mussafir مسافر

Assalamualaikum.

The lady next to me is actually the first girl I asked out for a date. That’s the truth. And only after 20 years, we finally managed to meet once again. Her name is Suzana Abdul Rahman.

We played for our school’s handball team when we were in Form 2 and 3. When I went to SMACH, I’d lost contact with her until we met in a state tournament where we represented our respective schools. I managed to contact her again after that and asked her out for a bowl of ABC at Kedai Payung. She agreed and we had a date, the only date as it turned out. As we had to prepare for our SPM, I again lost all contact with her.

I did ask around but most of our mutual friends had no idea where she went after SPM. Then I was called for the ADP and later the TESL program, and upon graduation, was sent to Sabah. I got married, had a wonderful time in Semporna and then got transfered back to, of all places, Kemahang, where Suzana and her family stayed. Again I asked around but it seemed that no one (the ones that I asked) knew her.

Then, early this year, a teacher got transfered from Pahang to my school. He is actually from Kemahang so I asked him if he knows any Suzana Abdul Rahman. As a matter of fact, he does, as Suzana is the sister of his mate here in Kemahang. All he can tell me was she’s married and staying in KL. Ah, at least I finally got the info that I need.

Last Thursday, I received 3 missed calls on my handphone. I didn’t recognize the number so I didn’t bother to call back. Later that day, my school’s canteen operator, Abe Wie, who is now learning how to use his brand new laptop almost everyday with me and the other two ICT teachers in the lab, came in as usual. As we are busy with the really informal IT class, I got an sms from the same number.

“Hi. Ini Suzana Mek Itik. Call me.” That’s what written in the sms.

I read the message aloud to the rest and we had a good laugh. I was sure I had never called anyone “Mek Itik” and thought of it as a prank. Abe Wie however told me to think really hard. It’s someone from my past, he said. Then it stroked me. What if this message came from the very Suzana I’ve been asking about. Abe Wie, probably seeing the twinkle in my eyes, quickly explained that Suzana is the daughter of one of the workers at the canteen and she had found out that I was teaching there. She wanted to see me and had waited at the canteen but since I was too busy, never had the chance to go there yet. I wasn’t able to see her that day because she had already gone back home with her mother, so we promised to meet on Saturday.

Well, we had our ’second date’ on Saturday and we had a long conversation, exchanging stories about ourselves since the last time we met. She is as feisty, cheerful and bubbly as she was 20 years ago. She’s not in KL anymore but staying in Jeddah as her husband is working at a bank there. She’s now a Hajah (of course) and a mother of a girl.

Well, to you Suzana, who is a friend and will remain a true friend.

Oh, the picture above is actually an artistic touch from me. I am currently learning how to touch up photos and draw using my trusty laptop. The actual picture is below.

Addendum:

Suzana has flown back to Jeddah to be with her husband. Bye my lady, and be missing you. Have a great Ramadhan. 

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