Gall Bladder and Post Natal.

Wak Salim arrived at appointed time 1000 hours. Our destination was Pusrawi (Pusat Rawatan Islam), Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur. I had to take the North Klang Valley Express (NKVE) Highway as my Touch and Go card needed refilled. Smooth drive all the way to Kuala Lumpur and after the Istana Budaya, I turned left and parked the car at Hotel Putra basement.

Entered the Pusrawi Lobby and inquired at the Information Counter where my friend Raja Sahar was recuperating. I was informed to proceed to 6th. Floor to An Nur Floor and headed for the post natal ward. I was taken aback as Raja Sahar was warded at Pusrawi to have his gall bladder operated to remove some stones. The Receptionist smiled and told me, it was a special case that they allocated Raja Sahar to Room 10, the suite available on the floor. Walking to the elevator, it came to my senses that Raja Sahar’s wife, Doctor Norkaedah is the Maternity Specialist at Pusrawi.

I knocked on the door and I saw Raja Sahar lying comfortably on the bed after the four hour operation, the previous day. Dr Norkaedah was there too and now I understand why Raja Sahar was at the post natal floor. Dr Norkaedah could easily attend to her patients at the same floor and she could be summoned to the Labour Room at anytime. Very convenient for Dr Norkaedah, attending to her husband as well as the ladies in waiting to deliver. I had a good laugh with Raja Sahar, being at the wrong ward. Anyway the suite was very spacious, equipped with dining table and a lounge. Raja Sahar showed me the five small stones removed from his gall bladder. It was good that he removed them early, otherwise one fine day he would have problem urinating. Looking at the stones, it scared me too.

Raja Sahar picked up a phone call and it was from Captain Fauzi asking for Raja Sahar well being. Raja Sahar told Captain Fauzi that he was in good shape with the presence of Dr Wak Salim and Dr Haji Mustapa who had just arrived. We had a good laugh and the phone was handed to me. Captain Fauzi was disappointed that I did not offer to take him along to Pusrawi. I told him that since it was a school holidays, I expected that he did not want to be disturbed as his wife was in the house.

As Raja Sahar’s family was arriving, we excused ourselves and I jokingly told Raja Sahar for being absent more than three days, I would tear his Punch Card at the Mosque. I told Raja Sahar, I expected him to be back in a week time and we could have our normal coffee at Warong Mak Jan.

I am truly glad to see my friend had a successful gall bladder operation and recuperating comfortably at the post natal ward. Weird but true.

All the best, my friend.

Tuesday, 4th November 2008, just before lunch, I called my friend Zaaba over the hand phone to inquire the status of his trip to perform the Haj. I was glad to hear that he was on his way to Nilai to finalise his impending trip schedule tentatively on 30th November. We agreed to meet after lunch at his Office.

When I arrived at his Office, he was back from Nilai and another friend, Shauib was there too. I congratulated Zaaba and by the look of his face he is very excited and looking forward to 30th November. Incidentally, I first met Zaaba in Mecca during 2006 Ramadhan. From there on, we became friend and sometimes in 2007, we went to Hong Kong and Shenzen China together. This trip will be his first Haj and he will be going with his other half. We continued our informal discussion at Sate Kajang Shop for tea. I gave him several tips and what to expect and do during his Haj. Most important is to be humble and he must set his intention (nawaitu) right. Forget about shopping because he is a frequent flyer to Shenzen China. Majority of the goods in the Holy Land are from China. He had performed the umrah before and he should know better.

We adjourned to Bukit Tinggi Mosque for the Asar prayer. Back at the Office, we were glad that Ustaz Helmi was on the way to the Office. It was our opportunity to discuss with Ustaz Helmi on religious and Haj matter. Ustaz Helmi is a Mutawif of Tabung Haji and it was rather unfortunate that due to medical reason, he had to decline 2008 Haj. He was relating his experiences being a Mutawif and I was not surprise the various human behaviours he encountered and had to be handled delicately. I related to him my recent experience and it was not a surprise to him either. Zaaba meanwhile was listening attentively and we told him about the various difficulties and how to overcome during his stay at Arafah and Mina.

As Maghrib was approaching, I had to excuse myself and Ustaz Helmi and Zaaba adjourned to Bukit Tinngi Flat Surau for Maghrib and Ustaz Helmi is going to give a lecture on akidah.

To my friend Zaaba, all the best to you and your wife. If you are in doubht, refer to the Ustaz. I wish you well and able to perform all the rituals. May Allah protect you and your wife. One last thing.....be nice to your roommates. In the Holy Land, remember..... all are equal. Allah do not recognise Malaysians as Tan Sri, Dato or First Division Government Officer. You are to completely surrendering yourself to Allah.