KUALA LUMPUR - JAKARTA - BANDUNG - BMW, BOEING 747, KIA PREGIO

Hello there! I am not been posting any stories lately. I have many reason. The passing of Asnah, the arrival of Ramadhan is just to mention few of my many reasons.

Actually, today while lying in my couch to wait for breaking fast at my dear Mummy Hagerah's house, I thought I should start to write and post something. Infact, I even have the topic to write. The long overdue Bandung/Jakarta trip (August 29 - September 2, 2007) with CekPaKaran, Dona and KK.

Age is catching up with me. Lately I am not feeling very well. I still feel lethargic especially after my 3 days of high fever which "came to re-visit me" 2 weekends ago. I was on MC for 3 day (not including Sunday!).

But the thought of sitting down to postall those sweetest memories that took place during hhe entire trip (from the beginning to the end of the trip), make me feel high. Keep on reading till the end. However, I have decided to make it a short stories (I meant my standard of short - normally not that short after all).

The day we all have been counting down more than 3 months ago finally arrived. August 29, 2007. To make long story short, we reached KLIA in Dan's BMW. After checked the bag in, we decided to past time at McD. Faizal came to join us later and also to send his beloved wife - away! Time to board. With hand shake, kisses and bye-bye, we make our way to the Immigration and then to the departure lounge for our Jakarta flight. We settled down almost immediately. The flight took off. We are on our way to Jakarta. Smooth flight. We arrived Jakarta on time 5.00 p.m. Went thru all the arrival procedure and we immediately looked for the Cipaganti counter for our trip by road to Bandung. Waited for about 1 hour and then we are on our way. Bad jam and we stuck in the traffic for nearly 1.5 hour before we manage to hit the highway to Bandung. I dont know it is fortunate or otherwise, the driver drove like Michael Schumaker! But believe me, he knows the road at the back of his hand! We stopped along the highway for Nasi Padang dinner - SO SO SO The Sedap Giler. Terangkat Bontot Beb!

We arrived the Grand Preanger, Bandung. Checked-in but I don't like the room. Old and it remind me of Dark Water! We make some noise and got 1 newly renovated and refurbished room. I gave the room to the ladies. We immediately plan to check out tommorow for a better hotel but most of the hotel are fully booked! Gosh! But we still utilise our welcome drink coupon the very same night. We hit back to our room at about 12.30 p.m. for ZZZZZzzzzz......... Good nite.

Day 2. Woke up at about 7.00 a.m. Went down for breakfast. Nothing to shout about but is is ok to fill our stomach. We chat and laugh, laugh and laugh and re-confirm our itineray for the 1st day in Bandung. What else other than SHOPPING!!!!!

We hit the road at about 9.00 a.m. Took Angkut-Angkut to Pasar Baru. We stopped nearby our destination to buy the SIMPATI – local phone card. So cheap and we are so stingy to buy the minimum – Rp10,000.00 (RM3.75). Dirt cheap but it is enough to find each other should anybody got missing, kidnapped, raped and being dumped into one of those big and smelly garbage bin (it didn’t happened after all otherwise my story would be much more interesting)…

We walked to Pasar Baru. On the way we stopped at the DVD "C" Center. C stand for ciplak. Bought some DVD and continue our journey to the Pasar. Still early as most of the shop is still not opened yet. But is is good enough as CekPaKaran managed to buy telekong (I pun tak mau kalah jugak, beli lah), Dona bought corset (ada size pulak tu) and that weirdo KK bought something which I don’t know or bother to know. Immediately we went back to the hotel to drop our very first shopping bag and make our way to Jalan Dago for another shopping trip. All of us bought something and knowing Dona for her big appetite – she bought Amanda Brownie. I have been to Bandung 5 times but I never thought of buying it! It is very popular in Bandung. Sold in lorries or van by the road side. It is known as Brownie Jalanan to the local. Cheap Rp17,000.00 (RM6.35). She declared that will be our snack later but the problem is we don’t have knife to cut the brownie into smaller size. Not too worry, with Dona around, she will tackle it later (when food is concerned).

We are done with Jalan Dago. Our self elected Tourguide, KK suggested we go to Bandung Indah Plaza (BIP). No objection and all we know we are outside BIP. As we are still not hungry, I suggested we go for dessert - Esteler 77. Best nyerrrr! Strange as the dessert work out our appetite. We went to the top floor and found this clean and nice kept restaurant and the rest are history. We makan! Sedap la makanan Indon nie. Baju tambah ketat lah. Kah kah kah.

