Amira’s Kiddy School Musical

Both Amirul and Amira were to perform on Saturday 28th August before the Majlis Ifthar where they served the best Nasi Ambeng I have ever tasted – little discount since it was the fasting month. Amirul was in a sketch while Amira had to perform a musical number – in front of live audience. It was a mean feat for her as she knows that most of her family members were there watching her;

Mak
Bak (sitting at Amil’s table)
Atar
Mak Long
Kak Kinah
Abg Haziq
Siti
Amirul
Ummi
Abah
Tok Abah <- dari jauh datang Tok Chu <- dari jauh datang Kak Kikin <- dari jauh datang For the record, the following were missing in action - for easier reference in future Pak Long - who has to seat with the minister Ho Peng Kee Abg Hakim - unknown Chu Eli - unknown Taboo
Amira cant have people coming up to her to say how good she is, or pester her about what or how she did – even to say that she is so pretty is taboo. So earlier in the week I had to allay this and requested her to perform for me. For the first time, she didnt want to! That was a first. So I was thinking that this is going to be a problem when the day came. I tried again and again over the course of the week especially when no one was at home but to no avail.

D-Day
The day came. She was saying that she had to go at 5pm. I was thinking ok, no problem. As the deadline got nearer, and after seeing how I prepared the brother who had to go to the mosque first, she came to me;

Amira : Abah, I dont think I can to go later. I feel sick and tired. (she was actually under the weather)

Man it did happen.

Abah : Then you go and sleep first.

In that couple of hours I had to conjure something to make sure she went.

The mother came home and I could hear Amira telling her ummi that she cant go. Ummi was, as always, frantic, in her shrill low shriek voice. I was in the room and called out to her. Ummi came looking flush from the hot sun and now made worse by the daughter’s statement.

Ummi : Whats happening? She says she is not going. (in her excited voice)
Abah : Dont worry about it.
Ummi : She got cold feet is it?

I said what I need to say in a nonchalant way and Amira got ready and left for the mosque together with the granny.

D-Night
That night I asked her what she was singing about as it was not very clear cos I was at the door. She told me the lyrics etc. Then she said;

Amira : Actually kan Abah, I just did the movement and move my lips. I didnt really sing.
Abah : How come?
Amira : Because later if you shout shout (cheering in a loud voice actually) I cant concentrate. So if I dont really sing, I can concentrate on what I was suppose to do. I dont know how my friends can concentrate.