Goodbye, Adorable Girl
The SMS from Irene shocked and chilled me to the bone.
A dear friend of mine during my London days, Marina, had passed away. Her return to Rahmatullah left behind a loving husband, Arihan, whom we nicknamed Bo and (if I'm not wrong) one child.
The grief, hit me like a wave. My eyes started tearing up - I can't believe she was gone. I imagined what it was like to be in Bo's shoes right now - losing his wife so early on and 2 weeks, before Syawal too. It overwhelmed me.
Oh, dear God. Betapa getir ujianmu, terhadap hambamu.
*********************************************************************************
Marina is an adorable girl. She's sweet, pleasant, warm and genuine in her mannerisms. She's cute and when she smiled or laughed, the whole room would light up.
And sometimes, she can be quite trusting and unintentionally blur. :)
I used to have a gala time, pulling her leg about "scientific facts" which could not possibly, be true (like Milo came from a protein extract that came from a certain anatomic part of a crocodile - which is why you become "sihat dan kuat"). And she used to believe me - or anyone else for that matter - until laughter broke out, to confirm that she had been duped.
And she was good-natured and always took it in good stride - always willing to laugh at herself, as much as we were willing to laugh at her. I remember the student days and how much Bo loved and adored her.
Theirs was a hot, sizzling romance that said a lot more in mutual loving glances and playful gestures, than words. It was mature and secure. It didn't need to gush like young love, usually does.
Marina was very close to one of the girls I used to date in London, named June (not her real name). She was also close to 2 other girls, Nenn and Lily. The 4 of them and their boyfriends, shared a lot of memorable moments, together. The 4 girls were inseparable - although June was the closest to her.
I remember one particularly hilarious event when Marina watched a movie with us - it was a horror movie. She was so jolted by the scare, that popcorn was flying in the air. And some landed (and remained) on our hair! I was so amused, I laughed at her, all the way home.
I remember her being in the dikir barat team with Bo, on Malam Bakti. Their support and encouragement for my idea of Malam Bakti, was immeasurable.
I remember the gatherings at Reza's house in London, with Bo, Marina and 3 other couples. The jokes, the laughter, the bantering and making fun of each other.
As is usual, once we returned from the UK, the group drifted apart, what with work and family and everything else.
And we did not make time to see each other, as often as we'd like, although the promises were far more frequent. The last time I saw Marina and Bo together, was at my Hari Raya Open House - 2 years ago. Although I did see Bo, once in a while, in Menara Telekom, when I had meetings there.
And now, she's gone. Sweet little Marina is gone.
**********************************************************************************
Dear God,....thank you for the time that you have lent her to us, in this lifetime. In her short lifetime, she has touched and enriched the lives of many, with her warm and genuine ways. Keep her soul blessed, always.
And God,...please give Bo and his child, the emotional strength and faith to get through this trying period. Let him not be shy of reaching out to us, if he needed a shoulder to lean on. Because he has many friends that will be there for him.
And Marina,...you will be missed. So badly, by so many. I don't think I'll ever adjust to the fact, that I'll never see you again. Thank you for all the warmth, the smiles and laughter.
Goodbye, Adorable Girl.
Al-Fatihah.
**********************************************************************************
p.s. For those of you reading this, if there are persons close to you that you have not heard from in a long while - pick up that phone and let them know that you miss catching up, with them.
Because honestly, we don't know how much borrowed time, we've got left with them.
The living should never be taken for granted. Nor should Life.
A dear friend of mine during my London days, Marina, had passed away. Her return to Rahmatullah left behind a loving husband, Arihan, whom we nicknamed Bo and (if I'm not wrong) one child.
The grief, hit me like a wave. My eyes started tearing up - I can't believe she was gone. I imagined what it was like to be in Bo's shoes right now - losing his wife so early on and 2 weeks, before Syawal too. It overwhelmed me.
Oh, dear God. Betapa getir ujianmu, terhadap hambamu.
*********************************************************************************
Marina is an adorable girl. She's sweet, pleasant, warm and genuine in her mannerisms. She's cute and when she smiled or laughed, the whole room would light up.
