It gets hard at home sometimes. I have a family that functions in its own unbalanced dysfunctional way, and there are moments when it’s an absolute nightmare.
I used to have at least one sibling to turn to for comradeship when things turn ugly, and it’s comforting to have a person completely understand how you feel when they’ve grown up with you and know how it works. Now though, with Lutfi a few thousand miles away and Widad down south in Nilai, the only option I’m left with is Luqman.
He’s become my partner in crime lately. Guess who was the bad influence in this partnership? Haha. But I’m glad. I’m glad he’s still in school, I’m glad he’s still staying at home and I’m glad I have him around. He’s the company I need when I’m sent on errands, and the face with whom I can still exchange glances over the dinner table and the ear who understands the inside jokes I make. He’s also the voice of reason when I flip out, stays patient when I’m in one of my moods, doesn’t pull a face when I accidentally pick him up late from school and the only sibling to never complain whenever I ask him for a favour (a trait I sometimes misuse, admittedly). I have to wonder who’s the adult in this partnership. Also, he’s generous with his money. Tak pernah berkira if I ask him to buy a drink for me after Friday prayers. He’s like the boyfriend I never had, hahaha. Ok, that doesn’t sound right. I guess what I want to say is, he’s maturing a lot faster than other boys his age.
Because today, he turns 15.
He’s thoroughly convinced that his level of awesomeness hasn’t decreased one bit since the day this photo was taken (one of the earliest shots of our partnership, this) and so, I’ll pay him tribute by wishing him a
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE UNDISPUTED KING OF AWESOME.
You’ll always be my kid brother, no matter how old you get. Make sure your future wife understands that you’ll never be spared from my bullying. Thanks.
July 18th 2009.
(July - definitely the month when I go broke. But willingly!)
