It was probably a blistering hot morning, that December 1 thirty years ago, followed by heavy rain in the afternoon, the kind of rain that makes you want to sleep and wake up smelling the fresh smell of grass after such a downpour. I am just guessing about the rain because it usually rains heavily in December, the month when tents go up and buffalos get slaughtered for wedding feasts up and down the country.
Perhaps I was anxious about the rain then as the countdown began for the start of a new chapter in my life. Perhaps I was just anxious. I reckon, a bride-to-be about to start a new life in a totally different country the other side of the world has the right to feel anxious, if not downright hysterical.
Today as the rain pelted mercilessly on the window and the grey clouds stubbornly obscured the winter sun, I tried hard to remember that December 1 of thirty years ago.
It was 8 days before the big day. The blue lace kebaya was probably ready and waiting to be picked up from the tailor’s. There were still no shoes, nor accessories or jewelleries except for that glittering new solitaire on my finger; a constant reminder that my status was about to change.
I remember now the excitement of being someone’s tunang, even though it was for a brief period before the change of status to wife. I remember being told of the glow that radiated from the happiness that was bursting from within. But I also remember the feeling of sadness as we chose our luggage, as we packed our bags – a reminder that we were going to leave our loved ones behind.
December 1 of 1979 was fifteen days before we took the flight that was to take us where we are today. I remember the ride to the airport, the tight grip of Mak’s hand in mine and the hot tears streaming down my cheeks. I remember rushing back to hug her at the gates as the final call was made. Yes, I remember it all now as I type this on this December 1 2009; legs entwined under the duvet, a soft snore that reminds me he is still here and mine.
Kak Teh remembers
The Journey Continues - The tale of the blue kebaya
The Journey Begins
Heating up Memories on a Cold Morning
Perhaps I was anxious about the rain then as the countdown began for the start of a new chapter in my life. Perhaps I was just anxious. I reckon, a bride-to-be about to start a new life in a totally different country the other side of the world has the right to feel anxious, if not downright hysterical.
Today as the rain pelted mercilessly on the window and the grey clouds stubbornly obscured the winter sun, I tried hard to remember that December 1 of thirty years ago.
It was 8 days before the big day. The blue lace kebaya was probably ready and waiting to be picked up from the tailor’s. There were still no shoes, nor accessories or jewelleries except for that glittering new solitaire on my finger; a constant reminder that my status was about to change.
I remember now the excitement of being someone’s tunang, even though it was for a brief period before the change of status to wife. I remember being told of the glow that radiated from the happiness that was bursting from within. But I also remember the feeling of sadness as we chose our luggage, as we packed our bags – a reminder that we were going to leave our loved ones behind.
December 1 of 1979 was fifteen days before we took the flight that was to take us where we are today. I remember the ride to the airport, the tight grip of Mak’s hand in mine and the hot tears streaming down my cheeks. I remember rushing back to hug her at the gates as the final call was made. Yes, I remember it all now as I type this on this December 1 2009; legs entwined under the duvet, a soft snore that reminds me he is still here and mine.
Kak Teh remembers
The Journey Continues - The tale of the blue kebaya
The Journey Begins
Heating up Memories on a Cold Morning
41 comments:
Salam,
Kak Teh,
Umur perkahwinan Kak Teh dan Pak Awang melebihi usia Aliff hidup di bumi Allah ini. Semoga Allah SWT memberkati hari-hari seterusnya dengan segala rahmatnya buat Kak Teh sekeluarga.
Bilalah Aliff dapat jumpa Kak Teh ni ? :)
Salam aliff, terima kasih, Insyaallah satu hari kita akan jumpa. Manalah tahu, kan?
Kak Teh..whenever I baca your love story dengan AG, I do believe that some marriages are made in heaven! So Mills and Boon kinda.