Next - we walked through the back lane of BIP to Jalan Riau. Shopping again - never seems to finish la. Our hand are full of shopping bag. As a big brother I took the responsibility to help the two ladies to carry some of their shopping goods but in between they offer to help me to carry it. I rejected it la. Tak macho la beb tapi tangan I macam nak putus la jugak. On the way back to the hotel, we stop at the supermarket - shop again for drinks and take away Nasi padang for our dinner in the room. It was about 9.00 p.m. and I bought whatever left in the tray. The girl like me and give me a good discount la!

After quick shower, we wnt to the girls room for dinner - actually supper! I must admit that was the best Nasi Padang I have tasted - not so much of the food but more on the enjoyment of arranging the food on the small table, talking with our mouth full, laughing, trying to chew the food and gulp the food down out throat and laugh again.... Yes, all of us are not only hungry but greedy especially Dona la (I small eater la)....

How not to grow fat - after mencecek - we hit the bed. ZZZZzzzzZZZZ.........

Day 3 - The most happening and the last day for shopping. Breakfast (the same food again la)After breakfast we have to find out where the hell is this leather good shop called Rias. We been asking around but always no good or right answer. We barged into the business centre at the hotel lobby and Dona asked the girl manning the centre. It went like this :

Dona:Kamu tau tak di mana kedai yang jual barangan kulit namanya Rias?

Pompuan:Rias? O kedai tu dekat aje. Kamu keluar pusing kanan, pusing kiri, jalan sedikit dah sampai.

Razak:Hah? Mabuk ke pompuan nie!

Dona:Kedai apa tu? Kedai kulit?

Pompuan:Ya kedai rias. Rias muka. Solek.

Razak:Ya Aula, Dona dia suroh kau berhias dan bersolek la pulak! Tak cukup lawa ke? Apa ke bangang nye c pompuan nie.

Dona:Bukan la. Kedai jual barang kulit!

Razak:I terus amek dia punye Yellow Pages tanpa pengetahuan dia. Punishment!

We both walked out from the business center. Frustrated, angry and funny at the same time. We don't know to laugh or to strangle her neck but we are on holiday. We chose to laugh and make fun of people stupidity.

We hailed a cab and KK simply ask whether the driver know where is Rias. He says yes. Diaz di Jalan Sederhana! Kah kah kah we laugh again. Diaz la bodoh, bukan Rias. Kah kah kah. Don't ever underestimate the taxi driver ok!

We arrived safely. Not far actually. Amazing! The shop carries wide range of hand bags. I managed to find the hand bag for Hain, my neighbour. Dona terus hilang akal - beli dua. CekPaKaran pulak kalau tak makan pil penenang pikiran mesti beli tiga. Tapi pasal dah tenang beli satu. Lepas tu masa balik cakap - I sesal la bang tak beli beg macam yang you beli tu. Cantek. My answer standard la - kau ni memang gatal la, 10 kali abg tanya tapi asik geleng sapi aje. Sekarang menyesal pulak. Gatal.....

After Diaz, KK brought us to Paris van Java. New shopping complex. Nice and so Paris. Good weather pulak tu. We shop some more. Buy CD. Macam2. Lagu Indon, lagu Jazz, ghost movie etc. We decided to come back at nite because we know it look much more lively and beautiful at nite.-

Next - Jalan Setiabudi. Our target is Rumah Mode but we stopped right in front of a factory outlet with this catch line - FOREVER SALE. Yes....Shopping again walau pun beg dah tak cukup tangan nak bawak nie. I tak mau jadi hero sangat lah hari ni. Tolong bawak sikit2 aje. Tangan I dah panjang macam tangan orang utan! In this shop I saw Dona were holding a blue color pants that make me laugh immediately - so big. Macam cadar katil. I asked her for who? So big lah. She says yes, size 43! For my mother in-law. Kah kah kah kah kah. I laughed but Dona laugh are longer, louder and more cunning than me. We looked at each other and we laugh again. I started to create all kind of joke about the pants and Dona being so antu (bukan menantu) also add some spice to the joke. The next two day the "Mummy, I bought something for you" is the keep on repeating line among us. Laugh la apa lagi. Kah kah kah....

On the way out to Rumah Mode, CekPaKaran saw the kerepek pisang she been looking for since arriving Bandung. She bought 5 packets. She asked me and Dona whether we want to buy or not. My reply "don't want la, for what". Dona reply lagi teruk dan dengan gaya Indon kaya dan sombong "Oh, I tak makan benda-benda macam nie". CekPaKaran sedih but nak cover line dia blame budak2 kat opis yang kirim beli. Kemaluan kot! I told CekPaKaran she reminds me of this character - Mak Si Tanggang yang bawak macam2 benda kampung masa nak jumpa anak dia - bezanya CikPaKaran muda dan lawa aje.

