Penned Down #30: Umi Kalsom Abdul Rahman

Dear Earthlings (and disguised Spacelings),

'1952 to 2013'

I am still finding words to convey this news on this blog. I kept writing but deleting them for I could not find the right way to start this post. Anyway, this is my side of story. It was nearing midnight to our 4th anniversary when suddenly The Hubster got a call from his brother. The conversation was only a minute quick and when he hung up, I asked him why. His face was all confused.

"Mak passed away," He answered in short; still with a blurring face.

I jumped out of the bed; trembled and all cold.

"Pack our clothes," He ordered and started taking out our bags.

At that instant, I felt like choking and gasping for the air. I ran to Mom's room and knocked her door like mad. Told her what happened and Mom started crying. I then ran back to our room and packed our stuffs randomly. My mind was all blank. I could not think of any proper way to pack our bags like I usually did. I just stuffed in anything I saw in the closet.

While packing things, I asked him to call anyone in Klang just to reconfirm the news. He called the house and that was it; Mak has really passed away just a few minutes before. We quickly grabbed our bags and headed to Klang at 12 midnight of our anniversary. I did not cry back at home; so did The Hubster. Maybe we were too shocked.

Only after we were just leaving the town, we finally realized that Mak is now gone. Both of us burst into tears. It was my first time to see The Hubster broke down and sobbed like a child since we have been together. He was never a cry person; so did I. I only cry when I feel abused or being treated unfairly. I guess I never cried for anyone's death since I live for 27 years, except for Puteh my cat.

We reached my PIL's house at 2.30 a.m, only to see lots of people were wandering at the house porch. My both hand and feet felt numb instantly; I did not have any courage to step inside. I hold tight to The Hubster's shirt while we walked. It felt like a dream to see the covered body of Mak lay down in the middle of living hall. Mak has really gone.

'Taken during our reception in Klang of December 27th'

It was my first time to hug Ayah ever since I was married to The Hubster. It hurt me to see how Ayah was sniveling all night long while he recited the Quran beside Mak's body. During their 42 years of marriage, he had never left Mak alone when he was traveling. They were never being apart for more than 24 hours. It could be said that Mak and Ayah were the most loving couple I have ever seen in life.

Praise be to Allah SWT, for Mak's funeral was all smooth and quick. Alhamdulillah, I was given the opportunity to bath her for the first and last time. It is just that I can't believe that tomorrow marks the 7th day since Mak has left all of us. Until this very minute, I still have a feeling that Mak's death is all dream. This is one loss too deary to everyone in the family.

Al-Fatihah to my late mother-in-law, Hajah Umi Kalsom.