The Curse

Plot

Flashback

Now
Azreen who is studying in England learns about Madhuris death. Azreen did not want anyone to know that she is leaving. However, she told Julian Ng about her sudden departure. Azreen reflects on her childhood days with Madhuri on the plane back to Malaysia. Azreens father did not wait for her to come back and took Madhuris body for burial. Azreen learns from the rumours and speculations that Madhuri was found murdered in a rubber estate and the village is cursed because Madhuris blood is white Azreen tries to ask Datin Sharifah about Madhuris death but no avail. Siti is envious of Azreen. Azreen takes her Alzheimers mother to the burial ground. Saleh is furious and orders Azreen to take her mother back home. Azreen refuses. Datin Sharifah agrees to take Azreens mother home. Azreen meets Asraf after the funeral.

Azreen is outspoken, tomboyish and stubborn compared to Madhuri, who is the village favourite

Azreen is a top student where she got a chance to live with Datin Sharifah on a school exchange programme and later her foster parents sponsored her studies for two years in overseas. Asraf is two years older than Azreen. In school, he was smart, handsome and always gives her a big friendly smile. Azreen remembered how she and Asraf had fun playing hockey with the boys.

Haji Ghani is very sad at the sudden death of Madhuri, his second wife.

Flashback

Now
Haji Ghani refuses his first wifes (Fatihah) invitation to bed. Fatihah is upset because Madhuri entered her life and destroyed her relationship with Haji Ghani. Fatihah is furious. She tears down Madhuris curtains with a keris. She goes to sleep feeling better. Azreen visits the Old Lady but she is not in. Azreen goes to the market. Azreen meets Asraf on the way home from the market. She tries to ask Asraf about Madhuris death but no avail. Azreen visits the Old Lady again.

Azreen recalls how she met the Old Lady for the first time. Azreen wanted to prove that the Old Lady is harmless. Unfortunately, she accidentally trampled on the Old Ladys plants. The next day, Azreen went to the Old Ladys house and left a basket of vegetables and a few packets of seeds as an apology. The following day, Azreen repaired the trampled bed of ladys fingers.

From there, their friendship blossomed.

The Old Lady tells Azreen that Madhuri is murdered. Fatihah remembers how Haji Ghani met Madhuri and how it changed her life.

Haji Ghani was attracted to Madhuris sweet voice in a syair recitation.

Flashback
Azreen remembers the happy moments with Madhuri. Saleh accused Azreen of stealing mangosteens from the estate. Madhuri tried to protect Azreen from Saleh. In the end, Saleh caned Azreen and her mother scolded Azreen. Azreen refused to eat to show her innocence. Madhuri purposely left a huge kuih near herself for Azreen.

Now
Azreen returns home. She finds Madhuris photos are torn into three.

Saleh chases Azreen out from Madhuris room and asks her to attend to her mothers needs. Azreens mother asks Azreen not to blame herself for the incident that cause her to lose the use of her leg. Azreen remembers several events of her life.

Azreen accidentally hits an audience in a silat-cum-boxing match in school In the bull escaped episode, Azreen admits that she left the gate open to protect Asraf from Encik Mohan and his sons anger. Azreen even questions En. Mohan on how he secure the bull. The bull escaped incident ended with Azreens parents motorcycle being involved in an accident. As a result, Azreens mother lost one of her legs. Saleh canes Azreen when he knew that Azreen is the one who lets the bull escaped.

Flashback

Flashback
Asraf came to Azreen house to inquire about Azreens mother. Asraf met Madhuri for the first time. Azreen went to the Old Ladys house to seek solace. The Old Lady asked Azreen to tell her parents the truth about the bull incident but she refused to do so. The Old Lady told Azreen why she lived in the forest.

Now

The Old Lady came to the village as a young, beautiful and educated bride. At first, the Old Lady had a hard time adapting in the village. Slowly, her cooking and the knowledge of herbs were celebrated. However, no one knew about her abusive husband whom she killed in selfdefense. She was not found guilty, and was released. The villagers pointed fingers at her and spread rumours. The Old Lady left her house. She had no money to leave the island. She found a deserted house in the jungle and made it her home.

Azreen accepted a foster exchange programme. She lived with a foster family (Datuk Zulkifli and Datin Sharifah) in Georgetown, Penang.

Flashback
At the end of the foster programme, Azreens foster parents bought a wheelchair for Azreens mother. Saleh was furious and refused to accept it at first. However, Azreens mother coaxed Saleh and they accepted the gift. A year later, Azreen accepted a scholarship to study in England for two years. Her foster parents volunteered to help out with her expenses.