We arrived our ultimate destination - Rumah Mode. I am too tired to shop. I vounteer to sit at one bench and take care all the shopping bag. I sit and sit and sit and wait and wai and wait but they are all missing. Never appear after more than one hour. My eyelids are so so so heavy (as heavy as the owner of the 43 waist line pants) how to sleep. I am the Guardian of approximately Rp10 Millions of shopping goods! Suddenly, I got an idea. I rearranged the shooping bag - the expensive one at the bottom and the cheap one including the size 43 pants on top of it (who wants to steal size 43 pants other than Shanee!). Once I am done with it, what else - tidur macam Bai Jaga Kedai Emas kat Petaling Street! When I opened my eyes, CekPaKaran was in front of me and her big eyes staring at my beautiful face and body. I don't know what else she did to me. She caught me sleeping on the job! Then she says, "kesian Abg!" but I notice she has that kind of funny look...... Adakah aku telah di molest? Oh tidak!!!!

More shopping bags. Macam orang gila yang kutip beg plastik dari dalam tong sampah tu la! Now, we have to get taxi back to the hotel but from the situation of the traffic outside Rumah Mode is chaos. We know it is quite impossible. So, the next best thing is Angkut-Angkut la. We managed to arrive the hotel safely (with 1001 plastic bag).

To be continued.......stay with me.

ANOTHER FUNERAL, ANOTHER SOBBING, ANOTHER GATHERING - PART II

Alhamdulillah, Asnah transformed herself. I don't remember which year but she really transformed like the Transformer. Better in every sense of the word.

It was Monday. All of us were shocked when she turned up to work in baju kurong and mini telekong. A new Asnah is born. Alhamdulillah. "Nur Iman" has entered her heart. Asnah achieved what she wants to be.

In fact many year before that she always told me that she wants to improve herself. She wants to change to be a better Asnah. As far as I can remember, I supported her 100% eventhough I missed a bit of the old Asnah.

Asnah is closer to my Singapore family especially Makcik Tom and her huband, my Pakcik Selamat. In fact, during one of their family holiday in Kuala Lumpur, Asnah offered her house to be their "hotel". She said why waste money to stay in the hotels? They accepted the offer. I still remember that was one memorable holiday for my Singapore family. They went marketing, cook, eat, talk, laugh, teasing each other, etc. To reciprocate, when I went down to Singapore to lead my bowling team during one Kuala Lumpur-Singapore Sports Meet, we did not stay in the hotel. Asnah, Datin Noorsiah, Nellie stayed in their HDB flat. Another happy reunion.

I must confess that actually I grow fond of her. If that time I am a little older and she is a little younger, I would have marry her. As a man I could feel that she also likes me. But, she is not meant for me.

Not much later after her transformation, she married Ustaz Munawir for few years before her husband died (vehicle accident in Holy Land Medina). She became widow and never re-marry. She carries the title to her grave on Sept 5, 2007.

When I left the bank in 1997. She still working there until her resignation few years later quoting she wants to help her husband running his Umrah package business. After her husband died, she thought of leave Kuala Lumpur for good and to settle down in Johore Bharu. What Allah is the Greatest Planner. She came back few years ago.

Asnah really repented (taubat) since her transformation day. As far as I could remember never at any point of time she goes against her husband’s order. At times, I thought she just follow his order blindly but whom am I to protest? Her husband is her main door to Heaven. It is logical for her to listen to him.

I would like to mention here that for women, you are guaranteed heaven if you follow this three simple things – “tutup dan jaga aurat, buat semua suruhan Allah S.W.T. dan tinggalkan apa yang dilarang (seperti yang dituliskan dalam Al-Quran dan Hadis Nabi Muhammad SAW) dan taat pada suami jika berkahwin atau pada ibu jika tidak bersuami”. That is what Asnah been practising since then and until she left us on September 5, 2007.

She is a beloved sister to 8 of her siblings. She make sure that there are not for behind her. She would do whatever possible to help them whenever the need arises. I would'nt mind to have her as my sister too....

End of May 2007, she went for a medical check-up. She is being diagnosed with Cervical Cancer at a very advance stage. She need to go for an operation. She went through the very risky operation in early August 2007. She did not do well. One week before her passing her health seem to be improving. She manage to talk a little, as for forgiveness, to whoever came to see her. Sadly, I did not have the chance to speak to her during her last one week. Fated not to. I was in Jakarta.

