GOOD RAIN

'Rain is a blessing?', tanya Abang kepada aku.
'Yup', aku tunggu soalan selanjutnya. Selalunya dia akan bertanya terus.
'Can it be not a blessing?', Abang memandang kepada aku.
'Yup, when there's too much of it. You will have flood. Those nourished by it before could die because of it', jawab aku sedikit panjang.

Abang terdiam. Dia balik menulis di meja. Aku masih menunggu.

Akhirnya dia berpaling. 'Ayah, is homework good?', dia bertanya. Kali ni tanpa menoleh.
'Yes, homework is good. And homework is one of the things in life that even too much of it would be better. It trains you to be better', aku pon menjawab spontan.

Diam tiada respon.

Aku pandang ke dia. Dia masih menulis sambil membaca.
'When is that due?', tanya aku.
'Wednesday', jawab Abang pendek.
'Well, if you are tired. Can can put it off and finish it tomorrow night. But, it would be better if you could finish it tonight. There might be other things tomorrow', jawab aku.
Abang diam.

Pukul 9 aku naik atas nak teman Baby Faim sementara Ibu tidurkan Adik yang memang kena tidur awal. Aku pandang bilik study. Abang masih tekun menulis dan membaca.