Bibik's Day Out

They both left the house very early yesterday morning. In fact, it was earlier than the usual time he leaves for the office everyday. "They" were Bibik and ABE. Yesterday was Bibik's big day. It was the day where she was to be at the Indonesian Embassy to get her passport renewed. Just the night before, ABE tried to persuade me again to go with Bibik to the Embassy. I wouldn't have minded, if only I didn't have the day scheduled for a closed door progress meeting with a client. It was just not possible to reschedule, not when the DEADlines are getting closer and closer by the hour.

Before Bibik left, she told me that she didn’t manage to hang the laundry to dry. Told her not to worry about anything, just go (and have fun..heh..heh, almost said that to her, but I didn’t want to rub it in). Bibik has never gone to the city before. All the six years she had worked for us, she has never gone any further than the Mamak shop on her own. If we went outstation, we’d offer her to come along, but she would prefer to stay home and catch up with the ironing or cleaning. She told me some of her friends had often invited her to tag along during their Sunday outings. But she has always refused them politely. I put a lot of trust on her with the running of the household. Alhamdulillah, till now, my trust has never been betrayed.

How it looked like when I started work yesterday morning

After they left, I went on to get ready for my meeting which was also in town. Meeting was scheduled at 10am. Thank god, otherwise I’d have to endure the madness of the morning rush, just like the other single occupancy vehicle drivers (read : car pooling has no impact on KL drivers) on the road. ABE later called to inform that they were already at the Embassy, now standing in line waiting to for their number to be called. Bibik’s number was 29, wasn’t too bad, better than what I had imagined earlier, something in the hundreds.

The view from the meeting room

The sun came out earlier...then it rained

My meeting was long and laborious, item after item was discussed. I felt like I was facing the firing squad. We only went out during lunch. Coffee and refreshments were brought into the meeting room. When we were finally done, everyone looked as if they had no blood left in them, all ready to head back home to hit the sack.

How it looked when I left for home

When I got home, Bibik was all smiles. She said it wasn’t difficult to get the passport thing done. “Cuma kena berdiri dan beratur lama,” she said. According to her the lady at the passport counter was very nice and friendly when she saw that Bibik hailed from the city of Jogja. “Jumpa orang kampong saya,” she rattled with so much joy. I was saying this to myself, “Iyer lah…ramai lah sedara kat sini. Satu kampong sedara!!”

Bibik's crispy new passport

Later I heard her and Nissa talking on the patio about how big the city is. She said, “Uhh Kak Nissa, ramai nya orang di jalan raya. Bangunan kok tinggi-tinggi. Saya ngak pernah tengok macam itu. Orang Indon di kedutaan pun kok ramai amat. Yang mauk pulang, iya pulang. Yang mauk tambah passport, iyah gayak saya tadi.”

Nissa’s reply was simple, “Ha..lepas ni Bibik nak ker pergi jalan-jalan kat KL tu?”

Bibik said, “Ohh…tak usahlah. Saya pusing nanti...udah tua. Takut!!!”

New work permit

I was pretty much relieved when I heard her saying that. But you’ll never know these people, now kata tak mahu, but when friends come a calling, entah-entah mintak cuti nak joli. I will make it a point to observe her behavior in this next couple of weeks, mana lah tau kot-kot she met “chowok ganteng” at the Embassy just now ke. Hai…I hope there will not be such nonsense from her, now that we have renewed not only her passport but also her work permit. I just pray she'll continue rendering her good services to us, just like how it has been the past few years.