After 6 weeks in University Hospital, Allah S.W.T. took what He created and own. Asnah left us at 4.15 a.m. on September 5, 2007.

Now Asnah Abu add a title to her name. Allahyarhamah Asnah Abu. I used to teased her that she is only double AA (means not good enough la) but now she is AAA. Triple A. What is better than triple A?

Allahyarhamah Asnah Abu will forever be remembered, by all her friend and for sure, me. She will be missed. My doa I would be seeing her later - after the Greatest Judgement Day.

"Ya Allah, jika saudaraku Asnah Abu ada melakukan kesalahan pada Mu, aku mohon Kau ampunkanlah kesalahannya, Kau rahmatilah rohnya, Kau lapangkan dan terangkan lah kuburnya dan kumpulkan rohnya bersama orang-orang yang Soleh dan Solehah". Amin.

This is my final part of of my dearest friend, Allahyarhamah Asnah Abu.

Al-Fatehah. Amin.

ANOTHER FUNERAL, ANOTHER SOBBING, ANOTHER GATHERING

This morning suddenly I opened my eyes. I thought it was too early to wake up. I reached my handphone to see the time. I was right. The digital clock on my phone showed 4.20 a.m. That means the time was 4.15 a.m. (it is my habit to give adjust my clock to 5 minutes faster).

Strange but I just don't know why I woke up. My 6 lovable cat namely Bhumipol, Sirikit, Chulaborn, ChomChom, ChromChrom and Tata no where to be seen. What else other than sleeping.

I went to the kitchen to drink and then jump into my bed to continue sleeping.

While I was in the office at about 7.45 a.m. one sms came in. It is from my ex-colleague Datin Noorsiah. Very brief - our beloved friend Asnah Abu has left us. Cervical Cancer. She breathed her last at 4.15 a.m. I repeat 4.15 a.m.

I don't believe it. So, I called Noorsiah to verify the news she just sms me. She says "yes, it is true". We both broke down. I have to accept it. Asnah Abu now is no longer belong to this world. Her cold body now lies in University Hospital. We have a task to complete. The 4 rituals - "mandikan, kafankan, sembahyangkan dan kebumikan".

Then I realised the time I woke up this morning is the time she left us. Maha Suci Allah that give me a clue but I was too ignorant to see or rather to understand it. That shows how small I am!

I am among the first few to know about this. I need to make few phone call to some people that know her during her life time. I called my aunty - Makcik Tom. I called Rasid, my brother. I called Joyce. I called Haslina. Actually, I was crying and talkong at the same time. My eyes "bengkak" and red. I am losing my voice. I could not make any more calls but I need to call my superior to inform her that I need to leave office for the day.

I called and spoke to her but due to my sobbing she could not understand what am I saying but she still say I can go out immediately, no problem. When I was about to leave, my phone rang. It was Hidaya. He ask me "Jak, what happened?" I was blank and ask him back "what happen"? He says Puan Halwah called him and requested him to check on me as I was crying and talking at the same time. She could not really hear, let alone understand me but she knows I was crying. I need to record here that I am always blessed to be working with a good boss! I informed Hidaya briefly. I had a short but very meaningful conversation with him. I feel much better. Thank you, Puan Halwah and you too, Hidaya.

I make my way to the car park with my head down. Too shy to show people my red eyes. While waiting for the elevator, another ex-colleague of mine, Nellie called. Both of us break down again. I still have a lot tears! As I was talking and approaching my car, I saw a very familiar figure approaching the lift lobby in 4th floor. I tought it was CekPaKaran. Yes, I was right again, it is CekPaKaran. She always parked her car next to mine or nearby. Ask her why. She were shocked to see me crying like a baby and ask me "abg, why, what happened, are you okay?". I could not answer her properly but just mumble the word "my friend passed away". I feel like hugging her but how can I do it in the car park? Imagine if people see. Another gossip. We have enough of that in my office. I better hurry to my car. But still managed to say I call her later.

You must be curious who Asnah Abu is to me. It is improper to say Asnah is my ex-colleague. Actually, Asnah is my friend. I know her before I became her colleague. She is not only close to me but to my family. We came a long way. I have known Asnah as a very daring young girl until the day she turn to be a girl in "jubah and mini telekong". In fact, Dona reminded me so much of her in her younger days. The way she speak, dress, etc. Few years ago, she transfromed herself to be "CekPaKaran". Alhamdulillah.

I am still too sad. To be continued....

