Sometimes
I remember the times when there were less children
around in Batu Pahat … my big brother and I are the eldest in
our generation and held a pretty big trump card – our father is
‘Tua ku’, the eldest uncle, and a figure quite feared among the
cheeky young ones.
We’d say, our voices low and dark, “Tua ku scold you then you know“
These days there are so many children, with new babies popping
every year, that I can’t remember their names.
“What is Uncle A’s son’s name again?”, I find myself having
to ask my brothers or mommy.
It was grandma’s birthday yesterday and we made our
way down to Johor for the festivities.
We got entertained during last night’s massive dinner by
young adorable cousins, one in a complete cheerleading outfit
(she performed in a school show the night before and insisted
on wearing it again), and others who sang karaoke (yes, it’s
in the blood), and others who stomped and screamed on the little
stage at the restaurant, just because they could.
Madness!
And these days, from the feared figure he was, my father has
become some kind of big cuddly Santa Claus who soothes
the younger ones when they sulk or make a fuss.
Some things don’t change though …
My big brother still roughs up my kid brother.
All …. the….freaking …. time.
Morning ritual
It’s like we turn into little children again in Batu Pahat, all of us.
xox
