Part 3
As we walked towards the old school I could not get the geographical sense of where we were until we reached the junction where the Telekom Exchange building is. I thought we were going straight to the school then, but, it was overruled by the excited thirteen-at-heart old 'budak SDAR'. Everyone as if running to get free ice creams, fingers pointing here and there telling somebody how it used to be or testing the others whether the other person remembers the place at all. What they actually saw was Tg Malim in 1999 but they were walking Tg Malim of 1960's. Roughly 39 years ago. 'Bond!' Sli was calling and at the same time pointing at the restaurant below, 'Dulu dalam restaurant ni ada dia orang buat compartment. So kita orang every weekend hisap rokok dalam tu la.' I could not imagine how they could have escape the wardens and the prefects as it is so obvious for a small town like Tg Malim. It could very well be that they were better 'criminals' then we were in Seremban. We continued our walked circling the downtown Tg Malim passing through the familiar buildings where SDARas used to rule. I could only imagine based on the stories so far. By now I could sensed the eagerness to get to the school ground. The walked was really a build-up and the paces were getting faster. The emotion were obvious. If you were there with them you'll know what I mean. The talking most of the time were salad dressings covering the real ingredients
I never knew that there was another way, which is 'the way', into the old SDAR's compound. After passing through Tg Malim during my travels up North so many times I always thought the main entrance into the UPSI is also the entrance to SDAR. Now I know and what an introduction it was.
As we walked towards the gate I felt like I was a tourist on vacation. There were four tourist guides eager to show Nan and me all the historic locations and events. I was shown the place where the Tg Malim casino was, the house of a teacher who has a 'babe' for a wife, the path and home of Miss Spring, and the house of a Bengali MPSI lecturer who had a beauty as a daughter. All of these were narrated to me either by Abedib or Sli non-stop. Abedib told me that the daughter of the Benggali lecturer was always 'kena ngorat oleh budak SDAR. So much so the lecturer one day got really angry and said this to them. 'Kau orang tak tahu ke, kau orang tu orang Islam dan anak aku ni kapir.' Hahahahahah hheeeehehehehe LOL................... I wonder who is that person yang kena sound. (Kalau ada please angkat tangan nak bagi hadiah)
We approached the gate slowly because I knew then that they were tracing their path in memory. As we got to the gate it was lock with chains. I just smiled because my SDAR instinct took over. I was thinking to myself this gate is nothing. All of us could very well climb over it. But, the man in us prevailed. We had to get it opened no matter what. We started to yell at the nearest building and a young girl face poked out of one of the windows. 'Hari ni cuti gate tu tak bukak!' yelled the girl out to us. Abedib began to plead for our case, 'Tolong le dik carikan sapa yang boleh bukak sebab kita orang ni murid-murid tua sekolah ni dulu ada program perjumpaan.' After waiting for about five minutes nothing happened. At the same time Sli proactively went to the nearest house to seek help. Maybe at the same time he could check whether the beautiful girl still leaves there. Hehehe,,, sorry Sli can't resist. Anyway, after ten minutes of waiting our efforts didn't go to waste as a man on motorbike came with the key to open the gate. We were so grateful and thanked him endlessly. Heck! for a while there I was resigned to the inevitable long walk to the UPSI front gate.
Once we were inside the compound suddenly the chatters stopped immediately for few minutes as if everyone was trying to breathe the SDAR air. A different kind of air no doubt. Until Abedib killed the silence by suggesting that we headed straight for the hostel to register and catch our breadth. But as if trying to overrule the idea or just because of his eagerness to see the place Sli jumped over the drain and headed straight for the class rooms and the rest followed as if consciously that what they wanted to do after all. Thus we had a tour of the compound. I was very closed behind them absorbing everything they said. We went around the compound, entered and we explored every nook and cranny. Of course the tour wouldn’t have been completed if we had not gone to the old sickbay, the dried swimming pool and the ever prominent Bernam River. In the end satisfied fulfilling their memory appetite we moved slowly towards the old Abd Rahman Talib hall. I knew some were already there as Bro Kangkong already called me to help out with the registration. Of course few of us from the Seremban era were there to be the welcome party so that most of our brothers could enjoy themselves without worrying too much on the organization of the homecoming. One group after another started to show up until we had enough crowds to make Tg Malim a very loud town. A few actually brought along their whole families so that they could try to experience their live in Tg Malim.
