Happy Birthday Aizat

My feeling was 'over the moon' on being around to celebrate my eldest grandchild's birthday bash on the eve of his 17 year of age last evening. It was done on a very modest scale.

We were the earliest guest, arriving during Maghrib. Soon after the others joined in. It was sort of a close nit All In The Family Garden Party – attended by Grandpas & Grandmas, uncles and unties together with Aizat's 4+3+1+2 first cousins and also his 3 sisters.

According to the law - Aizat would reached the age of majority on his next birthday. A shift to adulthood; hence the simple celebration. No balloons, no fanfare, no normal handout of birthday kits for the kids to spoil themselves. I was certain it was planned that way by his Mummy and Abah.

Only that, ( I observed ) the birthday cake had this 'symbolic overture'. I have yet to ascertain.

Between Grandpa and His Grandson, me and Aizat had this small 'open' secret. As a grownup, like any other kids Aizat aspires to drive..... He told me this in not so many words. I advised him; firstly he need to have a valid driving licence before being allowed on the road. He could get himself enrolled at a Driving Institute after his coming Exams. I promised him to persuade his Abah & Mummy if they are against the idea.

'Aizat!!....Its a model of a car. A mini cooper?' I exclaimed as the birthday cake being brought forward. 'Aizat.... now TokBabah can assure you that you are going to have what you have been expecting for. Only that you have to give your very best shots for your forthcoming SPM exams. Make your Abah, Mummy, your siblings and all of us proud of you; gratitude would fill your days.'

Now for entertainment – a debut performance by the birthday boy himself singing and playing the guitar. Tok Babah was lost for words. It was 'like' only yesterday I drove you (as a tiny tot) around Kelana Jaya; with frequent stops at someone front gates to intimidate their guard dogs. Together we enjoyed responding to the angry barking and howling of those agitated canines. Then we proceed on and on, saying 'meow' to any cat 'purring' from brick gateposts. Spontaneously we giggles together. At a point TokBabah nearly drove the car into a drain...ha..ha..ha.

It was those little adventures we had together, a secret Tok Babah cherishes. Of course you don't remember the frequent drives we had, as you were too small then and just learning to walk. In the first place TokBabah should not have taken you for the drive. I did so, because I did the same to your Abah when he was a tot of your age, only he was placed on a special rattan chair hung suspended on the front seat of my old Borgward Arabella, TokBabah's and TokMama's first car.

(You cannot find Borgward Sporty car models on Malaysian road nowadays. Those days only a handful of Borgward Arabella sporty supermodel car could be found on the Malaysian road. Tok Babah was proud to own one.)

So Aizat, happy birthday. Now that you are 17, you and I can talk man to man. I hope your Abah would do the same to you.

We love you earnest and TokBabah & TokMana always pray to ALLAH for your better health, and successful future.

With All Our Loves -

TokBabah&TokMama

AMAN RIMBA

It was Friday evening on the 2^nd October 09. We arrived at Aman Rimba - Private Estate, before dust.

Sabri & Wati were on hand to receive us.

Before we could finish our eidfitri greetings Sabri had already 'jockeyed' my car to a small parking space close by.

Next follows the welcome drink, all in the tradition of a luxury hotel.

The dinner invitation includes an overnight stay at their vast private estate. We were immediately checked in to a posh villa overlooking a big fish pond, instead we opted for a smaller chalet by the swimming pool.

Shortly after jemaah maghrib prayer at the newly built surau we were ushered to a specially laid out private dinner table for 10: 'the menu of complete western cuisine to be presented by our new chef.'

Over the years Aman Rimba had transformed to be an exclusive private estate in the green luster of Janda Baik. It was a mixture of traditional and modernity outlook. Sort of an up-market private resort. It took them 13 years to realize a dream, putting in place their personal touches - I believe inspired by their holidays in Bali sometimes early 1997. Honestly I remember having a glimpse of their proposed rough drawing concept some 13 years ago. (Mind you, this old man rarely forget).

It was customary for the guest to give a speech after a sumptuous dinner. I felt honoured to be allowed to. In my short thanksgiving speech, I reminiscenced how we stumbled on Aman Rimba piece of property.

It was on a hot afternoon in 1996*. Sabri was taking me for a round trip to this rustic corner tugged in a hilly remote Bukit/Genting Sempah of Selangor/Pahang border– some 30 kilometers away from the bustling Kuala Lumpur.

Enthusiastically Sabri drove me to almost every nook and corner of Janda Baik. He showed me a couple of vacant plots he loved to own, but failed in all his bits. Like a child craving for a play toy, Sabri narrated his bitter feelings. I was hooked and sympathized with him.

At a point, while we were at our last stop by a running stream Sabri eagerly wanting to check with the owner of a house on the opposite bank for any vacant plot nearby for sale. The house looked empty, but Sabri was convinced the owner was around as there was a thin burning smoke at its compound. It was already late and I felt tired and thirsty. Out of desperation, I pointed to a nearby connecting lane running west parallel to the river. I said; ' Sabri, trust me, your piece of property is at the end of that lane.'

Called it fixated or possessed, Sabri quickly reversed the four wheel drive and drove up the trail to the end. We stopped at a blockage. Right in front was a green meadow.

It was a 'rezeki jatuh keriba'. ALLAH's willing, on that very evening we struck a deal with its owner. Weeks later Sabri & Wife owned the said property which they affectionately named AMAN RIMBA.

Selamat Hari Raya.

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*Note: On the 3rd or 4th week Shawwal 1417 - exactly 13 years to this date.