mencari buaya di kinabatangan

I went to get my hair trimmed. They offered hair wash and although I just washed my hair, why not. I've the money to help this small economy. The scalp massage was good. 

"Kau orang Bugis kah?"

Usually I say I'm a Bugis (am actually half Minang, quarter Bugis, quarter Jawa) from Kota Belud (Kota Bharu, KB, same difference), but

"Tak, aku Melayu dari Semenanjung."

"Ooh. Kau belajar kah di sini?"

Those words put the biggest grin on my face. Lately I've been feeling old, so old and tired. Glad some things didn't change.

---

Our rooms were the farthest away and I'm glad I didn't have to tell them to wait for me to walk to reception. (It was dark and we're in the woods and I'm kinda a tiny bit chicken.) Arif is a gentleman, he does look out for me. My arm was swollen because I got stung by a wasp and Arif texted me to remind me to go get ice from the receptionist. 

I asked them if they have ice. They don't. I asked if their first aid kit has got any hydrocortisone cream or Piriton and the receptionist showed me their first aid kit. 

While I was rummaging the kit she asked me if I work at the hospital, I affirmed. She then asked for suggestions what else to top up their first aid kit. I then made a list. 

Arif came (they were lounging upstairs in the hammock) and rummaged through their prescription. I asked him to counter check my list. He nodded, not adding anything else. Then he pulled out Cetirizine and gave it to me. 

Makan ni. 

What is this. I'm not familiar. 

Antihistamine. Tapi tak mengantuk. 

Oo nice. 

I took two pills. Hehe. 

It was raining heavily and we then played cards to wait it off. But it was almost 10pm and reception is closing. It was still pouring. I don't want to get drenched nanti demam. 

Okay. Sape kalah last game dia kena ambil payung dalam kereta. I said. 

Aku rasa macam aku je yang kalah ni. Arif pulled my car keys towards him. 

It was between Kamal and Arif. I think I won only a few times but I lost only 3 times. Arif banyak menang tapi kalahnya 4 kali. Kamal paling banyak kalah. 

Last game. I won! Haha noob guyssss. Rain was slowing to pattering. I was wearing parka anyway. The guys are still at it. Should I let the loser go get it or should I just go while the rain is minimal? 

I went to my car and got the umbrellas. I returned and saw the guys already cleaned our table and put away the cups. Okay let me pee first then we go. 

Arif yang kalah btw.

And my swollen area seemed bigger. Ah. Tangan manja is what Arif said. Yup I agree. 

30

Two years ago we went high. Last year we went far. So the aim for this year is to go deep, that's why I took up diving early this year. 

But I couldn't go anywhere diving here, and the alternative is 6 ft under which is a bit too morbid for anyone's liking. 

So I met Boss and kena basuh. Deep means to be more matured and more serious, no more superficially living like a plankton. Let's hope. 

Happy birthday. I hope you're always happy. 

just go

Being postcall really brings out the uninhibited thoughts. 

I had a good talk with Hadija after work today. We sat in the MO room while the rest did the PM round. We concluded that I should apply for transfer and also for masters. 

Where to? That wasn't concluded.

I'm thinking of letting go of that Tijani condo. What's the point. Like really, what's the point. I trust my dad but really, what's the point. 

And now, I somewhat detest FB. My timeline is filled with friends selling things. It's a market there. What's the point of FB anyway? To get in touch? Yeah, probably. I'll post and wish people raya and festivities.

I have a strong desire to get away. Start from zero. Stay somewhere close to nature and just live a chill life. 

But is that the best you can do? How will you contribute? Be a community doctor? But you're good at surgery. Doctors without Borders?

I don't know. I just want to go.

What if you get lonely?

I'll have a cup of tea. 

drowning

As I was walking with Stephy yesterday, I didn't realise I breathed out I'm stressed until she asked me why I'm stressed.

What makes you think I'm stressed?

She looked perplexed. "You just told me."

I was silent for a bit. Why indeed.

"I think it's because I'm going back to Likas."

Luqman did ask me if I was really going back to the place I left but what options do I have?

There's always another option you haven't think of.

I want to discuss this with someone. Who? Luqman is a good bet but I have to go see him, this is not a conversation for extended phone calls.

Dad? At the end I've to make the decision myself.

Last night I dreamed we were at some beach and I was swimming happily. The water was calm and at some point I wanted to drown myself, but then I realise it wasn't that deep. 

It was a trip with friends, but I'm not sure who else was there. 

I got out, rinsed myself, got dressed and the plan was to rest a while before continuing on our trip. I took a turn towards my room and there was a pool, looked deserted. I walked on its ledge and then I slipped and fell into the pool. 

It wasn't that deep either. I didn't drown. 

