Questa è Enida

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?“

If you hear the way I call or address my cat, you would think I have no love, care or whatsoever for him. He probably doesn’t hate me, but he is far from being fond of me because of my hobby of scaring him. I seldom, or almost never call him by his name fondly given by my kids… Chino, short for Al Pacino.

I call him Kucing.
Short for Kucing Yang Busuk.

Sila huraikan golongan-golongan berikut:

BODOH:
Sepatutnya golongan ni boleh diajar dan harap-harap mereka nak lah belajar. Takkan sampai tua nak maintain bodoh.

BAIK:
Baik tu nak kata apa lagi, memanglah jadi orang baik tu sebaik-baik pilihan. Tapi kalau sampai ada yang ambil kesempatan, tak baik juga jadi baik sangat ni. Dah jatuh bodoh dah lah jugak.

BUAT-BUAT BODOH:
Golongan ini pun boleh difahami. Mungkin kita konon nak merendah diri. Maka buat-buatlah bodoh dulu. Tapi orang malas pun biasanya buat-buat bodoh juga. Sebab tak nak kena suruh buat kerja lebih. Pandai pulak kan?

BUAT-BUAT BAIK:
Ah, ini golongan yang paling keji. Jauh beza daripada golongan orang baik, orang bodoh atau orang yang buat-buat bodoh. Narcissist yang paling narcissistic sekali di muka bumi dari golongan yang inilah.

Mesti kau kenal sorang dua, kan?

Ikatan kalian itu
tak diakad nilai mahar
tak dirai tepung tawar
tak direnjis air mawar

Hambar, terbiar, malah onar
sedang jalang pun berbayar
inikan engkau primadona besar

Kutiplah balik perca maruah
yang rabak yang pecah
yang reput yang rebah

Pulang sendiri ke rumah Allah
sebelum singgah di barzakh.

15 Julai 2024
StarParc Point

Thank you for the entertainment.
I didn’t know you were a joke.

When I am angry at people for the mistakes they make, more often than not it is just me losing my tolerance. I respond in words or actions, point blank or using idiomatic expressions relating to the idiotic things they do. I don’t curse, but I can be painfully blunt. Anger, I believe, is a form of energy if channeled positively.

My words, I know, are quite cutting. But they always come with solutions, instructions or at the very least with points to ponder. I don’t throw things, although I have done that. Three times in my entire life. No regret. If I can still talk, I still care. I would go for a walk and still come back.

But when I am disappointed with people for the mistakes they repeatedly make, it is then me losing my trust and hope. Taking all the frustrations in, I let it consume me to the point where I no longer have words, nor do I take actions. There is no return. And when that happens, I no longer care. So I will walk… away.

Ada dua peringkat susah dan senang yang selalu mengingatkan saya untuk berdoa:

Senang Saya:
Mudah-mudahan sampai lah ke peringkat yang mampu menyenangkan orang lain.

Susah Saya:
Harap-harap tidaklah sampai ke peringkat yang menyusahkan orang lain.

She called me late Thursday afternoon. I didn’t pick up. My cough was so bad as my cells went on a battlefield with the Battalion of Corona, I couldn’t speak. And so I texted her, apologizing for not picking up calls, only to receive her reply… also apologizing profusely. Eh? Kenapa ni? Minta maaf banyak-banyak sebab tak sepatutnya ganggu saya, blah blah blah. Minta maaf. Dan tiba-tiba katanya ada perkara nak beritahu saya. Minta maaf lagi. Dan nak jumpa saya. Minta maaf lagi. Tapi tak pula dinyatakan kenapa. Tunggu saya sihat, katanya. Minta maaf lagi. Hmmm…

I am a bit apprehensive bila ada orang minta maaf lebih-lebih ni. Seriously. Selalunya orang minta maaf sebab buat salah. Atau minta maaf awal-awal sebab ada perkara nak minta tolong. Antara dua ini saja. Dan dalam hidup saya, kebetulan bila saya disalahi, banyak kali pula saya dah tahu dulu. Jadi jaranglah ada yang terpaksa minta maaf awal-awal. I have been blessed with the luxury of knowing some loved ones betraying me without them even realizing I was enjoying their show. I have seen many sandiwara. I still find it funny when people take me for a fool.

Entahlah untuk apa maaf yang dia minta. Entahlah untuk apa dia mahu jumpa. Saya sibuk berperang untuk memenangi kesihatan saya kembali. Tak ada masa untuk rawan dan kefikiran yang bukan-bukan. Mudah-mudahan kalau ada bantuan yang dia perlukan, Tuhan sembuhkan saya untuk membantu. Dan kalau ada kesalahan yang dia perlu kemaafan, Tuhan sembuhkan saya untuk memaafkan.