Around 1300 we adjourned to the canteen for our lunch and the menu was a special request from all the nostalgic souls. In fact while organizing for this homecoming they specifically requested the menu to be like in the 60’s. Talk about being nostalgic. I would not blame them as if I were them I would do the same or worse :). There was no doubt that everyone missed everyone and they knew they had a lot of catching up to do. I also knew even if they stayed all night, in fact most of them did, they would not have enough time. Nevertheless it was a free flow of stories and jokes during lunch. I could not keep up. After lunch we went back to the hostel to rest, pray and to get ready for the days events. Once inside the room the conversation continued and no indication of stopping. One or two actually took a long time in the bathroom. Too attached to the bathroom I guess :). I think I know why. Everyone has their own special moment and sometimes at odd places like the bathroom. Had not for the solat jamaah, majlis sual kenal and the football game that evening all would be just contented to stay in the room that they had spent in during their growing up.
That night we had a special prayer for our friends that had passed on. Nan, Ayam, myself and the rest of the Seremban generation that were there just enjoying the occasion. Cigarettes smoke went up like a factory chimney in all the rooms while the stories flow. Again, in the end the night was too short for most.
APRIL 18, 1999
The plan was to built a rakit and float along the Bernam river after breakfast. However, because of the late night and lack of sleep most stayed inside. Only a few actually went out to the river and enjoyed themselves. Just after 1000 Captain (Allahyarham) and Zul (school x-lab assistant that became close to most of us) suggested to us to go to the waterfall at Kelumpang, a few kilometers south, and we all agreed. Actually you could replace the waterfall with anything else it’s still didn’t matter to all of them. They still were in their own world, the 60s and I caught Abewi actually dozed off in one of the gazebo.
Captain took us to his house on the way out and accorded us with the standard SDARA hospitality. Which mean could go beyond how one’s treat his own family. Some of us actually envied him for having that kind of life in his own kampong. Relax, peaceful with no pressure of the city and contented. He said he won’t trade that for any kind of money. (It is still fresh in my mind and I just could not believe that he had gone.)
It was a very slow lunch at the UPSI’s canteen that day. Obviously no one wanted it to end but we knew we had to say goodbye eventually.
After Zohor we left the old school that we may not be able to explore again. Abedib and I got a ride home in Ayam’s car. I was so tired and dozed off most of the way. We may not have been able to take the train home from Tg Malim but I still have got a train ride to take to Kajang. As a matter of convenience Ayam dropped me at the Bank Negara station and I took the Seremban Komuter home. Alone on the train my thought went back to Tg Malim and I smiled all the way to UKM Station. If ever someone was looking at me that day I would have not blamed them for thinking that I had lost it.
So, son that’s why I had to go to Tg Malim.
Showing posts with label Tg Malim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tg Malim. Show all posts
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Abah! Why Are You Going to Tg Malim? 1999. Part 2
Part 2
I walked slowly back to my seat. When I got there Kelumpang came into view and Sli said it would be 7 more miles. ‘Aku tahu lagi tujuh batu. Because I walked once from Kelumpang to Tg Malim. We were camping somewhere in Kelumpang then.’ Sli started to narrate us another adventure of his while he was active in the Boys Scout. According to Sli they were camping in a valley in between two rivers. Suddenly, during the night the rain started to fall and the water rises faster than they anticipated. They were caught and it seemed there was no way out except to find a way to cross the ravaging river. They were out of their wits trying to do something but the river did not cooperate and kept on washing away their attempts. Thank God they have one McGyver with them (I think the series was based from this incident. But Sli refused, he rather be a Pharmacist). Anyway, there were two trees slanting across the river and touched each other at the top. The planned was for this McGyver to climb the tree from one side cross to another tree and got down to the other side and go for help. The situation was tense and that was their only chance for survival. Nevertheless, the McGyver made it and the rest of the gang was rescued by the police. If you met Sli he will tell you all the gory details and he was the hero of course. On cue, as soon as Sli finished with his story Tg Malim came into sight.