MY LIFE STORY CONTINUE - JALAN DURIAN DAUN

Dona says I am ladies man - old ladies. I can't deny it as I won their heart easily and easier than the younger women. The younger one "banyak songeh". Sorry but it is quite true.

We also have to face few bad character during the "testing" period of our life (now also Allah S.W.T. still testing us but different scenario only). This people most of the time make our life more miserable. I will relate the experience but as not to "expose" them publicly, I shall not mention their real name but I create a ficticious name for them :

1. PL - This old man always drive me up the wall. Come to think of it, I was quite close to his family and his wife. In fact all is children are my childhood friend. I also try my best to make him like me as one of his children but I believe being poor, I have no status. I am a midget. I don't mean anything to him. Most of the time, he made our slipper to develop leg and hide themselves inside the bush (sometime we couldn't locate it) or he made my bicycle tyre flat or when I went to watch television at his house, he purposely smear sambal belacan or sambal goreng on the floor so I would sit on it and my ass will be "hot" (I never tell any one about this, not even my family) or when he eats something and I happen to pass by he would say "huh, sedap, sedap, sedapnye" just to tempt and tease me or he like to put his two hands in his pockets and then shake and shake the coins inside or show the notes he has. Sometime he even insulted my late great grandmother as si pekak (yes, my great grand mother is deaf but unlike other pekak people, when you talk to her, you must face her and talk as if you are whispering as she would be reading your lips! Great! If she is still alive, she would be with Police Intellegence Team.

2. MM - This lady is very dominant. Most of the time what ever my family want to do, we have to seek her permission. Actually, she controls my mum more than anybody else in this world. She must be informed of our activities i.e. what are our plan, where we are going plus the reason, how long, even if our relative were to come for a visit! Gosh! If she catch my family did something without telling her, mum will get it. She will give a cynical and nasty remarks and repeating it for days. Sometime give a cold shoulder treatment. As for me and being the eldest in my family, my mum will assign me to be involved in her family activity - I stand as a labour ok! I hate it but what choice do I have. I did it all because of my mum. I don't wish to make things more difficult for her. She suffers enough.

3. APW,AMU,APB,AMB, - This Magnificent Four basically not only bullying my family but also my great grand mother Arwah Cik bin Kedum, grand father Arwah Abd Ghani bin Abu Bakar, grand mother Arwah Munah bin Bache' (please sedekah Al-Fatehah to this three beloved peoples of my family). My aunties also no escape. They looked down on my whole entire family. I still remember, they refuse to change their daughter wedding date even though we had earlier book the same weekend. We can't change because the invitation card has been printed. Most of our guest wrongly eat at their house as my grand mother house is at the back of theirs. The money and the gift would be theirs as you would normally give it to them before you eat and there is no way you can ask for it to be return to you. Their character is similiar to MM but got one "un-value added" - stingy. They are well to do but I don't know why they always see the small children including me like seeing thief. If they saw me or any other children pass by and keep on looking at the mangoes tree, guava, buah nona, jambu air and buah mentega, they will shout hah, tengok apa tu? If we happen to go and ask for it, they will come out with ever prepared reason as "buah tak tua, belum masak, ada orang dah pesan dan macam-macam lagi lah". If they give also, the fruit will be tagged with many condition of No, No, No, No (they can't so no forever, because poor people also have bad habit and never learn, never give up and don't know to take no as an answer and will keep on asking). Their condition goes like this "jangan makan dengan garam, kicap, gula, jangan buat sambal belacan, jangan masak kuah, jangan itu dan jangan ini. I think they are short of saying "JANGAN MINTAK LAGI LAH, BODOH, DEGIL DAN TAK RETI BAHASA PUNYA ORANG MISKIN". Mind you, the fruit hanging on the trees more than enough to feed the whole kampung but I think the SETAN keep on whispering to them not to give to people. Sadly, they obeyed. Actually, I don't know what they do with it. Thats why, when my mum managed to redeem my ancestor land (16 years ago), the first thing my brother and sisters did - plant 4 type of mangoes tree. After so many years, the tree are still around until today and still bear fruit and the fruit are in good quality and condition eventhough we kept giving to who ever pass by and ask for it - with no condition!!! Do what you like. We are not supersticious. Tak percaya langsung dengan perkara karut marut ni dan tak terbukti pun dengan kemajuan sains. We even let them pluck themselves but we only reminded them don't pluck the young fruit as it will be wasted. The fruit doesn't seem to finish. Always there. By the way all this 4 magnificient has gone to live somewhere else, far far away and never return till today. Lets sedekah them Al-Fatehah. Amin.

