He who inspired us.
Today I woke up with aching calves and my head was spinning like crazy. No, I didn’t go clubbing; I was actually helping out my brother in-law (ALONG) moving into his dream house. I call it a dream house because they (my bro & sis IL) build their dream around owning this particular house. Yeah you can say they work their ass off prior to owning what they now can call as their own home sweet home. They just got a new addition to their family, Mohammad Haziq Nazmi and I am so sure they couldn’t ask for more. They are living their dreams, a pair of kids and residing at a beautiful house and they are only 32.
We reached Bukit Mahkota at around 10am. My kaypochi aunt who’s babysitting Haziq eagerly welcome the both of us. "Banyak benda nak buat nih Bang Teh" (that’s how my IL fondly address us, Bang Teh & Kak Teh) True enough, the house was literally in a mess. My hubby and I including another brother IL of mine (he’s fondly called by his niece as Uncle Razif, hey how come I can’t be call as aunty Riena?? Tak best, tak best) worked non-stop. We gather the things according to the functions, types and needs. We vacuumed, mopped, assembled, dismembered, hung the drapes, drilled, you name it, we were working it! It felt like my favourite TV Show ‘While You Were Out’. Surprisingly I discovered my newly passion for power tools and I that I could actually assemble a queen-size bed. My hubby is so proud of me at least now I can prove myself as the functional housewife. And I can do basic plumbing too…
After for about 14 hours sweating our butts off, it was time to go back. And being a true blue Malay with a very good upbringing, Along couldn’t help but to give us token of appreciation in a form of money, and I’m talking about inappropriate amount of money. We knew straight away that we didn’t deserve it (in Malay culture we must try our best to decline the offering as it was a sign of asking for repayment for what we have done) My hubby refused the gesture and who Along targeted next? Me of course! For a while it looked as if Along and I were playing cat and mouse as I was frantically running all over the place and clutched my tote as hard as I could just to ensure the ‘upah‘ won’t get anywhere near me. Then he stopped, his face totally changed. He looked furious and less than impress. The house was dead silent just the way it was when we first got in. Then my sis IL butt in, "Na, ambik cepat. Nanti Along marah." And as if it was a reflex, my right hand retrieved the ‘sampul Raya‘ from his hand, and quickly said Thank You. I felt horrendous. It did not feel right. While the chase was on my hubby had walked to the car (I think that’s his version to escape the gesture) Right after I accepted the gesture the house was automatically enlightened. My niece continued her laughter seeing her chubby aunt being chased by her daddy. My aunt could not help but to giggle and my sis IL continued to breast-feed Haziq while murmuring, "Susah nye nak bagi duit". I, on the other hand felt that I’ve morphed into the smallest rat, deservingly caught in trap lured by a small chunk of cheese. I hate myself for doing what I just did. But I had too. That’s the uniqueness of the Malay tradition. You must, at all cost try your best not to offend anyone especially in the offerings department.
Now, if money is never a concern why don’t he just hire some guys to help him out. They will be more than glad to accept the money. Instead, Along preferred his brothers to be around, that he’s willing to fork out any amount of money as long as the benefit goes to his own flesh and blood. This is not the first time Along had done good things to his family members and even strangers (he bought a bunch of satay for the street kids once). I bet on my hubby’s side anyone who is in need will think of Along. I guess good karma is catching up on him and his wife. And hats off to Along for putting other people’s need beyond his own. I am aspired to be the eldest that my sisters look up to. I want to be able to share with them a good life and a family that they can rely on. And I’m glad that I get to see how Along did it. My husband must have been so proud to have a big brother like him. And now I understand why when it comes to Along, Mama and Abah (my parents IL) are never in doubt.
My journey back home was a quiet one. I think hubby was a little embarrassed that I took the money or simply we were both exhausted. What a day.
As I’m writing off, guess where I’m heading later on?
To get baby Haziq a denim jacket by BabyGAP or perhaps something from Pumpkin Patch, using the ‘upah‘ that I got last night from his daddy dearest. 
Hey you know what they say, what goes around comes around.
Till then peeps.
