Stay In Neverland & Don't Grow Up Just Yet, Will You?

Last Saturday saw Zaki turning 12 years old -- and he has an IC to prove it now, hehe.
While other kids his age have started school a week ago, sitting for UPSR this year, Zaki is getting all prep up for boarding school.

In other words, the whole family is -- especially dear Ummi :')

The fact that he's the first to be sent away at an early age is a big deal for all of us and kinda freak us the ladies, knowing how Zaki can be very vulnerable and sensitive and skinny and he's still young weh!!!

*muka kakak dan mak yang protective*

Just so you know, I only experienced hostel life during Matriculation years, and that was when I was what, 17, 18 years old?
Itu pun boleh homesick, nangis tiap-tiap hari nak Ayah, nak balik rumah, Perlis - Seremban buat macam pergi kedai runcit je tiap-tiap minggu -_-"

Jenn was 16 when she was sent away to Muadzam Shah. Macam biasa, homesick juga but since Muadzam is way nearer than Perlis, the parents rajin lah menjenguk Jenn di situ. Sangat tak aci tapi anak sulung memang sila lah memahami.

Maka mengertilah kalian kenapa kakak-kakaknya risau adiknya mahu pergi?

Yesterday, as I was ironing the lil one's school uniforms, I briefly paused when I hold on to Zaki's brand new white shirt, with his name on the label, and no longer the dark blue pants but instead the new moldy green pants, I realised he's no longer my baby brother anymore.


The thought that he has to iron his own clothes pasni pun bisa meruntun hati. I had to let Ummi teach him how to use the iron coz I know I can't teach him without scolding him coz that's my way of being defensive and I know I'll cry if he say; "Nanti Abang ingat semua yang Along ajar."

:'(


Despite the age gap, we were tight close.
Mungkin sebab when he was born, kami anak-anak yang dah besar, excited having a lil baby to take care of - I know I am.
Rasa cam ada anak sendiri :')

Zaki became our little genius, he talked before he could walk, and that's why I usually rant my heart out to him tanpa sedar.
Biarpun dia takkan paham kenapa kak longnya menangis bila tidurkan dia, but he'll wipe my tears with his lil' hand and ask "ayong nangis yeh?"

And kak long akan bercerita like he has the solution to all :')

Lagi dekat hari untuk dia bersiap ke asrama, lagi Along makin mencari pasal dengannya.
Jawabnya bertengkar sampai keluar air mata.

Ingat elok sangat, bergaduh dengan budak kecik?
:'(

So after I got ready this morning, I went to his room and saw him restyling his hair do for only God knows keberapa kalinya.

"Ok bang, be good there tau."
"Hm."
"If anything, kena buli ke ape ke, bagitau cikgu. Telefon Ummi. Tau kan nombor phone? Duit syiling cukup tak?"
"Ok. Tau. Cukup."
"Yang penting, have fun. Belajar camne nak buat sendiri. Kat sana takde sape leh tolong.."
"Ye, kak long. Abang tau."
"Ok."
"Hm."
"Okay then, Along nak gi keje dah."
"Okay."
"Sayang Along meh?"


And we hugged like there's no tomorrow :'(
I shamelessly had tears in my eyes, he saw it and asked; "Along nangis?"

I pat his head, scuffing his hair and took a deep breath.
He quickly combed his hair with his fingers; "Kita ok nanti, insyaAllah. Along jangan risau k?" and looked away.

AH DRAMA PAGI ISNIN SUNGGUH.
T____T

Right now tak berani nak call Ummi & Ayah and ask how did the sent off went, so I'll just imagine it went well.
I nearly texted to Zaki's number when I realised he didn't bring his handphone :'(

Right now,I'm just thankful we had the chance to be together before everybody is busy for the year.

Jenn was home for couple of weeks before and that would be the last time she'll be back as she'll be busy doing her clinical period -- where she'll breathe, sleep & bathe in the hospitals.
Zaki will be in boarding school, and despite the school is still within the state (yeah, dramakuin sungguh kaklong ni), it won't be the same back home.
Yang paling terasa all the changes would be Ayah, Ummi and 'Aliya, they'll miss the double combo at home without Zaki now.
Angah & I will be seeing them on weekends, as usual -- but I'm having second thoughts now, hehe.

We'll see how-lah.


Unless you peeps have lil' brothers and sisters - and I meant, the lil ones that you saw them growing up right in front of your eyes, you'll understand why I'm shamelessly being emotional about this.

Or is it just me, the overprotective kak long?


Let's pray Zaki would remember to call me once in awhile, shall we?
:')