Now

He remembers the day when she was found dead. He was at a village meeting. He was distraught that he could not do anything.

Asrafs grandmother (Nek) is sick. After attending to her , he goes out to buy lunch. Haji Ghani visits Madhuris grave.

He senses a presence behind the trees. He sees a woman resembles Madhuri. However, the woman had a bent body and looked pale. He stands and watches the woman scurries away like an animal. Azreens father accused Azreen of not latching the chicken coop. Azreen is angry and is shocked to discover the dead chicken carcass with its neck broken lying at the bottom step. Azreen checks on the chickens and latched the chicken coop.

Flashback

Now
When Azreen returns to dispose the carcass, it had mysteriously disappeared. The next day, Azreen receives a letter from Julian Ng. The letter contains a note from Julian, expressing his condolonces and a letter from Madhuri, sent to London. Madhuris letter hinted that she had a secret that she wanted to share with Azreen once she returned home from London. Pn Normala stops Siti on her way home from school and tells her that Haji Ghani and Pn Fatihah had an argument. Haji Ghani accuses Pn Fatihah of stealing and disposing Madhuris belongings. Asraf confronted Haji Ghani for insulting his wife and women in general. Asraf suffered a swollen cheek and a bloody nose. Azreen meets Asraf and is confused of her feelings for Asraf. She takes out Madhuris letter and crushes it. She throws the letter away. When she returns to retrieve it, Madhuris letter had mysteriously disappeared. The rain does not stop for four days. On the fifth day, Azreens mother died.

Flashback
She remembers her younger days. Azreen found a cluster of durians. She used her mothers favourite basket to carry the durians. The basket broke. Madhuri helped Azreen to mend the basket. They worked until late at night Their mother found out but did not scold them.

Now
That night, Azreen went into Madhuris room and cried for her mother and sister.

Suddenly, Azreen spots a face at the window. She runs out to investigate but no avail. When she walks into the house, she smells smoke coming from Madhuris room. She sees the kerosene lamp had fallen on the floor and Madhuris room is on fire. Saleh pushes Azreen out of the way and douses the fire with some wet soil from a broken pot. Exhausted, Saleh collapses on the ground. Pn Fatihah leaves her home to see Awang to get a charm to win back her husband. On her way, she sees a silhouette, resembling Madhuri coming from behind the trees. As the silhouette approaches her , Pn. Fatihah fainted. Saleh remembers that Awang wears a yellow cord on his wrist when he was caught stealing chickens.

Flashback

Now
Saleh found the yellow cord near the scene of fire. He goes to Awangs shack and confronts him. Awang denies any involvement. The Old Lady witnessed this scene and turns to go. As she is about to leave, she stumbled on Pn. Fatihah who hurries away. The Old Lady returns home and finds Azreen waiting for her. Azreen spends a night with the Old Lady. Asraf did not go to work for two days because his grandmother is sick. Asraf goes to the market to get some medicinal herbs. Pak Huzaimis informs him that the rains have destroyed many crops. Pak Huzaimi advises Asraf to get the herbs from the Old Lady. Asraf sums up courage to approach the Old Lady. Azreen suggests that the Old Lady treats Asrafs grandmother. At first, the Old Lady is reluctant but after Azreen persuades her, she agrees. Puan Kamsiahs daughter, Siti helps to keep an eye on Asrafs grandmother while Asraf goes to the market to get some medicinal herbs. When Asraf returns with Azreen and the Old Lady, everyone in the village begins to gossip.

Flashback

Now
The Old Lady prepares the herbal remedy for Nek and later massages Nek back to health. That night, Azreen wanders into Asrafs living room and discovers a letter from a university in Kuala Lumpur for Asraf. Azreen wonders if Asraf is thinking of leaving the village. Azreen remembers she had not replied Julian Ngs letter and writes to him telling him everything that has happened to her and her village. The next day, at Haji Ghanis house, Pn. Fatihah prepares all her husbands favourite breakfast. Haji Ghani refuses to eat. He highlights that the villagers are having trouble with food supplies because of the rain. Siti drops in and informs Azreen that she could not come in and take care of Nek. The Old Lady and Azreen understand the reason behind it. Neks health improves. The Old Lady sends Azreen to get some eggs. At home, Azreen runs into Awang. Awang informs her that an angry mob, led by Pn. Normala has gathered at Asrafs house. Azreen rushed to Asrafs house. She faces the sickle bearing Pn. Normala.

