Balik Kampung Musings - Part III

It was my final night with Midah, Muhaini and Azmah at Mak Engku's house. Quite sad to leave you girlz tomorrow. But all of us have work and families to come back to. My son Muhammad Nabil was waiting for me at home. He has just got back from UKM but mummy was away. Kcian dia dok sorang2.

We arrived at Azmah's house from our gathering at about 1.30 a.m. After praying, I went straight to bed. Azmah's air-conditioned room was very spacious. There were two double beds . Midah slept with Muhaini while Azmah slept with me. Jangan jeles ya. Kalau jeles lain kali semua kena join in ( I don't mean in bed la )

It was a very cosy room.. Life at that moment seemed so perfect to me. Thank God for giving me really special frenz. Frenz that I have not seen for years and suddenly they were at my side, sleeping with me. They give me happiness that money cannot buy. Mak Engku n Pak Engku were very accommodating. They made us feel so much at home. Rumah sendiri pun tak boleh merasa macam ni lagi sebab mak dan ayah dah tak ada lagi.

I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the loo. The girlz were fast asleep. The night was quiet and still. You can even hear a pin drop. I had no trouble finding my way to go to the washroom as the house was dimly lit with night lights placed at strategic points.

The next morning I got up first to bathe and performed solat suboh. After that I joined Mak Engku watching the Motivasi Pagi on TV. Mak Engku was actually reading the yassin.

Breakfast was at 8.00 a.m. I was surprised when Azmah told me that Din and Amin were coming. Later they came with some roti canai. The round breakfast table was fully laden with delicacies such as jemput2 ikan bilis, magelei(vadey), fried rice , buns (roti pound) home made, and roti canai. I just couldn't make up my mind which to eat first. The four of us sat down together with Mak Engku n Pak Engku, Din and Amin. It was like having breakfast with your own family. The last time I sat down together with aruah mum and dad and my siblings were twillight years ago.

After breakfast Din sent Amin back and then Din went to work. Azmah, Mak Engku, Midah, Muhaini and I went to the market. The market scene brought back memories of my mum and I went marketing together. How I miss my mum so much. The shop that Azmah wanted to go to was unfortunately closed. Kcian Azmah. Tak dapat beli barang yang dia cari. U all tau apa barang yg Azmah nak beli??? Ikan bilis dgn ikan kering, murah dan lebih sedap daripada Shah Alam katanya. Tapi dia beli telor masin satu kotak dgn telur biasa. Azmah, azmah...

Then we looked for some ripe pineapples. Johor pineapples are really sweet and juicy. Azmah bought four of them. After purchasing a few other things, next we went to Bagan to buy fish. On the way Azmah showed us all our school friends' houses. If I could turn back the time, I want to go back to the year 1973.

At noon Adie came with her two kids, daughter-in-law and grandson. I checked my hp and realised I had two unread messages from Ad. I was shocked because Ad was waiting for us in front of the Putra hospital. I called him and told him to drive to Azmah's house so that we could have lunch together. I waited for him but he didn't come. When I enquired, Ad said that he had to go to work. ( Kcian Ad tunggu sorang2 kat depan hospital dari pukul 11 gaknya tapi message dia masuk lambat dlm my in box ) I'm sorry Ad for the miscommunication.

Lunch at Mak Engku's house was special and memorable. Dia masak ikan selar kuning asam rebus dengan nenas. Mak Engku dan Azmah ni macam tau2 je masakan tu favourite I. You suka tak? Besides that, there were fried fish, ikan pekasam, salted eggs, sambal belacan, sambal kicap, urap beremi, ulam and laksa. Sedapnye masakan ibu...cayang Mak Engku.

After lunch, I performed my solat zuhur at the bilik sembahyang. Mak Engku prayed on my left and Azmah on my right. Bestnya tak terkira... Then Azmah's hubby and his entourage seramai 16 orang arrived from Singapore.

At about 3.00 p.m the four of us packed our belongings, took photos with Azmah's parents and bade them farewell. It was an unforgettable balik kampung experience. It turned out to be more exciting than I had imagined earlier.

Reached Shah Alam at 6.30p.m. Muhaini sent Midah home. Midah was a useful GPS and Muhaini wouldn't get stranded anymore. That night, I had Md Shah's Beriani Kambing from BP.

