BeNut

Last Saturday, Ikram and I and Tokwan went to BeNut. Its Pak Teh's nephew wedding reception. We went early because Tok Wan wanted to stay overnite and we brought Ikram along. Ab was a bit worried that Ikram might not be at his comfort at the new place especially it's a village house. I told him we have to expose Ikram to that kind of environment. So we went. Over there, the household was so busy with 'bunga telur' and othe chores. As for us, we came just as guests of honour. By right, we should be a helping hands to the grooms family, but with Ikram, my hands are all tight, Tokwan, with her conditions, she cant do much so left Faezah and Kak Midah. They tried to help as much as they could and I just minggled around with Ikram outside the house, inside was so stuffy and humid.

Kak Imah, Pak Teh's sister and the groom's mother was so busy running here and there and yet still manage to make sure we were well served and stomach full. We were 'nestled' at the empty house which Pak Teh used as his week end house or stop over whenever he back to BeNut. Me and Ikram laid back at the house. When time comes for dinner, Ikram was sound asleep though with loud noise as normal wedding places used to be, he still sound asleep. We had dinner which I enjoyed most. They had plenty of dishes but what attracts me most was the salted fish. So extraordinary to have salted fish during wedding, but I like it very much as I dont like wedding food such as sweet and sour chicken, curry , briani etc. The wedding food normally will be served on the day of the event and the eve of the wedding we normally had normal food or kampung food. I love kampung food more than the wedding food.

Ikram slept all nite peacefully although sometimes the sounds and noises outside the houses catches his eyes, but with us around and put him back to sleep he managed to sleep through all nite but not for me. It was so noisy, it seems that the people werent sleeping, they were playing cards etc and how could I sleep. Tokwan was sound asleep as well.

The big Day came and we were just waiting for the couple to arrived from K.L.They were wedded couple of weeks before and this was just 'menyambut menantu' and yet it was still grand with arrangement. We had early lunch while waiting for the couple to arrived.

The bride and groom arrived and was greeted by group of silat boys and girls. It was so hot and there were seated under the bright sunshine with a little umbrella.

This was 3rd or 4th wedding Ikram had attended and all were so exciting and he was so fascinated. Never once he cried like other kids when surrounded by crowds. However, on the way back home which took about 1-11/2 hours, he make so much fussed and cried all way long. It was very difficult for me to drive. Faezah (pak Teh's daughter) was with us and tried to comfort him together with Tokwan but failed. Poor Ikram he cried his lung out and I pity him but I have to drive anyway. His eyes was soggy and about 15 minutes before we reached home I put him on my lap and drove back home.