The plan was to head east at 0500H on Friday. Monchies and I were looking forward to take Atok to his follow-up appointment at HOSHAS, considering we had not seen him since he was warded there early July. An early morning drive on E8 has always been something to look forward to by me and Monchies alike. We even have our favorite spot, the Selesa Hillhomes where my Grammar Teacher, Mr. Santa Singh resided many years ago. I told Monchies stories about my grammar teacher so many times, they always remember what Mr. Santa used to say.
Saya paksa Monchies tidur awal Khamis malam itu. Saya pun konon-konon panjat katil awal juga. Tepat jam tiga pagi, saya yang baru saja terlena dikejutkan oleh ribut taufan. Gelodak, gejolak, ombak, gempa dan tsunami besar itu rupanya datang dari dalam perut saya! Walaupun pada awal malam saya sudah terasa-rasa seperti ada gegaran yang bakal melanda, saya tak salahkan Kek Lemon, Churros dan Karipap Kentang yang terjun ke perut saya petang sebelumnya.
That was all I had, though. Not much, not hungry, nothing new, and nothing too dangerous. So when I had to sit on the pot at 0300H because of the sudden projectile bobok, I didn’t think too much of it… until I had to throw up almost immediately after I was done on the pot! Of course I did the throwing up at the sink. The bowl had become too deadly by then. Two to three more urges and four more sittings on the pot between 0300H and 0430H, I knew I had to raincheck my eastward-bound drive and driving my father to his appointment.
Yang kelakar dengan perancangan membawa Abah saya ke temujanji beliau di hospital hari Jumaat itu ialah, saya konon nak bergilir dengan adik bongsu saya yang mengalami gejala yang sama minggu lepas. Sekeluarga beliau muntah-muntah dan cirit-birit, sehinggakan anak syurga beliau ditahan di HOSHAS. Niat konon suci murni saya nak berbakti kepada Abah, sudahnya tak kesampaian bila saya diserang wabak yang sama.
It was most likely Norovirus that got the best of us. A common stomach bug. So common that I knew so many of people around me had gone down with it. My Lil Sis and her family, my former staff Dewi and even her extended families, too had had it. My elder sister went down with something similar but ended up with something totally shocking (gallbladder stones), kinda thanks to Norovirus but no thanks. I would not wish it on anyone.
Maka, oleh itu… keluarlah segala isi perut saya di subuh gelap Jumaat tersebut. Sarapan berat saya di Community Center Taman Nirwana (tenggiri goreng, sambal tempe, kerabu taugeh dan kuah asam pedas) meluncur laju ke sinki. Kek Lemon, Churros dan Karipap Kentang dari Chubby Spatula pun berkejar-kejaran keluar di pagi yang hening. Kempis perut saya sudahnya. Dan bila saya timbang, hilang tiga kilo siang Jumaat yang amat berbahagia itu!
For the fear of more gempa bumi, I refrained myself from consuming anything. Mandak ordered some Gatorades and Fresh Coconut water to prevent me from going dehydrated. She brought me sugar-free lozenges too, in case I had sore throat. I have been locked up in my room for two days now (except Friday night when Monchies went out to the nearest mall to run some errands). I sneaked out because something smelled so good in the Cucina Mesra.
Saya terjumpa Kobis dan Lobak Merah Tumis Kicap di dapur masakan si Dedek, dan saya tak mampu menahan diri akibat kelaparan yang amat sangat. Maka saya goreng dua biji telur dan makan nasi dengan Kubis Tumis dan cili potong sementara Monchies belum balik dari Publika. Walaupun tersangatlah sedap, saya menyesal juga. Sebab tidak lama kemudian saya terpaksa bergelut semula dengan tsunami dalam perut kerana kerakusan saya sendiri. Padan muka saya.
This was breakfast and lunch for today, my favorite savory and sweet buns. And coffee, just the way I like it — brought to my bedroom door. I wanted to go downstairs but was advised not to, by the kids. This Norovirus is highly contagious and they have to stay healthy for the coming weeks as time is closing in to their final exams. My heart almost shrank a bit (kecil hati) but hey, I was the one who said I would not wish this on anyone, kan? I guess I miss the daily hugs.
Walaupun terlupa letak daun bawang, sup bikinan Edrick ini lenyap dalam beberapa kelip mata di kamar tidur saya malam tadi. Fish cake, lobak merah, kobis cina, bawang goreng, Sedap Rasa dan Aji sahaja. Perut kenyang, hati senang. Dan masih bertahan tak berkejaran ke jamban. Saya bersyukur seadanya!
The kitchen was closed with this sent up to my room at 2042H.
“So
which
of the favors
of your Lord
would
you
deny?“
Questa è Enida 
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