Funny boy Umar

1. My daughter and her husband were filling in loan application forms from seven banks to try and get a home loan. Just then Umar unexpectedly said in his usual careless manner, nodding pretentiously, “I used to do this too, Mama, but it was only four banks.”

2. Amused, his mother asked what loan he asked for. Umar replied spontaneously, “Why, home loan of course, Mama.” “Are you sure it was not for your teeth?” his mother retorted, teasing.

3. Umar’s upper left middle incisor had just fallen out recently. His lower row of incisors were all gone but the middle two have come through and the left lateral one is beginning to appear leaving a gap where the right lateral would erupt. “You know I cannot apply for loan to do my teeth,” Umar remarked matter-of-factly.

Funny boy Umar

 

Telling it to Mama

 1. On their way home after fetching Nuraina, my daughter had to lend an ear to the talkative little girl. She told her mother that Roopa had to stand outside the class for playing with Karan.

2. Nuraina said, “She was playing with Karan because I refuse to play with her. It’s Covid nowadays, Mama. She didn’t control herself that Roopa.”

3. She went on to say, “Then Arjun wanted to give me a high five. Hmm, never mind and we gave each other high fives. But afterward when we get home I must wash my hands because of Covid, Mama.”

Note: The names of Nuraina’s friends in this post are not their real names.

Speaking her mind

18 August 2020

1. Covid-19 is much alive and kicking. After a seemingly quiet calm there occurred a sudden outbreak of fresh cases of infections in several parts of Kedah. Within days the number of infected cases has raised unexpectedly causing alarm among the general public.

2. There were rumours of a Covid-19 infection case not far from the neighbourhood where our son was staying, so he prevented his children from going to school for three days in a row by reason of their safety.

3. My wife told him off over the phone because she felt the children would be missing their lessons as schools were opened as usual in the neighbourhood. After the conversation ended, my wife was still muttering her concern about the children missing classes.

4. All the while Nuraina was listening intently. “It’s alright, grandma,” she remarked spontaneously. “They can always learn at home.” 

Like father

1. Since school reopened early last month, Umar and Nuraina have regained their enthusiasm for class learning. They have missed school for more than three months when the MCO came into effect around the middle of March to contain the spread of Covid-19 disease affecting the population at large.

2. The kindergarten has introduced tight SOP for the safety of the children, teachers as well as parents. To make up for lost time classes for 6-year-olds were extended to 2.00 pm. So Umar has to stay back for two hours whereas Nuraina goes back at noon as usual.

3.  Apparently Umar was not affected by the new routine at all, in fact he enjoyed the extra time being with friends. It has also boosted his self-esteem as illustrated in the following account.

4. My daughter whatsapped me to recount an anecdote two days ago. She wrote that her husband had just come back from work on account of working overtime. I noticed that it was about a quarter to 8 pm at that time.

5. Noticing a familiarity with the situation, Umar passed a remark, “Daddy and I are the same, Mama. We go look for rezeki. That’s why we come back late.”

6. Amused, her mother said, “I never knew you understand rezeki.” Umar replied spontaneously, “Well, rezeki  – what we eat, drink. That rezeki.”

  

Nuraina's quips

 Early July 2020

1. Her grandma cut Nuraina a big slice of agar pudding from a low square tin for her to take home as the family was leaving after paying us a visit one whole day. As usual her grandma never forgetting to inculcate good manners in her reminded her to share the agar pudding with her father as well.

2. Back at home, her mother sliced the pudding into small rectangular pieces the size of a USB drive. Nuraina loves pudding, so she frequented the fridge to spoon a piece or two at a time.

3. By and by all the pieces were gone but one. Only then did Nuraina remember her grandma’s words. She carried the plate with the solitary piece of pudding to the dining table. Using a teaspoon she began chopping that last piece into a number of smaller pieces and scattered them on the plate.

4. Her mother thought she was playing and got upset. Nuraina explained herself and insisted the pieces were for Daddy. “I feel bad to leave only one piece for Daddy,” she said innocently, “This is more like it.”

17 July 2020

1. My daughter shared a drawing by Nuraina on WhatsApp (see below). I believe the picture speaks for itself.

Nuraina's drawing

2. But there is a story behind the picture as described by Nuraina and recounted by her mother: ‘Mama kata I LOVE YOU kat Abah. Pastu Abah kata balik I LOVE YOU TOO kat Mama. Haa..adik rasa camtu sesuai la. Baru sesuai. Laki tak boleh kata kat perempuan dulu.’ (‘Mama said I LOVE YOU to Daddy. Then Daddy said back I LOVE YOU TOO to Mama. Haa.. I feel it’s proper that way. Truly proper. Man shouldn’t say to woman first.’

3. My daughter was most amused of one thing only – that was the first time she ever heard Nuraina use the word ‘sesuai’(=proper).

21 July

Umar and Nuraina were chatting away as they put on their shoes in the doorway getting ready to go to school. Suddenly a weird thought crossed Umar’s mind: “If mama and daddy die, I’ll stay with grandma and grandpa.”

Nuraina promptly gave a spontaneous remark: “Hey, abang! Grandma and grandpa will die first.”