Farah Anuar (pemenang tempat ke-4 AF2) “dating” dengan Adam di restoran Sugar Bun, Beach Street, Kota Kinabalu.
Rydee menjawab: “Hello! We always meet up at Beach Street. All the Idols.”
Nikki menambah: “If you want to know where Farah hangs out, ask Saipul Bakeri (pemenang tempat ke-5 MI) and Nurul Hamid (pemenang tempat ke-8 AF2). I guess it’s Kuching Waterfront.”

Meor menjemput Adam ke rumahnya.
Katanya, ada banyak VCD dan CD di rumahnya.
“Bestnya, Mr Meor. Jika Adam free, Adam akan lawat The Malay Mail,” kata Adam.
Meor mengucapkan selamat malam kepada ketiga-tiga penyanyi dari Sabah itu.

Adam berkata kepada Rydee dan Nikki: “He is a nice chap and I would love to visit his house, tapi Adam takut sikit.”
Rydee mendapati hidung Adam berdarah dan memicit hidung “adik” kesayangannya.
Nikki mengambil seketul ais dari cawannya dan mengesat muka Adam dengannya.
“Why must U be so afraid of Mr Meor? He is only trying to be nice,” kata Nikki.
Rydee menambah: “Nobody in The Malay Mail would go overboard. They have always been our friends.”

Nikki membelai Nemo dengan HPnya dan menghubungi Diana De Garmo.
Diana mempunyai kuasa untuk menenangkan Adam.
Diana juga adalah penyanyi favourite Nikki dan Adam dalam AI.
Diana muncul di depan mereka, dengan seluar yang amat pendek.
“Sorry, folks. I may not be dressed appropriately. I was in my bedroom earlier,” kata Diana.
Nikki berkata: “It’s OK, Diana. This is Bintang Walk, one of the most happening parts of Kuala Lumpur.”
Diana berkata: “It’s OK, Adam. Your ketchup bottle problem is over.”
Rydee melepaskan hidung Adam dari cengkamannya.
Adam berkata: “Thanks, Diana. You are truly magical, and sexy.”

Di sebuah pusat membeli-belah di Kuala Lumpur, bintang AF dan MI sedang bergambar bersama-sama.
Penerbit AF dan MI adalah penganjur sesi gambar ini.
Sesi gambar ini ditaja oleh 2 stesen TV dan 2 syarikat telekomunikasi terkemuka di Malaysia.
Sesi gambar ini adalah khas untuk wakil media dan individu yang terlibat dalam penerbitan MI dan AF.

Hakim MI, Roslan Aziz, hadir di majlis ini.
Dia mengambil foto penyanyi MI dan AF yang berposing bersama-sama.
Dina Nadzir disuruh berposing dengan Khairul Nizam (Khai) Mohd Wahi, naib juara AF1 dan Zahid Baharuddin, juara AF2, serta Nemo, kucing kesayangan Khai.
Dina diminta duduk di atas kerusi, manakala Khai dan Zahid kena berdiri di belakang Dina.
Dina juga diminta memegang Nemo.
Dina memberitahu Khai: “Shall I contact Jasmine Trias? You don’t look well today, Khai.”
Khai berkata: “I’m OK. Get back to work.”
Zahid berkata: “Dina, saya rasa Khai kena duduklah.”
Zahid dan Dina berdiri di belakang Khai, dan Khai duduk di atas kerusi sambil memeluk Nemo.
Dina berkata, secara lawak: “Where’s Diana DeGarmo?”
Telinga Nemo naik, dan kucing itu mengiau.
“Esh, Dina!” kata Zahid. “Nemo mungkin terbang ke Georgia”.
Roslan berkata: “OK everybody, say Nemo!”
Gambar yang terhasil amat terang.
Tetapi senyuman Khai kurang menawan berbanding senyuman Zahid dan Dina.(Mungkin senyuman Khai lebih hebat jika dia dipeluk oleh Jasmine Trias, idolanya dari AI)

Hafidah Samat dan Amir Hafizi, dua orang wartawan dari The New Straits Times Press (ibu syarikat The Malay Mail), turut mengambil gambar penyanyi AF dan MI.
Amir menyuruh Bob Usop, Rosma Sidik, Fitri Zainal Abidin dan Anding Zaini berposing bersama-sama.
“Bagi Bob duduk,” kata Anding.
“Fitri harus duduklah. Dia paling sulung,” kata Rosma.
Amir berkata: “Yes, let Fitri sit and the rest of you stand. Fitri macam bos Yakuza, dan kamu semua macam gengster jantannya.”
“Excuse me,” kata Rosma.
Amir berkata: “Sorry, I mean the rest of you guys.”

Hafidah menyuruh Saipul Bakeri, Nurul Hamid, Farah Anuar, Azizi Mohamad dan Vick Teo berposing bersama-sama.
Saipul berkata kepada Hafidah: “Kak macam sepupu Jac lah. Muka sama saja.”
Nurul dan Farah bersetuju.
“Jac tau pasal ni. Kak baru saja interbiu dia,” kata Hafidah.

