Tale of The Land of No Name - Final

The king of The Land of No Name was very busy making friends with other countries. The once barren land  was now very prosperous land. There are a lot of activities happening, mining, farming, trading and so many other things. These made the people of Land of No Name very happy, and it also attracted people from far and near to migrate to land of no name.

The rulers from the neighboring countries near and far were eager to make friends with the king of the Land of No Name. As times went by, the once empty land were now crowded, and there were shortage of land to build houses.

Even though, the king looked friendly and approachable, he was a shrewd man. He would not entertain anybody who tried to cut him out. The neighboring countries were careful not to upset the leaders of the Land of No Name. They were careful who they sent as an ambassador.

The prosperous land now needs more workers. The current people were not enough to meet the demand from the other countries. There were lots of demands from other countries for the quality goods produced from Land of No Name. To overcome the manpower shortage, the king has asked his generals to hire and encourage other people to migrate to the Land of No Name. So many people took up the offered.

The generous king also welcome those people who left the Land of No Name to come back, and a special treaty was signed between the King and the Prince from the Down Under to bring back some of the skillful people. When the people of Land of No Name heard about the news, they were very happy.

"Hey Jacob!" called Henry. "Micah is coming back. He would be staying at his old place."

"Really? Who else is coming back," asked Jacob, who was hoping that his neighbor would come back.

"I don't know, but I heard there were offers made to them."

"Hmmm... I need to find out. I want my old neighbor back. My new neighbor is not friendly," whispered Micah.

"I know what you mean."

The newcomers to the land of no name brought along their own cultures. This didn't go well with the true people of Land of No Name. The friendly, united and helpful people of Land of No Name tried to welcome these people, but most often they were looked down.

"When are they coming back?" asked Jacob.

"Not sure. I heard lots of negotiation were taking place to bring them back," said Henry.

"I hope they come in soon. I can't wait for them and for this place to be like the old day."

The negotiation between the chosen people and the Ministry of Homeland continued. Finally, the negotiation was settled, and the offered were made. The offers were very good, and most of them didn't turn it down.

When the people of Land of No Name heard this, they were happy for their friends and former neighbors, but deep down they felt that they had been betrayed. For the few years that they had been living under and serving the old Queen and the new King, they didn't get any special treatments. Well, once the chosen and elite group were now no more special. They were just an ordinary people now.

John and Matthew who have been living for years in the Land of No Name were frustrated, but they keep to themselves. One day, John and Matthew were sitting under the tree, near the town square, and  watching the new people working on the field.

"What do you think John?" asked Matthew.

"What do you mean?" replied John.

"Well, those people who coming back with higher pay than us,” said Matthew.

"I'm happy for them," said John, but Matthew could feel the tinged of sadness in John's voice.

"Me too," said Matthew, "but I wish that they consider us too,"

John was silent for quite some time before he answered.

"Nah! If they want us, they would have considered us long time ago," he said. "Well, look at it this way. Few years ago, when they were forced to go with the Prince they suffered, whereas we didn't. So maybe this time, it is our turn to suffer."

Matthew looked at John with horror. "No. No, I don't want to suffer. I must find a way out.”

Well, this is part of life. One moment you are up, and the next moment you are down," said John looking far towards the oats field.

Matthew couldn't accept John's explanation, but he didn't say anything. They continued to sit in silent under the tree looking at the oats fields which were ready for harvest.

"Don't you think we work as hard as those friends of ours?" asked Matthew who still not happy with what happened.

"We did, but others might not see us that way."

John got up and wipes his backside. "Let go. I don't want to talk about it anymore.”

He walked towards the oat fields. Matthew quickly got up and joined John. Both of them were walking towards the field not knowing what to do. As they were passing by a big tree near the edge of the field, they saw a poster. They stopped and read the poster, and then they looked at each other, grinning and together they said, "Yes!".

Boy's Wedding - Day 3

The reception at my sister's house was on 2nd June, one week after the reception at the bride's family. My sister has asked us to come back earlier to help her. Unfortunately, I didn't go back earlier as I planned as I was stuck with some urgent matters that I need to attend to.

On Friday evening, we headed back to Seremban. My husband sent us back first, My husband and Syafiq joined us on Saturday morning. Before hitting the highway to Seremban, we made few stops at the shop selling "baju melayu" looking for silver color baju melayu for Zaki. He was the "bunga manggar"'s boy, and since the color theme is silver, we need to get a pair for him.

Unfortunately, none of the shops have silver baju melayu that fit him. My hubby then decided to go back to the house to get the baju melayu from the last raya. By the time, we reached Seremban it was almost maghrib and I called my mom to make sure that the house was not locked.

After the prayer, we went to my sister's house. Everything was ready, There was nothing much left for us to do except chit chatting. My sister cooked a simple meal for dinner, but it was so good that it was not enough. She has to get the maid to cook some more. Oh ya! Two doors away from my sister's house, a special prayer was held. Her neighbor passed away during the day.