At 9.15 p.m Azmah sent me to the express bus terminal. Time to go back home to Changlun. See you all again next time.

Thank you Azmah and Family . May the true spirit of the Ansars and the Muhajirins be ingrained in our hearts forever.

Balik Kampung Musings - Part II

In part l of My Musings, I have forgotten to mention another name. He is so important...How could I have forgotten? My memory span is getting shorter and shorter now. Forgive me Ismail Raus for my absent mindedness !! Anyway he has kindly invited all of us to go to his dusun durian in June. ( Dia cakap durian dia durian kawin. Warnanya merah macam baju Azmah !) So this time our reunion di bawah pokok durian pula insyaAllah ! Thank you Mail....

After the gathering at Azmah's house, all of us went out to visit Cikgu Md Said, Ros and Nancy. Unfortunately, our dear teacher had gone to Mersing. So we proceeded to Ros's house. I was so touched to see Ros but I couldn't help admiring this gutsy lady. Inspite of losing both her legs due to diabetes, that didn't kill her spirit to keep on moving in life. She's still teaching the Form Sixers in HSBP and hs been serving there for 17 years now. Look at her...it's a shame on us if we don't work just as hard as Ros.

Next we dropped by at Nancy's house. Glad she was around and her hubby was at home too. Nancy is bed-ridden after a surgery to remove a tumour in her brain. I really feel so sorry for you dear Ros and Nancy.

After the visits, we went back to Mak Engku's house. Suddenly I felt so hungry. That evening we were served with a sumptuos home cooked meal prepared by Mak Engku. I really enjoyed the betik muda masak bening accompanied by other side dishes.

At around 8.15 p.m, I received a message from Ad informing me that he was already in BP town. Immediately after prayer, Azmah, Midah, Muhaini and I went to Sitam Soup Corner at BP Walk. The first to arrive was Adzahari. Then I called Ismail Abu Bakar and surprisingly he agreed to join us. Ibrahim also tagged along, how nice. It was quite a while before Din turned up with Amin, Zai, Norliza, Adie and her little daughter Sharmimi.

Later Ismail Raus, his wife and two sons joined us and the excitement grew so intense. The happiest person no doubt, was the owner of the soup kiosk. Then Latif, Haminora and her husband rounded the number to exactly twenty people in the group who converged that night under the starry sky. Wow , my heart almost burst with happiness. It was pleasing to see everybody having a good time reminiscing the old dayz and to see how we have transformed all these years.

Ismail Raus reminded us again to come over to his dusun durian next month. He's also going to take us to another better place if we come down to BP in future. InsyaAllah Mail. You were really so kind to meet us and offered us to go to your orchard. And most of all, we were ever so grateful to you for footing the bill that night. You really shouldn't have done that becoz it was my pleasure to give you BP folks a treat.

To be continued......

Balik Kampung Musings - Part I

Saturday 23rd May

Midah joined us for a quickie breakfast. After that the four of us started our balik kampung trip. The BP folks were already waiting for us anxiously. That morning I got 8 missed call from Din. Even while I was packing up at Changlun, I was inundated with messages and calls from Ad n Din. They were so caring and concern.

Arrived at Mak Engku's house in Peserai at 11 a.m. We were welcomed with a delicious Laksa Johor. It was really yummie! After that, we planned to have lunch with Din n Company at an Asam Pedas restaurant. However, eventually Azmah decided to have Laksa Johor at her mum's house. So one by one, our good ol' frenz started converging at Azmah's house.

First Zai came with Adie, Amin and Norliza Khalid. The quiet and serene house suddenly burst alive. I couldn't recall Norli until she showed me her school dayz photos. Her size has doubled and she's so bubbly with enthusiasm. It became more 'happening' when Lim Yong Hong and Din arrived.. The house was filled with merriment. I was looking forward to meet Din and anxious to welcome a new face.

Coincidentally, at the same time, I received a message from Rahman. So I had to hide behind the dining table to reply Rahman's message in privacy. Poor Azmah! She was looking high n low for me. She must be wondering where I had disappeared. Rahman gave me direction to Tan Soh Ping's house and also his house in Senggarang. There was also some sad news about his ailing cousin who was in critical condition after a surgery. It was not an appropriate time to visit Rahman yet so Azmah n I cancelled our plan to venture to Senggarang.

