“Assalamualaikum and welcome!” greeted the youngish-looking hotel owner in bahasa melayu who apparently was already in his fifties just as soon as we stepped onto the pavement next to the main entrance. His hands were grabbing our loads of luggage pulling them into the lobby.“You speak malay very well indeed!” said my other half.“Sure do! How can we forget? We went to a school in Kuala Lumpur for quite a few years. My brother and I!” said he motioning his hands to the comfortable seats.“Oh! How interesting!” I said lowering myself to the intricately decorated seats.“Yes! We came from Burma. And during that time we went to Malaysia to seek greener pastures. Times were getting difficult back home. However after a few years renewing visas was quite a hassle so our father decided to find another country where we could settle in. Now we are Norwegians and my children study here in the UK. My youngest still in Cambridge while my eldest just graduated from St. Andrews. Scotland,” he related his past history. He handed us the keys and ushered us to our rooms; small but very clean. That night we took a walk in the summer night and had our dinner at one of the numerous halal eateries nearby. We were on our way home to Malaysia after spending some time in Manchester while attending our son’s convocation.“Come in and enjoy your breakfast!” said the elder brother to the one who greeted us yesterday early the next morning; his voice cheerful and friendly.“Thank you!” said my other half as we made our way to the breakfast table in a cosy sitting area down at the basement. At the other end a couple was speaking in a language we could not understand. Once in a while there was laughter when our host joined in their conversation also in the same language.“What would you like? Coffee tea?” said the cheery voice again.“Coffee please! And which country are they from may I ask?” said my hubby.“Norway! That is my country now after we had to move from our country of origin.”“We just got to know from your younger brother that your family once stayed in Kuala Lumpur. And the two of you went to school there too! Is that true?”“Yes! It is true!” said he. In his hands were two pots of hot coffee.“Why didn’t you just stay put?” said my hubby.“Well! Our visa needed to be renewed every now and then and father had to go through the trouble to get it done. We were offered a permanent place to stay somewhere in East Malaysia. You see we were city boys; grew up in Rangoon. At that time. Rangoon was not anywhere near what it is now. Beautiful modern and a city full of heritage and life. Of course we would not be able to adjust if we move to a remote place like East Malaysia. Father understood and that was why we landed in Norway.”“But why Norway?” asked my son-in-law.“Did you know that by owing a Norwegian passport one does not need a visa to enter whichever country? Father did his homework very well and he was a well-read man. His decision was a wise one. Two of our siblings are doing business in Oslo and take charge of our family home there. While my younger brother and I man this hotel and another restaurant situated at Edgware Road nearby. Once a year we would fly to Oslo and gather as a big family,” he said handing us trays of toasts with butter and jam.“Is your father still around?” said I curious helping myself to scrambled eggs tempting looking mixed beans and corn with red peppers thrown in spicy tasting sauce. How delicious!“Oh! Yes! He is already in his eighties but still up and about. He was the one who started our family restaurant while our mum helps us here in this hotel. In the mornings. I will be here and at night. I will be helping out at the restaurant. My brother will take over this place at night.”“You are a hard working man and full of perseverance!” quipped my other half sipping his cup of coffee while our daughter fed little Nuha some toasts lined with butter and jam.“My father always said that you should enjoy doing what you want to do. Then you may reap the harvest of success. He is already well into his eighties and my mother is in her seventies. Both are still healthy and active. Father loves reading and follows whatever that is going on in the world. We are practicing Muslims do our prayers fast. Likewise the other pillars of Islam. And one thing I want to share with you. Not a single day went that our hotel is unoccupied. There will always be someone asking to stay. In fact our place is very popular amongst Muslims because we serve only halal food.”We sat mesmerized while enoying the scrumptious and filling breakfast that our friendly host had prepared with his own hands.“I would like to share something too! Our granduncle was the first premier of Burma at that time a muslim lawyer famous for his struggles to free Burma from the British. In fact he decided to take up his doctorate in Bordeaux. France just to spite the British and to send them a strong message of his dislike for them. If you were to go to Myanmar now you would see lots of schools colleges hospitals and public places named after him.”“Those years in Burma the muslims even though are a minority are highly regarded in the society. Because they are highly educated and profound in their knowledge. Furthermore the economy of the country was mainly held in the muslim’s hands,” said the zealous hotel owner.“We will definitely come here if we happen to be in London again!” said my son-in-law.“Yes! Please do! Insha Allah! This strategic location near to the shopping area of Edgware Road. Plus the fact that it is only within walking distance to the Paddington underground and main train station conveniently connected to the Heathrow Airport. We are proud to own since 4 years ago and are always grateful to God for bestowing us his bounties,“ said our host his face lighting up in a broad smile. We acquired lots more life experiences from our two hosts during our two nights’ stay. The hotel which is situated at the tree lined Sussex Gardens full of greenery and colourful blossoms in the middle of a 200 year old Victorian terrace. It is not surprising that their family is thriving very well being as one of the top ten budget hotels in London. Their restaurant too!We now know where we would stay if we happen to be in London again. God willing. Why don’t you?
