Mr. James. L is my dad. My dad was the strongest man I knew when I was just a little girl. He could lift me up high with just one hand. If anything could have happened, I knew I will be safe because I have my dad.
He loves to fish. I remembered I was against eating the fishes he caught. I thought he caught them using worms as baits. I still remember the stinky smell my mum and dad had when they return from a day of fishing. So every time they decided to go fishing, I stomped my feet across the room. Then one fine day, my dad decided to teach me to fish. It was one memory I will never forget. I caught a fish!! I remembered, it was the sweetest fish I've ever tasted in my life.
My dad's funny. One time, I was putting on clay mask that my mum "tapao" from Pulau Tiga volcano mud. I was just lazying on a rocking chair, almost asleep, when my dad turned on the radio to Sabah Vfm, and a song from a long time ago played. It was the one with bamboo sounds or the kulintangan with an old lady singing with fast pace monotonous tune in our native language. "Apa ni oo?" I said, meaning "what is this? " . My dad walked pass me and simply answered, "Inilah rap dulu dulu." Meaning, "This was the old time rap". I was controlling myself from laughing so hard to avoid my face mask from crumbling, but failed. It was one funny joke I ever heard in my life. I will still laugh to it until today.
After 29 years of raising me, my dad became weak. Countless of hospital stays. Everytime, I just wish that I could be the one who is sick, and not him. It was the mental torture that's dragging me on the floor. Today, when the doctor slightly nodded when I asked her if my dad is in critical stage, my heart sunk.. to the deepest part which I have never been before. Today, all the memories start flashing back one by one.. How strong and handsome he once was. Maybe God will give another miracle?
