What I did during Raya 2.

Here the sequel......

Reached my mother in law's house just about time to assist her to prepare for the berbuka puasa. I was not able to buka puasa with her and my family as I had to rush to my my brother house. This younger brother of mine is married to a KLite and had earlier left for the city after my undertaking to look after my aging parents and a 28 year-old Down syndrome brother during his absence. They have been staying with him after my mother has become partially dependent, not even able to lift a `cerek' despite still being able to move around. On the other hands, as my mother in law is also living alone, then it was only fair for my wife to stay with her mother.

My duty looking after my parents lasted from that Sunday evening (22/10) until the Tuesday Raya morning (24/10) morning after Hilmi '"Apek" and his entourage actually reached home from Melaka. Mind you, Hilmi was my parents favorite's and I was more like a black sheep of the family for being probably the most vocal amongst the siblings. In a way this is quite fortunate as my father choose to follow Hilmi's to the nearby Masjid for Solah Sunat Raya and giving me the chance to take my own sweet time going to hear the Khutbah delivered by Datuk Harun Din. Almost every Raya I would take the opportunity to hear the khutbah from him not so much of his party inclination but for the quality of the khutbah. This year it about the summary of events or groups that deviates from the true Islamic teaching. The khutbah lasted about an hour and it was already eleven morning when I was reunited with my family again to join the Adil Fitri celebration seada adanya.

By the second Raya I was already observing the non-obligatory 6-day Syawal fasting but that has not deter me from visiting all my other siblings and relatives. We were back to SP by the third day Raya, celebration cut short to allow my SPM bound daughter more spaces for the exam. That's for now……..Salam.

P/s...There is actually a lot more to tell esp. when at home together with my parents, they are old and I have to be patient, old parents are sensitve lots...may be another time!