Coming back to Din, he was different from what I had imagined. But we got along well like a house on fire...hehehe ( jgn fikir serong ye) He's warm n friendly, caring, generous, jovial, cute n charming and sometimes quiet and deep in thoughts. Amin also helped to make the atmosphere cheerful with his heart warming smiles and friendly nature. He passed around his home-made coconut candies which reminded me of school dayz

Lim Yong Hong, I really appreciate the trouble you took to find Azmah's house and joined us for lunch. If you miss us, just take a look at our reunion photo which Azmah has kindly given to everyone. Sorry I didn't say goodbye to you when you left because I was praying. See you again next time, buddy !

To be continued....

Before Balik Kampung

Friday 22nd May

From Changlun at 10.00 pm Thursday night, I arrived in one piece at Shah Alam bus terminal at 5.15 a.m. At about 6.40 a.m Azmah fetched me in her mini cooper. The car is cute just like her. At her house, she showed me two full albums of photos taken during the reunions at Az Mahal's and at Aya's Seri Putra residence.

That morning we paid Aya a visit and had Tosei breakfast at a mamak restaurant nearby. Aya had just recuperated from her dengue fever and when we came, it seemed she bounced back to life ! See, Azmah n I have the 'Aura" to heal people, ehem. After breakfast, we went back to Aya's hse. We had fun laughing n talking about family matters, sharing intimate secrets, and about Aya's trip to Dubai, Paris n London. It's good to see Aya back to her old self. I also had the chance to speak to Sy. Noraini on the phone. Miss U Babe..

Aya, Alhamdulillah you recovered on time for the trip and thank you so much for the lovely Korean brooch. Bon Voyage !

After that Azmah dropped by at Giant to pick up something. I was looking for Elton John's CD at Speedy but I couldn't find the song I was looking for. Then we went back home. For lunch we had soto ayam. Then it's prayer n resting time for me. I took a rest at Az Mahal's guest room but I could only catch 40 winks.

In the meantime, Azmah was running around in the kitchen preparing the Hi Tea with her maid. Both Azmah n I were waiting for our Sifu n his family to arrive with much anticipation. At about five, the whole family arrived except Athirah. They were served with soto ayam, jelly and fruit cakes. The jelly was prepared in a jiffy just moments before Sifu's arrival. You should have seen Azmah panicking in the kitchen. Stirring, pouring and sweating profusely...what a sweet girl she is.

When I came out of my room, Sifu and his family were at the dining table. His wife Yan is so amiable. Aliff is dashing just like Daddy and Aby is sweet n petite like Mummy.

After Hi Tea, Azmah gave Yan and the kids a tour of her house. The kids specially love the mini gym located at the loft of the house. Above it at the attic, there is a glassed partition with a Queeny bed inside.. You must have some nerves to be able to climb up the steep attic. Quite a romantic hide away. I really love that part of the house.

Azmah invited Sifu n family to stay and dine out after maghrib but too bad Faiz, his friend had to go back.

That night at about ten, Muhaini gave Azmah an S.O.S call. She got stranded so Azmah n I came to her rescue. After having the delicious soto, all of us retired for the night. After switching off the room light, we talked and listened to each other's bedtime stories. Then just as I was about to deliver my 'ceramah'....Oh My Goat ! Muhaini snoozed off...Zzzzzz. I knew it ! (Budak2 ni kalau dengar ceramah, baru je seminit, dah tertido! Penat je I ceramah sorang2 dalam gelap )

Gudnite Ani, Gudnite Azmah..Gudnite Frenz

Mini Gathering BP 23 May 2009

Lunch time

My dad, me, ainon, my mum, muhaini n midah

Muhaini n Amin bertukar2 portfolio...

