i had no idea what to expect and i had no idea what to ask or say. i had never met him before, not really. he and his younger brother left when i was born so i clearly would not have any memory of them. i had only seen my aunt when she visited some years back. and this time was the first time ever he visited this place in his life too. and even more the first time ever seeing some of the other cousins who are younger than me.
i used to get them both mixed up, the brothers. all i had were a few fleeting photos or word passed on from other relatives on what they might be up to so far away. after awhile it’s easy to not remember that there is still another part of the family somewhere.
meeting him was almost surreal, mind-boggling. two strangers and yet two cousins. so close and yet so totally unknown. i had so many things to ask and yet i found myself struggling to think of what to say because there were just too many things. and there was just not that much time. but there were plenty of smiles, jokes, a broken glass, laughter, lots of chit chat, photos, laksa, kueh pie tee, pulot hitam, satay, otah, durain puffs, popiah, bee hoon, sago gula melaka… and birthday cake with 34 candles.
it’s a good beginning. we have a lifetime to catch up.
