Tam

The best friend I ever had. When she was young she had seven younger siblings. When mum was about to have a baby or in confinement, she would take over the family biz. She did the cooking, washing and cleaning too. Abang was in UK. Second sis was married. I was not very keen in the household chores other than doing what had already been allotted to me.

Tam passed her time looking for firewood with her friends. When in seasons she looked for cendawan busut (mushrooms), berangan (chestnuts), pucuk paku, buah perah, petai, or anything that can be eaten or sold. The trade she learnt from Nyai.

She was also multi talented. She could sing, sew, and cook. She was a ceer woman who managed a big cooperative
biz. Everyone loved her.

We used travel a great deal in our van during our free time. We frequented the theaters and films. Attended courses whenever possible. With her around life was never dull. We talked, laughed and cried together. Our conversations were very detailed. And our anger could be harsh but never bitter.

She had a special room in my house. Thus more than often I would come home surprised to find the house smelling clean, the cloths washed and folded, and hot food on the table. She was nowhere to be seen.