Oct 2008 will be a decade since Ah Pak went away to be with the Lord...how time has passed. However every memory of him is still fresh in my mind and I am not intending to loose them.
I was 'baby-sitted' by my father's elder brother and his wife when I was 1 month old. I came back to join my own family when I was age 6. In that 6 years, I thought my uncle and my aunty were my parents whereas my parents were my uncle and aunty. I fondly called my uncle, Pak Pak while my aunty as Ma Ma later changed to Ah Leong as my other aunties were advising me to be sensitive to my own mom...Later, my cousins gave Pak Pak an english name ie Marcos while Ah Leong as Imelda since Pak Pak has some similarity to Marcos, the Philipines PM then..
I remember that those days when i stayed with Marcos and Imelda everyday without failed I will be anxiously waiting for him to return from work. A glass of tea and an innocent look, hoping that for a ride on his kapchai..Some evenings worked, some didn't...hahaha..but I never gave up the same old act until I was too big to ride in front of it...
By night, "Incredible Hulk" would be in full action, disturbing him from reading the newspaper...at times, he got so irritated and pinned the lil "green thing" down for good...Thereafter a loud cry can be heard for justice to be done. Immediatley 3 angels (my cousins Judy/ Janet/ Jaycy) will come from nowhere for my rescue. Well, actually they were just trying to shut me up asap!!! When the 'angels' failed, Imelda would always managed to do the job..Marcos would then have his wicked laugh...I hated the laughter so "Incredible Hulk" jumped back on his chest and snatched his reading glasses! Before he could retaliate, Imelda gave out sterned warning to stop the episode..All he could say was "You spoilt lil brat..". There, I must have my last laugh...else, I won't give up!
And his cookings were simply irresistible. Not that Imelda's cooking is bad, she is an excellent cook. My mom and other aunties learned from her on those traditional cooking. Marcos's signature dishes includes young bamboo shoots with beef, braised beef, fish paste porridge or oats (my favourite), beef jerky, steamed egg with fish brain, sweet steamed egg, etc..Boy o boy, I cleaned up my plate everytime and often crossed border to attack his portion too..he he he...
Every weekend, he would planned all sorts to keep me entertained. Plans can be as far as going to Genting Highland just for the sake of cooling down or somewhere just to have a plate of hokkien mee (my favourtie then)...I don't know why but whenever I travelled in a car I fell asleep easily then..So, sometimes we made it to our destination while at times he just made a U turn without uttering a single word...
The last trip with the whole family was to PD. Marcos was not himself somehow. Every now and then, he insisted me to capture photos of him..for memory he said. I did not pay much attention. After supper, we gathered at the corridor with my other cousins ie Jaycy and Janet...as usual, we girls loved to hear him talk..mind you, out 10 words out of his mouth, 7 are foul langauge which we found that without them, it would not be him...He told us that he had lived his life and he would rather die straight if any mishap happens..his will is not to be a burden for his beloved wife and his family..His only worries would be Imelda on her rhuematism and Judy, his 3rd daughter...We immediately hushed him and changed the whole subject..
About 2 weeks after PD trip, Marcos took me to another trip with Imelda..it was just 3 of us..I was reluctant at first but hey, it has been a while that the 3 of us travelled...we headed to Kukup Island in a tour where the whole bus was full of old folks..I guessed I was the only young adult in the group..the tour guide must be wondering if I have signed up on the wrong trip! I hated the tour guide as she did not pass my share of breakfast thinking that young gal would be on diet...why waste?! Marcos noted that and gave half his share to me..I took it because I know if I didn't, he would be upset thinking I am on diet..O, he dislikes those who opt for diet to be thinned..He always said, "Sik tak hai fook" (Able to eat is a blessing!)
By night after dinner, the 2 of us were sitting at the dock enjoying the sea breeze. Imelda went to the room for an early rest.He told me many stories..from politics to family's history. I never grew tired in listening to him..but at times he went silent..and we just simply enjoyed each other's presence...
A horrific news came after 2 weeks from Kukup trip. Dad told me that Marcos was hospitalised when I came back from pasar malam. The dinner which I had before we went to hospital was the most difficult to swallow till date.Marcos hit a beam when he was fixing the roof that afternoon. His brain was bleeding and he was in coma. The sight of him lying in ICU with many tubes inserted is still fesh in my mind.
I prayed so hard for a miracle...after 7 days, he left. My whole world crashed but I was told not to tear whenever Imelda is in sight...she lost her man whom loved her for 50 years!During the funeral,I overheard my cousin was conversing with some uncle/aunty and pointed over to me "Yea, she is the one..you remember her..you know,my father loves her so much as though she was his own...everyone said she looked like him and he was so proud. He even hid in the toilet and cried when she went home at 6 yrs old..his eyes continued to be red for the next few days..this is how my father loved her.." He cried???!! I remember that day when my parents took me, I cried to the top of lungs, hanging to his legs but I can't recalled anyone came for my 'rescue'...
Disbelieving what I heard, Jaycy and Janet confirmed to me in several other occassions..even Imelda too...
A man whom had been through the toughest in his life and never once gave up...would tear for a small non blood related girl..I am so touched and I am lost for words for his love...While I was lost and angry that Marcos never had a real chance to enjoy his retirement age, God spoke .."My child, why are you so angry?? you prayed for a miracle and wanted with all your heart for him to have good life...wouldn't being with Me, he will have ALL things?" My heart agreed with God but my mouth just unable to say "Amen" because I am no longer near him...
Over the years, the Lord helped me to build myself and I began to re-look to those times when we spent time talking...I realize that the PD trip we made 1 month before he departed, he had given us the last message..ie Look after Imelda and Judy for me...he knew he was leaving...he damn knew it!!!
And I guess, I learned that in loving someone, it is not necessary to be near him/her...more importantly is I continue his wishes and be of someone whom he can be proud of...
I am so blessed that God has given me him and I am so blessed that he is with Him...AMEN!THANK YOU, Pak Pak..it doesn't matter how many years will passed, you will always be part of me...
