Rashid bin Husin. Kesalahan Section 28 dalam undang-undang Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur.

Marina stood tall. Her lawyer, diminutive, beside her.

The magistrate softened when she spoke. She must have seen multiple cases like this. I will let you out on bail this time. But see this as a warning. If you are arrested again, you will not get off. Faham?

Then she sighed and shook her head. And took one last glance at Marina before she turned back to the stack of files in front of her. Next!

We were elated. Marina was going to be let out on bail.

Wait, no second hearing? I asked.

Let’s ask her lawyer, Sumi replied. Like I said, I am not sure how this works.

We both rushed out the courtroom and almost bumped into Marina’s lawyer.

We both thanked her profusely and took turns hugging a much-relieved Marina.

Aren’t you happy? I asked.

This happens over and over again, you know. It’s not like the law is going to change. We need to challenge it. It’s not just about me, you know. There are so many of us. And how many more times does this need to happen?

Marina stood there, impassioned, eloquent, her hands expressive.

Her lawyer spoke quietly. You need a lawyer who will fight this for you. I can’t do this pro-bono. This was a one-off Marina, I can’t. Sorry.

It’s okay, I will figure this out. Marina smiled widely and said, Thank you, darls, you are both angels for being here!

Marina was tired that day, but she woke up early and called for a taxi to Damansara Heights. It was the day of the wedding and she was to be the Mak Andam, responsible for the hair and make-up for the bride. She was no expert but her skills were good enough, and Del had insisted.

She packed a bag with all her brushes, an extra change of clothes, and a toolbox full of make-up. One of her friends, Honey, had recently left the country to go live with her boyfriend in England. Honey, who was a full-time sex worker and part-time make-up artist, had bequeathed her kit to Marina, after giving her a few sessions in professional make-up application.

Marina had never seen so many kinds of brushes in her life, nor had she seen such a range of blusher, foundation and concealer. It was such fun, learning how to contour the human face, play with colour, highlighter, blush and brush.

She got into the taxi and a few minutes later, they were stuck in a massive traffic jam.

“Apa ni?” the taxi driver muttered.

The taxi was on Jalan Tun Perak, heading towards Dataran Merdeka and there was a slight drizzle. She saw a group of teenage boys emerge from behind the taxi, they were carrying placards. Marina strained her head to see what the placards said.

Mahathir Undur! Mahathir Resign!