About a couple of weeks ago, a dear old aunt of Papa passed away. When Papa was much younger- around the kiddies age right now, he used to spend a lot of time over at that aunt’s place, whenever he was in Singapore. There were many fond memories. Sadly, the older Papa got the less chances he got to visit.

Well, Papa was at the Dusun that Sunday morning when he got the call that Mak Odah was at her death bed in the hospital. She was admitted the night before. Papa wanted to go, but he had some errants to run, while Emma was away. Later that afternoon, while on a short stop at Ayer Keroh, he got the call that she had passed. It was funny, that morning before he even got the fors call, Papa had this strange feeling of dread- of death, and he was feeling somewhat down, with everything that was going on.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, Aunty Rin went on behalf of the family with Kakak Siti. Papa thought about going on Monday, but thought it better to accompany Emma when she came back. Mak Odah was Emma’s elder sister. So yesterday morning Emma asked Papa if we could make the trip. So her we are.

Mama couldn’t follow as she had her exams today- hope she does well. The kiddies only found out about the trip this morning. Papa intended to go alone; but Emily, as always, got her way with her Papa. The other two were convinced that it was a better idea to stay in KL with Mama, as tonight there’s Aunty Meen’s open house and tomorrow is Baby Adam’s birthday party at Serendah.

Papa is a bit sad to have his other kids away, but at least they can keep Mama company. Haris was told he was the man of the house and he needed to take care of Mama and Alisha. He looked sad no to follow but took on the task Papa put to him. Good boy!

Papa was relieved that Alisha didn’t cry, because he wouldn’t have known what to do then.

Emily is at least having fun meeting up with her cousins Sara and Haziq. We arrived at about 12:30 after leaving KL at 9:30. Papa probably got at least 1 summons… haha.

We’ll be visiting the pusara tomorrow morning, as Papa is a bit unfamiliar with the new cemetary complex in Singapore, and need someone to guide him. Well, more tomorrow. Papa isn’t feeling very upbeat right now- there something troubling his mind…

Haris is officially 6 today (well, by Gregorian calendar any way). Papa hopes that you’ll stay being dashing, sensitive and caring; the way you are now. Next year, will be a whole new chapter with starting Primary 1, and all.

For this year at least, you’ve picked up a new skills- roller blading (the latest), recitation of the simpler ayats and doas. Perhaps you can finally follow Mama and Papa to Terawih Prayers this coming Ramadhan. That’ll be a big step…

Anyway, we had a joint advance party last Saturday, and the pictures can be found following this link: – Gallery- Haris & Shahira’s Party.

The best bit of the party was when this cheeky boy was about to cut his cake- he announced to all gathered that he was going to cut Ben10′s “pet-pet”. How obscene!

We had it all planned out for quite some time. We even had a fake discussion for Mama to overhear on what to get her for her birthday. A framed picture of us! “A frame? Tak nak! Tak original langsung!” came the feedback.

On the 4th November, Aunty Zaila threw Mama a birthday party. It was also a birthday party for Inez cum a Raya open house. We stayed until quite late because it was also raining cats and dogs. Cut the day’s worth of stories short- Shahira decided to have her first sleepover at a non-relatives house that night. She caught up with Misha and they seem to click well. Of course there was the complaint that my daughter was ‘speaking-speaking’.

One of the pressies that Inez got was Angel Wings- which caught Shahira’s eyes. After a while, she silently tugged at Papa’s sleeve and beckoned to whisper in my ears. “Papa,” she whispered, “do you remember when you promised to buy me a computer for my birthday, and then you did? I want you to promise to buy me the Angel Wings for my next birthday, tapi Papa kena remember, ok? Just like last time.”

“Tapi, your birthday is a long time away still.”

“Alaa, Papa. I know, but you must promise to remember.” she said in her most manja voice, looking doe-eyed at Papa.

“Okay, kakak. I will buy you one for your next birthday (if I can remember).” Just so you know, she has also asked for a bunny rabbit and a kitten for her next birthday.

Next day, the plan was for Papa to pick her up around Noon and send her over to her friend’s open house. But Papa forgot to bring her a change of clothes- ooops! My bad. Papa also wanted to do a little shopping for Mama’s gift- which led to another “My bad” of the day- we skipped Shahira’s invite. Off we went to Ikano- Shahira, Haris and Papa. Mama was otherwise engaged with Opah at Nilai 3.

So Papa bought the gift, had it wrapped and we drove home with it. Before that, during lunch, Papa went through the plan with the kids. We hide the gift in the trunk of Mama’s car. Then we slip her car keys in a gift box and hand it to her as her present. She will think that Papa is so kedekut or that it was something the kids made up. Either way, we’ll have her fooled and record it for posperity with the digicam. The rest she hopefully can figure out- haha. That at least was the plan.

So we waited for her to come back from Nilai… and we waited… and we waited.

Finally, she came home and the kids were getting very-very excited. Whilst she prayed, Papa executed Part I of the plan. Then smiling smugly, Papa went back into the house.

“Papa! Papa!” alerted my faithful spy. “Haris cakap kat Mama kita ada beli present!”

“Alamak! Mama’s faithful spy!” thought Papa. “How could he?!!!”

Apparently, in the time it took for me to stash the gift away, my little snitch, exposed all to Mama. Well, at least he didn’t tell her what the gift was. Mama was kind to play along anyway. Spoil plan saja…

Opening Her Pressie [ 0:13 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download