After dinner, we went back to my mom house, and all the kids decided to sleep at my mom house. So you can imagine how noisy is the house. They played all kind of games in my mom's small abode. I tried to get Zara and Zaki to go to bed earlier, but they pretended not to hear or see me. At 11pm only, Zara came and said she's sleepy whereas Zaki cut his thigh. After cleaned up the wound, all three of us called it a night, Amir was still going strong watching TV with his aunties and uncles.
The next morning, everybody woke up earlier than usual. Breakfast was ready by the time I went to the kitchen, and it was fantastic. It was a home cooked breakfast, but some were purchased from restaurants and stalls. By 10am, most of us were already heading to our sister's house except for mom, Arda and Zali who were waiting for the bride's side. The newlyweds were using my mom's place for them to rest and to get ready for the reception.

At 1pm, the newlyweds arrived. They stopped 7 houses away from my sister's house. The flower girls and the bunga manggar boys and the photographers quickly join the newlywed. Little Mariam, the youngest and cutest flower girl, was still sleepy when her mom dragged her out to be with other girls.

The short walked was enough to make Mariam opened up her eyes and joined the other flower girls. She was happy holding her basket of flowers. There was no "silat pencak" at my sister house. So when they reached the house, they were directed to the dias ("pelamin") inside the house.

After they had settled on the "pelamin", the "merenjis" (blessing) events started. This time I got to do the blessing too. In returns, I was given the "telur bunga paha".

The bride's side and the newlyweds were then invited to have their lunch after the blessing. My sister Zura was in-charge at the high table. She was busy coordinating and ensuring everything in place.

The wedding ceremony came to the end when the newlyweds cut the cake. After the cake cutting session, it was the photography session. But before the photography session, the four parents sat together. It was the moment when the bride's parent requesting my sister and my brother in law to treat their daughter as their own, and to guide her. Heh! Will I get to do that for my little girl? Insya Allah.

During the photography session, everyone wanted to capture the happy moment. To Boy and Ain, congratulations! Selamat Pengantin Baru.

Boy's Wedding Day 2 - Part 2

After the akad nikah, the bride’s family invited us back to their place for some refreshments. Well, it was past the lunch time, and everyone was hungry. So we were happy to get the invitation.

The bride’s house is not far from the  surau. It was about five minutes drives. When we reached there, the place was packed with guests having their lunch. Since it was a hot day, everybody was trying to find shaded place to park the car. I was lucky to get to park my car under the rambutan trees, but the red ants army was on the trees. I told my kids to be careful.

Across the road, there are many durian trees with fruits hanging on it. The young kids, my kids especially, were excited because they never seen durian trees before, and the adults were excited hoping that we could get to eat durian too. But, unfortunately, the durian fruits decided to stay up on the tree.

There were also a little stream next to the road, and guess what? Little Mika rushed to the stream, but before he reached there, his maid managed to grab him. Otherwise, he would be swimming in that little stream.

Before we walked to the tent, we were told that we would be served twice. “Twice?” I said. I happily walked to the food and helped my little girl first before I filled up my plate. The food was good especially the desserts. I love the bubur pulut hitam, the cakes, cookies and all other sweet things that they served.

After we had our  lunch, we regrouped at the house where we parked our cars. Actually it was just next door to the bride’s house. My nephew got ready for the bersanding. He only needed to change his headgear and samping. When he was ready, we again stands under the hot sun behind the groom who has the best man holding an umbrella for him.

Together with us was the kompang boys who were playing kompang, and standing fifty feet away was the bride, waiting for the groom. We walked towards the bride, and when my nephew reached his wife, they stood next to each other and walked to the bride’s house for the bersanding.

I thought they would walk straight into the house, but before we reached the door, there was two chairs put side by side facing the guests. The bride and the groom were seated there for the guests to see them and also for the bersilat event, which the guy who performed silat welcomes the newlyweds.

After the bersilat, they went inside the house, but I decided to sit outside as my back was slowly giving me some pain. The bersanding is the event where the bride and the groom sits on the dais and the relatives members and friends will pay respects and wish them congratulations. Those who pay the respects will be given bunga telor as a thank you from the newlyweds.

Once the bersanding over, we were invited again to have our lunch. We were placed at the special tents where specially prepared food for the newlyweds was served. I didn’t eat the rice, but I did enjoy the fish, the kerabu mangga and the vegetables. Again, they have nice desserts. We were given a telur pindang. The telur pindang was packed in the nice container.

At 3pm, we made our way back to the neighbor's house, ready to go back to Seremban, but for me, I have to rush backed to Bangi as I wanted to see Syafiq who came back from his one week stays in UNITEN.

The drive back was smooth except when we reached the Senawang – Seremban stretched. It was jam. I made a quick exit at Port Dickson tol and took LEKAS to head back to Bangi.

On the way to LEKAS highway, we passed by my old school King George V, and I proudly pointed to my kids that the school was an old school and also the only school during my time to have a swimming pool. They didn’t believe me.

