di saat CINTA tercipta (I)

Pulau Perhentian, 30 Julai 2008.

Dia sedang bercuti di sini. Berseorangan. Tanpa teman.

Dia menginap di sebuah resort yang sederhana kadar penginapan tetapi menggembirakan. Dia menyusuri pantai berkaki ayam. Berseorangan. Tanpa teman.

Dia mahu melampiaskan segenap fikiran ke arah Laut China Selatan yang terbentang luas di garis horizon itu. Segala ingatan, memori dan fikiran terhadap seseorang yang pernah dikasihi (dan mengasihi). Puas sudah dia mencuba untuk melupai si dia, tetapi tidak berjaya.

Mampukah dia melakukannya berseorangan, tanpa teman? Itulah yang dia mahukan tanpa sebarang gangguan.

"Dia bukan milikku."
"Biarlah segalanya menjadi kisah klasik kami."

Dia kembali ke bangku di tepi pantai. Butiran pasir dikakinya terkuis. Lantas dia berbaring dibawah payungan. Di kejauhan terdengar gelak tawa seorang wanita dan anaknya bermain bola plastik. Hatinya ditambat, tetapi ditangkis perasaan itu.

"Apakah perasaan ini?"

Dalam lamunan dia membayangkan kecantikan wanita yang bertakhta dihatinya... insan sama yang mahu dihapuskan dari ingatannya tadi. Sekonyong-konyong susuk tubuh yang wangi lagi menawan mendatanginya, dan mengusap dirinya seolah-olah realiti. Wanita itu duduk disebelahnya, merelakan cinta mereka bertaut kembali untuk seharian seperti yang pernah didambakan semasa di Tanah Jawa dahulu.

Sekadar lamunan di bawah payung...

"DBUK!"

Dia terpisat-pisat setelah sebiji bola plastik tertampar kepalanya. Dia terduduk, mengambil bola dan memanggil si tuan punya. Bukanlah geram, cuma mahu kembalikan hak orang.

Seorang budak lelaki datang ke arahnya. Dia diam sahaja. Takut dimarahi dia. Datanglah dia kepadanya, dan dia memberikan bola itu kembali dengan senyuman. Budak itu tersenyum sambil memandangnya, tanpa disedari ibunya memanggil dan datang padanya.

"Adam! Mari balik, mama mahu..."

Dia memandang ke arah wanita itu. Lantas dia terdiam.

Wanita itu tidak terkata walau sepatah. Terdiam juga.

Kerana pada ketika itu mata mereka saling berpandangan, memainkan irama yang sama, seakan sebaris kata tiada penghujungnya...

Di kala itu: kata bujukan, pegangan tangan, kucupan bibir, desahan berahi, rengekan manja, minum petang, perpisahan... terpampang di ingatan.

Oh Tuhan, mengapakah Kau mempertemukan dia dengan wanita itu?
Oh Tuhan, adakah ini ujianMu buat hambaMu yang keputusan cinta?
Oh Tuhan, akan lahirkah harapan untuk dia dan dia bersatu?

Adakah ini kekuatan cinta? Wujudkah rasa cinta itu? Perlukah dia berbalas kembali?

Of Being Naive and Pure

Naive-lah sangat kan. Yeah, rite.

After a year of committed, fun and wonderful career, I was called to attend a three-day induction course by my employer. Following my job confirmation, the induction a.k.a orientation course is compulsory. Feels like being a uni student again. How refreshing.

My office sent three new staff: me, Sha and Zainal for the course. To tell the truth, we knew most of the things around as we are used to going around the building, make dealings with other departments, get involved in their activities and lots more; except a trip to our printing plant. So off we went to the course at Level 5.

One of the things that I liked about this course is meeting and make friends from all departments involved. The whole program was good, some are adequately interesting; but somehow I really enjoy being flanked by girls throughout the course. One is a 5-month pregnant beauty and a Singaporean amoi, we shared lotsa info and marriage stories together. Lots of particpation and activities, especially on the first day, made us feel like a strong family.

The best thing about this program was the tours. There were two tours: the facility tour around the building and printing plant tour at Shah Alam. Hoho. That facility tour I knew well, so that's why I escaped from touring to some departments/units that I know too well. I made an escape back to my desk, checking my emails and Facebook until they came at my office ( a part of the tour), picking me up for the final turn to the security area.