We were laughing, grinning from ear to ear and crying at the same time. It was a very touching moment for some of us and the emotion took over instantly. Words were flying around describing the old railway stations and the historical events that came along with it. Some of us couldn't believe the station is that small. As usual the people at the stations as well as on the train were amazed to see our antics and they could not help but smiling.
I watched the train moved out of the station and was surprise to see that it was only about 5 coaches long. I am so used to the old way of walking the train from end to end that the thought of the train is getting shorter really amazed me. It could be an economic consideration on the part of KTMB or it could be that nobody likes to take train anymore.When the train was gone I saw all sorts of expression from everyone. I can only interpret them but they knew for sure how it was and what's the feeling. Everyone was tripping each other to start walking their memory lane. 'Station keretapi ni nampak kecik la', said Sli. Everyone was talking at the same time describing what it used to be so much so I forgot everything now. Just like Nan said their faces - the expression really were telling. I saw a deep thought trying to place old memories together, a 'damn! I took all these for granted and now I am crying inside' look, and the face that actually was crying. I was touched by the spontaneous aura created around me and it made me forgot to take a short of the historic coming home. It put even more weight to my conviction of coming to Tg Malim. Bro Rosdi chose to remain at the station a little bit longer and we continued our walk. 'Sli! since you were the longest here why don't you lead the way', Abedib gave a suggestion. Even before Abedib said that Sli was already skipping away and then we heard. 'Alamak! panggung Rex ada lagi la!', yelled Sli. I guess after 30 years or so that was Sli's first time having opportunity to go around Tg Malim. Again an endless story telling session bombarded our ears. Abedib started to tell us his movie list and an endless heros and heroines that I have never heard off. The best one was about how Bro Aziz Bai became the ticket rusher for 'budak SDAR' and he charged RM 0.05 for every ticket. Well! SDARA from Seremban let me tell you this. Black marketing was even bigger then, as big as the value of 5 cents. It was really a pleasure witnessing all these. If my experience in Seremban, with the hustler, is any indication I could picture Bro Aziz Bai in his elements hustling Hidustani movie tickets beside the Rex. I didn't plan it but as I was looking at the Rex, through the view finder of my camera, I was also visualizing the moment of that time. I could see SDARAs in their school uniform rushing to buy tickets, some of them already engaging Aziz Bai, I could also see some of them eating 'ice kacang' and of course one or two SDARAs trying to act manly by smoking behind the Rex. I know now it was just my imagination but I could have not been that far away off from the truth.
Abedib, Sli, Dr Abd Manaf, Bro Abd Rahman were practically living their memories right in front of Nan and me. Oblivious of the surrounding - why should they. They were thirteen or fifth teen again nobody could take that away from them. I could see that all the hassle and journey all the way form Kelantan were paying dividend immediately. A life time chance to be back where you were before. Abedib was trying very hard to figure out where the 'ice kepal/kacang' stall used to be. I could feel that the stall meant a lot to him but I do not want to probe in deeper. Where ever we went Sli kept on saying that everything seem to be smaller. 'Hah! Sli ni dia yang makin tua tak sedar dia cakap semua benda kecik.' said Abedib. I purposely stayed at the back to let them enjoy the moment. The thought of whether they are willing or not to share their inner feelings about Tg Malim was unfounded. It was all over Tg Malim that morning for everyone to see.