And sometimes, she can be quite trusting and unintentionally blur. :)
I used to have a gala time, pulling her leg about "scientific facts" which could not possibly, be true (like Milo came from a protein extract that came from a certain anatomic part of a crocodile - which is why you become "sihat dan kuat"). And she used to believe me - or anyone else for that matter - until laughter broke out, to confirm that she had been duped.
And she was good-natured and always took it in good stride - always willing to laugh at herself, as much as we were willing to laugh at her. I remember the student days and how much Bo loved and adored her.
Theirs was a hot, sizzling romance that said a lot more in mutual loving glances and playful gestures, than words. It was mature and secure. It didn't need to gush like young love, usually does.
Marina was very close to one of the girls I used to date in London, named June (not her real name). She was also close to 2 other girls, Nenn and Lily. The 4 of them and their boyfriends, shared a lot of memorable moments, together. The 4 girls were inseparable - although June was the closest to her.
I remember one particularly hilarious event when Marina watched a movie with us - it was a horror movie. She was so jolted by the scare, that popcorn was flying in the air. And some landed (and remained) on our hair! I was so amused, I laughed at her, all the way home.
I remember her being in the dikir barat team with Bo, on Malam Bakti. Their support and encouragement for my idea of Malam Bakti, was immeasurable.
I remember the gatherings at Reza's house in London, with Bo, Marina and 3 other couples. The jokes, the laughter, the bantering and making fun of each other.
As is usual, once we returned from the UK, the group drifted apart, what with work and family and everything else.
And we did not make time to see each other, as often as we'd like, although the promises were far more frequent. The last time I saw Marina and Bo together, was at my Hari Raya Open House - 2 years ago. Although I did see Bo, once in a while, in Menara Telekom, when I had meetings there.
And now, she's gone. Sweet little Marina is gone.
**********************************************************************************
Dear God,....thank you for the time that you have lent her to us, in this lifetime. In her short lifetime, she has touched and enriched the lives of many, with her warm and genuine ways. Keep her soul blessed, always.
And God,...please give Bo and his child, the emotional strength and faith to get through this trying period. Let him not be shy of reaching out to us, if he needed a shoulder to lean on. Because he has many friends that will be there for him.
And Marina,...you will be missed. So badly, by so many. I don't think I'll ever adjust to the fact, that I'll never see you again. Thank you for all the warmth, the smiles and laughter.
Goodbye, Adorable Girl.
Al-Fatihah.
**********************************************************************************
p.s. For those of you reading this, if there are persons close to you that you have not heard from in a long while - pick up that phone and let them know that you miss catching up, with them.
Because honestly, we don't know how much borrowed time, we've got left with them.
The living should never be taken for granted. Nor should Life.
posted by Stingrayz | 10:21 AM
4 Comments:
:(
Al-fatihah
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Marina leaves behind her college sweetheart and loving husband Areehan (Bowo), two beautiful daughters and her family..
She was 8 weeks pregnant with their 3rd child. She fainted due to low glucose in her body and passed away on the way to the hospital. She was only 29. She was buried the following morning in Seremban.
It is with great sadness to see the heartfelt pain in everyone's faces, eyes and hearts at the hospital as her tiny white cloth wrapped body was carried into the metal casket taken out of the morgue into the van that was destined for her burial. One could almost see the shock on Bowo and everyone's faces as close friends trickled in to say their last goodbyes. Fragile life is. All that is left are happy memories.
Our sincere prayers go out to Marina's family and our dear friend Bowo.. May they have the strength to cope with their sudden loss of an angel, rejoice and realise that she is in a better place now beside Allah, always looking back at us in her sweet smiling ways.
We'll miss you Marina.. :)
Al Fatihah
JD:
Thanks for relating the details of the story. I couldn't make it to SJMC that night nor the funeral in Seremban - but I did send Bo my salam takziah.
I hope he's holding up okay.
Yes, we have truly lost someone special. :(
Post a Comment
<< Home