Mak Andak

Last month saw the demise of one of our favorite aunties who has in her own simple ways influenced our life’s conduct. She taught us to dispel any ill- attitude or misgivings that we might have towards others, more so when it concerns any family members. Better known and fondly called Mak Andak by all of us, she was going seventy-five when she peacefully passed away in Cek Aini’s house - Aini being her only daughter from a family of three children - with the two brothers away at work at the time, leaving Cek Aini alone to attend to the last needs of her mother. It was the morning of 21st March 2006 at 11:10am when the late Aminah binti Haji Hashim breathed her last on Aini’s shoulders with the last mention of Allah by herself - God Bless her soul !

Mak Andak had two other sisters better known as Mak Anjang and Mak Su, both of whom passed away a few years ago. The three of them are half sisters to Ainul’s mother, the late Che Bee who had two sisters better known as Mak Chak and Mak Chik Ma, all of whom also passed away years past. All these sisters found my mother-in-law Che Bee as their rallying figure as the head of the family ever since all their husbands passed away. As a result of this , till today, the rest of their children - Ainul’s cousins - pay great respect to Sabri and Ainul - the two being the eldest among them. Besides Abdul Fatah and Azizah.

The late Mak Andak likes everybody and never speaks bad about anyone. If at all, she always try to patch up any misunderstanding or quarrel among family members and for all we know the same to her friends too. Mak Andak loves to talk about almost anything and she loves food especially noodles. Both Aziz and Jalnah fondly recall the many occasions when she would insist to stop for a plate of noodles whilst on a long journey and even at places where one would least expect any noodles being sold. To Mak Andak, any kind of cooked noodles almost always appeals to her, but of course she loves rice too. As for the drink that quenches her when eating any food, it has to be any fizzy drinks such as Root Beer, Coke, Seven Up, Sarsi or Ice tea or Syrups of any kind. It was not suprising she has diabetes , high cholesterol and high blood pressure too. Despite all these health setbacks, she seems always happy and enjoys life to the full. She loves travelling and visiting relatives and friends.

Mak Andak was the last of Ainul’s aunty on her mother’s side. Mak Andak’s side kick years past was the her late sister, Mak Su, or Aishah, who, like her was a very happy-go-lucky person and very generous with her cookings. Mak Su simply loves food - any food, for that matter. Whenever we go to her house, she never fails to cook something for us and almost always in abundance. When we asked her who is going to eat so much food, she will say, not to worry because she will eat it later ! Eating is always an adventure with Mak Su just as it is with Mak Andak too, and between the two of them, they can eat and enjoy any food that come their way !

Mak Andak leaves behind Aini, Aman and Amin, with the boys in the teaching profession just like Mak Andak was , and Aini in the Education Office in Alor Star. Through her children Mak Andak has eight grandchildren and she was fond of all of them despite some rifts in the family circle when Amin divorced his first wife and got married to another one. Through Mak Andak’s intervention and persuasion, the family remains intact. This is contrary to what would have happened if it had been Pak Andak - her late husband, who passed away some years back. Pak Andak was another unique character.

Whilst kind hearted he tolerated no nonsense of any kind when it comes to discipline, which character contrasted the late Pak Su - Mak Su’s husband - who was as jovial as Mak Su and completely not bothered about time and discipline ! Hence between these four wonderful uncles and aunties, there are a lot of stories to tell, something I will elaborate on some day ! Suffices it is for now, we pay our last respect to Mak Andak, our aunty and mentor.

written by Tunku Farid
edited by Aida Halim