Before I end this chapter three, I would like say that the story above, is true but I did not have any intention to talk bad about people. I only like to share the story of my life. The experience and the history of my life and what we have gone through. When I was much younger, I use to wish that I am not the eldest among my siblings, so I don't have to suffer more than them, but I guess Allah S.W.T. Maha Mengetahui when He created me to be Abang Long in my family. Alhamdulillah, today, I have no regret because I know the reason to it. I must be thankful to Allah S.W.T. for his creation and for sending me not only very kind people but the not so kind as well. They played their role well and they made me what I am today. Allhamdulillah. Actually, this is also tribute to them lah.

If only I can wish for something, I would like to have my Nenek (actually my moyang, Arwah Cik), Atok (Arwah Abd Ghani) and Mak Mok (my fat dear grand mother Arwah Munah) back, even for 1 or 1/2 a day, so I can shower them with a little luxury in life. But I know it is wishful thinking. They are all gone at the peak of our "miskin time". They have returned to the place where they came from. "Dari tanah kamu dijadikan dan tanah juga kamu dikembalikan". But, I know Allah S.W.T. have better plan for them as He is The Greatest Planner, The Ultimate One. I believe they are in better place than any of us now. May Allah S.W.T. bless their soul. Al-Fatehah. Amin.

Whether I like it or not, sooner or later, I will also return to where I belong, the very same place to join them one day.

Chapter 4 will follow soon.

THE SEQUEL OF THE BEGINNING - JALAN DURIAN DAUN

A new fresh day. Sunday, August 5, 2007.

Alhamdulillah, Allah S.W.T. still return my soul to my body. We always expect that we will wake up from our sleep everyday. Most of the time, we (including me) forgot that Allah S.W.T. is the Ultimate Owner. We often took Him as a Borrower! Memang kita tak tahu malu. We often forget that He owes no one but as a matter of fact He lends it to us, the ungrateful human being (also talking about me). We always expect to open our eyes in the morning and continue living. How many time we ever think that we might not be able to get up in the morning? Our body stiff and cold in bed. I mean - mati, meninggal dunia, wafat, mangkat or mampos! Think again. Start to muhasabah ourselves (including me).

Now, let me continue.

It is only fair if I were to mention that there are still few good, kind neighbours and good samaritan that treat us like another human being. We used to get left over food (every food is nice when you are poor), old clothes and most importantly, sympathy that we deserved (for being poor). I would like to pay tribute to this few people :

1. Arwah Mak Uda Pungut - her real name is but I don't know where the word Pungut came from. All I know she likes to amek anak angkat! She is also a Bilal in my kampung. I missed this nice and soft spoken lady. I will tell more about her some other time.

2. Arwah Mak Jarah - very nice lady. Small size (kalau sekarang orang panggil pendek la macam dua tiga orang kat ofis I tu). She is quite well to do. Big house and many anak. Her husband, Arwah Pak Kassim, was robbed and murdered in a nearby kebun pisang many years before she passed away. I was once engaged to her grand daughter but tak ada jodoh la pulak. Putus harapan, putus tunang, putus segala-galanya (nasib baik tak putus nyawa). Kalau tak mesti I dapat umah besau dia kat kampung I tu.

3. Arwah Mak Dollah (pompuan tapi panggil Dollah). She paralysed due to stroke and was bedridden for many years before she passed away in early 80's. Boleh tak I mintak kita sedekah Al-Fatehah pada tiga orang nie. Al-Fatehah. Amin.

4. Mak Mon Umau (actually Omar tapi orang Melaka huruf R tukau jadi U secara otomatik). She used to smoked and chewing fresh bunga cengkih. Dia cakap sedap bunga cengkih tu. I tried but yucks - pedas and entah apa2 rasa la. She became a widow until today (since 32 years ago) when Pakcik Umau passed away suddenly. I remember saw him in the morning but at night dia mati la. Life is fragile. So, kena sedar pasal Malaikat Izrael sentiasa ikut kita. Jangan buat jahat macam ramai orang kat ofis I tu. Pangkat besar tapi JAHAT macam setan (P.Ramlee kata). Ingatlah bahawa pangkat, nama, harta, duit, bini, laki, anak kita tak dapat tak bawak masuk dalam kubur oi!

