A month has gone by since the last time I’ve met Mr. Teoh. The fasting month came and went by in a flash and I was pretty tied up with work having to travel out of the country for a few weeks. Not to mention the Hari Raya celebrations that was just over.
Well, amidst my busy schedule, I actually manage to survey for a hand splint in several places. I went to a few hospitals to survey for the price. I went to the Ampang Hospital, a few Medical Equipment suppliers around KL and PJ area, the Universiti Hospital, Pantai Hospital and such but in the end, the cheapest one that I found is the one nearest to my office! Which is the one in University Malaya Hospital. I went there for the second time once I’ve confirmed that it was the cheapest one available and got instructions from the lady at the counter. I chose the size which I think would fit Mr Teoh and off I went to make the payment! How excited I was when I was there. Thinking about how this would help Mr. Teoh. He now will have the hand splint to straighten his wrists and palm. Without the help of the hand splint, Mr Teoh will have trouble straightening his wrist and opening his palm. He can’t really feel his right hand after the stroke. So even with difficulties straightening his wrist, he doesn’t feel anything in his right arm. Nonetheless, this hand splint will be able to make his muscles relax a little bit and make him feel more at ease.
So last Saturday, I woke up at 9am and got ready. (That’s early considering it’s a Saturday mind you) Left home at 10am and head off to Setapak to Mr Teoh’s house. I am supposed to be waiting for Mr Teoh’s daughter, PS, at the Wangsa Maju LRT Station where she would then lead me to her home. Oh boy was I glad I left earlier. I got lost around that area for around 20minutes. PS was trying to give me directions the best that she could and in the end, I finally found her at 10.10am A little bit late but negligible by KL standards. =P (Heck I am usually punctual! This does not mean I am late)
When I arrived at Mr Teoh’s’ house, I was greeted with Mrs Teoh. She came to me, shook my hand and smiled wide saying “Alif, lama tak jumpa”. It was all I needed to feel comfortable and not feel awkward getting into their house. As I walked into the hallway, there he was. Mr Teoh, sitting on his lazy chair with a low table in front of him and a Chinese Newspaper on it. He was reading the news at that time and when he saw me, he went blanked for a moment. Then when I came closer, I saw a wide smile on his face. Mr Teoh is always a joker, a happy go lucky kind of person and he always have this mischievous grin on his face which I find very comforting. I asked if he remembered me and he nodded and I asked if he remembers my name. After awhile he said “DA- LIF” It was pretty close and was happy that he still remembers me. I corrected him of course and started to chat with him and Mrs Teoh a little bit. PS then served us drinks and joined in the conversation. It went on for about 30minutes and then I took out the hand splint that Mr Teoh wished for. I fixed it onto his hands and despite not being able to feel much difference, I can clearly see the look in PS and Mrs Teoh’s eyes that says “This will definitely help him a bit”. For that moment at that instant itself, I felt touched to the core. There are no words which could express how I felt that day. We then continued chatting for probably another 20minutes or so until I decided to make a move. Didn’t want to interrupt them with their daily weekend activities. Mrs Teoh actually wanted to bring me out for lunch but I politely declined saying that my mom already cooked at home. Didn’t want to trouble them treating me for a meal. =)
As I was walking out the door, Mrs Teoh caught me by surprise. She took my hand and put a red packet into my hands. I didn’t want to take it at first but she insisted. She said, think of it as a Hari Raya Ang Pow. I took the red packet and slipped it into my pocket not wanting to turn her down. We said our goodbyes and I promised the elderly couple that I would visit them again in the future. I took a mental note on the location of their house and made a silent promise that this would not be the last time I would be seeing the both of them.
I was all smile for that day. The only thing I am unhappy about is for the fact that I FORGOT TO BRING MY CAMERA!! Even my handphone camera wasn’t working!! All in all, it was one of the most memorable moments in my life thus far and I hope it wouldn’t end here. I think the true beneficiary of the Promise Me Campaign is none other than myself.