Din n Amin dtg join kami bekfas at mum's hse

Aminora (TIGS) n daughter

Latif a.k.a Puteh Lawak (Baju biru)

Azahari n Muhaini

Amin, Midah n Aminora

Yem, Mail Abu Bakar n Mail Raus

Ismail Raus n family

Azahari, Ainon n Norly

Saadiah n daughter, Yem, Ismail Bakar a.k.a Apek

Aminora

Ainon n Norly

Norly, Saadiah's youngest daughter, Saadiah, Yem, Ismail Apek, Ismail Raus

Din n Muhaini

Ibrahim Karim a.k.a Yem, Ismail Abu Bakar a.k.a Apek,

Rosilawati (TIGS - both legs had been amputated due to diabetic)

Muhaini. Midah, Azahari n Ainon @ Sitam Soup

Din, Midah, Ainon, Amin n Muhaini at Nancy's hse

Norly, Nancy (she's suffering mild stroke n brain tumor), Zaidah n Saadiah

Ainon n Ismail Raus

Saadiah n Amin (they share same birthday)

Ainon, Norly, Saadiah n Azmah

Andy Lim, Norli n Muhaini

Andy Lim Yong Hong, Norliza n Muhaini

Gorgeous gals and macho guys

Norliza Khalid, Saadiah, Zaidah, Midah, Azmah n Ainon

Lim Yong Hong n Ismail Raus

Ainon, Ismail Raus n Din

Midah, Zaidah n Muhaini

Azmi's family, Ainon and Azmah family

Azmi' family with Ainon n Azmah @ azmahal

Aya n Ainon@ Restoran Hj Tapa Bdr Seri Putra

Update...

Dear Friends,

Spending time with Annu yesterday evening was rather different from many other 'memorial' services that I have been to. Somehow this one strikes closer to home...as Dr T Kesavan was one of us...same age, same childhood times in primary school, etc. His family is quite similar to mine...2 children (1 girl + 1 boy). While chatting along, I know Annu has indeed been through a lot over the last 8 days and more details needed attending to as well.

After my dinner appointment, I managed to have a quiet time reflecting on the events at Annu's home. I know we all as a group of ex-classmates have touched the family and added some comfort. Many of you from near and far have 'kirim salam' through Azmah and I for the family which we have conveyed. However, the greater loss remains in our hearts. And the inevitable scenario, what will it be like if this happens to me. Easy to say and so called plan for it, but when I see the event in real-time it certainly has an unnerving effect on me last night.

Friends, taking a que from Annu, we need to keep family relationships vibrant, and take care of our health as well. Those who need to exercise, better do so. (Like me-lah) And those already exercising, "well done keep up the good work!" - macam guru kita yang selalu tulis on our report book dulu lagi.

Regards

Peng Huat

Dear friends

From Annu’s house, I return home straight away though I m supposed to attend a dinner at another friend’s house. While having dinner with my daughter at home, I casually tell her about our late Dr Kesavan’s family and reminded her to do her best & finished quickly her studies…who knows…I too will be taken away anytime from her n her brother like what happened to Dr Kesavan’s family. Well, actually I believe there’s nothing `untimely’…when the time comes, it will be on time, not a minute or a second late. And last nite before I sleep…I think of everybody close to me, friends…if ever I had done anything wrong, hurt you in anyway, please forgive me.

As for Annu, I m not sure if I can be as strong and calm like her in situation like this. I agree with what she said and guess it’s her husband love n warmth expressed everyday to her & children that keep her going. Take care Annu, Dania & Hari. Keep in touch.

Me,

Muhaini

Visitation to Late Dr T Kesavan's Home

We visited the late Kesavan's family at Taman Bayu Perdana, Klang this evening, greeted warmly by his lovely wife, Annu, and his two wonderful children Dania (19) and Hari (15).

They are coping very well with the sudden loss of their loved one.

Kesavan had his first attack ten years ago, and he had stopped smoking since then. He was an active man but sometimes he suffered angina and wld took his medicatiton when he experienced it. He did his medical check up regularly and the last one was abt 3-4 mths ago and the result was perfect.

On that very day he had an angina at abt 3.30 am, he woke up and took his regular medication. The wife helped to rubbed an ointment and massaged him. An hour after that he still complained abt the pain, after making a hot drink for Kesavan, she changed and shoved him to the nearest clinic.

The locum doctor can't do much and advised him to be sent to the hospital. Kesavan requested to be sent to Sime Darby Medical Centre (formerly known as SJMC) as all his medical record was there.

When he reached SJMC, it was too late the doctor cld not revived him. It was abt 7.30am, 7 May 2009.

Annu, hails from SG Petani, Kedah is a fulltime housewife. Her eldest, Dania, still studying Montessori and her youngest Hari is sitting for his PMR this year.

May the comfort of God help you during this difficult time Annu...

