The Other Side of A Reunion

by mzauri@pc.jaring.my

“Malam ASPUTRA 2009”, that was the theme given for a reunion dinner hosted by the Alumni of Sekolah Menengah Sains Tuanku Syed Putra, Kangar, Perlis on July 4^th, 2009. It was held at Hotel Singgahsana, Petaling Jaya. Former students of the school starting from the SPM Batch 1976 until the latest batch, came from all over Malaysia, hoping to meet long lost friends, honouring their former teachers who were responsible, at least partly, for making them what they are now and enjoying the good food, good music and good company.

As I glanced around the hall, I could see happy faces, faces in tears (tears of joy), a lot of handshakes, a lot of hugging and a lot of cheek kissing. I could hear a lot of laughter, a lot of shouting and a lot of crying (cry of joy). Forget about good food, forget about good music and forget about the speeches! They just want to be together, they just want to hear the stories of their friends, the adventures that they had, their trials and tribulations and their triumphs. They would like that night to be a never-ending one. Some groups even held post-dinner gatherings at the coffee house of a well known hotel nearby or at “Kedai Mamak” opposite that hotel. The laughters could be heard until the early hours of the morning.

Walking away from “Kedai Mamak’s” table to start my journey back to where I came from was very hard. My pace was very slow and my body felt weak, showing the resistance to part company with my friends, some, whom I have not seen for more than thirty years! My mind started to wonder around.

I thought about those who attended the dinner. For those who live around Klang Valley, some came in chauffer-driven luxury cars, some in spouse-driven family cars and some car-pooled. For those who live outside the valley but made a point to attend the dinner, there are some of them who came by public transportation. I noticed that whatever transportation that were mentioned, all of them received the same enthusiatic handshakes, the same power hugs and the same pressure cheek-kissings among themselves. This is what you get when the friendships are based on sincerity and lillahi ta’ala.

Khushairi and I had the privilage of accompanying two former teachers, Cikgu Baharom and Cikgu Munir, to the reunion. The moment we arrived at the teachers’ houses to pick them up, we could observe the teachers’ enthusiasms, looking forward to meet their former proteges. Travelling from Kangar on PLUS Highway to PJ with the two of them really made the journey enjoyable. A lot of historical stories about our school, our teachers and the students were made known to us, some stories, we have never heard before! However, in between their stories, both of them kept on repeating how excited they are to meet all of us.

Being able to attend the reunion, made me consider myself to be very lucky. There were a number of my friends who made plans to attend the much awaited event, however, when the reunion came, they were unable to do so. I felt sorry for Azizi Ahmad Termizi, his medical review (wrist fracture) the day before the reunion did not permit him from attending (it seemed similar to EPL where you have to pass your fitness test before playing for the club). Dino, too, made an effort to come, but in the end, could not do so. Everybody who were able to attend wondered how it would be if ALL of us could come. That will be THE DAY (OR NIGHT!).

Those who were able to attend had their own stories, too. First, I would like to mention Cikgu Munir’s predicament. When Khushairi invited him to the Reunion, he said that he could not confirm immediately. Later, we learnt that his wife is partially paralysed. His attendance would depend on his son’s ability to get leave from work to take care of his wife during his absence. That night… there he was entering the hall, dressed smartly in light blue coloured batik shirt, smiling as if nothing was bothering his mind.

During the weeks leading to the reunion, I had heard stories of those whose, either spouses or family members, having long term illnesses but carried on the reunion promotion without any hesitation on their part. They politely declined when I asked their permission to mention their names. Were we lucky enough to be able to attend the reunion calmly and peacefully?

After the reunion, those who were from the valley would have been in the arms of their loved ones as early as midnight. Others would have to wait their turn, either later in the morning or afternoon or even evening the day after. The choice for the location might be tied to the addresses of the majority of the alumni members, however, everybody made a point to attend, wherever locations they might be settling in.

Lastly, that early hours of the morning, before I entered through the automatic doors of the hotel I was staying, I could still hear my wife’s voice persuading my youngest daughter, Deqda, “Abah have been working from our own home all this while. Now, let us give him some time to spend with his friends”. Dearest Ina, thank you so much for that kind and considerate words. I really appreciated them. May Allah rewards you for your kindness and sincerity.

“SEE YA, NEXT YEAR”

Taking A Break @ Genting Hill View Resort

28-6-2008 & 29-6-2008

Two and a half hours after parting with Munif at Desasiswa Bestari, Muadzam Shah, Ina, Deqda and I arrived at Genting Hill View Resort. The resort is about 12km from Genting Highland (GH) and it's elevation is much lower than GH. This was a scheduled stop and a part of our itinerary when we planned our trip to send Munif for UNITEN Registration Day. Click HERE for previous posting. It was supposed to act as a resting day for the drivers (that's me and Ina) before continuing our journey back to Perlis. Although there was air conditioning device inside our room, we hardly switched it on because the surrounding tempreture is cool.

