Hulu

"Tengok apa? Siri Netflix?"

"Tak pun"

"Habis tu?"

"Hulu"

"Benda apa tu?"

"Acam Netflix"

"Mata 2 je nak tengok banyak sangat"

"Netflix dah stop jab eh"

"Pulak. Tengok RTM.klik je la. Senang. Banyak informasi"

"Tak nak la. Acam orang tua"

Malam semalam

"Bila Ara beli? Tak pernah nampak pun"

"Kita jumpa dalam storage box"

"Cari apa dekat stor?"

"Kemas. Astu kata nak pindah"

"Ha"

_

"Bertuah eh dapat hadiah telekung"

"……*

"Jarang-jarang tau laki hadiah telekung dekat perempuan"

"……"

"Abang dengar tak?"

"Dengar"

"Astu respons la. Diam aje"

"Dia tak tahu abang beli. 2014. Beli sebelum dia jumpa bf. Tak sempat bagi. Masa putus abang minta nak contact mak dia tapi dia tak kasi. Abang nak bagi hadiah je tapi mungkin dia ingat abang nak buat apa-apa kot. Ada 2, kan? Satu untuk mak dia"

"Kena marah ehhh"

"Hmm"

"Bekeng sokmo"

"Perempuan, biasa la"

"Astu boleh ke kita pakai?"

"Boleh"

"Pandai abang pilih warna. Cantik. Kain lembut"

"Abang nak baca hizib. Kejab lagi abang turun"

"Jangan nangis tau"

"Tak la"

Mandi embun

"Petua orang lama-lama mandi embun untuk sihatkan badan. Bagus untuk urat saraf. Pemanis muka"

"Seri wajah?"

"Tak. Pemanis. Seri wajah lain"

"Babtu tanam banyak pokok"

"Ye la nak dapat embun banyak. Lawa apa rumah banyak pokok"

"Tak cukup handsome ke acam mana?"

"Buka sandal letak kaki atas rumput"

"Astu la dia. Orang buang rumput dia tanam rumput"

Back to family

After nearly two weeks away, it feels wonderful to be back home. I deeply miss my eldest daughter, who is pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor on campus in the USA, a six-hour flight from JFK in New York. Her empty seat at the dining table serves as a poignant reminder of her absence. I know that, one by one, my kids will leave to further their studies and careers, making home feel different. Yet, the warmth of our family will always remain, even as they spread their wings.

Yesterday, my wife, Ara, prepared a special meal that was a feast for the senses: bird's nest soup garnished with goji berries, steamed arowana with ginger and scallions, and stir-fried seasonal vegetables like asparagus, shiitake mushrooms, and baby bok choy, lightly tossed in sesame oil. She also made a chilled cucumber salad and finished with mango pudding for dessert, all accompanied by jasmine tea. After my time away, this meal felt like a warm welcome home.

I returned home to rest after losing nearly 10 kilos and sustaining minor shoulder injuries at work. My quadruplets were thrilled to see me. My heavy beard, reminiscent of James Harden's, startled Luqman and Hasha, who ran away, refusing to let me hug them. Raysha was more welcoming, enjoying the chance to touch my beard, while Daneal approached me without hesitation, eagerly asking if I had brought him any toys. It's great to be back with my kids.