SO LONG, MY DEAR PAK LONG........(PART 2 - FINAL)

In the month of October 2007 (last Raya) the doctor confirmed Pak Long has colon cancer Stage 4. The Final Stage. He has ONLY 6 MONTHS to live. Of course he doesn’t understand the real meaning of it and how short can 6 months be.

If that is true, Raya 2007 would be his last raya with us.

The last time I saw him on him on his two feet is during a kenduri my mother throw for me before my 2007 Hajj trip. In fact, he wasn’t that well. He has fever. He has to go back to Mak Pet’s house even before the kenduri over. He cried and cried before he left as if he knows that his last time came to my house and the last time he sees most of us.

During my Hajj stay in Medina and Mecca, I never stop praying for him. Who knows Allah has another plan for him.

I return home on from Mecca on January 4, 2008. Another “kenduri kesyukuran” but this time Pak Long did not attend as he is not well but at least I know he is still around.

Pak Long hospitalized again in January 2008. Mak Pet who has much earlier stop helping Mak Nyah in her canteen to take care of Pak Long stay in the hospital most of the time to accompany him. But Mak Nyah, Mak Semah, Pakcik Kaya, Busu and my Mum will also take turn to accompany take care of Pak Long when they have the opportunity or when the not so healthy Mak Pet need some rest. Sometime, few of my other cousins also take their turn. Never a day or nite passed without anybody by Pak Long side. The doctor and nurses in Hospital Besar Melaka are really amazed to what they witness. To that, they have this to say :-

“The have seen most people similar to Pak Long condition (they meant “less” and also sickly) will be left alone and neglected. The most their family will send them to retirement home or just leave them alone in the hospital. Pak Long is one of very few lucky people. Eventhough he has no parents and no family but he still have siblings and relative that love and care for him even in his very unfortunate condition.....”

I went back to Melaka on 25th February, 2008 (Friday) for my parents 44th Anniversary. In fact we have planned this celebration since March 2007. We visited Pak Long that evening. I saw him in his hospital bed. He cried again when I “salam” him. He looked weak and fragile.

Since I have paid for the bungalow, my family have no choice but to go ahead with the celebration the next day (February 26th, 2008) only to pray nothing would happen to him during that weekend. Actually we are not into it 100% due to Pak Long condition, we have no choice as not to waste the money I have paid in advance. The consolation to our decision is only one thing - make our parents happy is also a good thing to do. It is consider “ibadah”.

Alhamdulillah, everything went well and nothing happened and no sad event.

Pak Long discharged from hospital about two weeks later. He spent his last few weeks in Mak Pet’s house. He still has no complaints or grievances over his deterioting condition. The most he says “sakit…..” when ever his siblings and relative visited him.

Date : March 7, 2008. Time : 4.15 a.m. Mak Pet’s woke up when Pak Long call her name. Pak Long says he want to sleep on the floor. In fact, of late often he asked to be allowed to sleep on the floor but Mak Pet refused to let him because the floor is cold. She doesn’t know why she has agreed to fulfill his wish that morning. She placed a mat and moved Pak Long from his bed onto the mat. He looks happy.

5.30 a.m. Mak Pet woke up again to go to toilet. She looks at Pak Long. He is sleeping soundly. As she comes out, she heard Azan Subuh. She walks toward Pak Long to ask whether Pak Long wants anything. Pak Long……she called. Quiet. Again, Pak Long…... Still quiet. She shook his body. No movement. Mak Pet rush to one of the bedroom to ask for help from one of his daughter. They both rush to Pak Long and the daughter confirmed the loss.

Pak Long died peacefully in his sleep. He has just left to join the people who has left earlier than him and us. More importantly, he left us to return to The Ultimate Creator and The Ultimate Owner of The Universe, Allah S.W.T. as he has promise when Allah created him and all of us.

I witnessed the “kafan” ritual. Pak Long face looks so serene as if he is sleeping. Deep sleep…..

Before Pak Long’s body leave the house for good, we have the last opportunity to kiss him good bye. One very sad moment that I would remember for a very very long time……..My turn came and I kiss him on his forehead also his right and left cheek. Good bye, my dear Pak Long. May Allah bless you and place you under His Ultimate Protection.

Pak Long’s body were brought to Masjid Pengkalan Rama in a Jenazah Van for “Solat Jenazah” after they performed the Solat Jumaat. Very rare I see Solat Jenazah performed by that many people but Pak Long’s were really blessed. Just imagine, he passed away on Friday (Penghulu Segala Hari) and his solat jenazah were performed by at least 250 peoples. Obviously, he is leading to his good days ahead…….Alhamdulillah

Immediately after the Solat Jenazah, Pak Long’s body were carried to Jalan Durian Daun. His grave is ready for him. We lowered his body into his “liang lahat” and in 10 minutes the last ritual of the for “Fardhu Kifayah” is done. “Talkin” is read by Imam Baba.