He was there and helped me out. He seems to be the guy who always looked out for me everywhere we go. I took his hand and got out from the pool. 

He was that famous Korean guy from The Heir and Legend of the Blue Sea or something. I woke up and Googled him. His name is Lee Minho.

I wonder why it's him I saw. It wouldn't be such a ridiculous dream if it was someone else. I'm not exactly his fan anyway.

Should I go somewhere new? Should I take someone with me? Or should I go there alone, again?

leaving

Luqman is in Likas Day 3 now and bastard bored he's been giving me a call EOD. He kept asking when I'll be back in Likas.

I said later in October. I'm not rushing to go back anyway. I probably should come visit earlier to keep him company but meh.

He knows I had my depressive episode in Likas and so he asked if I'm really leaving my happiness in Lahad Datu and coming back to Likas where I was depressed once.

I told him I need to leave anyway. I shouldn't stay here any longer than a year. Maybe I should leave here and go somewhere else new.

He asked if I'm going back to HRPZ. 

Nope, I've had my happiness as a HO there. Better leave it happy memories as happy memories. 

But where to? Yeah, where to indeed. 

babies are cute

Today we did dressing for 8 months old Damia with 13% burn over her face and thorax. We discharged her on Monday with silicone dressing and she came back for her WI.

Nabil was playing with her. Staring into her eyes with a fatherly look but the kid bawled instead. I laughed at him. Her father said she didn't really like guys. 

"Camne kau nak kawin ni Damia?" I said. I then told the mom to shower her.

She did so in the toilet sink. She normally bathes in cold water at home so it shouldn't bother her much, but baby was crying anyway. 

"Kau marah kenapa?" I teased her while removing her bandages and tossed water onto her. Then I cleaned her wound with chlorhexidine. It was not painful and I know she was crying because she was upset at being manhandled, not because of the pain. She remained crying all through out the procedure. We quickly get her done and wrapped her in a dressing towel and as soon as her chin was on her mom's shoulder, the baby stopped crying entirely.

"Fake." Was what Nabil said. I laughed out loud at that.

Fake indeed, indeed. 

loneliness is not knowing who to call

This week I've been emotional. I'm annoyed a lot, I fought a lot, I ignored the people I miss and I ran away from things. I straight up criticised my colleagues and I want to cry a lot. My eyes watered easily.

I had to pause a quarter into A Whiskar Away because Miyo's obsession and fake happiness to hide her sadness was so relatable I teared up in self pity. 

Maybe I'm tired. I don't know. 

Today especially. In the morning I was complaining about a patient and my Miss said it's supposed to be our duty, don't get worked up about it. 

I realised I was being unsympathetic. I'm not usually like that. What happened to me? If I can't be a good person then I'm nothing. 

I wanted to talk to someone but I don't know who to call. Someone who will hear me out and give me a virtual pat on my head. I want a hug. Should I call Luqman? I shouldn't call Luqman. 

Should I hit the voice recorder and talk on my phone? Like what I use to do. That's so sad, don't remind me of those sad days. 

So I texted my kindest MO ever Kak Lin and afterwards cried a bit in my car. 

I wanted steak. So I went back and cooked a piece of lamb shoulder with salt and pepper in olive oil and had it with the briyani rice I leftovered from Sandakan. I took a shower and watched A Whiskar Away. 

I cried when Yori told Hinode and Isami about Miyo's broken family. How she put on a brave face when her mother abandoned her and her father remarried. I cried when Miyo broke down after Kaoru confronted her that Miyo shouldn't smile if she don't want to. 

Just a bit. Why am I like this? 

I know my parents love me. But I'm feeling really lonely now. 

Kinako said no wonder Miyo wanted to be a cat, because no one loves her. Even her parents abandoned her. 

Should I quit being a human too? How? 

No, don't. It's okay. I love you. Even if you are nothing else, even if you're suffering to be a good person, it's okay. I love you. 

i will look back and miss you but i have to go

I feel like going away. Uproot, start over. Leave everyone behind and just go somewhere, whether or not I'll meet them again. 

Just go. 

I told Nicole last week that it's better to leave on a high note, when everything is good. 

Maybe that's why I'm happy here. Because I'm here only temporarily and I want only happy memories here. So I live happily. 

And now. I feel like it's time to go.

Where? Akram invited me back as Surgical MO in HRPZ but I've happy memories as a HO there so I don't want to be back there anymore. Let that place be a happy memory, and not a place of floating as an MO.

Also. I'm kind of disheartened by Kelantan people. Guys to be exact. Maybe I'm still sore. Sure, I'm still sore.

Reminded me of the song Drops of Jupiter. 

last time i loved the moon, i shared it with you

Tonight is a full moon with a clear sky. It was so bright walking from my car to the house, so silent no dogs chasing after me. So tranquil.