Tribute to Dr. T Kesavan..Demise on 7 May 2009

7 Feb 2009

Dear Friends,

I just heard about this shocking news from Azmi and managed to talk to Ann (Kesavan's wife) this morning as well. (Azmah also tried to contact me as well.)

This sudden demise is most certainly a shock to all of us...after some 36 years, we get to see a dear old friend whom Azmah managed to trace and he made his jovial appearance when we gathered at Azmah's home.

According to Ann, the family is arranging for a prayers service for Kesavan. We can gather to pay our last respects during this arrangement via attendance. Ann will keep us all informed as to the arrangement which has been scheduled to be on 21 May 2009 (Thursday).

Ann can also be contacted using Kesavan hp 016 2013319

We can hardly get enough time to catch up with Dr T Kesavan and he has already left us. We all shall certainly missed him.

Regards

Peng Huat.

Dear Friend..

I knew Kesavan since our schooldays. His dad drove Kesavan in his Morris Minor to school. Coincidently my neighbour in Kg Kenangan worked as a maid in his house.. She told me now & then about him.. Dia seorang insan yang nakal, kelakar dan baik hati.. Short hair..plump. . jalan bongkok-bongkok. .That's Kesavan whom I grew up with 40 yrs ago.. That's why dia kena buli. Not forgetting how Sheng Hwa sold his hand made `dawai sidai kain' spec with coloured blue see thru paper tightly gummed to him for 1 ringgit.. In fact I was there masa urusan jual beli itu berlaku.. I masih ingat during art class when all of us was ask to do a face mask. Kesavan did a neat and nice face mask of Abraham Lincoln.. me.. with my Spiderman mask..

Last month he rang me up wanting to know about the new regimen of drugs for treating HIV. Then he told me that he will be going to KB sometimes this month. Ada urusan pasal Occupational Safety & Health Programme... anyway.. kita yang merancang tapi Tuhan yang menentukan..

This morning while driving to work.. I saw his number calling me.. Without knowing that it was his wife.. Jokingly I said ` Hello Dato.. Whats up.. R u in KB ? Then I heard a slow down tone of his wife.. `Is this Encik Azmi..Kesavan classmates ? I wanna inform u that my husband had just passed away on the 7th May..'
I cm tak percaya tp seterusnya saya meneruskan conversation dan dia meminta utk diberitakan kepada rakan-rakan yg lain...

Sama-sama lah kita tafakur 1 minit bagi mengenangkan beliau..

Azmi Abas

Dear frens,

Exactly 3 months when we met for the first time after 30 years...... and now he's gone.

Just a week before our reunion on the 7 Feb 2009 my urged to trace more frens was very strong. Though i am not that close to him during our school days, i never omit his name from the list. At abt 6pm i googled his name and the result was successful. I called her clinics and his staff confirmed he is our age and from Johor but she didn't know exactly which part of Johor.

Next step, the staff asked me to call his mobile. Without much hesitation, I called him and yes he answered my call. After a brief introduction, he remembered me yg kecik2 tu kan, yg hingus2 tu kan, yelah nama pun budak hingusan!We were exchanging contact no and email. I told him my intention and he was in his highest spirit to meet us.

I will make him one of my surprises for the day and he absolutely agreed with my idea. I planned, he wear my jubah when he enter my hse but on the very day " i malu lah mah" said he. It's ok..i don't mind if he didn't wear the jubah, it was just my crazy idea!

But he was in a hurry, and we missed taking our class photo with him.Oh God, if only we cld rewind the moment.

After seeing my photos at flickr, he commented " r u on steroid?". Then i asked him why. So he said i look bloated, i believe this is an honest remark from him and it nails into my head. But he assured my medication is free from steroid. Then i review my diet and work extra hard.

Those sweet memories with my dear fren Dr T.Kesavan.

Azmah

Brother Steven Thiagarajah

The face I love and long to see is gone...

But the vision and memory of you remains.

May God give strength to the loved ones and the bereaved that you left behind.

Ann, if you need a shoulder to cry on or any help.....I am always here for you....


Ainon

They Are Not Long

They Are Not Long, the Weeping and the Laughter,

Love and Hate and Desire

I think they have no portion in us after

We pass the Gate.

They Are Not Long, the Days of Bliss and Roses:

Out of a Misty Dream.....

Our Path Emerges For a While

THEN CLOSES......

Within a Dream

( ANN RAYMOND )