By the time, I reached Bang I was very tired and sleepy but happy that (a) I made it home safely, (b) saw my son, (c) bought some clothes (d) enjoyed the trip to Tangkak.

Boy's Wedding - Day 2 Part 1

Day 2 Part 1- At Tangkak

Everyone woke up early. My kids were very excited to see their cousin getting married. My niece knocked on my door and asked us out for breakfast. Everyone was ready except for of the teenagers who decided that the pillows were better than breakfast.

My brother in laws and my sisters have scouted the place for breakfast earlier. It was about a kilometer from the D'Anjung Inn. As we passed by, we were impressed with the big bungalow houses at the area.

My sisters have chosen a roadside stall for us to have breakfast. The place, which was previously empty, was full of us. All the tables were occupied except for one table, which we left for other people. The curry puff, popiah, roti canai were the favorites among us. Oh! The breakfast was also free. Thanks to my niece, Fara and her friends, who decided to treat us for breakfast.

Fara, Terima kasih daun keladi. Lain kali boleh lagi, ya.

Since we have to check out by 12, I spent my morning packing my things and also showed my mother in law the clothes that I bought the previous night. Luckily, there was not many things to pack. While I was busy packing, my Along came and wanted to discuss something with me.

My mom in law was in the room, so I left and joined her in her room. When I went there, my brother in law was eating 'durian', and I joined him.

In our discussion, we also decided to keep two rooms for late checked out. After my discussion, I went back to finish up my packing, and got ready for the akad nikah event.

By 11.40am, everybody was ready to go. My bags were already in the car. Amir, suddenly becomes a big brother. He helped to carry the bag to the car, and took charged of his younger sibling.

Before we headed to the surau, my nephew came down to his mom room looking for help. Yeah! No matter how old you are, you will always look for mom for advised or help.

He came down with his songket samping and asked my sister why the threads are not even and smooth. My sister looked at it and turned the samping inside out. Heh! He got it wrong. Nervous maybe! We just smiled and left him to get ready.

Since the akad nikah is scheduled to be at 12pm, we left the Inn just before 12pm, and all the cars convoyed to the surau. When we reached there, there was no one greeting us. After waiting for a few minutes, finally someone from the area came and invited us in. We laid all the seven gifts and waited for the bride.

My nephew looked nervous and anxious. Nervous, as he has to go through the akad nikah, and nervous because the bride's side was still not at the surau We took the opportunity to take pictures with the groom. After about ten minutes, then the bride's family came, and then the imam.

For the akad nikah, they have prepared a special cushion for the bride and groom to sit. It was placed next to the imam in front of everyone. The imam called my nephew to sit next to him. Joining him were witnesses to the akad nikah and also the best man and my Bang Ngah and Zali.

The imam opened up his laptop and crossed checked some of the data on the forms. When I saw that, I just went, "Whoa!". Everything is now all linked up via technology. By this time, the bride has still not come. After waiting for few more minutes, the bride appeared, and I can see my nephew was relieved.

Before the akad nikah started my mother cried. I didn't ask her why she was crying, but the only conclusion that I can make is that she is happy to see her favorite grandson getting married, and at the same time feel sad that my father was not with us to see my nephew getting married.

When everybody had settled down, the Imam started by greeting us with”Assalamualaikum’ and proceeded to recite few verses from the Quran and later translated and explained to us the meaning.

Once he has finished the tazkirah, the bride's father got up and walked to the groom and sat in front of him. The bride's father was going to marry off his daughter to my nephew. For the benefits of everyone, both wore microphones so that everyone can listen to the wedding vow.

At this stage, my sister cried. Two days earlier, she shared with me that when she her daughter married, she was very happy to receive a son in law, but when she going to get a daughter in law she felt a little bit sadness.

As part of the akad nikah ritual, my nephew holds his father in law hand in a handshake manner. When all ready, everybody was quite. Then the father in law recited the akad and my nephew answered the akad in one single breath. Once done, the Imam then asked the witness whether the vow was accepted. All the witnesses agreed.

My nephew was relieved as he only needs to go through single vow. There is an occasion where some of the nervous groom will have to repeat the akad multiple times until the witnesses accept the vow.

The Imam then asked my nephew whether he wanted to perform ‘sujud syukur’ before he continued with the rest of the ceremony. My nephew nodded, and proceeds to do that. After my nephew had finished with the sujud syukur, the imam called him and his wife to sit facing each other.

Then, the imam passed him a taqliq for my nephew to read. Taqliq is a declaration from the man to the wife. It said that if he goes missing for four consecutive months without leaving any news of his whereabouts and doesn't give anything to the wife, money and other things, the marriage will be dissolved. This declaration was read in front of the wife so that the wife will know her rights.

My nephew and his wife then signed all the papers, and he proceeded to hand over the mas kahwin or dowry of RM1000 to his wife before putting the wedding ring on her finger. His wife then kissed his hand.

To be continued.