Saipul duduk di atas kerusi, tetapi Nurul menyuruhnya mengosongkan kerusi itu untuk Azizi, artis AF dan MI yang paling sulung.
Vick berkata: “Guess Azizi and I will stand on the side of the photo. After all we are both lions.”
Azizi berkata: “Ya, saya ni lahir tahun naga, atau singa.”
Hafidah menyuruh Farah memakai HPnya pada rantai lehernya.
HP itu adalah trade mark Farah dan ia kerap membunyikan “Breep! Breep!”
Farah berkata kepada Saipul: “Saipul, saya rasa lebih baik U duduk saja. Jika U berdiri sama Vick, mungkin dia hantar bunga untuk U lagi!”
Saipul duduk di atas kerusi. Nurul dan Farah berdiri di belakangnya.
Hafidah menyuruh Nurul dan Farah membelai rambut Saipul yang menegak, dan mereka berbuat demikian.
Azizi dan Vick berdiri di sisi Saipul.

Roslan, seorang penggemar puisi, menyuruh Zarina Zainoordin, juga penggemar puisi, berposing dengan kawan karibnya Edlin Rahim, serta Liza Ismail, Nija Tahar dan Andrew Tan, iaitu rakan sekolah Edlin.
Zarina menyuruh Andrew duduk.
“Why don’t you unwind your pony tail, Andrew?” tanya Zarina.
Andrew menjawab, secara lawak: “Today isn’t my good hair day.”
Edlin berkata: “Sayang, perhaps U should do the Bob Marley thing some day.”
“Sorry I ain’t got the right look for Mr Marley’s successor. I’m more of a Bee Gees fan,” kata Andrew.
Zarina menyuruh Liza dan Nija berdiri di belakang Andrew. Zarina dan Edlin berdiri di sisi Andrew. Zarina berkata: “Kamu bertiga memang pemegang rekod AF dan MI.
Andrew adalah “MI guy with the longest hair”. Nija ialah bintang AF dari bandar paling ke selatan Asia. Liza ialah bintang AF dari bandar paling lebat hujannya di Malaysia.”

Fahmy Zakaria, Fazly Zainal, Kaer Azami, Nana Mahazan dan Sufiah Mohamad Noor disuruh berposing oleh Amir.
Amir menyuruh Kaer duduk. Fahmy dan Fazly disuruh berdiri di sisinya.
“One of U is shaking. I can’t take a photo,” kata Amir.
Nana memegang tangan Kaer dan berkata: “U R right.”
Amir berkata: “Kaer, please relax. This camera will not hurt you.”
Nana dan Sufiah menenangkan Kaer.
Mereka berkata: “Petang nanti kita akan jumpa Diana DeGarmo.”
Sufiah berkata: “I think I know why U were nervous just now. Jenny Malai Ali of Filusic walked past us.”

Hafidah menyuruh Victor Lee, Zamil Idris, Sahri Sarip dan Adi Fashla Juraimi berposing bersama-sama.
Zamil disuruh duduk. Sahri dan Adi Fashla disuruh berdiri di sisinya.
“Please relax, guys! Jangan serius sangat,” kata Hafidah.
Zamil berkata: “Tolong join kami dalam foto ni, Kak Fida.”
Amir berkata kepada Hafidah: “Yes, go for it.”
Hafidah pun berposing dengan kawannya dari MI dan AF.
Victor berkata: “U do look like a cousin of Jaclyn.”
Adi Fashla dan Sahri bersetuju.

Roslan menyuruh Adam, Nikki, Rydee, Atie Abu Bakar dan Azza Suaymi berposing bersama-sama.
Dia menyuruh Adam duduk. Atie dan Rydee disuruh berdiri di belakangnya.
Adam berdiam diri semasa sesi foto.
Atie dan Rydee memegang bahu Adam.
Rydee dan Nikki berasa hairan kenapa Adam, yang biasanya banyak bercakap, mendiamkan diri untuk seketika.
Atie menjentik bahu Adam.Dia mula bercakap semula.
“Adam rasa dah hilang suara seketika,” kata Adam.
Atie berkata: “Mungkin Nemo bagi Atie power untuk kunci suara Adam. Sama macam Diana DeGarmo, yang ada kuasa untuk tenangkan Adam.”

Azza berkata: “Kita semua ada power istimewa yang diberi oleh Nemo. Azza belum tau apa power yang Azza dapat.”
Adam berkata: “U punya power ialah menghasilkan gambar arnab apabila mengambil foto Adam. Dan menghasilkan gambar kucing apabila mengambil foto Saipul. Ingat masa di Genting Highlands dulu?”
Nikki berkata: “Atie, that was really cool. You are from Bentong district, also called the Gap District. And you have the power to shut Adam’s gap and reopen it.”
Rydee berkata: “Perhaps, US fashion label The Gap should make you their spokesperson.”

Meor berjumpa Adam di pusat membeli-belah itu.
Adam memberitahu Meor bahawa dia ingin melawat rumah Meor untuk melihat koleksi VCDnya.
“It would be great to visit your place, Mr Meor,” kata Adam.
“Pada mulanya Adam takut sebab tak mau tengok VCD lucah ataupun VCD cetak rompak.
“Tapi saya akhirnya sedar bahawa wartawan The Malay Mail memang “clean”.”

Hafidah berkata kepada Jaclyn: “Send my regards to Fantasia Barrino.”
Jaclyn berkata: “Don’t worry, Fida. I’ll tell her that the Fantasia Barrino of The New Straits Times says hello.”
Hafidah menyuruh Vince mengirim salamnya kepada Kelly Clarkson.
Vince berkata: “Her latest hit song Breakaway from The Princess Diaries 2 soundtrack is dedicated to all young people who dare to dream. That’s all of us, including you.”