It came to my mine that no matter how no matter what no matter who you are no matter how much money you have you will also ended up alone in your grave. Only your doing will determine what kind of “living” you have in your own grave.

One by one left the graveyard. We are among the last few to leave. Pak Long is no longer with us as he is now in a place called "Alam Barzakh". But for sure he will be remembered forever. Even though I am very sad and cannot stop weeping, I believe he is in would have a better "live" to compare to what he had all his lifetime. He is in good "Hand".

Just a little note to my blog reader – My cousin brother, Reza’s wedding reception on March 16, 2008 was the first happy event we had since Pak Long left us for good that Friday, March 7, 2008. It was only 9 days away after our loss but we have no choice as all arrangements are done and the cards are sent out. Mak Nyah, Mak Pet and me were so sad until we cried and hugging each other during the wedding. During his life time, he likes attending wedding, kenduri, hari raya open house but his presence is normally not important and hardly noticed by many. But strange now as his absence is noticeable and felt by almost everyone in the family. We know somebody is missing. The missing person is not important but he is just a decoration which most people needs. But, nobody could fill the void he has left (I really wonder given a choice or opportunity, is there anybody or any of us want to be “like him” or rather fit enough to be him?).

Memories about Pak Long and his many funny character will stay and last forever.

Al-Fatehah to Pak Long and Semoga Allah Mencucuri Rahmat Ke Atas Rohnya. Amin

SO LONG, MY DEAR PAK LONG............(PART 1 OF 2)

Friday, March 7, 2008 - A day before the 12th General Election. At at 6.30 a.m. while I was getting ready to office as ususal, the voice of the Japanese Girl living in my hand phone prompted me of an incoming SMS.

The sms “Bang, Pak Long meninggal Suboh tadi”. Sender, Ogy, my sister.

Immediately I called Ogy and spoke to her briefly.

Apparently, Pak Long died in his sleep before Suboh on Friday, March 7, 2008 at the age of 68.

I also called my youngest sister, Non. As her husband is away, I offered to fetch her together with her three little childrens. The journey to Mak Pet’s house in Pulau Gadong, Melaka, where our dear Pak Long’s body lies took us just 1.5 hours.

Pak Long little lifeless body placed on a mattress in the living covered with “kain batik lepas”.

The first 2 “fardhu kifayah” i.e. “mandi dan kafan” will be done at Mak Pet’s house while the “solat jenazah” will take place after Solat Jumaat at Masjid Pengkalan Rama (our own very kampong where Pak Long was born, breed and spent most of his younger days). Immediately after that, we will send Pak Long to his final resting place – JALAN DURIAN DAUN. Familiar name of a place…………?

Pak Long real name is Abdul Wahab bin Abd Ghani and the eldest surviving uncle of mine. He was born normal and healthy until high fever affected his brain. He became retarded (after this I will drop the word retarded and replace the word with “less”)

Even Pak Long is “less”, he is still consider more and lovable to many to compare to many other “enough” peoples that I knew. He is very popular in our own kampong and few nearby “kampongs”. If he is free after helping to do some simple house chores (he is “less” but not stupid or lazy unlike some of us), he would go “jalan-jalan cari kerja”. In return to his “work” people will pay him a dollar or two. Sometime, he manages 5 to 10 ringgit. He doesn’t know the real meaning and the value of numbers as he never attended any school. But he know in order to get something in return from shops or kedai kopi, you need to present money. He only knows money by its colour i.e. biru, hijau or merah and to him “duit merah” is the highest value of all notes. He carries this thought until his last few months with us………..

In the mid 80’s, Pak Long came to live with my aunty in Kuala Lumpur. In fact I also live with her during my early days in Kuala Lumpur. When he is in the mood, me and my other cousins sister always tease him just to test how high his IQ go go to. Normally, after that we all will burst in laughter.

I like to share with you one funny event of teasing which took place some 20 years ago.

I used to have a beautiful grey Persian cat called Regent. Everyone in the house adore and love him. One evening we test him :-

Tipah,Su,Remah & Me : Pak Long, mei le kejap
Pak Long : Haah, nak apa?
TSRM : Pak Long, Pegi amek si Regent kat atas katil.
Pak Long : Nak buat apa?
TSRM : Pegi buang dia kat tong sampah besau kat depan.
Pak Long : Eh nak buang Regent? (he looked puzzled)
TSRM : Ye lah, pagi buang dia. Mak Nyah yang suroh (my aunty)
Pak Long : Betol ke? (He frown and look reluctant)
TSRM : Yeaaaa, pegi buang dia……
Pak Long : Alah, bohong……….Tak kan nak buang…….Sayang…
TSRM : Ye lah, pegi buang dia. Kita suma tak nak dia lagi lah….
Pak Long : Bohong nie. Tak nak la…..Suma sayang…..

