A Quickie

The new cabinet listing is being viraled through many groups in whatsapp and what-ever. I had a glimpse and the best thing I like about the line-up: apart from their professional titles, not one name had any honorary title attached! This, to me is the most fantastic thing. Let's keep it this way.

At The Bay

It's 2.38 am as I begin this write. For some reasons, I just can't sleep. Perhaps it's the rain. Been raining quite hard this past few hours. It's also the first rainy night since I moved here. A new place.

Not too far from the cities but far enough for the moment.

Been here for almost 2 weeks now. The house is still messy with many things not at their place and many more out of place. But it is, as a friend would put it: 'ok-lah! It's okay!' He's not been here yet and I don't think he'll ever be. Spend most of his time juggling between his family in Batu Pahat, and his work on a few islands off the east coast. A real comic at tines but a real serious man at work. V, as in the alphabet, is what he wants people to call him.

I try to think what V would say of this place if he really gets around. No, I don't think it'll be 'ok' to him. In all probability he would scoff at the very idea of this place being called a bay. Maybe it's true because for the short time I've been here, I've yet to explore and find the actual bay as in the name. And how a supposedly fierce commander of the past lend his title to this place. Maybe I will in the near future.

'Can you continue talking, please?' asked the man to the paramedic. 'It helps my mind to keep the pain at bay'.

Having learnt slightly of the man's medical history, the paramedic smiled and said 'the city hospitals are normally staffed by young nurses. But here in the rural areas, you'd be lucky to see one'. Both men laughed through the wailing of the ambulance as the vehicle snakes its way through traffic.

Thursday, January 11

Where do one begin when one wants to write about the dearest thing in one's life? There may be so many ways to do so but when is wrought in emotional turmoil, perhaps the best way is to come straight to the point.

Last Thursday, January 11, my beloved Emak passed away. 

Emak - for the benefit of non-Malaysian readers - simply means Mother. But being an Emak is never simple. And for the purpose of clarity, let us just confine Emak here as my mother.

Emak was 85yrs of age when she passed away. Just like everyone who passed through this world, Emak fought many battles in her life. Sometime in September last year, she had a fall and broke her Femur bone while playing with her 3yr old great grandson. An ambulance took her to the hospital where she was warded while the doctors contemplate on what best to be done. At her age, the doctors have to be more cautious on any procedure, understandably. Emak was released 2 weeks later without  having to go through surgery as the doctors feared for her weak lungs caused by an infection some 4yrs back.

About a month passed since her release, a new complication arise. She could not get up and her speech was in slur. Primary examinations suggested inadequate oxygen reaching her brain and as her other motors were responding well, the doctors concluded her condition was not stroke-related. Emak responded well with oxygen fed through face mask but for a short period only.

Since she needed close attention, Eli, my youngest sister, took Emak to her place in Melaka. Less than 2 weeks later, Emak was hospitalized again. This time, the doctors in Melaka made a thorough examination and found a few blood clots in her brain with one clot was believed to be about 4yrs old. Still, Emak fought on just as she have always done throughout her life - one battle a time. But by 7.30 am on Thursday January 11, she could no longer.

May Allah s.w.t. bless Emak. Al-Fatihah.