Faim the Enthusiastic Farmer

'Ayah, Can I get the seeds now?', tanya Alfaim.
'Wait Faim. Our purpose is to check out birthday presents for Abang Cik, right. So, we must do that first', jawab aku cuba menahan sabar Faim yang dah tinggi separas pinggang aku. 'OK', jawab Faim beralah.

Selesai bertawaf dalam Toys r Us dan setelah mengenalpasti dua hadiah yang mungkin disukai Naim, aku mengajak Alfaim dan Alnaim makan tengahari dahulu. Faim dan Naim makan sepotong pizza berkeju seorang sementara aku makan sejenis benda bergelar keju empanada. Aku lihat Faim makan begitu cepat sekali. Selesai dimakannya dia nak tolong makan pizza Acik pulak.

'Ayah, we are done now right? Can we go', Faim mengajak. Aku tau dia nak suruh pergi beli biji benih sayur dekat kedai depan tu lagi. 'Be patient Faim. You have to go to the washroom and wash your hands and maybe peepee first. Then we have to find one more thing for Acik's school project', jawab aku. Acik yang ada bersama cuma diam mengganguk. Lain benar perangai Acik kali ni.

Akhirnya kami pergi juga dan belikan biji benih sayur seperti yang dikehendaki oleh Faim. Dia memilih benih lobak jingga dan jagung. Punya la susah nak jaga. Tapi atas kesungguhan dia aku belikan jugak. Sampai di rumah Faim terus minta supaya benih benih tersebut ditanam dengan segera. Aku nasihat Faim supaya bersabar sebab cuaca mendung dan sejuk petang ini tak sesuai untuk berkebun. Aku nasihat supaya menunggu bila matahari sudah bersinar terang supaya benih dapat zat dari matahari dan cepat membesar. Dia akur. Esok, sedang aku bersiap untuk ke pejabat Faim dah mendesak untuk menanam benih kerana matahari dah terang sedikit dari semalam. Aku minta kakak temankan Faim menanam benih benih tersebut di batas bunga Ibu di tepi garaj.

'And remember Faim, the instruction say it will take 30 days for the carrot and 90 days for the corn to properly grow. You have to be very patient ok. And not all the seeds will grow into an adult tree, maybe 3 or 4 will', kata aku lagi. Aku tak mau dia kecewa atau mendesak-desak kemudian kalau apa-apa berlaku. Faim ucap terima kasih.

Malam semalam sebelum tidorkan Faim, Ibu panggil aku ke bilik. Dia tunjuk satu jadual Faim tulis sendiri dengan tarikh satu hingga 30 tertulis rapi dalam kotak-kotak umpama kalendar. Dan tarikh 1 dan 2 telah dipangkah, menandakan dah dua hari dia menanam biji benih tersebut.

Aku memandang ke Ibu. Dalam hati aku berkata,' alamak, kalau tak tumbuh ni macam mana ye?'.

6th. Year.

Today would be the 6th year that I have been writing on these pages. A lot of memories have been recorded here and a lot of time have been spent, too. Time I could not afford very much nowadays.

It started with Alzaim. My eldest son. Who at the time I started writing seemed to amaze me by his oratory skills and wits. He used to dazzle us with his childish observations which actually didn't sound childish at all to me. But, now he is appeared differently. He must be as 6 years is a big gap in teenage physical/emotional development and character display. Gone were the days when he would offer his thoughts and simple remarks to me which later when I started to think seemed profound and thoughtful. His times with us are getting less as are his conversations. But, I accept whatever changes that are apparent as I know despite all these, inside he remains a respectful and polite son.

Six years ago, Adik was in Kindergarten. His time was occupied with playing and ermm some more playing : in the garden, bedroom, house and everywhere else. Like any other kids, he loved the computer. While people use the computer for work and play, Adik tends to use it solely for play. He is now nearing his twelfth year of age, and his fascination with computer never stops. He seldom reads like his Abang who read books voraciously. He reads only when it relates to whatever fun he is having; computer games, cartoons, Playstation and everything else. We used to have to force him to sit still and finish his homework. Not anymore though, as he is growing up, his sense responsibility and duty is higher than before. But, he is the one who always get into trouble with Ibu and Ayah. Mostly Ibu. I blame this on unmitigated exuberance and fondness for the fun of life.

I am now fascinated to see Faim growing up. When I started writing this blog, he was still a clot of flesh in Ibu’s tummy. Ibu named him Faim because she wanted a son who is wise and fun at the same time. And, thus far Faim didn’t disappoint. He is showing flashes of Abang’s brilliance when small as well as Adik’s non-ending quest for fun and adventure. Hence, I see him sleeping with Adik in a warm makeshift tent in the bedroom despite the two soft beds. Reasons, the bed gets colder later in the night while his tent would remain warm until morning. Besides, he can have all his soft toys in the tent which would further warm him. At times, I could wake up in the middle of the night and join him there.

I am rambling. I know. That’s what happened to parents when they start to display more white lines on their heads at the time their children are growing taller than they are. I know. What’s the point in all this? Well six years to me is a very long time. I am grateful to be able to put my thoughts here though now they are becoming extremely rare and occasional. I consider myself lucky. But, luck also is not infinite.

I am thinking.