Being an NSTP employee without visiting the printing plant is considered incomplete. It was a great experience for me when we got to the printing plant and see how it works. It's like an extensive system of railways+highways+roller coasters. Teruja beb. I will bring my wife to visit the plant.

These pix will do the talking:

Film negatives during pre-press before being sent to the yellow room for plate-making.

Exposed negative films are processed to make a plate for printing.

A copywriter extends his duty from BB Bangsar to the printing plant.
A technician demonstrates how printing is done & monitored.

With Caslyn Chan, our Singapore sales correspondent.

Newspapers are traveling in these so-called highways and roller-coasters.

With Azura of E-Media.

After all, we enjoyed our ride and had fun making friends, kinda miss them. While we might bump into each other in future, the fun would never be the same. Hmm. At least, we learned something and committed to become best employees for the benefit of the company.

Khallas.

when LOVE blossomed...

I had a lunch with a friend at NewsCafe. I love that nasi goreng cendawan with omelette.

In between, we talked a lot of things. We talked about life, career, marriage, just like the days of old. He looked astute as he always been, but with a face as if dark shadows hovering upon him. I reckoned, it must have been too personal, lest he kept it very tight inside his heart. Indeed, when the lunch was over, and smoking got in the way, he revealed his best-kept account of his troublesome love life.

"I'm so in love with her. So did she." Who is she?

It was told that he's in love with a beautiful lady, who is married with two children. He, himself is married for five years with two kids too.

"Go on," said I, and he continued.

"We're officemates. We love each other. We slept together. I can't erase our memories... her lips, her caressing, her love, everything." Wow. That's too much to bear.

"Not only that. We sometimes planned to get married and live happily." Uh-oh, this is bad.

He told me that they first met after nearly bumped into each other. Starting by exchanging emails, they moved on to Meebo, and some telephone calls. Bringing themselves closer to each other means they became fast friends. He said that without Meebo-ing each other each day, life would never been complete.

"We used to flirt and tease each other on Meebo. Just that, for fun, without any feelings."

Months apart, they became close friends. They started having meals together, exchanging gifts, notes and goodbyes. They even acknowledged each other at birthdays. With frequent encounters at office, on and off working hours, their friendship bloomed.

Fortunately, none of their spouses knew. He said, "At home, I am a total different. I'm the husband and a father to my kids. I never think of her at home. Ever. When at home, I concentrate on making my family happy."

While I was taking my second Marlboro, he continued, "Maybe our closeness has attracted some gossips... I heard they talked about us, but it's just nothing." The smoke started to fill the air.

The moment of truth came when her husband was outstation. With her child is taken care by his parents, and her incapability to drive, he offered her a drive home. While driving, their began caressing each others' thighs. And he rushed to her breasts, but she bulged. As suppressed desire is mounting, they arrived late at her house. They nearly kissed, but didn't.

After their first 'adventure', the drama seemed to stop. But not for long. While still running on their usual routines, the bosses had them assigned to work on a project at the Philippines. They are required to present a proposal and models of development to be initiated via collaboration. While the initial order was clear, they thought much more than that.

The working trip to Makati City took 3 days and well-prepared. It's not only them in the trip; several others were also in for other business errands. Serving most times at sites and meeting rooms, they somehow managed to find some time "getting close". I mean, while on the bus, they held hands. That's their firsts. And they sat very close, while sometimes she leaned against his shoulder. Grr.

She said, "I want to hold your hands, and want to be your girlfriend. Just us."

He replied, "I always longed to be your boyfriend, nobody knows. We'll keep this to ourselves. My love."

Finishing their work at daytime, night activity of the trip was pretty simple: having dinner and shopping. After all those activities, they went out together for clubbing, and after an hour, they went back to the hotel walking.

"I still remember how cold it was that night," he took a sip, and continued, "I asked if she's cold. She nodded and I quickly wrap her in my arms. We were hugging and when our eyes met, we know somehow we are actually in love. And, under that tree, we shared our first kiss... her pink wet lips was so sweet." Wow.