Flashback

Now
In the struggle, Azreen falls. Saleh comes to her defence and promised that he would deal with her. Asraf informs Azreen that Nek is recovered. The Old Lady goes home. Azreen and Asraf are happy because the rain had stopped. The flood waters recedes. Nek is getting better and Azreen returns home. Azreen has a quiet dinner with her father. Just before midnight, Siti informs Azreen that Nek had passed away. Asraf is convinced that the Old Lady had poisoned Nek. Asraf and the villagers are marching to the Old Ladys house. Azreen rushes to the Old Ladys house. Azreen sees a few men with torches in front of the Old Ladys house Azreen tries to stop Asraf but he refuses to listen. Asraf pushes Azreen and she falls. Azreen notices a spade nearby and uses it to stab Asrafs foot. Asraf drops his hoe and his torch rolls off, setting the Old Ladys house on fire. Azreen runs into the house to safe the Old Lady. Azreen finds the Old Lady trapped under a pillar.

Flashback

Now
Azreen tries to lift the pillar but no avail. The Old Lady urges Azreen to leave her alone. In her dying breath, she advises Azreen to forgive and remember all that she taught her. A hand pulls Azreen out of the fire. Azreen realises that it was her father. Azreen is angry. She goes to Asrafs house and demanded an explanation. Asraf apologises and tells her that he is angry with God for taking away the twop people he loved. Dearly Nek and Madhuri. He confeses that he and Madhuri were in love and plans to elope to KL. Azreen runs out to find peace at the cliffs. The next morning, Azreen walks through a rubber estate. She hears some footsteps and sees Awang. Awang informs Azreen that: 1. Madhuri and Azreen are not real sisters. 2. Madhuris biological mother went a little mad when her husband left her and she was penniless. 3. She often leaves Madhuri in the paddy fields to look for scraps. 4. Saleh found Madhuri in the paddy fields and adopted her.

Flashback
5.

Now
Madhuris mother is the figure with long black hair and is often found lurking in the shadows around the village. 6. Madhuris mother was the one who broke the chickens neck and left it at Azreens house. 7. Awang removed the chicken carcass because it is considered bad luck having a dead chicken at ones door. 8. Awang admits that he is the one who left the gate open causing the accident between the escaped bull and her father. 9. Awang admits that he picked up the Madhuris letter that Azreen had dropped. 10. Awang confirms that he had seen Asraf and Madhuri several times together in the rubber estate. Haji Ghani remembers the fateful day.

Haji Ghani had taken a keris along to confront Madhuris secret lover. Before he could do so, Madhuri was found dead. Afraid of rumours that will put him in poor light, he and his men quickly cleared the place and left.

Azreen returns home. While she is looking out of the window, she spots the woman with long black hair hiding behind a stack of wood.

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The woman is pointing towards something. Azreen tells her father but he could see anything. Both of them go out to investigate and find nothing. Azreen confronts her father about : 1. Madhuris identity 2. Madhuris real mother is still alive Azreen discovers that the woman was pointing at her fathers parang and the parang was stained with latex. Azreen realises that her father had killed Madhuri. Saleh confesses his crime and reveals how he had found Madhuri. Saleh and his wife decided to adopt Madhuri.

That fateful day, Saleh was working in the woods near the rubber estate. He sensed some people around. He saw Madhuri and her lover. He was furious and struck her with his parang. Madhuri fell to the ground, knocking a latex-filled cup.

Azreen feels no anger and runs away from home. She did not see the pontianak lady standing behind the coconut tree. With Azreen gone, the pontianak lady advanced towards Saleh. Saleh was devastated. He knew that he had lost Azreens trust. As he is walking towards the house, he hears a sound behind him. He turns around and sees the woman.

Flashback

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The woman is holding a parang and is advancing towards him. Saleh is terrified. He collapses and suffers a heart attack. The villagers sympathise with Saleh for losing his daughter and wife within a short period of time. Rumours about a woman who looked a lot like Madhuri is seen wandering around that place after Salehs death. With the mystery finally solved, Azreen visits the graveyard and bade farewell to all her family members who had passed away. Azreen also goes up the hill and pay her last respects to the Old Lady. Azreens foster parents (Datin Sharifah and Datuk Zulkifli) sends her off. As Azreen is leaving, she sees the woman smiles at her and she realises that it was Nadgyrus smile.. Back in England, Azreen sits in a park enjoying the scene. She has finished reading Asrafs letter. Asraf went to KL to take on a teaching course. Caught up in her thoughts, she did not realise Julian Ng joins her and gives her moral support. She appreciates Julians actions and feels that it is a new beginning for her.