Suddenly, we heard a yell like those thirteen year old happened to find something that he was not expected to. 'Dib! Dib! Kedai Razak ada lagi Dib!', it was Bro Sli (sorry Bro Sli it is not my intention to make fun of you but these what I saw and heard). According to them it was the same Kedai Razak. Just like Restaurant Negeri for us in Seremban. Forget about the breakfast we just had in KL or the drinks on the train. Everyone just walk to the nearest table as if there was magnet that pulled us in. As if they knew that we were special that day the Mamak was really treating us like Kings. Or maybe we were too obvious.....LOL. Anyway, Sli took the lead to ask the Mamak whether he was the same mamak back then only old now. The mamak concurred and they started to trade old stories. Long lived Kedai Razak.
As we ate, again the stories began to flow as consistent as the Roti Canai going into our stomach. Sli reminisced about the RM 0.10 roti canai and RM 0.25 mee goreng he used to eat there. Today, by comparison, the roti canai is RM 0.60 and RM 2.00 for the mee goreng. The other difference I guess the clients and the cook are getting older. No body commented whether the taste was the same but I it could be irrelevant as SDARas could eat anything. This was where also we started to catch up on our friends who could not make it to Tg Malim. Obviously, Nan and I didn't know who they were but the stories were interesting all the same. The stories came full circle when Sli began to tell us of how he got his zip on the chest. Luckily, Abedib reminded us that we have got to move on if not we would be just contented to be there for the endless story telling. Actually, after thought, I should have known by then that the homecoming could also have been a weekend of never ending story telling sessions. It was, everyone was a very good story teller and only a few of us from Seremban the listeners.
Proceed to Part 3
I walked slowly back to my seat. When I got there Kelumpang came into view and Sli said it would be 7 more miles. ‘Aku tahu lagi tujuh batu. Because I walked once from Kelumpang to Tg Malim. We were camping somewhere in Kelumpang then.’ Sli started to narrate us another adventure of his while he was active in the Boys Scout. According to Sli they were camping in a valley in between two rivers. Suddenly, during the night the rain started to fall and the water rises faster than they anticipated. They were caught and it seemed there was no way out except to find a way to cross the ravaging river. They were out of their wits trying to do something but the river did not cooperate and kept on washing away their attempts. Thank God they have one McGyver with them (I think the series was based from this incident. But Sli refused, he rather be a Pharmacist). Anyway, there were two trees slanting across the river and touched each other at the top. The planned was for this McGyver to climb the tree from one side cross to another tree and got down to the other side and go for help. The situation was tense and that was their only chance for survival. Nevertheless, the McGyver made it and the rest of the gang was rescued by the police. If you met Sli he will tell you all the gory details and he was the hero of course. On cue, as soon as Sli finished with his story Tg Malim came into sight.
We were laughing, grinning from ear to ear and crying at the same time. It was a very touching moment for some of us and the emotion took over instantly. Words were flying around describing the old railway stations and the historical events that came along with it. Some of us couldn't believe the station is that small. As usual the people at the stations as well as on the train were amazed to see our antics and they could not help but smiling.
