7 months ago, my best friend gave me a tinker. "Jean! I'm getting married! I'm making you the bridesmaid! So, make sure you come yar! Book your annual leave early, and come to my wedding!"
Wow! Another friend of mine is getting married! I'm so happy for her! Another big, happy family in the making! Yes! So, I eagerly booked a ticket on MAS airlines and faithfully waited for the happy day to arrive!
17th of October, 2008: My friend is having her akad nikah today. I'm so excited! I'm actually going to enter a mosque and see the wali & imam perform the ceremony! I'm gonna wear the tudung too! hahaha! Yes! Yes! Another chance for me to pose in front of the camera!
So, my friends and I, 3 of us (Su, Hui Yin and I), we met up at 12.30 pm and boarded the plane at about 1.45pm. We were seated comfortably in our seats, I was chatting away happily with Su when I noticed that several people were looking at us! They cast quick glances at us, stared at us from the corner of their eyes, and quickly diverted their direction when I looked back at them. Is there anyting on our faces? Anything wrong with our dressing? Hmm.. why is everybody looking at us?
Suddenly, a handsome air steward came up to us. " 'cik Adib, Ms. Wong, can you follow me to the front please? I have some bad news for you." Then he ushered a young lady & a child to take our seats.
Oh no! What can it be? I wonder! Maybe I will not be able to board this plane! Oh! Oh! Oh!!!! What am I going to do? If this happens, I will negotiate with the crew to allow us to fly together with them, regardless of the cost. My friend is getting married, I'm one of the 'sisters', I must go no matter what happens!
Just then, the air steward stops at the First Class seats, and invites us to take our places. "Congratulations! You've just been upgraded to our First Class Seats! Do have a pleasant flight!"
Wow! I can't believe it! Am I dreaming? Is this happening to me? Wow! I actually get to sit in the first class seats! Before the journey, the air steward brings some hot, steaming towels for us to wash up. Then he asks whether I would like some sandwich or fruit juices for later. I wonder if I'd be charged extra later! My budget is tight. I definitely do not want to be charged for something I did not pay for! I answer hesitantly, "Umm... Yes please.. some juice.. but not the sandwich."
Perhaps, I muttered my answers. The pink, guava juice arrived shortly after the plane took off and the sandwich was placed in front of me after the plane was on Auto mode. I can't believe my luck! Should I touch the sandwich? Should I leave it alone? I look at the air steward. He winks at me! As if signalling me to take it up! This is a real windfall! I'm so tempted to touch the sandwich! But, I just had my lunch of the filling McD Spicy Chicken Burger just now! Awww... Maybe I should take some fruits! Oh no! What if they charge me? Aww...... nvm nvm.. I'll just leave it alone. Hand it back to the air steward. hahaha!
When the flight journey ends, we are the last ones to exit. The crew bid us farewell and we're on our way to the bag collection counter. Oh! I love this flight! A Malay proverb aptly describes this: Durian Runtuh or Rezeki.
Hmm.. Looks like I have much to look forward to this trip!
We take a taxi to our friend's house and arrive just in time to go to the mosque. Putting on our head scarfs, we rushed to the masjid. The muslims conduct their prayers, while we wait by the side. Once done, the bride makes sure her veil is straight and not crooked; the wali / imam invites my friend to be seated in front of the groom. The wali says something, come the iman, and finally the bride and groom exchange rings and kiss each other on the forehead. Tada! The couple has just been married! Awesome! We're all so happy for them! We take pictures with the newly weds and ride home, happy and satisfied.
18th October: Today, the newly weds are going to get married the Chinese & Malay way! Early in the morning, we, the 'sisters', make our way to the bride's house in our pretty clothes and high heels. The house is in a frenzy. Her Mom is so busy getting everything organized, the bride is undergoing a final round of make up, hair-do, dressing up, and the rest of us are getting the food organized, going over the agenda in great detail.
At about 10am, the groom and his 'battallion' (if that's the right word to describe it), arrives. We rush to take pictures of the young brother opening the car door for his future brother-in-law, and the brother-in-law giving a big, red packet to the young brother; the groom confidently walks into the house; the men's side cooly gave the lady's side 7 types of gifts, and the lady's side excitedly gives 9 types of gifts. There are shoes, rings, cakes, towels, money, clothes, etc on all the trays. So colourful and so cheerful! and so exclusive!
Then before the groom enters the room, he has to answer 4 difficult questions about his bride. Each time he gives the wrong answer... he has to give us another red packet! We gleefully collect them all. After singing the bride's favourite song, we finally let him in. The couple look at each other so lovingly. Awww.... so sweet! Then the groom leads the bride out of the room and serve tea to their elders. The elders present gold jewellery and red packets to the newly weds, and wish them good health, long life and happiness,, and hope they get children soon! The house is filled with warm laughter!
Soon, we gather around the couple to take pictures with them. Not long after that, we are out giving souvenirs to all the guests. 2 hours later, the couple appear in a Malay styled suit. Stunning! 4 costumes in 2 days! and the amount of make-up! Unbelievable! Nevertheless, my friend still looks good! A picture of happiness illuminates her face. For the parents, it is another milestone for them. First, their daughter's graduates; then their daughter starts work; Now, their daughter has finally married someone of commendable character. Next, grandchildren will start popping up one by one and the family will multiply, and probably be twice its current size. hehehe!
When the wedding ceremony ends at 4pm, we're all exhausted. Who would have taught I would enjoy my friend's wedding this much? I really have my friends to thank for all of this; for all the lovely time I spent at her house, with her family members and with her other friends and guests! May God bless the newly weds and grant them patience, understanding and love in their new lives together. Amen.