"Then we walked to the hotel. I told her to come to my room and gave her the access card. Near to the entrance, we walked separately so not to raise any suspicions. She was already in my room when I arrive, we closed the door and start kissing wildly." I bet it's a very hot kiss. I felt sweaty.

"We were fondling and having fun with each other. We got carried away. We undressed, hammering wildly and began making love. Oh, that moment we lost control, we forgot everything: our spouses, our kids, our families. We were in paradise... il paradiso perduto. She is so hot and sexy, a bonus for a married woman with kids. Ah yes, her lingerie... it's La Senza, I think, so pinkish violet and sexy."

He then recounted their sensual, sexual love-making. It's arousing to listen to, but with reminder that they're both married to their spouses, that excitement cooled down. They spent two hours making love like never before. So exhausting that they slept together naked under the blanket till morning.

A day upon returning to KL, he said, people were talking about a possible scandal between them. He denied vehemently, and kept his cool. When she entered the office that day, everything went back to normal, but not without extra spicy stories.

"My other officemates were thinking we are having an affair because she didn't return to her room that night. I told them that nothing happen between us as I was sleeping early that night. I told them that I don't know where she was that night." Presuming everything went back to normal, they usual routines continued.

Alas! he said, as he seemed hard to forget about their relationship. "It's more than a friendship, although we are friends. How can we became friends while in actual we are in love with each other? It's so obvious. After that trip, we couldn't hardly forget what we had there. Even she compared her husband to me, and when I want to make love with my wife the excitement seems to wear off. Her face, her sexy body swerve into my head. Everytime, bro."

"You are married, you do know how it feels to be with your wife. If you put yourself into my shoes, what would you do? We can't bear breaking our secret relationship. She's my lover, and I know she's married. So does her. How about my marriage life? How about my kids? How about me?" as he struck with self-anger. I listened attentively at this, and demanded him to talk more.

"She had a fight with her husband because lack of lovemaking art like I did to her. How guilty is that?"

"I want to be with her, love her and make her my own. But we can't, because we're married. Unless by God willing, someday we will be united. That's my hope."

"I have to be realistic that she's not for me. And I'm not for her. But I'm confused," and with that he asked for my Marlboro. Ceh.

I pitied him, but at the same time I despised it. Love can be cruel sometimes.

In response, I extracted some verses , which concern this matter closely. It's depressing to hear, but not without tidings:

"Loving and desiring for us had, once been ours that never broken.
At this desperate times I need, your love and comfort though you've gone away.

I seek your forgiveness, my love.

We both knows, our destiny lie elsewhere.

Shed not the tears, my love.

I never asked you to remember me as you were, because you're not for me.
Leave not your true love for me, even if I long for your love and desire."

Wonder if I ever plunge into that deep? God knows. Let this be a lesson to all.

Khallas.

Malam Satu Suro... seram ke? Ada Sundel Bolong ke? Tolong fahamkan.

Kalau disebut Malam Satu Suro, secara automatik kita akan terbayang filem seram Indonesia lakonan aktres Suzzanna sebagai Sundel Bolong. Seramlah juga, bila ditonton berseorangan. Tetapi, adakah ramai mengetahui kisah di sebalik malam satu Suro yang kononnya menyeramkan itu?

Dalam kaca mata Islam, bulan Suro atau Muharram (dalam kalendar Jawa) ialah bulan yang mulia, dalam bulan Muharam tersebut berbagai kisah sejarah terjadi seperti selamatnya Nabi Musa as dari kekejaman Fir'aun, selamatnya bahtera Nuh as dan kisah Nabi Yunus as yang juga terselamat keluar dari perut ikan Hiu, serta perkahwinan Rasulullah juga terjadi pada bulan Muharram. Sejarah paling penting yang membawa nama Islam dalam kancah dunia ialah peristiwa Hijrah Rasulullah saw dari Makkah ke Madinah dan menjadi dasar penetapan tahun Hijrah tersebut.

Sayangnya, bulan yang mulia ini telah disalah guna dan disalah ertikan sebahagian besar masyarakat Jawa yang mengaitkan dengan kekeramatan. Mereka lebih mempercayai kalau bulan Suro ialah bulan khusus untuk Nyi Roro Kidul (Ratu Laut Selatan, juga pernah dilakonkan si Suzzanna), bulan perkahwinan diharamkan, keluarnya pontianak, sundel bolong dan pelbagai macam kepercayaan tanpa dasar. Banyak juga ritual bidaah yang menyalahi syariat dilakukan oleh masyarakat Jawa pada malam 1 Suro, ada yang berendam dalam sungai untuk mendapatkan jodoh, bertapa dan mencuci benda-benda yang dianggap keramat.

