Saturday, December 23, 2006

Food in mouth Disease

Ok I have to say I never really know how to handle these sort of issues. So I have to throw it out to you guys, when push comes to shove, when you hear unpleasant things about someone with whom you are close with, do you tell them about what you heard or do you keep it to yourself?

The Xs are the sweetest couple I’ve ever met. They are so kind, so outgoing and so sporting that we found it very easy to hang out with them.

So a few month ago Mrs X went for vacation back in Malaysia without Mr X. And then suddenly a Mr W told us, “I heard a rumour that Mr X has something going on with another woman.”

Confidently we told Mr W, “I don’t think so! Perhaps you thought wrong! Perhaps it someone else? I don’t think its him surely. I’ve been around them and I don’t think he would do that sort of thing.”

Mr W kept it at that but Mrs W told us a story of seeing a certain Ms N, recently divorced asking Mr X to put a bracelet on her. Now I think nothing of that because Mrs X was the one selling the bracelet.

Here comes the foot in mouth part. I don’t know what got into me. After keeping this conversation to myself for months and months I decided to tell Mrs X about the conversation.

In my defence, for me, if anything of that sort was said about me or my beloved to my close friends, I hope they will tell me what they heard. At least so I know who my real friends are and who my enemies are. What I really can’t stand are people who pretend to be nice to me while they spread nasty things about me behind my back. Atleast I know with whom I should stay away from or be careful with.

Mrs X took the conversation well when she was talking with me but I now realize that perhaps what I had told her has affected her more than I thought it would. I had an alarming call from Mr X who told nicely told me please to close this topic and he shared with me, whom he thought the originator of the rumour.

I have to say that I am shocked but not too surprised. But most of all it pains me to hear that the Xs are in pain. Luckily the Ws are no longer here.

I know that its often about the delivery but I’m not sure if I did well on the delivery or not. My intentions were good but I also realize that the road to hell is often paved with good intentions.

May Allah grant the Xs strength and perseverance through this difficult time and may they become stronger.

And perhaps I should just keep my mouth shut next time? I don't know what got into me, too much desert air made me dizzy perhaps?

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Rahmat Allah - Alhamdullilah

Rezeki anakku murah sekali Amin. Semoga Allah sentiasa murahkan rezekinya hingga melimpah ruah sepanjang hayatnya serta berikan dia kesenangan di dunia dan di akhirat. Insyallah.


I got out of the cab. 5 minutes to spare before the shops reopen after the Magrib prayer. The little one was sleepy. It was rather nippy. This winter has been one of the worst.

I was wearing her in my sling. I peered into the glass display of a shop just to look at our reflection to adjust the fabric of my sling.

The lady approached me trying to say something. I didn't quite understand her as she was speaking Arabic.

"Brrrrr," she said.

"Ice."

Ah I understood she was telling me that my baby could be cold. She pointed out that the little one needed a hat. I tried to explain in my non existent Arabic that the little one hates hats and would take it off as soon as I put the hat on.

"Filipini?" she asked me. "Malaysia" I said.

Then she said, "Ta'ali" which I understood as come here.

I don't know what got into me but I followed her towards the corner store selling stockings, underwear, hats and mitts.

She is telling me that I should buy a hat for the little one. Ok. Ok I obliged. So I was trying to make my choice. And I could figure out that she was asking the prices of things to the shopkeeper. And she handed out a hat to me. I put it on the little one to humor her.

And as I was reaching out for my wallet she was telling me, "Hadiah, hadiah."

I was speechless. Flabbergasted. I didn't know what to say. I wanted to tell her no, no need but I didn't want to offend her by refusing and appearing to be ungrateful. I tried my best in my pidgin Arabic to say "Syukran." I wanted to say May Allah bless you with your kindness. But I was just so tongue tied by the generosity and the kindness of a stranger.

I really didn't know what to do. Not being used to such a situation.

May Allah grant the generous lady whose face I didn't see a lifetime of good blessings and may she be granted abundance always.

As for my little one, she still refuses to wear her hat but I do pray that Allah will continue her good fortune throughout her life.