I watched the train moved out of the station and was surprise to see that it was only about 5 coaches long. I am so used to the old way of walking the train from end to end that the thought of the train is getting shorter really amazed me. It could be an economic consideration on the part of KTMB or it could be that nobody likes to take train anymore.When the train was gone I saw all sorts of expression from everyone. I can only interpret them but they knew for sure how it was and what's the feeling. Everyone was tripping each other to start walking their memory lane. 'Station keretapi ni nampak kecik la', said Sli. Everyone was talking at the same time describing what it used to be so much so I forgot everything now. Just like Nan said their faces - the expression really were telling. I saw a deep thought trying to place old memories together, a 'damn! I took all these for granted and now I am crying inside' look, and the face that actually was crying. I was touched by the spontaneous aura created around me and it made me forgot to take a short of the historic coming home. It put even more weight to my conviction of coming to Tg Malim. Bro Rosdi chose to remain at the station a little bit longer and we continued our walk. 'Sli! since you were the longest here why don't you lead the way', Abedib gave a suggestion. Even before Abedib said that Sli was already skipping away and then we heard. 'Alamak! panggung Rex ada lagi la!', yelled Sli. I guess after 30 years or so that was Sli's first time having opportunity to go around Tg Malim. Again an endless story telling session bombarded our ears. Abedib started to tell us his movie list and an endless heros and heroines that I have never heard off. The best one was about how Bro Aziz Bai became the ticket rusher for 'budak SDAR' and he charged RM 0.05 for every ticket. Well! SDARA from Seremban let me tell you this. Black marketing was even bigger then, as big as the value of 5 cents. It was really a pleasure witnessing all these. If my experience in Seremban, with the hustler, is any indication I could picture Bro Aziz Bai in his elements hustling Hidustani movie tickets beside the Rex. I didn't plan it but as I was looking at the Rex, through the view finder of my camera, I was also visualizing the moment of that time. I could see SDARAs in their school uniform rushing to buy tickets, some of them already engaging Aziz Bai, I could also see some of them eating 'ice kacang' and of course one or two SDARAs trying to act manly by smoking behind the Rex. I know now it was just my imagination but I could have not been that far away off from the truth.
Abedib, Sli, Dr Abd Manaf, Bro Abd Rahman were practically living their memories right in front of Nan and me. Oblivious of the surrounding - why should they. They were thirteen or fifth teen again nobody could take that away from them. I could see that all the hassle and journey all the way form Kelantan were paying dividend immediately. A life time chance to be back where you were before. Abedib was trying very hard to figure out where the 'ice kepal/kacang' stall used to be. I could feel that the stall meant a lot to him but I do not want to probe in deeper. Where ever we went Sli kept on saying that everything seem to be smaller. 'Hah! Sli ni dia yang makin tua tak sedar dia cakap semua benda kecik.' said Abedib. I purposely stayed at the back to let them enjoy the moment. The thought of whether they are willing or not to share their inner feelings about Tg Malim was unfounded. It was all over Tg Malim that morning for everyone to see.
Suddenly, we heard a yell like those thirteen year old happened to find something that he was not expected to. 'Dib! Dib! Kedai Razak ada lagi Dib!', it was Bro Sli (sorry Bro Sli it is not my intention to make fun of you but these what I saw and heard). According to them it was the same Kedai Razak. Just like Restaurant Negeri for us in Seremban. Forget about the breakfast we just had in KL or the drinks on the train. Everyone just walk to the nearest table as if there was magnet that pulled us in. As if they knew that we were special that day the Mamak was really treating us like Kings. Or maybe we were too obvious.....LOL. Anyway, Sli took the lead to ask the Mamak whether he was the same mamak back then only old now. The mamak concurred and they started to trade old stories. Long lived Kedai Razak.
As we ate, again the stories began to flow as consistent as the Roti Canai going into our stomach. Sli reminisced about the RM 0.10 roti canai and RM 0.25 mee goreng he used to eat there. Today, by comparison, the roti canai is RM 0.60 and RM 2.00 for the mee goreng. The other difference I guess the clients and the cook are getting older. No body commented whether the taste was the same but I it could be irrelevant as SDARas could eat anything. This was where also we started to catch up on our friends who could not make it to Tg Malim. Obviously, Nan and I didn't know who they were but the stories were interesting all the same. The stories came full circle when Sli began to tell us of how he got his zip on the chest. Luckily, Abedib reminded us that we have got to move on if not we would be just contented to be there for the endless story telling. Actually, after thought, I should have known by then that the homecoming could also have been a weekend of never ending story telling sessions. It was, everyone was a very good story teller and only a few of us from Seremban the listeners.
