Breakdown ....

We were on our way to visit my sis-in-law, who had lost her mother the night before. We calculated that by 3.00 pm we'd reached Kuantan and head back home again by 6.00 pm because tomorrow is working/schooling day in Kelantan. That's what hubby & I planned, we didn't expect otherwise. Big mistake!!

About 15 minutes after entering the Sg.Tong en-route to Jerangau/Jabor trunk road, when suddenly our car engine died!!! I really meant what I said, the car's engine simply died, ran out of power, kaput ... breakdown precisely in front of JPJ roadblock ... rending JPJ officers to push our car to the roadside. Luckily, underneath a shady durian tree from nearby orchard. The car simply refused to start and few minutes later, the JPJ left after their job is done. Great!! Now, we are in the middle of nowhere (wait, there a sign board saying Kg.Tayor, and a milage stone indicating we are 82 km from Jerteh). Although vehicles buzzed by every now and then, there's nary a house/building in sight. Beside us, as I mentioned earlier, is a fruit orchard while infront and the rest of the  surrounding areas, only palm oil tress. 

lunch never tasted so good

Frantically, my husband made calls here & there asking for help ... but we're far away from proper civilian thus there will be considerable delay. Then, a small lorry stopped by, offering to help find nearest mechanic. A sigh of relief indeed and at 2.30 pm, Syaarie appeared. After prodding here & there, he made a diagnosed and went to KT to buy the necessary spare part  ( later I found out that KT is roughly 45 km from where we're stranded ). Hungry and thirsty,  I asked Syaarie to buy us lunch and water first, which he did. Alhamdulillah .... 

By 5.00pm, Muaz & Amar started to complain. They had been running here & there, created many new games to fill times, and even completed some homeworks. Now they are simply weary and hungry again. The sun had shifted and the shade are slowly disappearing. We had read the 3 newspapers twice and help is still far-away. To make the matter worse, the mechanic left his handphone in our car .... We've already given him a considerable amount of cash to purchase the spare item. The `what if' syndrome began to invade us but we dismissed the thoughts and began to say otherwise to lift our already depleting spirit. Using nearby small pools of clear stagnant water, we took our `wuduk' and perform our prayer. Syaarie returned with bad news, no stock and the spare part had to be ordered from KL which will take a few days since tomorrow is Sunday. While we ponders on next steps to take, a police patrol car stopped by. Taking their advices, we agreed to tow the car to KT. They called a tow-truck and stayed until the tow-truck arrived since its already 6.30pm and the road is now almost deserted. For safety reason, they said. Thanks a million to police officer Anuar & Zahari, a true "Khidmat Mesra" indeed.

7.00 pm, the tow-truck arrived,  the policemen and mechanic left but we're still `not out of the wood yet'. How are we going to KT? The tow-truck operator made few calls and later, we are safetly on our way to KT in  a car belonging to Sayed, a self-employed 22 years old who happens to be going to his father's home in KT. We arrived in KT at 8.30 pm, tired, hungry and sleepy!!! Lo and behold, my college friend, Hariff and his friend already waiting. After settling the car at designated place and paying the tow-truck chap, Hariff whisked us to nearby eatery for a hearty fried rice and satay. Later, chauffeured us to a nice beach resort and promised to meet us again at 9.30 am tomorrow.

As early as 7.00 am, we are up to savour fresh morning air to lift our spirit. Early morning shower had made the air cool & refreshing. We saw boats busy going out to and coming in from the open sea and few early risers, walking along the open beach. A sign of a good day ahead. After a simple breakfast, Hariff came and off hubby went with him to do whatever need to be done. By 10.30 am we are off home, this time through the warm and kind offer from my hubby's former schoolmate, Wahab. He sent us right to our doorsteps. 

We thanks Allah snw for His Kindness through these kind and helpful people, who, some are total strangers and others are long time friends. Thank you all, and we pray that Allah snw will blessed you all with the best possible rewards. Alhamdulillah, throughout the unfolding events, our patience and faith did not waiver. How? We kept reminding each other that what we are facing now is a test from Allah snw and small compared to what others are facing. From it, we learned a lot and we know that around us, there are still abundance of kind helpful souls in our time of needs. To Intan and family, `takziah and Al-Fatihah' .... 

 Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has told this hadith once:

" ... If anyone fulfills his brother's needs, Allah will fulfill his needs; if one relieves a Muslim of his troubles, Allah will relieve his troubles on the Day of Resurrection ..." 

(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)