Reminded me of the night we camped beside a raging river in Melangkap. Moon so bright we could see the silhouette of Akinabalu. It wasn't so quiet with the river raging at full speed and scary depth, but it was lovely.

I want another day away from here. 

dread

I've been having recurring dreams that I'm back in Likas so suddenly I left unfinished business in Lahad Datu.

I'd wake up thinking man I do not want to go back there. How would I be? Depressed? Silent all day, talking only to staff and patients? Working through lunch hour and only have dinner for meals daily?

Luqman will be there by then, so I guess I'll have an ally. But will it be like when Vicky was there, where I was angry at the world and him trying to tone me down so I don't end up dead at my own hands? I think I'll be using Luqman as my crutch.

That's bad. 

I don't know. I wouldn't know, would I? We just have to wait. But I really don't want to go back to Likas. 

At least I had my fun. I'll have memories to live by. 

laparuddin

Postcall semalam. Tak habis kerja lagi. Cuma makan keropok Kak Andi goreng dan kopi secawan. Berdiri di kaunter sementara nak sambung tulis review.

"Lapar. Nak telur dadar." Merengek sambil buat kerja. 

Berapa kali dah sebut benda ni. 

Fitri bosan dengar aku merengek. "Ye la malam ni aku gorengkan telur dadar untuk kau."

"Okay."

"Dah ada orang nak masak, doktor minta la yang sedap sikit." Kak Arlyn kata. 

"Saya nak pasta with spicy tuna." 

"Camne tu?"

"Tumis bawang, bubuh tuna flakes yang dalam minyak cili tu.." Tapi sebenarnya panjang lagi cara explain. 

Fitri confused. "Sardin?"

"Bukan sardin. Tuna."

"Susahnya. Aku orang Melayu. Kau minta makanan Itali." 

Me to Kak Arlyn. "Sebab tu saya minta telur dadar je."

Kak Arlyn gelak. Later I went home almost 5pm. Drank a bottle of liquid breakfast. Slept straight 10 hours.

Woke up and check my phone. Takde pun Fitri mesej nak hantar telur dadar. Hmm. 

sudah la tu, ur like a lovesick puppy with cancer

Yesterday Rayner asked me if I went to Arif's for raya. I wanted to ask why Arif's house he's asking and not Dija's. But I replied him that I was at his place on raya eve, day 1 and day 2 raya. 

"Nasib je day 3 raya aku oncall, kalau tak aku di sana juga kot."

Apparently other MOs have been telling them that we cook often at Arif's place.

The conversation then went down to Dickson asking if Arif's looking for a new housemate because he saw Arif advertising for a vacancy. I told him it's probably to take his place, he's transferring to Tawau.

Oh. Dickson didn't know. I thought he would. He's in their cliques of gamer, isn't he? I remember dropping off Arif's McD at Dickson's place.

Then Kak Najwa said someone said last week that I was acting weird and sad and somewhat troubled. Was it because of Arif leaving?

I paused. Then I said of course I was, how dare he leave me before I leave this place. 

These people, they're reading differently into Arif and I. I remember sitting down with Aisyah from Anaes when she asked me the gossip that I'm with him.

I trust him and I love him. More than most and so I don't want to screw our relationship up. That's why I designated him as my brother and he me as his sister. When we both part ways, I most likely wouldn't see him again because I'm just that kind of person. But I'll hit him up if I'm in Kota Bharu or Tawau and I will always be up for it if he needs anything. 

It's not something normal people will do, in our culture at least. I am attached to him. Maybe that's why people think I'm depressed because Arif is leaving. 

I don't even realise I've been so. Yeah I remember throwing a fit when I first got the news he's leaving, and that I went through all the stages of grief that night. 

But even if I really was troubled, I think it was because of H. (Refer previous posts on snippet of what happened.) 

No one makes me more serabut than my thinking of him. I have a playlist of rejected / break up songs dedicated to my feelings for him. And that included a really painful Tergantung Sepi. 

It's different from H though. With H.. I don't know. Just different. Probably how loving someone and in love with someone are two different things.

---

Today I announced in our MO group that I'm going out to get pizza and cake for Miss's birthday. Arif then PMed me saying he wants to tag along. I told him I'll pick him up at the lobby. 

We chit chat in the car, I was wondering which road to take. And we talked about how different the town feels. I haven't been in this part since MCO started. 

I told him I'm celebrating Miss's birthday because she told me she always celebrates with her family and that her mom will cook her this longevity mee suah with eggs. 

"Tapi tahun ni dia dengan kita sebab MCO. Kalau aku, aku rasa kesik."

He said I was being kind. 

"Tak. Aku tak sanggup nak biarkan orang rasa kesik."

