Last Words

                     I took out my phone to call the number back. The phone had been on the silent mode for 2 hours.  I noticed an unusually large number of missed calls. I try to call the number back  but nobody answer ,and I try it again and again, finally the owner of this number pick up the phone call.

“Hello” sound is women. 
 I’m trying to recognize the voice but I don’t know who speaking. I just keep silent  for a few second. 
“Simon? Are you there?  It’s me..” . Her speak again to me. I little bit nervous because she know my name. I’m still waiting for the name from her.

“It’s me Simon! Santa, I’m cousin  friend” Santa? I want to recall my mind back who is Santa? “Santa….?” I not really sure either I remember her or not. It is because I’m very tired today with the part time job at my auntie restaurant.  “Mumo! How dare you don’t recognize me? “ What she said Mumo? That my nickname among the family relatives .
Oh May God is Santa.  Automatically, my brain start to function and now I know her! The only one daughter of my Jackson  uncle it’s pretty Santa! Finally we’re in the nice conversation.  She asked me “ did you receive the  wedding card invitation Simon?”. The line was cut off.   

A  week after , I went to Bintulu with my family to visit my grandma. Actually, we had received wedding  card  invitation  one week  before our vacation to Bintulu.  One of my cousin getting Married on 14 February 2012 and her receptionist at Kemena Hotel.  I still remember that  Santa calling me and invite ours family to attend her wedding. It’s was funny and I just keep smile along the journey to reach the destination.  At 2pm we arrive at my grandmother house which is at Tanjung Kidurung, Bintulu.

 I saw a lot of people in the house and they were my relative family at my mother side. First thing I need to do is to find my lovely grandmother. I missed her so much.  But, I was shocked to see the grandma was laying down, looking so pale and weak. Auntie Helmy said that “ lately your grandma always got sick”. I saw the grandma and trying to talk with her. She just smiles and speaks the word one by one. 
Tonight we’re stay at grandma house and I could sense a hesitation. That night I sleep early because the next day I need  meet santa before her wedding at night.

I reached the beautiful room of Kemena Hotel Bintulu early in the morning.  The sun was trying to come out. I meet  my cousins and relative. This room  book by father special for six of us, which is Syura, Ledia, Anung, Rijil, Tina and Jack. When we all met up, the wildness and fun adventure begins.

“You’re beautiful” grandma said while saw the Bride. Santa just smile and hug a grandma at the make-up room. Santa need to bend her body to reach grandma since she was in a wheelchair. I can see how sincere grandma was whenever she entertain others, be it young or old. She had this warm smile that made people to like her even more. “while everyone is here, I would like to said that I love yours all and make your mom and dad proud of you” last word from grandma before the auntie Helmy took her away. I notice that all people in the  make-up room was her grandchildren.

Santa and her husband Dominic very stunning on that night with the beautiful wedding costumes.  All people were happy during the  receptionist.  Around 11.30pm the guest started to go home one by one leave the Hotel hall. Jack, me and my sister  decided to stay at hotel. We’re chit chat till the 1a.m.  

 Suddenly, we heard someone called out my sister’s name.  There was a momentary silence.

“We need to sleep now!”  Jack told us off.

We woke up early this morning because  we’re planning to swim in the pool. Around  6.33a.m Jack receive the call from someone. Sound is not good, and I can see his face became a mess from all the crying. Syura said “ What wrong?”

“Grandma passed away” Jack said weakly.

                  I personally seem to be going through a very tough period of my  life. I have been to more mournings in the last 3 years ago, than in my entire life before that. Why do God have to take away the nicest grandma I ever had.. I do not understand.  But for now, I can only pray to God that this will be a life lesson that is worthy to the whole family and to give us the strength to withstand this unbearable loss. Until now I still remember the last words from grandma which is “Make your Mother and Father proud of you”. I realized that I need to struggle to achieve a successful life.

                                                                                                              Prepared by

                                                                                                                Simon Kiai