Proceed to Part 3
Abah! Why Are You Going to Tg Malim? 1999. Part 1
My SDARAs got nostalgic few days ago and one of my writings on our train ride to Tg Malim was mentioned and asked. As usual I got me digging my laptop and found it. I ended up rereading and rewriting the piece on the train home. Because it is 7 pages long I am sharing it in three parts.
APRIL 19, 1999
I was dragging myself up from bed this morning. My whole body was aching and the two days experience beginning to seep in. I just wished I could go back to sleep but I can't as I have meetings with outside parties scheduled. I went to bed early last night but not after getting online to make sure Bro Sli was connected to the egroups for he said he will go crazy. His exact words,' Bond kau balik nanti make sure kau bubuh nama aku balik dalam egroups. Kalau tak gila aku nanti di buatnya.' I hope Bro Sli is safe back with his family. So what do I make out of the two days.........................
Well, Tg Malim would never be the same again for me. I tried to live the past through my brothers and I managed to claim a few. At least now I know what they are talking about and what they meant. Relating any stories on Tg Malim to me now would generates a better picture for my brain to comprehend. I could visualize where they are and feel the environment as they are being told. The power of association - living the environment.
APRIL 17, 1999
I overslept, I am a SDARIAN not for nothing, and awaken by my wife. She was saying to me that it was already 6.10 am. I rushed myself to take my bath and pray. Luckily I have packed everything the night before but still I kept on doing a mental auditing to make sure everything is in order. I did not want to miss anything - this is too important to miss. I drove out of the house eager to break the all time land speed limit to get to the railway station but my wife kept reminding me to slow down and take it easy. Believe me at that instance I was not thinking about anything else but the train ride to Tg Malim. The thought of missing the train is beyond me and I would not be able to forgive myself if I did. The feeling is so strong the spirit is high. Up to now my second son kept on asking me why am I going to Tg Malim. 'Abah, kenapa Abah nak pergi Tg Malim?' he kept asking. All he knows it is a place where we stop for kuih pau on our way back from North. Yet, another strange things from his father. If he was confused I was even more confused. Confused in the thought of what to expect. Obviously, I do not have the past to go back to. Nor neither any significant event that revolved around Tg Malim. Accept for the fact it is the place where the formative years of my alma mater taking a new live. Would I be engrossed in experiencing the past with my fellow brothers, would the brothers willing to share their inner feelings so that I could experience them or would I be just like visiting any historical buildings? No, I can't wait anymore to find out. I had to get there immediately.
I rushed out of the car immediately when I got to the station. Picked out my luggage and kissed my children (my wife was given more than a kiss the night before :-))))) ) and off I went to find Abedib or Nan. I found Abedib sitting with a coffee at the station's cafe. In front of him sat one very fit looking guy. 'Ha .. tu pun Bond' said Abedib as I approached them. 'Bond, this is Sli.' At last I met one of the most famous residents of the SDARA Mailing List. I am very sure Bro Nawawi won’t be that nice in describing Sli. But, he was portraying an impression of a nice man.
Which I no doubt he is. Just like I figure a man he would be from the emails he sent us. While eating our breakfast Abedib told me that he could not sleep well and was awake at 4 am. I just smiled, I know I would be the same if Tg Malim was part of my growing up. (BTW, the food at the restaurant was worse than what we had at SDAR.)
SDARA Rosdi and Nan showed up soon after. As we continued to talk I kept on glancing at Abedib’s wristwatch to check the time. Having gone through all these I did not want us to miss the train. At 5 minutes to 7.30 am we started to locate the train. (Budak SDAR punya perangai tak habis-habis last minutes). Like crazy we asked where the train was which was at platform 4. We had to dash across the platform and the train was parked back to back with the train that was going south. The first thing that I said to myself when I saw the train was, 'there is no way we could board the train through the windows'.
