Growing up with Tok Ne

When I'm 7, I had to go back to JB for formal schooling. Then, I was under the care of abang Ngah, my eldest sister A. Dodie and Tok. Living in an extended family is surely an experience. Weekends were spent roaming tok's dusun of pulasan, durian, 8 rambutan trees, lots of fragrant flowers and roman like garden. Furit season are spent camping with brothers at the durian trees, eating rambutan on the tree, fresh pluck. Sometimes weekend were spent catching fish at the drain or playing fresh spring water from Mak Long's perigi with mata air. Lido beach is just a 15 minutes walk from Tok's house and we'd go there with our brothers while they catch Talapia, the girls will either pick up Kepah or swim.

Walking to Sekolah Ugama Bukit Zaharah to save the bus fare to buy Jajan was not only a lesson on budgeting but more of roaming places, learning many new things along the walks. We'd pass through the Hospital tun Aminah's mortuary, plucking kayu manis from its trees at the Istana compound, walk through traditional homes, graveyard with friends. Once I flew with my umbrella, during one windy day, on the way to sekolah ugama tambatan and landed just a few feet from the river. I really believe the sunnah that the farther you explore the wiser you become just like all prophets who were mostly cattle owners. At other times I saved the travelling by cycling on a. Ani's Raleigh bike given by abah for his LCE results. I learnt cycling with my maid Kak June. Later on cycling becomes my errant sending kuih and going to the grocer store. At times end up having sprint with A. Acid to the store and came back with bruised knee. Those scars are still visible.

Raya is the best seasons ever-sending lauk to auntie's house cum collecting duit raya. Not forgetting the mercun time and tarawikh prayers along with the elders at Surau Mahmudiyyah or Surau Atas.....To be continued.