Saddened

 On the 22nd of August, we got into a car accident. My dad gave a call to an ex-student of his and he arrived instantly despite the traffic jam caused by the accident. People from back in those days lacked the “none of my business” features. He phoned them and they responded and offered extra help. Meanwhile our generation shunned as much as possible especially when there is no benefit. We have no car to go around so my Aunt and her husband has been taking us out for breakfast and dinner. However, they needed to look after the shop so my dad looked for our neighbour. 

He lived just right beside our house and also our sister. Just gates entrance on different road. He and my sister’s house was on the same road and us on another road. He helped us once when we haven’t buy this house. My parents would stay at my sister’s house whenever they travelled to Miri. One time, I drove them to Miri while on a trip from Sg. We reached my sister’s house but the gate won’t budge. It was drizzling. My mum said the gate could have tripped again. She went to ask this neighbour to help by lending us his ladder. He borrowed us and I climbed from their grass side over the iron fence and into my sister’s house front area. Then I forgot what I did. Maybe turned on the switch or something. It was a long time ago. I only remember climbing. Only end of last year, this house belonged to my parents.

While having breakfast, our neighbour called and asked where were we. Since my dad and him normally don’t talk to each other but my dad somehow kept his number. He called the day before but nobody picked up. When he did picked it up, the neighbour doesn’t remember my dad. Somehow later on, when he remembered, he called my dad back who suddenly didn’t recognise the unknown number. Afterwards, he remembered, he called back but this time no answers. Only til breakfast Dad received his call and told him where we were at. He arrived by 10 minutes later. That was the first time I met him even though he borrowed us the ladder cause my mum borrowed and he never left the house. That was many years ago.

He then brought us around. Even brought us to my dad’s ex agricultural lands to see durians… He never rejected my dad’s request but somehow I worried the never ending request and it would bring them troubles and they dared not rejected or mentioned. During that time, he has a bit of cough and always wearing an arm protection sleeves on his left hand. For two days, he brought us for breakfast and asked if we want to tapau lunch before going home even though I said I could call grabfood. One day it was late. He brought us to get our new car too. He said get a white car cause would look less dirty. Initially we settled with Aruz but after thinking, Traz may be better at saving fuel. So we have gotten a Traz. As time limitation, the only car that we can get by Sept or Oct is Granite Grey and so we cannot choose Colors. We cannot have the H variant too. White will take 3 months or more. At first, we are supposed to get the car end of last month but the car delayed for a few times. Only on the 16th reached bintulu and yesterday arrived at Miri. We gotten it today on the 10th. This is my first car. I never even want to spend on car if possible. Anyway, more convenient and for me to walk, maybe you will see missing person notice. 

My parents then passed him some money for bringing us around but he rejected. He said if we wanted to pay, can ask for introduction gift from the car store. Last time they have such things and he has done it before. When collecting the car, can ask them about it. I gave him one small box of Musang King durian. He said he doesn’t eat durian. He also rejected our treats of drinks or food. He never said anything about his condition. He did bring back the Musang King durian and said his son can eat. After that we rented a car from my relatives. After that we never contacted each other and also we went back to Brunei. 

This morning, we wanted to called him to bring us there. My dad called him yesterday but never picked up. So, my dad asked me to drive to his house before breakfast and when we reached, there was nobody home except for a big black dog. It was unusual because normally he is home. My dad called and I helped whatsapp him. Still no answer and in the end we took Grab to the car store for collection. We mentioned to the car advisor on the introduction gift and the car advisor said we can let him send his qr code for transfer. We told him we couldn’t find him. After we collected the car, we went for petrol and lunch. Dad asked me to make another trip to his house before going home because he still not picking up his phone. I reached his place and this time the door was opened. There was car parked at the garage. I honked and the son whom we have never met too. I asked him where was his Dad. He said he is gone. I said gone where? He then unable to find words and repeated he is gone. Then said he passed away… Only then I understood. It felt like a dream. He was fine when he drove us around. I told him that and he said he passed away few days after he brought us around. Like end of August. He just woke up one morning, eat breakfast and bath and then felt ill and then gone. I never felt so shocked. He also mentioned he has been unwell for a long time and has been waiting for his surgery to be done at the government hospital but no reply so far. I just remembered bringing my mum to the hospital we went like 15 years ago. We were referred to that hospital. The doctor told me he has been sending emails to make arrangements for us but there was no reply at all. Our neighbour also have other issues not mentioned too. He maybe going for dialysis so there were things we offered he can never eat and he never mentioned being sick.

We are all shocked and saddened. I then asked for his contact and gave it to the car advisor and hope he can give the gift to his son instead. There were no warnings or anything but he has been gone for about 2 months already… while we were always beside all along unless we went Brunei. It is like we have forever to thank him but then there was no chance now. He was there yesterday and now no longer there. May God bless him. May he rest in peace. I hope if he knew the son get the gift, he would be happy too. Just like the durian.