First order of business

Hmm…. The first order of business when I was in Ipoh was to follow my mom-in-law to the market. It was like dejavu because I remembered when I first followed H and his mom to the market in the early years of my marriage. It was a difficult experience. She was a bit territorial at first and she won’t even let me carry the basket. It’s different now. That day H dropped her, Hannah and me. Hannah and I trotted behind her and I volunteered to carry the basket and she let me. There was a sense of pride to be given the honor to carry the basketJ She even asked me on what ‘we’ should buy. We went to the fish seller and she asked for fish. Next is the chicken stall. She made her order and I glanced to my side and found Hannah pinching her nose and looking up at me and said”Mummy, it’s very smelly, can we go home/”. I smiled at her and at the chicken seller who smiled at me. My mom-in-law had moved to the next stall, leaving me to wait for the chicken seller to cut the chicken according to her specification. I waited and Hannah was tugging at my t-shirt, still covering her nose. H joined us a short while after that. He somehow wasn’t amused when he saw Hannah covering her nose and complaining. Hannah made more fuss after that, I gave H the basket and took Hannah out of the market to a shaded part of the market. The minute we stepped out of the market, Hannah muttered with relief “thank you mummy, ah…fresh air, now I can breath” . I pray to god that she won’t be like this when she’s bigger. We waited for H and his mom to join us, a good 20 minutes later. H went to the car while I followed my mom-in-law to walk through the nearby stalls parked at the roadside. She saw a vegetable seller and she spoke to them in Chinese and then she pointed out to me and mentioned something in Chinese that sounded like 'Sam Phoh' or something and then to Hannah " Suin Luoi". Then I saw an approval look from the seller as they scan me and Hannah from top to bottom. Our last stop was at Uncle Chong’s shop. Apparently, they (H and his family) have frequent the shop since H was a boy. Uncle Chong is more of a family friend. Uncle Chong’s sons addressed My mom-in-law as “Ah soh”. That was the end of the first marvellous day of my stay in my in-law’s place. Not bad. H was nice and he didn’t forget me or anything like before. He used to forget that I was there when he’s around his family. I was made to feel like I was second best. But I have accepted the fact that I am second to his mom. There wasn’t a competition in the first place. His family is nice people but when he did that he made me hate being with them but that was ancient history. This Raya especially, he had been very sensitive to my needs and attentive which was really a change than before. Before we will always argue at raya.It was horrible when it happened because when i cry everyone will notice and i dont have anywhere to go except the loo. This time it was ok so far.The only thing that’s not comfortable is that ‘our’ room has been transferred to the newly wed-his younger sis. The middle room is for his younger brother and his wife, so we have no where to go. I don’t mind sleeping in the hall, I am used to that. Growing up in a two-bedroom health ministry quarters with 5 siblings has taught me to share and of ‘open’ sleeping. It’s just that, I need a place to put my things and to change. That’s a bit uncomfortable when you have to change in a bathroom or my mom-in-law’s prayer room which is so small, for even 3 people to be in there at the same time. Other than that, I don’t mind. Raya especially when everybody’s around, the eldest have to make way for the younger siblings. I understand that but this is my blog and I can say something about it right? Other than that, I am happy. I have a smile on my face and Hannah by my side. I couldn’t ask for more. Chow! Selamat Hari Raya!