Inikah yang seharusnya diamalkan oleh masyarakat Islam? Banyak keterangan dalam Qur'an dan Hadith yang memberikan kaifiat dan keistimewaan bulan ini semata-mata keredhaan Allah swt. Perlukah kita menurut sahaja tanpa selidiki makna disebalik keraian seperti yang diamalkan saudara kita di tanah Jawa?

Harus diingatkan betapa besarnya ujian Allah swt terhadap para kekasihNya di bulan itu. Nah, apakah tidak kita hargai pengorbanan dan insafi peristiwa lalu? Apakah kita sudah lengkap sempurna?

Fahamilah betul-betul pengertian bulan Suro itu. Rasanya perkataan Suro itu dipetik dari perkataan "Asyura" iaitu pada 10 Muharram. "Syura" disebut lama-lama jadilah Suro, ikut pelat Jawa. Tak salah menonton filem Malam Satu Suro, tapi jangan cepat melompat ketakutan bilamana bulan Suro disebutkan.

Khallas.

The R-Machine

(The R-Machine logo, with Bandung flower).

Hmm. Now I should talk about my newest addition of machines, the faithful R-Machine. It has been mentioned several times before in here, and I hold to my promise to story a bit about this R-Machine. What is it?

It's a big, long distance scooter named Elegan, manufactured by Modenas. It's been with us for a month a half now, given the newest registration number WRJ 3546. It's black and sleek, and suits my riding style. Mind you, Elegan is more than just a scooter; it's bigger than other local scooters, the biggest I think. It travels at least 50km daily to ride me to work to-and-fro. It's so elegant, hence its namesake and makes me elegant plus stylish, too.

Rite. My riding experience is traced back to my schooldays with that old Yamaha 110SS (my cuzzie's) and my dad's (Suzuki RG, Modenas Kriss). I stopped riding after an accident (Superman-style) during my final year at IIUM Matric... I still remember walking to exam hall with cements enveloping my left leg. That final sem exam. Prayer times were quite uneasy, I had to sit and stretch out my injured leg. How awful. That was the last time... and after years of silence, here I come.

I think that my purchase of a PVC jacket at Bandung in April is a sign that I'll get a bike. Somehow, Abang Mus (aka Orang Muda), a swashbuckling 40-something senior designer in my office has influenced me to get a bike like his... which is that Elegan. Yeah, I dunno... I start asking him everything about his bike and do some research at motor shops and the net. Thee-hee. I even register in auto forums to get more info on Elegan. Quite ambitious, my wife says. Telling my dad about my unsure intention, he smiles and gives me a go-ahead with some assistance... thanks dad, you're the greatest.

After much pondering and uncertainties, I finally make up my mind. That Monday (can't remember the date) me and Abg Mus are lurking at that same motor shop just adjacent to our office. I place my booking and assured of getting my new bike by Friday. Hehehe. It's true, anyway, that Friday proves to be the day I pick up my Elegan. Yahoo! It's always shaky at first, filling up to max (cost me RM 12 when fuel=RM 1.92, now full tank=RM 17) and heavy to ride. My first ride home is so in control, gotta adjust to it. And now, I love this bike.


Hmm. R-Machine. At first, ArtDessei III is the first name in mind, but too many ArtDesseis could give me a lot of headache. Comparing that Elegan to other big bikes, such as Kamen Riders' bikes, I stumble upon the V-Machine, the superbike of Kamen Rider Super-1. Although V-Machine is a Harley, but in honour of the superhero I have decided to call mine's as R-Machine with personalized logo. And sometimes, I don a red scarf and feels so like a Kamen Rider. I risk not to do a henshin (transformation pose) on the bike, otherwise I end up in a drain or at a hospital.

R-Machine... a bike to die for, the official carrier to work and very efficient. If you want to get a scooter, this one is definitely the best. Vroom, vroom!!!