Our plan was to try and go for the three weddings, if we can make it in time, and then proceed to Temerloh for the maulid. After the maulid session we planned to drive up to Kerteh to be with Sita and family. It would be late but Sita and Fahrul were made aware of our late arrival.
We went to the Shah Alam wedding first and then went to the other wedding in Melawati. We could not make it to the Gombak wedding as it was already quite late. From Melawati we proceeded to Temerloh.
The madrasah is located some 30 kilometers from the town of Temerloh, in a remote area called Bukit Tekal. We have not been to this madrasah before, hence I thought it would be wiser to go early as I will have to search for the place. It turned out to be quite easy to find. They had banners placed at strategic locations to guide us. By the time we arrived it was already passed 5.00pm and there was already a big congregation. They had prepared a nearby football field for parking and already the field was half full of cars. There were several buses too. I found out later that guests came from as far as Kelantan and Johore.
The maulid function was well organised. There were many religious leaders, from various states in the country and also from Indonesia. The Deputy Mufti of Pahang, or head of the religious department in Pahang, and other state officials were there too. The madrasah building could not hold all the participants and they had tents erected outside. We were lucky as Ram and I could get a place inside the building. The function ended at about 9.30pm followed by dinner. We only managed to leave the place at about 11.00pm. Getting out of that football field parking lot alone took us about half an hour!!
We headed straight for Kerteh, arriving at about 2.30am. The mutton briani I had for dinner kept me awake I think!! It was an easy drive too as there was very little traffic on the road. Sita and Fahrul woke up on our arrival. Najla woke up too but went back to sleep soon after.
We spent only two days in Kerteh as I have to be back in KL for my Retirees Fraternity committee meeting on Tuesday afternoon. The two days were enough for us to spend with Najla, for the time being, as Sita was scheduled to be in Kl the coming weekend. There was never a dull moment with little kids.
Najla likes books and she kept us busy asking us to read her books for her. Sometime she will read the books mumbling her kiddy language as though telling a story from the book. She pulls some surprises too. One time, Fahrul arrived home and we asked her to go and see who was outside. She ran to the door, looked out and shouted 'awak' (that's how Sita calls Fahrul!!). We corrected her and said its daddy. She said awak again and giggled her inimitable giggle.... so cute. We still continue to correct her lest it becomes a habit to her. Whenever I hold the camera she will start posing... and after taking her picture she will insist on seeing the image on the camera. Babang and Dedek also do the same everytime I take their pictures. I guess children behave the same way everytime. Perhaps Haadieya is still too small to bother with pictures as she appeared unconcerned whenever we take her pictures. Najla would also sometime take the camera and say, "tok bah smile" pretending to take my picture, never mind if the camera points to other directions, she will just pretend and giggle. She picks up the phone, say something in baby lingo and giggle... the way her mother speaks on the phone... how adults like us are not to be amused by their imitating behaviours?
We left Kerteh late Monday evening arriving home in PJ just after midnight. We took a very slow and easy drive home. Sita had a meeting in KL on Friday. She flew down with Najla on Thursday and Najla was with us when Sita went for her meeting. The house was again filled with the screams and laughter of the little kid, and of two adults having to now and again say.... please noooo ..... please don't... you will fall down .... you will break it ... and so on. But, as it is, we will not have it any other way. It is always fun with the kids around and we always look forward to it. When we are with Najla we miss the three kids in Bintulu and vice versa.... We are now planning our next trip to Bintulu.... must get into the Air Asia website now....
MKI Ramblings Unlimited
Petaling Jaya
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