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This page is just an archive for all my old posts. My new blog is at blog.sayfurrahman.com. Thank you.

08 April 2007

The Pakcik and Makcik Murtabak

A few days ago I had to go to buy dinner for the family. So I went to the Pasar Malam (night market) near the Masjid Tan Sri Ainuddin Wahid. Which is, in Taman U.

Rather far... Yes. But then, I also had to go pick my bro up at Sri Putri if not for certain misunderstandings.

So after I didn't pick my bro up, I went straight to the night market. At the night market, I went straight to the our favourite stall. Yep. The stall of the Pakcik and Makcik Murtabak. (I'm ashamed I never asked for their names).

This stall is a must whenever we go to the night market. Why? Maybe it's because we trust them to keep their hygiene in preparing the food.

We also liked their character. They're always amiable. And they give discounts too. Even if only fity cents punya discount kan, tapi still discount jugak right?

And since we have long visited their stall. They now recognize us. So we're always greeted amiably when we arrive.

Personally, I'm intrigued, curious, and kagum at their diligence to cari rezeki. You know how some people like to dis some kinda work that seems petty to them? Well... I'm really, really in awe of this here couple who work diligently to support their family.

The Pakcik was always the one yang buat murtabak and anything else requiriong the pan. The Makcik was always the one yang pack everything up. She also did anything else her husband was out of reach of. For the many times I've visited their stall, I have never heard them complain. Not one bit. I have never sensed any tension between them. Just understanding and acceptance of each other and their responsibities. Beautiful.

That got me thinking of myself. The first thought would be the question of whether or not I would be choosy of anything that presents itself as cari rezeki opportunity? And if i do get some kinda opportunity for cari rezeki, would I be diligent in following it through? For my current self, I'm inclined to say no to both questions. Puts me to shame.

I have always been choosy. Or as the Malays say, cerewet. I don't do what I don't like to do. Even more so when forced. I disregard unfancy work. Anything I'm not interested in... I try not to take up.

In the end, my studies in UTM has taken it's toll. Some subjects which I really like... I score. Some which I dislike. I fail... (failing by my standards lah, not getting an 'E' or anything). This is a habit of mine which, when I look back, is a rather tiresome habit.

I guess I still fail at being Allah's servant who is always in the state of shukr. I accept fate, but there are just some times that I feel I cannot appreciate the opportunities around me.

Those were only questions of diligence and gratitude when I relate myself to the Pakcik and Makcik of the Murtabak Stall. There were others that crossed my mind. Amongst them are those that look to the future. Such as; have I been as good a brother as I should have been? Will I be as good a husband like the Pakcik? Or maybe as good a father as him? Will I be able to accept what ever comes? What kinda path has Allah determined for me?

To those questions, I hope that when time comes, I will prove resilient and grateful for anything determined by Allah... For me.

I do not hope to be tested. But I accept that tests, are Allah's way of raising a person's level. In the end, I can only du'a as Allah taught at the end of Surah AlBaqarah:



"On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray:) "Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; our Lord! lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; help us against those who stand against Faith." " [alBaqarah:286]


[edit]
If anyone's interested in murtabak at Pasar Malams, the go look for this couple. Pakcik tuh bermisai dan berkopiah usually, dan Makcik tuh pakai tudung labuh. Kat situ, derang jual jugak tahu bakar, roti john, dan kadang-kadang air.

I know that they sell at the Teratai Pasar Malam on monday nights, and the Taman U Pasar Malam on Friday nights. Biasanya kat TU derang ke dalam sikit.
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