A Funeral. No wedding.

I just got back from a funeral. On the way to work this morning, i received a call from my sister - Dato Abu Mansor passed away yesterday evening. I quickly went home, changed to something more comfortable, put on my songkok and off to Selayang, to Dato Mansor's house. I got there at about 845am, and there were already many people, outside and inside the house.

I went in and saw his covered body in the middle of the living room, with few people reciting the Yasin near him. I purposely did not want to lift the cloth covering his face, although many who came later did. Not that i was afraid. I told myself, i dont want his lifeless image to be imprinted in my mind. I want to picture him as he was - full of life and ever smiling.

Dato Mansor is a very good friend of my father. They go way back to their student days, studying law in London together. They had taken different career paths. He sticked to his legal career, whereas my father ventured into politics at one point, before going back to the legal service. As fate has it, they both became judges. and had offices next to each other. So over the years, they kept each other company as being judges can be lonely. It was no surprise when my father asked him to speak at my wedding on his behalf.

I still remember the Friday routine when i was younger. I would follow them for prayers at the Bangsar mosque. and later would go for nasi daun pisang, at a shop opposite Maybank Bangsar. I wonder whether it is still there. one of these days, i should go for old time sake.

And i still remember the day my father passed away. I saw him cry. He had lost a dear friend. At that point, i saw true friendship. A bond so strong that only death would set them apart. My father was indeed fortunate to have him as a friend.

So Uncle Mansor, i bid you farewell. May Allah bless your soul.

To Auntie Faridah and family, my condolences. Time does not heal. It just let us cope better.

Al-fatihah.