Saturday, June 11, 2016

How i met Sakinah (Part 7)

Sunday, 31st May 2009. There were four of us, Sakinah, Anas, Zaim and I. We rented a car at Glasgow and went for a road trip to the Scottish Highland, Isle of Skye. We departed from Glasgow around 8am, the journey was supposed to take about 6 hours but we stopped at so many places because the view were superb. Anas was the driver, Zaim was the co-pilot, while Sakinah and i were sitting at the back passenger seat. Sitting next to each other in a car for the first time, i tried to act cool the whole journey. She didnt notice, i took a glance at her when she wasnt looking. And when she fell asleep next to me, i was the luckiest guy having the one i secretly adored sleeping next to me. Do you know the feeling, your secret love that you've been stalking for a long time, only knew each other through social network, suddenly she is next to you, asleep, We were four of us, but in that moment, on my mind, it was only me and her. I wish the journey would take longer because i wanted to be next to her, forever. and THAT WAS MY MOMENT.

My wish came true, we arrived at Kyleakin very late. The hostel that we booked was locked and we were not allowed to check in. Lucky enough, there was another backpacker hostel next to it. So we checked in that hostel. We were all starving. I dont remember what we ate that night but enough to filled up our empty tummy.Next morning we rose up early. we had breakfast together, four of us. That was the most wonderful breakfast i ever had, because i could have it with her. We shared cereals and bread. I was so on the cloud 9.


So we spent two days at the Isle of Skye, it was the most beautiful place i have ever been at at that time. Sky was blue, grass was green and smile was pure. I mean her smile was pure. She was sitting there on the grass looking towards the ocean alone. Well, while writing this reminiscing back old memory i can actually picture the whole scene on my mind. Sakinah didnt notice, i was looking at her from far behind. I dont know but something told me that she knew and she did it on purpose, she purposely sitting there trying to act cool and silent because she knew i was looking. She was wearing black long sleeves tshirt and a blue jeans! Yes I remember! We took a lot of photos together though, i wanted to and she always okay with taking photos with me. Anas had a Nikon and he loved taking photos and we all just had to pose for the camera and he'll snap.

It was a Two days in my life i never wanted to forget. I had mixed feelings. First, i was happy she was there with me. Second, i was sad and feeling stressed at the same time, i felt like she won't love me back. And i kept my feelings. I didnt have the guts to confess. So the whole trip she didnt know i had loved her. In a blink of an eye, our trip came to an end. We  hit the road late in the evening, i dont really remember but i think i took 6 hours from Isle of Skye to Glasgow. I didnt sleep at all. Thinking as it was my last time having sit next to her on a road trip. Well, amazingly when i closed my eyes right now i can feel it. The road was dark, we were hungry, and there she was laying next to me. God knows how much i loved it when she was laying next to me. I felt loved, i felt secured, i felt like i was protecting her. I know i wasnt but somehow my feelings towards her was like "Its okay you can lie down here i will protect you from harm". We barely knew each other though. How could i loved her so much. Someone i only met on friendster. Someone i barely met physically two days ago. But i do, i loved her from the bottom of my heart.