Munif as a UNITEN Undergraduate

It's been exactly a year now since Munif registered as a UNITEN undergraduate at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Campus, Muadzam Shah, Pahang. I could still remember the instant our Gen-2 entered the township of Muadzam Shah, my first thought was "This is the perfect place for Munif to study." However, I was 100% sure that Munif would not concur with my opinion.

The gathering place was the Main Auditorium. The lobby was packed. In one corner, there was a grandma in tears being consoled by her granddaughter who was holding a UNITEN registration folder. Beside the Main Entrance, a pair of three years old twins playing "Police and Thief", whilst their eldest brother, in UNITEN formal dress code was trying to calm them down.

After a short briefing, we were instructed to go to Desasiswa Bestari, an apartment complex for male undergraduates. Munif was assigned to a 2 rooms apartment, DB5-00-05. His roommate was Abe (Business Studies from Klang, Selangor). Makyo (Business Studies from Ipoh, Perak) and Ajeem (Business Studies from KL) were the occupiers of the other room. Although he was the only Accountancy undergraduate in the apartment, Munif seemed contented. I have known Munif as a person who is not choosy when it comes to making friends.

Before we left, we helped Munif to unpack his belongings. I also helped Munif to identify the best spot for his "Blue Cube". When it was time to part company, we were taken aback when Munif rested his head on his mother's shoulder and shed tears. I understood the situation because this was the first time ever, Munif would be far from home and away from us. I and my wife had agreed not to reveal our real emotion in front of Munif, trying to mitigate the impact of being separated.

I felt I was right in bringing Deqda to her brother's registration day at the UNITEN although she had to skip two days of classes. I hope, from the atmosphere, she will be more determined to follow the footsteps of Kak Long (an undergraduate at UIA) and Abang Munif.

Flood Experience

Several months after Kak Long was born, we became flood victims. That night of heavy rain, with water level kept on rising, I didn't sleep a wink. For every half hour, I would go out of the house and observe the water level. At about four o'clock in the morning, the water level finally stop rising. The stop level was less than a foot from our floor (our rented house was on high ground but less than 1000 meters away from Sungai Pahang. Later, I was told that it was the back-flow of Sungai Pahang that caused the flood.

With no electricity and non-stop rain, we couldn't clean our everyday clothings on time. However, more importantly, Kak Long's cotton sheet diapers (at that time disposable diapers are a luxury) couldn't be cleaned on time. Furthermore, Kak Long’s milk powder was running low. It was up to me to go to Temerloh town to get disposable diapers and our food supplies. The road leading to town centre was submerged right from day one of the flood. Travelling in group (a few of our neighbours did joined in) for security reason, we started the journey through the woods and hills. My one month training stint at Pasir Panjang (Negeri Sembilan) Outbound School helped me tremendously. The 3 kilometer road distance now becomes 5 kilometer. We have to avoid deep waters at some stretches by following longer bypass routes.

At times, I would wonder, how my two love ones were doing back in the village. Were they alright? Were they in fear? I nearly backed out and returned to them. Images of their smiling faces kept appearing in my mind, pulling my tired body, like a magnet, to return to them. "Hey Zauri! Pull yourself together. You have to be patient and steadfast. They NEED you to be patient and steadfast.” said the inherent Mr. Positive Personality. “Alright! Alright!” replied his counterpart, Mr. Negative Personality. This kept on going inside my mind throughout the long and sinuous journey.

Seeing the roof top of Centre Point Hotel, Temerloh (the tallest building in town) in between the trees quickened the pace of my footsteps. Opposite the hotel was my destination, Temerloh Supermarket. With my hands shaking out of the excitement, I zipped open the side pocket of my back-pack and took out the shopping list that was prepared by my wife the night before. Once again, upon seeing my wife’s hand writing, I wondered again about the well being of my two love ones I left behind nearly two hours ago…

On the return trip, we unanimously agreed to hire a boat. With all the goods we bought from the supermarket, we had no choice. Everybody in the group chipped in a few ringgit and handed over the money to one ever-smiling, young “instant” entrepreneur.

On the last bend around a rambutan tree, I could see my wife standing in front of our house, wearing light pink round neck T-shirt and batik sarong, carrying Kak Long who was wearing her favourite Mickey Mouse shirt. Upon knowing that I was among the boat passengers, both of them waved excitedly, as if welcoming a warrior who had just returned from a fiercely fought battle.

Memories: Family "Berbuka Puasa"

Three days before 1429 Hijrah Aidilfitri celebration, we hosted a family "Berbuka Puasa" at Putra Brasmana Hotel, Kuala Perlis. The gathering was attended by my mother, my parent-in-laws, my younger brother and his family members, my brother-in-law and his wife, my sister, my sister-in-law and all my children. It was the first time in 2008 that all my family members were back together again since Kak Long left for UIA Kuantan to start her 2nd year Dentistry and Munif left for UNITEN Muadzam Shah to start his foundation year in Accountancy. In addition, my sister-in-law, Nor Atikah, came back for the holidays after leaving Perlis to start her new career as a tutor in one of the private colleges in Seremban. In other words, it was also a family get-together after a few months being separated.