Kak Ani - you will be missed

Amidst the story about my father was hospitalised 2 weeks ago, there's this cousin of mine who had been hospitalised for a long time now. Her name is Ani, or Kak Ani. She is this vibrant woman in her late 30s. I would not call her as a cousin that I am close to, but I could admit that we grew up together in Kampong Talang where we used to go to the parit to catch some tadpoles, we used to go to the same school, and we went to the same atok to mengaji Quran. Yes, our paths have taken us afar not to be that close now. I was not close to my cousins right after we moved to Tanjung Ipoh, the adjacent town.

She was married once and blessed with a boy and then she remarried after the first husband died in accident. Once again, she's blessed with another child who is now close to 2 years. She's rather a nice looking girl - she once sang for the band in Kampong Talang. At that time, she was the talk of town (or rather, the talk of the kampong) for the reason I was sure enough that had to be the fact that a girl should not mix with boys too much, what more to be in a band.

She was hospitalised since last year - in east coast, since they relocated there (her husband hailed from Kelantan). Doctor was not sure what was wrong with her. Only a few days ago I learned that she was suffering from liver cancer and it was already in the final stage. I am sorry Kak Ani. As I said earlier, I was so overwhelmed with my dad. After knowing my dad was doing well, I got to ask my sister about Kak Ani. She said - Kak Ani was already critical and my mom was asked to go to Kuantan Hospital to visit, for doctor was ready to let my aunt to bring her home. That was real hard news.


And at 1:00 PM yesterday (5th May 2008), I received a text - Kak Ani sudah tiada - Kak Ani left us all. Kak Ani left behind her husband and 2 kids. She indeed has left me with the memories of growing up in Kampung Talang - one of the best moments in my life growing up as a kampong boy. To Kak Ani, I would really miss you. I am sorry that we ONLY got to meet during Raya, and there you were; greeting me with smile and ask me "Zul, kerja OK ke? Lama cuti...!" We still lightly joked. I knew, the jokes were a bit orchestrated, but I must admit I was still closer to Kak Ani and her siblings compared to other cousins on my mother's side.

Al Fatihah to Kak Ani :(