He talked about his day at the car shop getting his bumper fixed (RM50) and additional window cover and fix his brake light that the car shop auntie talked him into buying (extra RM150). 

We went to pizza. I went inside to pick up and he waited outside for me (he wasn't wearing a mask).

I went out and he told me there wasn't any queue at Secret Recipe while taking the pizza from me and offered to put it back in the car. I gave him the pizza and my car key and went inside Secret Recipe.

He was done and he joined me in choosing a cake, also what to write on the cake. 

We waited outside for the cake. He went to the ATM. Then cake is packed and we went back to the car.

It felt nice. I rarely get out from the hospital and it felt like a little date. It was nice. I felt like telling everyone that I'm on a date with Arif. 

But Savin said it's only a date if the feeling is mutual. What feeling is that to classify it as a date? Whatever that is, it felt nice. 

He tolerated my speeding. He did use to take my keys away and drove instead because he thought my driving was dangerous. But he guarded the cake well. I was worried I'll get the cake squashed despite him holding it with my speeding to catch up with Miss but I still sped anyway. I'm hopeless. 

We parked. He carried the pizza and I the cake. It occurred to me how smoothly our interactions are. We really have good teamwork. For someone I've only met since 8 months, we really clicked well better than people I've known longer. Must be all the Tawau fiasco we went through.

Then it hit me. I want something like that with H too. Maybe I should work in the same hospital as H so we can go for short little dates like that too. 

But I'm here. And he's there. I confessed and he declined. I tried to move on but he's still a friend who occasionally ask me how I'm doing. Fuck you why would you do that when you've never done that before. 

I'm not trying hard enough. I still feel attached to him. I still listen to my rejected playlist dedicated to my feelings for him. 

We walked to our ward and set up the party (cake is safe). Then we waited for Miss at the counter, Arif chatting with Fitri and me settling some ward work before I saw him walking out from the ward.

"Gi mana be" I texted him. 

I've taken to talk to him in Kelantanese when it's just us two. He calls me kak a lot. If I call him dik I'm at risk of being condescending when we're actually at partner level. We have good teamwork. So I call him abe. 

"Bawah jap."

That was around 3.30pm and he never came back up. We ate around 5pm and I texted him if he was coming or should I tapau for him? The cake really was nice. 

He said he's going back first. I said bye.

I should say bye to H and move on too. Probably delete him off my contact.

can i call you mine

This evening I took Renji for a ride speeding to Silam. I haven't gone out that direction in almost three months and I missed the ride.

I wanted to sit down by the water and wet my feet but unexpectedly there were many cars lined up by the water including a patrol car and Glen our diver's car. Maybe it's the time when ikan segar naik.

I did a three point, stared longingly at the water, and drove back. 

I wanted a lot of things, but the things that I have are actually just down to a few. 

I have myself. 

My job. 

My car, which when I left overnight at Arif's made me realise how much of a home my car is. 

My family, but they're far. 

My freedom to explore. Decapitated by this pandemic. 

I guess that's all I have to call mine. Just myself and my job. 

second day of coveid

Second day Raya. I left my car at Arif's place yesterday because we carpooled to Kak Sitti's place while Arif was at his place entertaining Zahar and when we were done, Arif tertidur and I didn't want to call him to let me in his house. So Nabil dropped me at my place. 

Malam semalam Arif sent me dinner nasi dagang. I kinda feel bad that he had to kemas makanan himself but he didn't mind. 

Pagi tadi took Grab with Kamal to Arif's around 9.30am and he didn't reply my message that morning so I know he was still asleep. Probably main game lepas Subuh lepas tu tertidur (I was right). We neared and I called him to bukak pintu and he answered sleepily and told me he needs to shower first. I oied him to let me in first. He did. 

I set up breakfast, heated up everything, then instructed Kamal to make coffee and fry the omelette. I had to walk Kamal through how to make the omelette to my taste and he went to fry it, but Arif took over the frying part. I think he knows by now omelette is my favourite but I rarely cook them myself when we're eating together, I always get him to cook the omelette for me. 

That's my way of being bratty. I'll cook everything else and whatever they want to pamper them, but I'll get them to cook my favourite to feel pampered myself. Haha. 

Anyway, we finished off the nasi dagang and I can't stress enough how delicious it is, jual worthy and it's our first time making it. I rarely eat nasi dagang what more gulai ikan, but this I ate four plates in total. I'm so proud of Arif and I. I told him he can make them again next year and he told me then to come over to Tawau for Raya.

I didn't reply that I don't think I'll ever see him again once he's in Tawau and what more when I'm back in Likas. 

I was supposed to be seeing him until September ends but it's now shortened by two months. So yeah, I'm using whatever time I have left for happy memories. He's a brother I'm proud of.