Ba'in and his Honey

Some time in the early 1940s. Ba'in (Ibrahim) was coming home to Penang for his vacation. He was so eager to see his mum and siblings again after some time. He was posted in the Singapore PWD as a draftsman. There was so much news he wanted to hear about his family. How his mum is coping with the family. He was very keen to see his little brother Naim's girlfriend ,Yon, whom he has heard so much about. One day they, Ba'in,Naim, and Rahim (Naim's buddy) cycled from their Jelutong home (Kurau Road,off Perak Road) to Yon's house in Western Road ( facing the psychiatric ward of the Penang GH). Having met Yon, he was introduced to two other girls (Yon's sisters). There was Z (Zohara) who was Rahim's girl , and the eldest one was Haniffa. They were all beautiful girls, but Ba'in was melted by Haniffa's classic looks and gentle ways. When he went back to Singapore, he couldn't stop thinking about Haniffa (or Honey as he called her). He would send ' epistles' ( those days people don't call or sms, they write letters called epistles). Naim and Rahim were his despatchers (postmen). It was the Japanese Occupation, and out-of-control Japanese soldiers were misbehaving and put fear in the hearts of parents with young daughters. The girls' father Azyze accepted Ba'in's suit and so Ba'in and Honey were married in 1943. The other sisters married later on. And so began Ba'in and Honey's life together. It would last for 25 years. But Honey stayed true to the love of her life for 46 years until her own death. That's our mum, Honey. A most gracious and loving soul there ever was. May Allah bless your souls Mak and Bapak. Happy Birthday Honey.We miss you.