The Story of a Brave Man

Nine years ago, today, a brave young man attempted the near impossible. He went and risked his freedom, his sanity and all he has worked for. Not just that he also jeopardized his ambitions and not to mention, his brains!

For he…married a woman, whom everyone thought was a bit crazy.

She was nothing like him. Where he owned two degrees, she had to struggle through kindergarten. She had this strange apprehension towards cashiers, because she found it difficult to count coins in front of strangers. He spoke of intellect; she listened…and fell asleep most of the times. He enjoyed movies; she still watched with him…and fell asleep most of the times. He dressed well with his Dockers, Polo t-shirts and all…while she dressed in faded Bermudas and torn t-shirts.

They met by chance…at one of the pillars in Sg Wang Plaza. He wore a properly pressed shirt and just got off from office. She had crew cut hair and came with jeans, as she was unemployed. And was smoking like a chimney!

From there on, they made a rather odd couple.

When he proposed, she thought it was a joke. Then she thought – hey, planning a wedding could be amusing! She never stopped to think about life after the wedding – the actual marriage itself.

From day one, they struggled to stay together. Somehow, they found a reason to strive. They had with them a rented low-cost flat, a battered Iswara and two low paying jobs. The economic backlash in 1997 hit them hard. It was the year that their son was borne and now, with three mouths to feed.

It went so bad that one day, she had to cautiously unfold the duit mas kahwin that she had kept safely in the drawer. She was so hungry and as much as she searched high and low for some money, she still couldn’t find any. From the duit mas kahwin, she had four RM10 dollar notes so she used that to buy a few packets of Maggi Mee and Nursoy Milk for the son.

The man had two jobs, just to make ends meet. They hardly see each other, yet they found ways to keep on talking. They would talk and laughed about everything.

Now nine years and two children later, they’re still together.

To the wise man who took a crazy woman to be your wife – HAPPY 9th ANNIVERSARY!