Mine went from heaven to hell and now dah back somewhere in-between..okaylah jugak..for the moment! haha
This is very touching, dear. All those good years, through thick and thin, all started on this date. :)
That bit you mentioned, in the present, where AG is just snoring next to you, that kinda love is something I have the good fortune of recognising too. *hugs*
God that is so sweet that I can't refrain myself from typing this humble comment to you. Am your silent admirer, been reading all along and in fact you, one of some that inspired me to blog. Thanks. And yeah, send my regards to your hubby as well. Take care, Kak Teh.
Waaa jeles la KT at the last part.. i'm missing the snoring as well as the warm feet ;)
I really believe that time spent exclusively with our significant other in some foreign land away from family & friends forges a bond so deep that it'll withstand the test of time again and again :D
Hi Zah,
Gee, How times flies! I supposed at our age, reminiscence of the nostalgic days gone by seems to be a favourite past time & especially hard when it’s on special occasions like anniversaries. My Ah Soh is just like that too (gets all misty eyes too), I supposed it’s a feminine thing to do but if that snorer beside u is anything like me; he does too. On second thought, he’s very much better than me lah, having written a book on his growing up days.
Yes, bidding farewell at airport is the hardest thing to do; I did it only once or twice; thereafter it’s always just easier saying our farewell at parents home only.
So r u both doing anything special for your big day? Anyway all the very best to the both of u.
Cheers,
Tommy
P/S - Not a bad idea to stay home holding hands watching a 'George & Mildrid' dvd...hahaha.
Kak Teh,
I'm sure you'd agree with me that you wouldn't change a single bit of your past even if you could, would you? :)
catch up later!
mamasita, it is only taking stock of the last thirty years. I dont think anyone promise us a bed of roses but I remember promising myself to take each year as it comes and thank God for that extra year.
Like everything else, we have to work at it, kan?
Kenny dear, it has come to a point where without the snoring, I cant sleep! hehe! Have a good time in Beijing and keep well and tweetng!
heliocentrism, thanks for reading and thank you too for the kind words.I will hop over to your blog soon. I never realised the extent of readership and friendship blogs offer and I continue to marvel in the wonders of this cyberworld.
Justiffa, dont la jeles, he will be back soon. well, I believe being away, we have no one else but ourselves and a small circle of friends. that helps.
Tommy yewfigure,at our age there's more of looking back then looking forward. George and mildred sounds exciting but nowadays its masterchef and the repeats. My George is not so much the kind to remember dates, but i still wait for the day when he can surprise me. What is it with men and dates, i mean important dates. If you remember, your ah soh is one lucky one.
Unfortunately, I will be working till quite late that day. but think the children are planning something at a later date.
D, yes, i do want to change something - perhaps the tune and rythm of the snore? hahaha!
Dear Kak Teh,
AG snores???? Now we'll never be able to look him in the eye...heheheh...purrr...meow!
laaaa cat in sydney, on good days its music to the ears, and on bad ones, its a snore! am sure cats snore too. let me ask tabby. Tabby came in from the cold just now, feeling very hungry.
Kak Teh,
You touched me this time too as you wrote about the difficulty of saying goodbye to your mother and ended with the blissfully enjoying the snoring part.
Semuga Kak Teh dan AG bahagia selalu disamping anak anak dan (soon!) cucu cicit.
Happy 30th anniversary Kak Teh. Wishing you many many happy snores... ermmm... I mean years... to come!
happy anniversary kak teh.may your marriage to AG be blessed forever and more... Ameen.
Aaaawwww....you do write so beautifully, Kak Teh. Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary Kak Teh and AG, semoga diberkati Allah.
Such a sweet and touching account. I can imagine how you feel having to leave all the love ones and starting a new journey in your life away from them but with a new love. It is worth it isn't it? With four lovely children and the love of your life. Syukur.
My love and salam to you both. Rindulah...
Just want to repeat what I've written earlier.
You're blissfully married to an ideal husband.
Congrats in advance to the merpati dua sejoli on your 30th Anniversary.
Naz,that scene in th ecar driving to the airport and at Changi airport will always remain with me forever.Before that Kak teh ni selalu dok bawah ketiak mak. Nak buat macam mana kan?