3rd June 2009, My last night in Glasgow. My 7 days trip in Scotland ends tomorrow. I still have not confessed. I was afraid of being turned down. That night, Sakinah's parents allowed me to sleep at their house. In the living room though. But it's better actually because i could lived in the same house with her. That's exactly how i had imagined before coming to Glasgow. I had an idea how to let her know how i felt towards her. Have you ever watched a movie where this man confessed to his woman with writing plenty of short notes and secretly put them in her hand bag. That's exactly what i did. That night i locked the living room's door, i wrote plenty of short notes of confession. It sounds a little jiwang karat i know but those notes were my destiny. Those were the notes of hopes. If it's not because of those notes, we were not be where we are today. I can't remember everything i wrote that night, but i sincerely confessed. I extremely truly in loved with her. As if i had known her for long time. I was so young and in love with a 19 years old teenage girl. After writing about 20 notes i am not sure and then i went to sleep. The next day, was my last day in Glasgow. My flight leaving at 8.40pm so before we went to the airport we went for a short trip to Edinburgh. This time, Sakinah's sister came along. So there were 4 of us including her brother, i think they both already knew i had feelings towards Sakinah. Cant imagine how'd they figured out but they let Sakinah and i walked together 50m ahead of them. Its like they gave me a chance to spend time with her since it was my last day. So we walked, and talked and laughed. That moment was precious and that was our moment. We sat down on a bench talking and smiling. Sakinah looks so cool that day. I mean she always acting cool. Even now she still is. Well that made me feeling more nervous though. We were sitting and watching Raihan and Anas taking photos, they were so happy though. Especially Raihan, she's always happy and laugh. And that moment, i knew i would regret for the rest of my life if i dont take this opportunity. I want to be part of this family. So much happiness on their face. So the time was right. It was my moment and i would never ever had better opportunity to let her know. I took out the notes out of my sling bag. I quickly put them inside her hand bag. She asked me " Apa ni? Kalau duit saya tak nak. ". I told her, this is something else, its not money. Promise me you'll not open and read this notes until i depart. She seemed confused but smiled. I know, she already knew my what my intention was. We both were smiling towards each other. I still remember that smile from her face and i miss that smile EVERYDAY until today. It was a positive sign.

Later that day, they sent me to Glasgow Airport and we wished Good bye. It was a wonderful trip. I would say, it was the most beautiful trip i ever had. One that i will never forget for the rest of my life. I dont even want to forget it. I did not have high hopes though. I did what i had come for. Whatever happen after that, i will accept it. Sakinah did call me minutes later, just to check whether everything was okay with the check in process. As soon as i reached the boarding gate, i turned off the phone. on the flight i was worried the whole time. I kept thinking what if after reading all the notes she'll hate me, or distance from me. What if i just ruined our friendship. What if she rejected me, can we still be friends. In my mind i had cursed myself countless times. Felt like it was a mistake. Maybe it was too soon to confess. As soon as i arrived at Nottingham, i turned on my phone. I nervously turned it on and waiting for her text. I knew she would texted me after reading those notes. So i eagerly waiting. Suddenly my phone rang, it was Sakinah. She called me. I tried to act cool, don't want to sound too obvious that i was expecting her. I counted until 5 before i picked up her call.
 " Dah sampai Nottingham ke? Have your brother picked you up? " I said not yet still at the airport waiting. It was a normal conversation, not as i expected. I was disappointed though, i expect something more than that. The conversation was too ordinary as she hasnt read the notes yet or maybe she just didnt care. I mean, my expectation was "She went home straight after sending me to the airport, ran away into her bedroom and read those notes and fall  in love with me and called me and say i love you too. " A normal person would do that right.  This way, she made me feel more nervous! Few minutes later, as i was waiting for my brother to pick me up at the airport. I received an inbox. It was her. I knew this is it. Its the moment. Its either Yes or No. Aku siap baca bismillah sebelum buka inbox tu. So i read

 " Syafiq, Kalau ada jodoh tak kemana"

Her text was short but i knew it is a yes. She just needs some time to say yes but to me it was already a yes. Alhamdulillah, kini setelah 8 tahun , kami bakal melansungkan perkahwinan kami pada bulan Julai tahun ini. We have gone through a lot together. I saw her grown up. From a 19 years old teenage girl,to a college student in Glasgow, UITM after that and now she is almost finished her Master's degree in Jeju Island. Becoming the only Malaysian living in Jeju. A lot of things happen within 8 years and also a lot has changed. Who would have thought, the teenage girl that i met in Friendster 9 years ago with a photo of her showing off her ticket to Bon Jovi Concert at Hampden Park is going to be my wife in 2 months. I will never forget, that moment back in 2009, our first meeting where i saw a little girl jumping and waving towards me calling my name at Glasgow International Airport. That was when i knew, i wanted to marry her.

Just like when she said 8 years ago, kalau ada jodoh tak kemana. So, that is how i met my Sakinah.