I was awaken by the feeling of a sharp pain somewhere in my back. Looking at the clock which showed 4.20 something in the morning, I tried to shrug the pain off thinking it was just one of the 'paranormal' things which used to attack me during my late teens and early 20's. But it was not, and it persisted and grew in intensity. Reciting several verses of the Quran, then followed by several selawats, the pain subsided for a moment, long enough for me to sit up and wonder the cause of it. But that moment was only a few seconds long and the pain came back, sharper and more painful, which had me writhing on the bed in the upstairs bedroom. I was alone at home then, with emak visiting her 'besan' in Permatang Pauh. Yes, the same place where a small war is being waged on right now.
With the pain growing in intensity, I tried to stand up, thinking that a walk-around would somewhat help. But no sooner had I stood, my legs buckled and I was sent sprawling on the floor, again writhing. Knowing that I needed some help, I tried to move towards the upstairs telephone, but my body could not budge at all, and I lay on the floor for a long while trying to fight the pain. My body was getting tired as it contracts and stiffened according to the attacks and soon I lay helpless. I must have blacked out then for when I opened my eyes, I could see morning light getting brighter by the minute; it was then 6.45am. The pain was had reduced from excruciating to dull, with intermittent sharpness every few minutes. I took the moment to crawl down the staircase one step at a time, inching my body down head first.
By the time I reached dowstairs, a neighbour had woken and was washing his car. Tried to call him, but my voice was barely audible. So I continued the crawl to the telephone, some 10feet away from the base of the staircase and dialled 999 for ambulance. With quivering voice, I spoke as best I can, and alhamdulillah, the operator soon had the ambulance on its way. But it was not to be that easy.
With the front front door and grill locked, I had to crawl back the way I came and managed to unlock the door and threw the keys just outside the grill. The gates, the paramedics would have to climb over. And I lay there waiting in pain.
The paramedics arrived later and did climbed over the gate when the heard me groaning loudly. They made their way in and soon had me on the stretcher while still in sarong and all. The 2 gentlemen who attended to me, were not fully trained paramedics and hence, they were unable to assist at all except to send me to the nearest hospital. Still, I am grateful to them and their gentleness in handling the situation. By the time I reached a hospital in Subang Jaya, the pain had grown alarmingly more and the doctor at the Emergency Room seem to know immediately of my problem. He gave me a sedative and soon I fell asleep. Perhaps, it was not due to the sedatives itself, rather, with the pain numbed, my tired body and mind was able to relax sufficiently.
Back to the present, when the pain begin to persist though in much lesser intensity than the incident above, I was somehow reminded of a name now quite forgotten by many. In fact, had I not been feeling the pain, perhaps I too would not have remembered him.
It was sometime in 1972 or 73, when I heard on the news that a literature giant by the name of Pendita Za'aba, had passed away in a hospital in Petaling Jaya. Allahyarham Za'aba, was a prolific writer and was well known amongst the literature circle locally as well as abroad. To be honest, since hearing the news of his passing away, I never did looked up his works; I could not have then for I was only 9 or 10 of age, and was too busy in a world of my own. InsyAllah, soon after this pain which is more of a nag today, I will begin reading more about him and his works. Just that, its rather sad I have to be reminded of him in such a manner, for if I remember it correctly, Allahyarham passed away due to stones in his private part. And that, I assure you, can be a real pain. Perhaps even more than the pain in the lyings of events in Permatang Pauh now.
Perhaps they learnt it from that foolish guy, but as far as I remember, the Sarkas grassroots have always been like the picture above - mindless, rude, pretentious, and have long lost their morality. Someone, perhaps amongst those in the picture above (courtesy of Harakahdaily), had lodged a police report of being fondled by members of the opposing parties. Truly, were I there and looking at their conduct, I don't think I would have even the appetite to do so. But then, were the case true, would you blame anyone doing so, looking at their slutty behaviour? Carrions, after all, attract carrion eaters. But who the latter really is, your guess is as good as mine.No, perhaps I was wrong. Perhaps, the Sarkas and the events they whip up in Permatang Pauh is a greater pain.
ps. Check out this Permatang Pauh by-election website here, or www. permatangpauh.com