Our seats were 9C to 10 D – two rows back to back. As I was throwing my luggage up the luggage compartment a voice from two seats away said, ‘Ho demo.. bangat weh!’. Talk about coincidence just behind Sli and Abedib sat three other SDARAs from Kelantan. Dr Abd Manaf, Sdara Abd Rahman and his son who also a SDARIAN. The coach was not the same anymore for all four of them started to reminisce the old times. Chatting like nobody's business. The rest of the passengers in that koc 2 of the North Bound train must have been wondering why these 7 crazy looking guys doing on the train chatting about Tg Malim like they were kids going there for the first time. The truth to the matter was we were – we were going to be kids again for the next two days.
Nan and I, after the train started to crawl leaving the city behind, were quiet – soaked in our own thought absorbing the experience. Abedib and Sli were still chatting at the back. After a while I cannot stand the urge anymore I had to do the walk. Walking the train like I used to. All memories splashed faster than the train right in front of me as I stood by the door. The door and the steps were something else. Compared to what we used to way back in 1970’s. It was a first class seat. In fact the whole complexion of the train was different. The days of climbing in via the windows, seating on the steps and jumping in and out of moving train are definitely over for us.
The first station that the train stopped was Rawang. I could not recall the time as I was so too deep into my feelings trying to figure out how does it feel to be 13 in 1960’s taking the train for the first time to Tg Malim. I was told by Abedib, that some of them came as far as Tumpat and the whole journey would take them 24 hours. As for me train, just like SDAR, has been part of my growing up. There are so much memories and the relationship had become intimate ever since. The train passed Kuala Kubu Baru at 8.33 am it didn't stop. I heard so much about that station being colonized by another being. It really looks old and not properly maintained. I know the next stop would be Tg Malim so I stood up and started to walk to the door. Once there I lighted up another ‘piak’ – nostalgic fool I was trying to rekindle old memories. But, no matter how hard you want it not to happen you will fail. The association with the environment is so powerful. Especially, when it deals with intense emotion. Even, with the knowledge that Tg Malim is coming fast to be a reality I was transported back to the 70's and started to smile. Well, you know what I mean.
Proceed to Part 2
APRIL 19, 1999
I was dragging myself up from bed this morning. My whole body was aching and the two days experience beginning to seep in. I just wished I could go back to sleep but I can't as I have meetings with outside parties scheduled. I went to bed early last night but not after getting online to make sure Bro Sli was connected to the egroups for he said he will go crazy. His exact words,' Bond kau balik nanti make sure kau bubuh nama aku balik dalam egroups. Kalau tak gila aku nanti di buatnya.' I hope Bro Sli is safe back with his family. So what do I make out of the two days.........................
Well, Tg Malim would never be the same again for me. I tried to live the past through my brothers and I managed to claim a few. At least now I know what they are talking about and what they meant. Relating any stories on Tg Malim to me now would generates a better picture for my brain to comprehend. I could visualize where they are and feel the environment as they are being told. The power of association - living the environment.
APRIL 17, 1999
I overslept, I am a SDARIAN not for nothing, and awaken by my wife. She was saying to me that it was already 6.10 am. I rushed myself to take my bath and pray. Luckily I have packed everything the night before but still I kept on doing a mental auditing to make sure everything is in order. I did not want to miss anything - this is too important to miss. I drove out of the house eager to break the all time land speed limit to get to the railway station but my wife kept reminding me to slow down and take it easy. Believe me at that instance I was not thinking about anything else but the train ride to Tg Malim. The thought of missing the train is beyond me and I would not be able to forgive myself if I did. The feeling is so strong the spirit is high. Up to now my second son kept on asking me why am I going to Tg Malim. 'Abah, kenapa Abah nak pergi Tg Malim?' he kept asking. All he knows it is a place where we stop for kuih pau on our way back from North. Yet, another strange things from his father. If he was confused I was even more confused. Confused in the thought of what to expect. Obviously, I do not have the past to go back to. Nor neither any significant event that revolved around Tg Malim. Accept for the fact it is the place where the formative years of my alma mater taking a new live. Would I be engrossed in experiencing the past with my fellow brothers, would the brothers willing to share their inner feelings so that I could experience them or would I be just like visiting any historical buildings? No, I can't wait anymore to find out. I had to get there immediately.
