Covid19 Lockdown D14
*TheDeathofStalin
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| My second elder sister with my older brother. |
She wasn't supposed to be adopted by papa. She was already booked by the matron at the Sg. Buloh orphanage. But because papa was a welfare officer back home, he had the privilege to adopt any child he wants.The British accorded papa the honour because of the tireless work he does for the old and helpless. The brief to him and the intention of the visit was to choose a male orphan to be his heir.
He chose a female instead and hence we have my wonderful and loving second sister. She was a welcome nanny for us kids. She played with us even when she had housework to do and she had the unenviable task of herding the kids to their meals, homework, housework and the inevitable baths.
My papa was a sucker for beautiful girls but in this instance he picked a female mainly because she wasn't an infant like all the boys were. Infants are harder to raise. To being home a boy would mean extra work for Abu to tend to a new infant. So a slightly more grown up little girl worked out real fine for us. We love her and she cares for us just the same.
She was a great companion to Abu at our large homestead and around the house. And a fun nanny to us kids. Also she's easy to bully. We seldom have to because she's so sweet, she even digs our ears wax periodically. She has natural motherly instincts.
And soon enough she was betrothed to one of the nicest man on earth. A meter reader from LLN Kuala Pilah. A man whose manners are as gentle as his looks. There couldn't have been a better man for my second sister. Every year days before Chinese New Year he would bring new year goodies to our house which would always include a live bird. These he would carry by hand riding the local bus and walking as far as it takes to deliver his annual tribute.
As if not enough with the delicious supplies and meats he brings he would take off his shirt and promptly proceed to do gardening and any manual work required around the house. What a man. My second sister's husband.
They have three children. Girl. Boy. Girl.
My brother in law died fairly young of a heart attack leaving behind a modest wooden house with ample land by and beyond a river with a bamboo grove for his surviving family.
Every Chinese New Year, our families would pay my sister a visit and spend our first day with her and her family. Her filial son, a competent cook cum school teacher would always surprise us with modern dishes using his creativity and culinary skills. He apparently acquired his cooking skills from his father who was masterful in his time. After a long lunch, we would linger around the kitchen table and share stories with my sister, sampling her cakes & cookies over copious cups of Chinese tea.
We simply enjoy these rare moments sitting together and adoring my sister seeing her well, wishing her health and longevity. And all feeling happy seeing her happy. I was especially touched just last CNY, when I visited her sans family except for Aunty. She was visibly concerned for me in my separation from my family and about how I was doing. She even gave me a huge angpow to 'help'. I was devastated by her kind gesture. It just told me two good things: she's doing fine financially and that she really cares for me. Then I realised she is the only closest living relative I have left. Without saying anything about her worries for me, I have never felt so much love and understanding from a family member. She was quietly grieving with me. She feels my loss. I don't feel alone anymore.
My sister now almost eighty has continued to live there in continued health with two of her three children.
Did I say during my last visit she looked happier, more radiant with smooth complexion and her recent cataract operation allows her to see better?
If ever you're in Kuala Pilah do drop by her house for a cup of tea and find out her name. She's likely to gift you something to grow from her farmland.
Stay tuned. Literally.
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