Eighteen thousand

The family has only five thousand ringgit. Aina's father sells his motorbike, and Uncle Rashid in Ipoh sends some money. Her mother borrows the rest from three friends. Now they have a big debt.

They buy the necklace, and Aina takes it to Hana's house. But Hana only says, "Oh, thanks!" and puts the box on a shelf. She does not even open it. A week later, Hana's family moves to Penang.

Then the hard months begin.

The family owes money to Uncle Rashid and three friends. Her father drives fourteen hours a day, seven days a week. Her mother sells nasi lemak in the morning and washes clothes for neighbours at night.

Aina helps too. After school she works in a small drinks shop.

They cannot afford anything extra now. No new clothes. No dinners out. No birthday cake for her little brother.

Every day is a struggle. Aina is always tired, and her marks go down. The debt is a burden, like a heavy bag that she carries everywhere.

Some nights she feels miserable and desperate. She lies awake and thinks about one night of dancing, and all the months it has cost.

But the family endures it together. Nobody blames her, and nobody gives up.

After ten long months, her father puts down his phone and smiles. "That was the last payment," he says.

A week later, at a shopping centre in KL, Aina hears a voice she knows. "Aina? Is that you?"

It is Hana.