My Childhood Story - The Nasi Lemak of Jalan Durian Daun

I went out last nite with my friend Pang, Eng Leong and KK. Eng Leong is a Baba from Malacca. In fact, not until few outings that I found out he lives in Jalan Depoh where Jalan Durian Daun ends. In fact his father still lives there and this fillial son make a point to come home at least once a month. His mother passed away few years ago.

So, you can imagine when "two orang kampung" meet, they would dominate the conversations. Almost immediately, Pang and KK reduced to "extras". We reminisced about the old grocery shop that use abacus (klik klak klik klak klik klak and he tell you the damage!), the coffee shop (quite dark inside, maybe to save electricity), the Kg. Kaman (behind his house) where a lot of Indian stay but the main topic is the nasi lemak stall at the corner of the coffee shop operated by husband and wife team known as Pak Seman and Mak Kering. Strange, Eng Leong and me grew up eating their nasi lemak but we never met. We both agreed that was the best nasi lemak we have ever tasted. The aroma of hot nasi lemak on banana leaf, topped with a spoon of very thick sambal tumis, few pieces of fried ikan bilis, cucumber and 2 or 3 strands of fried kangkung. "Sedap giler". Yes, simple but delicicious. Unlike nowadays, chicken rendang or curry, paru and ayam goreng, ikan goreng, etc. to compliment the nasi lemak. Their nasi lemak will beat the so called best nasi lemak in town (Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa in Kg Baru, Nasi Lemak Cikgu in Kelana Jaya, Nasi Lemak Station at Taman Kosas, just to name few) flat.

I remember the very thin Pak Seman is friendly and pleasant man unlike Mak Kering. She is the opposite. She look stern day and nite. I always picture her as a woman monster breathing fire with a small bun on her head (due to her very little hair left). My imagination always run wild when I look at her (I am still very much like that now, in fact better). I always picture her spraying me with fire that comes out from her mouth and with just one gulp I am inside her stomach (at 5 - 6 years old, I am very small in size). Even if I see her during any 'kenduri' or wedding in my kampung she always look the same (if you are wondering, yes, she is our neighbour).

I can remember whenever my mother have an extra 1 ringgit to spare in her pocket, she will get me to buy Mak Kering's nasi lemak. I always have problem with this chore. Firstly, I have to deal with my fear to face her and to make matter worse, I have to communicate with her. (Dare I say no to my mother, unless I am fed-up of living!) . So, whether I like it or not, I have to accomplish my mission. Every time I visited her stall, I have to relay my mother message to her : "Mak Kering, mak nak nasi lemak 3 bungkus, tak nak telur tapi nasi lebih tau" (little note : No egg because to my mother understanding the egg is to replace with extra nasi with no extra cost). She will give me a frown but never respond. She will prepare my order, I snatch, pay, say "terima kasih" and run home. Few minutes later, the nasi lemak will be in our empty stomach. KK ask me, so little money only you bring and you managed to get 3 packets? I told him 1 ringgit in 70s is hard to come by and big in value (at least for my family). By the way, we did not buy the nasi lemak every day! No money lor! Most of the time I would be walking to my primary school with empty stomach. Kindly bear in mind, I am not complaining about how hard my childhood was but just to relate a little bit of my experience. Some time during the morning assembly, there are student collapse (it seems due to no breakfast). The teacher that act as the speaker of the day will remind us to take our breakfast prior to attending school. Deep in my heart, I have nothing to eat at home. So, eat what? Sands or grass or may I should bite and chew my own fingers?

Actually, while I driving through Jalan Durian Daun last Saturday with Kiff and KK, I passed by the grocery and the old coffee shop that I am talking about. Both of the shops has ceased operation but it is still standing there only looked older. The wooden foldable doors are also tighly closed. The missing scene is the old couple and their stall. The Pak Seman and Mak Kering Nasi Lemak. If I am not mistaken they passed away more than 20 years ago.

How I wish that Saturday they are still there and selling their nasi lemak. For sure I will stop to buy some and with the money I have now, (I am not trying to be arrogant, please) I might buy all or whats left for the day! This time I don't have to use my 1970s line. She will no longer be the 'hair bun monster' breathing fire but just another old lady selling nasi lemak. I would look directly into her eyes, smile and talk to her politely. I will give her more respect which I did not give her last time. But too bad, I have no more chance...

Note : I start to realise that in life, if I ever have a chance to do good, I should not wait. No more dilly dally. I might miss the chance. I will live to regret it. A little help from me could be huge to some other people.

Well, it is only my own experience and opinion. It is up to you whether to agree or otherwise...