Pi bani, thank youuuuu!!
Puteri, ameeen, and to you and Pak abu too! Oh yesterday met one of your former staffs..will let you know more later.
Madam TTNM, anniversary is next week la, ni baru countdown to soppy entries - haha!
NanaDj, we never planned it to be this long here - but i think no matter what we planned HE determines what's in store for us, kan? Alhamdulillah, sometimes it cabn be tough but we have to try and rough it out. Rindu Insyaalllahm, will let you know.
GUiKP, ish merpati dua sejoli pulak! thanks anyway.
Happy Anniversary dear girl and to AG of course. They (hubbies) always fall asleep at significant moments in our lives.
A very sweet' loving posting - I enjoyed reading it
Ms hamid, i think at this age, we are allowed once a year to feel mushy mushy. But since this is the 30th year, i am allowing myslef more doses of that. Take care.
Salam Kak Teh,
30 tahun! Just had my 10th seminggu yang lalu pada Eid Adha. Memang cemburu dan insya'allah akan berusaha menyaingi KT andai diberi umur.
Setidak-tidaknya I've gone through the seven yrs itch and this one decade milestone.
My 'kata-pujuk' in married life; tatkala pasangan menjengkelkan, lihatlah anak-anak...
Mendoakan kebahagian KT di hari-hari mendatang.
_deli, tahniah! 10 tahun, 30 tahun - semuanya satu pencapaian yg kita harus bersyukur, kan? terima kasih kerana mendoakan kebahgiaan kak teh sekeluarga. kak teh pun begitu juga kpd deli dan isteri.
Amboi Tabby! Dah sejuk-sejuk ni duduklah diam-diam kat rumah. Jangan dok merayap, nanti frozen baru tau! Lagi satu, awat lama tak mai "rumah" kami? We don't snore. Sumpah! Lillah! purrr....meow!
Catinsydney,
nak dengar cerita terbaru Tabby? AG letak cermin mata dia on the computer table. Tabby sat on it - the weight of his body broke the glasses. tapi sayang kucing punya pasal tak marah pun.
I havent been well. Demam panas and am feeling really miserable!
Oh-oh we need to send Tabby to Biggest Loser Cats! heheheh....poor AG! we hope you'll get better soon. We miss you whenever you're in one of your looooong absence mode. purrr.....meow!
catinsydney,am a lot better today after quite a restless night. I think there's quite a lot of it about. ramai yang tak sihat.
you take care and keep warm.
A beautiful one!
Happy Anniversary K.Teh & AG!
Dec 1st is special 4 me too! I passed my viva on that date :)
Ubi, happy vivaversary!!! did it bring back the shivers? I am glad you did it, dr ubi!
All I say, an airport is a good place for shooting emotional scenes for movie. Yes, it is.
*melihat ke luar tingkap dan teringat hari itu. Di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur*
sir pok deng, i agree with you totally! you can let your imagination run thinking about the long lingering goodbyes and the reluctant and half hearted embrace.
Kak Teh - Remembering is good! It brings everything back into perspective. I need to recall a few things too ... :)
Tunku, at my age trying to remember is a real hassle. Thus, I need to blog - sad!
Such a beautiful post woven with loving fingers flying all over the keyboard, from a heart filled with nostalgia, love and gratitude.Thanks, Kak Teh.
Salam
Dear Aunty Z,
Happy Anniversary to both of you. May you always be contented with each other...
Ainun
paula, thanks for reading an old lady's ramble.
ak47 - i think another date at lake club is possible. thanks and lots of love fr both of us - always.
What can I say. One lovely couple, one great life together. Happy anniversary Kak Teh and Abg AG!
Reading this entry reminded me of the journey by one of our great lady in her epic adventure "Ibu Melayu Mengelilingi Dunia". very touching but yet inspiring!
dr sam, that ibu melayu is truly amazing!
Post a Comment