Insyirah further extends her studies to another part of the globe in the field of medicine. Being far away from her family and friends did not deter nor dampen her spirit in her pursuit to be a doctor. She pays special attention to her well-being as a practising Muslim; in her clothing in her manners as well as the way she carries herself while carrying out her daily affairs in the western part of the world. Steadfast in faith (iman) becomes her guiding torch whilst carrying on with her life in a land so far away. Her helpful and understanding housemates and friends (though not of the same faith) tinged her life with colourful events even though it is full of ups and downs. But then her previous memories with Ilham Budi (whom she had to break up with because of family objections and interference due to different status and family background) continue to haunt her…(This book is a sequel to the book “Daffodil Untuk Insyirah and is published in Bahasa Melayu)
“The scarf! Its colour! How lovely! Purple. Not as dark as the remia. In a delightful softer hue. Indeed it is my favourite shade!” said Hanis her voice in a muffled tone. Nurul smiled. Flashing her even white teeth she said. “ Hanis! If you really want to know that is the colour of lavender!” Hanis asked her face puzzled. “Lavendar? What is that?” “Well! You have fallen in love with the colour. You haven’t even tasted its scent! Certainly it will drive you raving mad! Hahaha!” Nurul replied with laughter. “The lavender plant only grows in a place blessed with the four seasons. Like in England! So if you want so much to be able to see it with your own eyes then this is what you would have to do! Study hard. Motivate yourself so much so that one day you will be able to be in that place of your dreams…the land of the English lavender okay?” said Nurul further instilling Hanis’s heart. There was silence. But then in an instant the look in Hanis’s eyes moved further and further away towards the unseen distance…(Published in Bahasa Melayu)
The Prophet's Path the Way of LoveOnly by this Love you'll rise aboveLike a dove that's been set freeLove with longing is the keyThis love with longing is the keyHoney nectar sweetness and creamOrchids blooming by a mountain streamStarlit skies and waves on the sandNext to love they can't standNext to this love they cannot standYaa Robii yaa sarii'ar ridho irham man ro-su maalihir-rojaaWa thina maa qod sa-alnaa bi liqoo-i khoiril anaami,Yaa khoiral a'anaamiThe Prophet's Path the Way of LoveOnly by this Love you'll rise aboveLike a dove that's been set freeLove with longing is the keyThis love with longing is the keyYaa Robii yaa man-ismuhu dawa wa dzikruhu syifaa-un lanaRobbiy faj'al mujtama'na ghoyatuhu husnul khitamiBihusnul khitamiHow can I find a way to expressSomething that cannot be thought or guessedSomething more than just wordsThis love is neither seen nor heardThis love is neither seen nor heardLove is the ropeGiven by AllahIt will save you from every flawGrasp it then He will draw you near
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Related article:
http://opalinedew.blogspot.com/2008/10/perseverence.html
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