Congratulations to my brother, Shaparuddin. He just got married. Now I got a new sister-in-law. Welcome to the family. However, not every story ends with a happy ending. On the wedding day itself, my grandfather, Haji Rejab bin Arsyad, passed away at Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim, Sg Petani, Kedah at 3.50 am. He died of kidney stone and stomach ulcer. He was 84.

I believe it happen to me and I want to share with you all this so-called story of mine. You know, my grandfather has been admitted into the hospital on the day where my family went to Kelantan for the wedding on the bride’s side. By the time we got back to KL, the news has been spread to all over the family on my father’s side. I got a message from my cousin brother, Arin urging every relative to come down and visit the grandfather as advised by the doctor. As for my family, we just came back from Kelantan, and with a wedding preparation on the way, all of us siblings were too tired. As a matter of fact, after the night when we arrived from Kelantan, my parents straight shoot to Kedah to visit him, which they hope were not the last time.
The week of preparation goes by. I was in Melaka attending my classes. At one point, I called my parents asking for some budget so that I could drive alone all the way from Melaka to Kedah to visit my grandfather. But my parent would not allow me to. They have their own excuse knowing that I never drive that far alone before. I have to force my dying-to-see heart to let go. My parents told me he will be fine. They told me he was in good condition. He can even complaint the food feeded was lack of salt. Maybe he wanted to taste the real taste for the last time perhaps.
Then, when the wedding day arrived, at about morning 4.30 am, my family got the shoking news. My parents never sleep after that. The wedding has to go. Tasks were already delegated. I can see my dad were sort of lost. My uncle came and hugged him. When I was out managing the kompang boys, all the relatives which arrived at my house early that morning at 8 o’clock, recited surat yaasin for my late grandfather. All the invitees from my fathers side had to cancel off their attendance. Only Along Zihan’s family came from Ayer Hitam, Johor. I know my dad didn’t talk that much. People normally went back immediately for a family funeral, but we have to stay. I persuaded my dad to go back on the same day, but due to tiredness, we made it on the next day.
When we arrive, Pak Long and Pak Ngah was there. I sat in the middle between both of them. Pak Ngah told me,”I was very proud and honor to serve him until his last moment”. He told me until he until tears fall down his cheek which he couldn’t stand anymore. Pak Andak were also there. Everyone in the living room felt bitter as we all in the moment of sorrow. Pak Ngah later told me how he wanted so badly to taste the food as his last time to taste it. He hardly talks but remember every single name that he can mention mumbly. After that, Pak Ngah brought me and the family to see the grave. Then, we went to visit my last grandmother who passed on 2000 at another cemetery nearby. My grandfather was buried next to my great-grandfather, Arsyad bin Ali who passed away in 1940. During night time, all of my father’s brothers would sit down together of them talking about something under the wooden old house where they used to grow up when they all were small kids. I was there looking a far wondering what topic it might be. But seeing them together again in the state of mourning at the same time putting me in the state of condolement.
If you ask me what is my last moment with him, definately I will remember. My last moment with him is during the breakfast on the third day of Raya Aidilfitri last year. He can’t see clearly that time so I have to take his hand and make him hold the cup of tea. I sat beside on his left shoulder. We ate together at the black color wooden rectangular table outside the patio. Others joined were also my new grandmother and my mum. We have a chat for a while. That morning was very calm and can hear some birds chirping. I never thought it would be my last moment with him.

“I didn’t had the time to say goodbye. I never even had the chance to see his face for the last time. For this, I am totally regret. I hope it wil never happen again especially to my loved ones. Al-fatihah to my grandfather…”

For the wedding album, click here.