TSRM : HAHAHAH… Kau ingat dia bodo ke? Kau org lagi bodo.Hahahah

And true enough he knows we just out to bluff him. So, the moral of the story is, he is “less” but he at least know what is the real meaning of love………

The second installment will come next week.......Be patient.

IS IT A DAWN OF A NEW ERA & A BETTER FUTURE?

Dateline : March 8, 2008.

This date will be remembered by many Malaysian. Eligible Malaysian voters went out to their designated polling station to cast their vote in the 12th General Election. 222 Parlimentary seats are at stake. For a record, before the 12th General Election, 199 seats belongs to Barisan Nasional while the Opposition hold 23 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

The result : Full official result only out on March 9, 2008. Barisan Nasional coalition survived the scare and still managed to form a Government for the next 5 years by a simple (slim)majority. A landslide victory of 199 seats in the Dewan Rakyat recorded during the 11th General Election in 2003 being reduced to 138 seats! For the first time since 1969, Barisan Nasional failed to retained their 2/3 majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

Pakatan Rakyat (PAS, PKR and DAP) sucessfully claimed 84 seats. Though they failed to realise their ambition to form the new government but to deny Barisan Nasional from retaining their 2/3 majority in the Dewan Rakyat, many Malaysian regards that as 'winning' or at least a good beginning. Barisan Nasional really doing very badly this time around. Giant killers from Pakatan Rakyat on a killing spree which resulted to many big name in Malaysian politics including Ministers, Deputy Ministers also a few President of Barisan Nasional components got “killed”.

“In the absence of 2/3 majority”, the newly formed Barisan Nasional government cannot amend any constitution.

PAS successfully retained Kelantan, this time with a bigger majority while 4 other states namely Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Perak also fall to Pakatan Rakyat. Even Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur also won by Pakatan Rakyat (if Wilayah is considered as a state). What a feat, indeed. It is a feat to be celebrated.

Is this a new beginning to a better future for all Malaysian? I just hope both coalition party work harder to prove their worth otherwise they stand a big chances being voted out of the Dewan Rakyat during the next general election. For sure they won't get my vote.

Personally, I really hope to see “big changes” soon…….but how soon only Allah S.W.T. knows.....

p.s. This is note the sad posting I promised earlier. I just want to share my observation and thought on the last General Election. I will keep my promise next posting. Thank you.

THE RETURN OF JALAN DURIAN DAUN GUY

Assalamualaikum w.b.k.

Hello fellow creatures….

It has been 9 months since my last posting to Jalan Durian Daun. I can find many reasons easily as an excuse to my absence but let me publish the biggest two.

My biggest excuse - I was busy with my Hajj preparation. I was in Medina and Mecca to perform my first Hajj from November 21, 2007 and returned to Kuala Lumpur on January 5, 2008. Yup, I went through a journey of a lifetime, indeed. A journey that act as a mirror for me to see whom am I, really. I went through many new experiences. I met many new peoples. Few of them I am still in contact with. In addition to few couples and personalities- Mastura & Shafi, Hain & Aris, Aizah & Razali, Mummy Hagerah, Aunty Faridah and their childrens too (not in any order) which I regards them as my own family, I also became close to at least two special couples and their childrens. They are Kak Khalijah & Abg Haridan and Kak Hah & Abg Hai. Cleverly, I make them feel like I am their long lost brother (hah hah hah). The truth is, Alhamdulillah, I am so grateful to what Allah S.W.T. has granted me. What else can I ask for other than fulfilling my duty as His humble servant. Insya'Allah.

I also experienced many magical things. Happy and sad as well, but trust me every happening there is very valuable and enclosed with many lesson (to be learned only if you are willing).

For many years I only heard stories plus experiences narrated by those who went earlier than me. And, I was glad Allah S.W.T. answered my doa and chose me to be one of the four millions pilgrims to perform their Hajj, the last of five pillars of Islam together with me.

I would say it was such an ‘eye opening’ trip. To experience it, you got to go through it. My little advise to all my fellow muslim, if you have a choice, do perform you Hajj while you are young, healthy and strong.

Lastly, my humble doa - Ya Allah, Ya Rahim, Ya Rahman, terimalah Haji ku. Juga, ku mohon agar Kau terima jugalah Haji saudara-saudara ku yang lain dan yang terdahulu dari ku. Amin.

Now, my second excuse for not posting anything for nine months – I AM JUST LAZY………..

But, come to think of it, laziness doesn’t bring me any where.

So, here I am, writing again. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing and sharing it with you.

My next posting will follow soon......but sadly it will not be a happy story.

Salam.