I rushed out of the car immediately when I got to the station. Picked out my luggage and kissed my children (my wife was given more than a kiss the night before :-))))) ) and off I went to find Abedib or Nan. I found Abedib sitting with a coffee at the station's cafe. In front of him sat one very fit looking guy. 'Ha .. tu pun Bond' said Abedib as I approached them. 'Bond, this is Sli.' At last I met one of the most famous residents of the SDARA Mailing List. I am very sure Bro Nawawi won’t be that nice in describing Sli. But, he was portraying an impression of a nice man.
Which I no doubt he is. Just like I figure a man he would be from the emails he sent us. While eating our breakfast Abedib told me that he could not sleep well and was awake at 4 am. I just smiled, I know I would be the same if Tg Malim was part of my growing up. (BTW, the food at the restaurant was worse than what we had at SDAR.)
SDARA Rosdi and Nan showed up soon after. As we continued to talk I kept on glancing at Abedib’s wristwatch to check the time. Having gone through all these I did not want us to miss the train. At 5 minutes to 7.30 am we started to locate the train. (Budak SDAR punya perangai tak habis-habis last minutes). Like crazy we asked where the train was which was at platform 4. We had to dash across the platform and the train was parked back to back with the train that was going south. The first thing that I said to myself when I saw the train was, 'there is no way we could board the train through the windows'.
Our seats were 9C to 10 D – two rows back to back. As I was throwing my luggage up the luggage compartment a voice from two seats away said, ‘Ho demo.. bangat weh!’. Talk about coincidence just behind Sli and Abedib sat three other SDARAs from Kelantan. Dr Abd Manaf, Sdara Abd Rahman and his son who also a SDARIAN. The coach was not the same anymore for all four of them started to reminisce the old times. Chatting like nobody's business. The rest of the passengers in that koc 2 of the North Bound train must have been wondering why these 7 crazy looking guys doing on the train chatting about Tg Malim like they were kids going there for the first time. The truth to the matter was we were – we were going to be kids again for the next two days.
Nan and I, after the train started to crawl leaving the city behind, were quiet – soaked in our own thought absorbing the experience. Abedib and Sli were still chatting at the back. After a while I cannot stand the urge anymore I had to do the walk. Walking the train like I used to. All memories splashed faster than the train right in front of me as I stood by the door. The door and the steps were something else. Compared to what we used to way back in 1970’s. It was a first class seat. In fact the whole complexion of the train was different. The days of climbing in via the windows, seating on the steps and jumping in and out of moving train are definitely over for us.
The first station that the train stopped was Rawang. I could not recall the time as I was so too deep into my feelings trying to figure out how does it feel to be 13 in 1960’s taking the train for the first time to Tg Malim. I was told by Abedib, that some of them came as far as Tumpat and the whole journey would take them 24 hours. As for me train, just like SDAR, has been part of my growing up. There are so much memories and the relationship had become intimate ever since. The train passed Kuala Kubu Baru at 8.33 am it didn't stop. I heard so much about that station being colonized by another being. It really looks old and not properly maintained. I know the next stop would be Tg Malim so I stood up and started to walk to the door. Once there I lighted up another ‘piak’ – nostalgic fool I was trying to rekindle old memories. But, no matter how hard you want it not to happen you will fail. The association with the environment is so powerful. Especially, when it deals with intense emotion. Even, with the knowledge that Tg Malim is coming fast to be a reality I was transported back to the 70's and started to smile. Well, you know what I mean.
Proceed to Part 2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)