Having a very strong sense of rectitude can kill you, as I learned today.

(Note: Recent blog postings are delayed for quite a bit, as I was away from modern civilization, including internet)

 
June 2

Today, a somewhat childhood friend (in a strictly loose meaning of the word) out of the blue invited me to her sister’s wedding ceremony somewhere close to home - at the back of my house. Nothing terribly out of the ordinary I know; except, she had never invited me to anything as big as this before (I have not seen her parents in ages I think. And now when I think about it, I really don’t know why). Oh, and not to mention the unremitting energy of my Kelate cousins to remind me that I am invited to her place for the last few days. It’s just another wedding. Or so I thought.

Oh, and before I forget, for some weird reason I brought two baju melayu when I planned to go to one.

If, I expected love, when first we kissed, blame it on my youth
If only just for you, I did exist, blame it on my youth
I believed in everything
Like a child of three
You meant more than anything
You meant all the world to me

(Jamie Cullum, Blame It On My Youth)

So I went. Since it’s a wedding, me being a good sport quickly went back, shower and don the other baju melayu, et al. Unsurprisingly, they were flabbergasted of course, my cousins and tok.

“Hooooo… pakai smart gitumo…” Roughly translated as “You’re such a dashing, handsome young man with a bright future” yada yada

Surprisingly, they were flabbergasted-ly happy.

“… mace tok saba2 doh nok gi jupo mertuo deh?” Generally interpreted as, “can’t wait to see the in-laws, eh? Don’t worry! You’re such a dashing, handsome young man with a bright future, they’re gonna love ya mate!”

Okay, something’s definitely up. See me and this “friend” has had a few, brief, moments together, but nothing entering anything serious. We’re neighbor, childhood friends, family friends, and me being me is always being associated with someone. So when everybody grows up, and being close and all, at times things do get a little… zesty. But nothing every really happened at the end, and everything resets come the next Eid.

Anyways. So even if it’s just a walk away, I still need to be proper, right?

Oh, I forgot. Nobody ever dresses up in Kelate-land. So everybody was staring at me, some Hang Tuah from KL trying to take the crown from the pengantin lelaki. Much to my surprise, the parents didn’t mind at all. In fact, they actually welcomed me with open arms somemore, aiyo! Me, again, being a good sport, mingle around like I belong flawlessly. So for them, the intention from me was clear. But that’s not the best part.

Best part is, it was all still oblivious to me.

Suddenly she seemed ultra happy after I’ve spoken to her parents and brothers. Then it hit me, when the topic about marriage pops in from the father. Ugh.

“Bilo lagi ni?” (So when is your turn?)

“Aih, lambat lagi ah!” (Still a long way to go)

“Kahwin la denge ore KB. Sene sikit nok gi. Jauh tu kalu keno gi KL.” (Find a Kota Bahru chick. Easier to go to your wedding later)

“Hmm.”

(I erased this dialog from my mind because it freaked me out, but it’s something along the lines of she being a perfect candidate for me)

“Tok pikir pung lagi. Kijo banyok lagi nih.” (Haven’t really thought of it yet OMG OMG OMG NOW I GET IT)

To cut it short, when I went back home later in the evening, Tok ako pulak tanya.

“Gi doh rumoh dio? Jupo doh ko mok pok dio?” (Went to her place yet? Seen her parents?)

“Iyo. Bakponyo? (Yeah, why?)

“Tanyo jah. Mano dio? Tadik tubik denge dio kan?” (Just asking. Didn’t you just went out with her?)

“Mano tau! Tanyo dio ah!” (Ask her yourself! How’d I know where she was?) -> I lied.

On the upside, I pride myself knowing that deep down in my heart I don’t overanalyse and judge people’s intentions and actions. Eh, scratch that. I was just so damn blur, that’s all. Oh crap. I need to go back!

Addendum: It has come to realization that this particular girl is a bit of a gold digger herself, so please make up your own mind. I did.