of pakwek and his stories

My mom calls me to pay a visit to my pakwek. He’s hospitalized for cancer prostate and was originally schedule to undergo an operation last Monday. However, due to some circumstances, his operation was postponed to next Thursday. My turn shall be tomorrow and a day after, which is Wednesday, Thursday and might as well Friday. I was planning to move my things to my sister’s place today, but it is alright. I’ll go.

My uncle who shall be in service (chewah),  stucked when his motorbike broke on his way to the hospital, so I’ll take his place for accompanying pakwek. You know, elders, they wanted attention – just as we do. He wants a friend to talk to. I can never imagine what would I did, if I need to lie on the bed alone, worst, no tv! Hhaha

It took me almost one hour to arrive from my office. Not because of the distance, but because of the traffic. Mont Kiara to Hospital Selayang is just 20 minute away (should be). When I arrived, I saw pakwek smile at me. The first question is, “kenapa kau dekat sini” knowing that I was working today.

I keep him accompanied. Listen to his stories. About how happy he felt for raising his children even when he’s no rich. He remembers when maklong was born, it was on maulud nabi, and the village was flooded. He remembers putting mak long on the zinc, behind his bicycle and rode it. He remembers, brought mama together to the mosque for zuhur prayer and how friends are amazed when mama solat at early age, as early as six. He smiled – proudly.

He told me, how he’s incapable of supporting mama studies. He only provided kerepek pisang and mama sold it to her friends. By using that money, mama pays her tuition fee and I can see how proud pakwek was when he sees mama’s success today. He told me many things that if I am about to write it here, it gonna be a very long post, but I shed tears eventually – so emotional, I know. 

“Solat tu disiplin ilmu paling tinggi. Baik solat kau, baiklah hidup kau. Kita manusia ni, bukan nak hidup kaya pun sebenarnya, kita cuma nak senang. Lapar ada makanan, perlu itu boleh dibeli, cukup le” with Javanese slag of course. That’s what I remember most.

At the end of my visit, around 9.30pm, I saw his tears. I don't know what was in his mind. I wonder what worries him and what makes him cry? suddenly, I was thinking about my parents. Day by day, I realize, clearly, that my parents are also aging while I am growing. I didn't want them to get sick. I do not want them to lie on hospital bed. I want both of them to stay healthy and strong. Not because I can't take care of them if they sick, I just didn't want them to get sick? I'll be sad. 

On my way back to home at Shah Alam, my mind was wandering. I missed few junction and lost. wrong way, rerouting - repeat. I spend so much on tolls [I hate tolls]. Arrive home and pillow talk with roommate until one o'clock before I can finally close my eyes. 

The next morning I woke up early, [ok, not so early, I missed my alarm] to pack my cloths because I'll be staying with pakwek for the next two days. Anyway, I don't know what more will come across my path, but have faith in Allah that He loves me and won't cause me any harm. Hopefully pakwek's operation run smoothly tomorrow, amiin. 

InsyaAllah.

p/s: lamb chop Hosp Selayang @ Pak Tad Cafe was so good!! That's why I agree to spend my night at hospital, hhaha.

p/s 2: I restraint myself from looking up for horror stories at Hospital Selayang, because when I came back from hospital, I heard that 'bump' sound on my car. But I recite kursi many times while sweating! fuh