The Johor - Melaka Trip, Part II

Day 2 – Sunday

I really pity my sister-in-law. In her absence, there was one large plastic container filled with unwashed mugs, cups and dirty plates in the kitchen. And I saw a peek of a mountain of yet-to-be folded and pressed laundry in her room. I guess Zsarina can’t be wrong when she imagined that “there'd be millions of Malaysian men (Malay men especially) who would be as helpless as babies (and nowhere as cute) if their housewives suddenly decided to quit taking care of their laundry, food, groceries, household bills and housecleaning”. My brother-in-law is one perfect example of such man.

However, since I could not stand the smell, I did not help out with the dishes except for those newly used ones. And since I didn’t want to intrude her private room, I did not help with the laundry as well. But I tried to keep the house as tidy as possible as we left – with two active kids under 5 years of age, that’s quite a feat. But they say it’s better to have active kids than quiet, inactive ones. “Nakal tandanya cerdik,” or so people claimed.

We were taken to another restaurant in Kota Tinggi for brunch. Hubby had lontong kering once again while I had some too-salty lontong basah. Guess hubby is quite fascinated with lontong kering because they are quite hard to find outside Johor. Abang Nazri suggested trying out the sup tulang – but I had never been keen on soup and hubby thought it’s too early to have soup as he prefers taking soup in the evening or later at night.

Then, hubby and I went on to Ayer Tawar to visit my eldest aunt who’s staying at her eldest daughter’s place. Mak Long used to make really nice tempe, but she had stopped making them ages ago, but still it was nice to be treated to some fried tempe at her place. Or rather, my cousin Kak Jarah’s place. Kak Jarah, or more affectionately known as Abang Aya, is of Mak’s age, but she seems a lot more energetic. She’s really into old-folk care now since she has to take care not only of my Mak Long, but also her husband’s stepmother. Not to mention that she used to take care of her husband’s mother too, until she passed away a couple of years ago.

I really, really respect Abang Aya for I think few women can surpass her strength. Her husband has another younger wife, who could actually be asked to take care of his mother and now, his stepmother. After all, taking care of one’s mother at a later age could be rather taxing. Abang Aya has to deal with Mak Long who could be quite demanding at times. Then, at times, she has to take care of her grandchildren too. Sometimes, Abang Aya even has to babysit her stepchildren when the younger wife was not feeling well and what-nots. Despite the unfair treatment (in my opinion anyway), she gets along well with the younger wife – and oh my, that takes a lot of strength…

Hubby had a one-hour nap while I chatted with Mak Long, Abang Aya and her stepmother-in-law. After solat and lunch, we made our move. Next stop was supposed to be Melaka, my cousin’s place not far from Sungai Udang, but we had some detours first.

First – there was an unscheduled stop in Kulai to meet Lina and Rudy. Lina used to study in Manchester and now a medical doctor working in Hospital Sultanah Aminah in JB. Rudy, her husband, is a Singaporean who used to study in Birmingham. I knew Rudy through Lina, but I am equally fond of both of them. Lina reminds me a lot of myself. So I guess it’s hard not to like Rudy who appreciates her for herself.

We were supposed to meet in Kota Tinggi or JB, but finally decided to meet in Kulai, at Lina’s younger sister’s place. Just nice too, since hubby and I had to pass by Kulai on our way to Melaka anyway (to use the highway). We both missed each other’s wedding, but Lina took Rudy over to my place in PJ not long after her wedding to introduce him to my family (she’s close to my family as well, even calls my father “Ayah” instead of Pakcik or Uncle). She even took Rudy and his family to my in-law’s place not long after my wedding to make up for not attending my kenduri. So, I feel it’s only fair for me and hubby to return her courtesy by visiting her while we were in Johor. I’m glad to note that Rudy and hubby hit it off well too despite meeting for the first time. Upon noticing how deeply in conversation Rudy and hubby were, Lina’s mother asked us when was the last time they met – to which both of us answered simultaneously – that was their first meeting. All is good though – it’s always good to know that one’s spouse is on good term with one’s best friend’s spouse, kan?

Then – there was a detour to Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, to visit hubby’s college friend, Qamarul. Coincidentally Qamarul’s grandpa was not feeling very well, so hubby and I visited the grandpa as well. The old frail man reminded me of my own late Tok Ayah, who passed away when I was sitting for SPM more than ten years ago and I missed being there with him during his last moments on earth. I asked hubby to make du’a for the ailing grandpa and hubby obliged, reciting lots of selawat and du’a as he held the old man’s hand. I made some du’a too, simultaneously making some du’a for my own grandparents.

After treating us to some home-made soup, Qamarul led us back to Ayer Hitam, the famous porcelain and ceramic centre in northern Malaysia. We ended up spending over RM200 on vases (as souvenirs for both Mak and my mother-in-law), artificial flowers, fridge magnets, art stuff and what nots. Since it was already 8.40 p.m. when we arrived, not surprisingly, hubby and I were among the last to exit the shop when it closed at 10.00 p.m.

There were lots of accessories for traditional Malay wedding on sale too. We managed to tease Qamarul about how convenient it will be for him when the time arrives for him to settle down since he can go to a relatively cheap one-stop centre to get most of the things needed for a wedding. Qamarul explained that he hasn’t found a suitable candidate for a wife yet, and hubby said that maybe I could help him there. But then again, I pointed out that he’s only 24 where else my single friends are mostly above 25 years old. He immediately replied that age is not a hindrance, after all Rasulullah wedded Siti Khadijah who was more than a decade older than him – it’s the akhlaq that counts most. I was rather amazed by his quick quip and could not help thinking that the woman who finally marries this guy is one really lucky lass.