Ayah.

My Ayah is one very great man. Back when I was in high school and had problems coping with the so-called independent life of hostels, Ibu told me about Ayah's journey.

Poverty. Just like where many other amazing people standing out there started from, Ayah is one of them. His father a.k.a my grandfather passed away when he was two years old and there he was, left with his mother a.k.a my grandmother and his one-year-old baby sister. Ayah was born with a look that sorta made his relatives bit unease with. I don't get this part much but Ibu told me that nobody wanted to take care of Ayah when he was just a little kid. He kept on moving from one uncle's house to another until he grew up to be a fine young man.

He got into SAS, Sekolah Alam Shah at the age of 16. I am not so sure if it was at this or his previous school where there was this one teacher who muttered such nasty words to him saying that he won't ever be a 'person' in his future. Then he graduated from high school with well achievements that got him into a medical school.

He was in his final year when he was told that he couldn't continue his study anymore since he has got no money to pay them up. He desperately looked for scholarships or loan literally everywhere.

I am not sure of this one scholarship or loan that he applied, but I think it has something to do with yayasan johor...or something. It was his last resort yet his application was rejected right at his face. He felt defeated and disappointed that he went completely blank. All the years he spent studying like a donkey, and he was expected to give up when he's about to complete it. He helplessly sat on the stairs and started crying.

That was the moment when there was this one man passing through and saw him crying. He asked Ayah why and such. As he explained his situations, the man invited Ayah to his office. Turned out that the man was a very high influenced man. He listened to Ayah's story and knew that he must be helped. I am not sure about this part too, but all that I know is that Ayah got his loan from the military. And that explains why he has to serve for the military for about ten years. I was born during that time when our family was in Sarawak. An army's proud daughter I am :)

I cried and cried listening to this. It may not be the most challenging story ever, but when I tried putting myself in his shoes I know that I wouldn't get to where he is now. My father is such an amazing man. I love him so much that it hurts everytime I have to ask him for money and such. Ayah, I promise you that one day I'll take care of you and Ibu and that you will never have to worry about anything anymore. I swear.

I swear.

First row standing, third from right.

Ayah and his 4 out of 5 daughters.