5. Makcik Keling (nama dalam surat beranak dia Bawiyah tapi pasal dia hitam hampir color arang batu, dia disumpah menjadi Keling (for Melayu memang color dia itam la). She is Arwah Mak Dollah eldest daughter. I remember she always brought kangkong air that she took from a lombong nearby her house when ever she dropped by my house. She is also our "servant" to go to market. When ever she sees ikan longgok, sotong, udang yang murah, she will buy for us (we refund her la pasal dia pun bukan orang kaya, cuma jiwa dia aje yang kaya).

6.Mak Pipah (a sharp tongue lady but kind hearted). I believe she is the richest lady in my kampung. Rumah dan tanah dia besau tau. By now, she is the oldest neighbour in my kampung. She is pushing 90, (next time I see her, I would ask her age and unlike most artiste yang suka tipu umur tu, I m confident she would reveal me her real age). Mind you, still healthy and live in the same big house with her second youngest daughter, Maziah, one year older than me and single. She is still strong mentally and physically to even attend kenduris or wedding! Unlike us, sikit2 MC, sikit2 MC!

7. Mak Ros Mat Tonia - I don't know where the hell the name come from. The whole kampung knows them by this "Mat Tonia". She is my mum good friend. She is pretty macam Minah Salleh. Still nice until now.

This are the few names I remember that used to help or at least treat us just like another human being. Ya Allah, please pay their kindness on my behalf.

Sesungguhnya Allah yang Maha Mengetahui dan Maha Bijaksana dan pemberian dan pembalasan....

More stories to come. Stay with me.

THE BEGINNING - JALAN DURIAN DAUN

Take a good look at the photo and spontaneously, describe what do you see. A house? A hut? Are you sure?

By the way, Kiff took this picture on July 14, 2007 (Saturday) after the Aqiqah at Najah's mum in-law house.

THIS IS HOME TO ME AND MY FAMILY FOR AT LEAST 15 YEARS (1965 - 1980).

But, mind you what you see is not actually the original house. This is how the house looked in 1980 before we moved out to the bigger house located just next door. The house were much smaller before (about 350-400 square feet). Much "daif" looking compare to what you see. The only different is when we live there, we keep the house in much better condition - more manageable, neat and clean. My mother is very particular about it. She says, it is okay if we are fated to live in a hut as long as it is neat and clean.

The monthly rental was RM15.00 only. Did I say "only"? So arrogant, am I? I should not say the word only as RM15.00 during that time was big, huge amount of money to my family. But, I really adore and respect my mother. She manage my family well. My dad is lucky to marry her (at the same time, my mum is also lucky to marry him). She managed the income (what ever given to her by my dad) well. Our rental never fall under the category "tunggakan" as we always see in our monthly bills nowadays. We also never bogged down with loan or worst, unpaid loan. She doesn't believe in creating loan. My family own our first dining table when I was 14 years old!

I don't know how but she is "damn" good (forgive me mum, it is rude but I meant well as this is the best way to describe your talent, I love you mum) Housekeeper/ Financial Controller. Imagine if she goes secondary school and then maybe, university? I think if she is the CEO of my company, I guarantee you profit rolls in and, bonus paid to staff would be minimum 6 months across the board, annually. Or maybe, by now, she is in Idris Jala' hotseat.

When my dad marries my mum, he works as one the cinema ticket collector in Cathay, Melaka. Due to his citizenship complication, Cathay can't put him under their payroll. He is now out of job. Out of humanity, the management allow him to be a parking boy at the cinema (mind you, majority chinese in the management but still have HEART unlike some Malay dominated management, heartless macam tak tau ajaran agama! kalau terasa, sori lah yea). I still remember that his daily collection comes in a form of coins (10, 20 and 50 sen) placed in one small glass bowl at home. He and my mum are happy if there is matinee or mid-nite shows. It means, more coins in the bowl but if it rain, the coins are much, much lesser. Later, I would see my mum's eyes red. It is fated but I believed "ada hikmah".

To supplement the family income, my mum bake some traditional malay kueh for me to send to coffee shops or even brings to school to sell. Later, she also does laundry at 2 houses, 1 chinese and 1 malay family. I also help by going to few houses to collect dirty linen from 2 chinese house and the bring it home. She will wash, dry and fold it at home before I send it back to the respective houses. During school holidays, I worked at the mamak shop nearby my house from 7 am - 6 pm for a "salary" of RM1.00 (in case you read wrongly "Ringgit Malaysia Satu Sahaja") a day. Few years later, as we grew up my dad changed job. He became a Security Guard. That is is last job until he retires some 10 years ago.

