Camelia

Camelia looked out of the window from her bed room and recalled back her younger days at her village in Bumi Kenyalang.  It hold many memories which she doesn't want to remind herself of - the pains and heartaches.  She has gone through so much in life but thankful how far she has accomplished. 

She turned to look at her two sons who are still very young ( Alif 5 and Aiman 2 years of age) sleeping on the bed.  Her only daughter Alysa is in University.  She has more than 12 siblings of her own but she has only three children.  Still she is thankful that she has enough.  In her childhood days, they were poor and just had enough to eat on a daily basis.  But they were happy.  She was the 6th in her family.  They lived quite close with her cousins and she was very closed to one of her cousin Nadia who was the same age as her.  They were even closer as they studied together at the same school and university.  Basically, they are like sisters.

When Camelia was 7 or 8 years old, she moved with her siblings and parents to the Abode of Peace due to visiting their cousin who was getting married.  Eventually they ended up staying there until some of the sisters and brothers were married and become resident there.  Camelia actually went back home to continue her study in Bumi Kenyalang.  That was when she met Arif (who was from Bumi di  Bawah Bayu) through her cousin Nadia as they were in the same University at Bumi Kenyalang.  Through their friendship somehow she felt in love with Arif.  Nadia was also in love with Arif and as her boyfriend at that time.  Through the events, as it turned out, Arif decided to marry Camelia.  And this also was the end of Camelia and Nadia's friendships.  Arif parents approved of the marriage as they got married at Camelia's village in Bumi Kenyalang.

When Camelia was pregnant with her daughter Alysa, the parents asked him to come home and worked in the country di bawah Bayu after he completed his degree.  As it turned out, this was actually the beginning of the parents' scheme to get back their son.  So many excuses were given so that Arif does not have to go back to Bumi Kenyalang to visit Camelia.

Weeks and months went by, a letter came in the mail to ask Camelia to sign and approve the divorce paper.  Her world came crumbling down and she was pregnant at that time, but she agreed to the divorce.  Apparently, Arif's mother has set her eyes on someone to be their daughter in law - Arif's cousin.  They got married after the divorce paper's were signed.  Arif's parents actually didn't approve of Camelia as she came from a poor family.

With the divorce, Camelia decided to take her baby and leave Bumi Kenyalang.  She came to stay with her sister in the Abode of Peace.  She managed to work in Bumi Kenyalang's oil town which was not far if she decided to visit her sister.  With her deep love for her daughter Alysa, she put aside the divorce behind her and concentrate on Alysa.  Alysa is such a beutiful kid.  Alysa grew up without her father's and grand parents love or presence.  But through Camelia's guidance she succeed in her studies.

Camelia and Alysa came back to Bumi Kenyalang where her mom still lives.  Some of her siblings are still there.  She came back so that Alysa can go to the University there.

Ariff and the grand parents didn't want to know about Alysa.  No financial support was given to them.  They didn't bother to ask how Alysa was.  But, though already divorced, Camelia and Ariff was in contact (still in good terms) especially when it comes to signing papers for identity card, school etc.  Camelia normally sent these documents for Arif to sign via telegram.  But through out her childhood, Alysa never visiter her father or grandparents. The grand parents never acknowledge Alysa as their grand daugher. 

After many many years had gone by, when Alysa was about to enrol to a University, the documents required the father's details and signature.  Apparently, Arif didn't have children with his wife after many years of trying.  By this time, Arif's mother (now a mellowed/soften old lady) wanted to take Alysa in as she is the only grand daughter they have and the heir (The grand parents are very well off - they own businesses, lands etc).  The grandmother wanted Alysa to live with them and study at the University near their home.  They even offered to pay for the course fees.  But Alysa rejected the offer nicely and told them she wanted to study at the university close to where her mom lives.  Alsya understood what her mom had went through.  The grand parents agreed and they still insist to pay for Alysa's course fees.  Alysa also finally get to meet the father and visited the grand parents a couple of times.

When Alysa was at her final year in the university, Camelia met Adam.  Camelia worked in the same ministry but different department.  They courted for a while.  Camelia told Alysa about Adam.  Alysa saw Adam as someone who was kind and gentle with her mom.  So when Adam proposed to Camelia, Alysa gave her approval.  They married and eventually had two sons (Alif & Aiman).  Camelia is happy as her life is complete with her loving husband and children around her.  They even had a house of their own next to her mom in Bumi Kenyalang.  when Aiman was about two years old, Camelia had another blow.  This time Adam passed away.  He was in his late fourties.

Wiping the tears from her face, she looked at the bedside table where their wedding picture frame stood. She then looked at her two sons, still very young and without a father.  She told herself that she had gone through the phase of being alone raising her daughter Alysa, this is no different.  She needs to guide them properly.  She prayed that she be given the will to stay strong.  She, Alysa, Alif and Aiman can get through this.

And their lives continue.......