Trust me, no fun being poor. People don't see us. In short, we are almost invisible. Orang melayu panggil "Pandang Takde Mata". We get bullied. We get nasty remarks. We get our slippers thrown into the thick "lalang and keladi gatal" bush when we accidently left it outside the house (when it happen, my mum will start nagging us for being careless). Sometimes, our laundry hang outside the house ended up as "carpet" on the ground.....macam-macam lagi la. But, we have to endure it. Just keep quiet. They seems to have every rights over us.

Sad memories. So sad. I am not able to continue typing. Allow me to go to bed. Good nite.

To be continued.

PUTRA OH PUTRA....

Hello Again My Fellow Creatures,

I wasn't active (posting new blog and read others) for the last 2 weeks. Too busy but doing what I really wonder. Actually, I attempted drafting something, but never get to finish it. Half or three quarter way, I saved and shut it off. Like I used to tell some people, I am weird and unpredictable. But it is me. You may want to stay or if you wish, you may find the way out. You take it of leave it. The choice is yours. But don't regret it.

Today I want and must post something. All my "fiend" is waiting anxiously.

Today, lets sing a song. I would like to dedicate to CekPaKaran and Dona or now she prefers if we call he DonDan or DonHam. You want to know why the changes, feel free to ask her or CekPakaran.

The idea of writing this song came when I know about their catastrophe during the Putra LRT ride yesterday at lunch. It is strange as I noticed that should they commute Putra LRT without me, catastrophe befall them. Two weeks ago, their were also stucked at KLCC for nearly 2 hours due to also Putra LRT problem. Memang tak serik-serik dua ekor nie. Each of them have 1 different thing they worry about, Sekor akan kata - mati aku, my boss punye drink belum buat lagi!!!!, dan lagi sekor, alamak, mesti bos aku panggil, shima, shima, shima...sapa yang nak menyaut dan nak tekedek2 masuk bilik dia?

Then, they tried to trick me. Try to use the 3 Bs they have or had (beauty, body, brain,) or rather whatever they have got left, to persuade or rather lure me to come to their rescue. But, before they managed to finish, I simply say "padan muka engkau, gatal lagi lah".

They even imagine me to come as a Superman. I will fly there in my costume (not "S" but "RM") and I am suppose to fly them back to office. Dream! I said, should I become Superman, I would fly there and but to save the much younger, prettier and much lighter compare to them. DonDan is heavy hor! I might get hernia lah! For Cek Pah, she might later charge me with "sexual harrasment" for holding her during the "humanity flight"! Tak kuasa aku.

Why would I waste time and energy to save them. KLCC have more than enough guards to mishandle this reject wannabe "Pussy Cat Dolls". They lupa la, the top 100 chart they are in now, in is not the current music scene but retro punye la - all group like "ABBA" "BONEY M" "THE SUPREME" "THE DEGREES" is in there. Get real girls! Wake up, wake up. Smell the roses! kah kah kah. "Bak pepatah orang-orang tua - Tak ada beban, Dona digalas atau Buat baik berpada-pada, kalau nak bawak, bawak lah yang muda". Kah Kah Kah once more.

I wrote this lyric within 3 minutes and you have sing to the tune of "DIA" by MJ Fauziah Latiff (MJ tu mak janda la bukan The Glove Michael Jackson - kesian, janda jugak akhirnya Kak Gee). But not to worry Kak Gee, lagi bebas sekarang. Tak ada laki, tak da pak mentua, ipar duai and the best thing tak ada MAK MENTUA macam Nyonya Mansor dalam Ibu Mertua Ku tu). Ask me, I also have this experience! Gosh!!!!

PUTRA

MENGAPA PINTU KAU TERBUKA

HAMPIR MENJADI ARWAH KU DAN CEKPAH

JANGAN HANTAR KAMI KE ALAM BARZAKH

JANGAN LAH BIARKAN SUAMI KAMI MENDUDA

PUTRA

MENGAPA KAMI JADI MANGSA

MESTI ADA SAJA MALAPETAKA

SERING KAMI JADI BAHAN KETAWA

NAK MENANGIS PUN TIDAK ADA AIR MATA

CHORUS

MENGAPA KAU PUTRA

SELALU NAK MENDUGA

KAMI INSAN HAWA YANG TUA LAGI LELAH

BUKAN NYA TAK BAYAR

BUKAN NAIK PERCUMA

CUMA PINJAM PAS KEPUNYAAN AYA......

PUTRA

INI KAD AMARAN WARNA MERAH

JIKA SERVIS KAU MASIH DI TAHAP LAMA

KAMI BAKAR GERABAK MU SEMUA

BIAR LAH KU DAN CEKPA TERPERAP OPIS AJA......

Enjoy.....