A NOSTALGIC NOTION

There was an unusually large congregation of people at Seremban, R and R, with many neatly attired in Baju Kurungs and the equally multitudinous- dapperly garbed in Baju Melayus. Since it was, the time of the year, normally scheduled for weddings, it really was, of no surprise. The early morning trips, involving, the numerous numbers, from the clan, together with the snaking convoys that will for sure and without fail; be, disrupted, by the ubiquitous traffic light. The late to turn up, frantically calling, inquiring the where about of everybody along with the best route to take, inadvertently, testing the patience of everyone. However so and undeniably, it is a joyous occasion, and, as rightly should be, most, will take things in stride and be good natured about the niggling bits- a ‘must happen’, occurrence, no matter how, well- planned, the trip. Leading, at most times, to the ‘much frenzied’ state of affairs, being effectively assuaged, by a kind soul volunteering to ‘wait up’ somewhere for the ‘wayward’ party to rejoin the ‘principal grouping’. Upon arriving at the ‘intended destination’, as the usual case, may be, there would be the ‘stragglers’, whence everything would have to be put on hold whilst every member of the ‘party’ had arrived.
There would then be the ‘procession’; incessantly ‘marching’ or rather ‘pacing’ to the bride or the groom’s place of stay, heralding the ‘Visiting Pengantin ’ to a rapturous merrymaking. Depending upon whose ‘conviviality’, was the ‘celebration’, for- a reciprocal jollification for the visiting group to prepare, should the said ‘occasion’, be the, ‘initial’ of, a much customary cum ‘happen stance’- fortnightly ‘episode’.
Ah, but papa could only ‘reminisce’, his wedding, like, everyone else’s- before, concurrent and throughout- the epoch, that is. A, truly and veritably- ‘entrancing’ moment, verily ‘magical’ and ‘never to be forgotten’. He, only wish, that Unkel and Pak Mi would, be soon, to end their Bachelor Boy days and thus be ‘heralded’, not- unlike the, above- mentioned ‘circumstances’ into an ‘experience’ of their lifetimes.

THE ROYAL COUPLE

Papa was quite perplexed, he had inquired from Shima about wanting to book Puteri for the evening but for a bit more than a ‘reasonable length of time’, he, had not heard anything from her. Could not be that she had forgotten or just ‘insensible’, to the extent of papa surmising- he can always ‘disinterestedly’ only ‘sit down’ and ‘enjoy’ the music, should she not be ‘intent on’ his ‘custom’. Without doubt’ papa does have the peculiar affinity to, only ask for a maximum of two hours booking- being at, the consternation of the dancers, should there be none, afterwards, the number of ‘requisitions for GROs, particularly so- during quiet evenings. Howsoever, that ‘reality’ is not, concurrently- a ‘frequent’ event, given the ‘resurging’ enthusiasm for dangdut- among the ‘new and old’, consequently- the young and veterans- alike.
Alas! Papa’s petty suspicions should only arrived at, the triviality that they inferred to, right from the onset, whence- in tottered, Puteri, at nearly the- Witching Hour. Papa had forgotten that the dangdut citizens’ perspective of time is literally: quite ‘twisted’ wherefore, ‘arriving’ before 11pm is early, 12am is just nice cum appropriate and 5am above is ‘late’. Further to that, the bulk of ‘customers’ coming in, was always at the ‘wholesome’ part of 2am or a little after.
Puteri, seemed to instantly, recognized him, even after the more than four months ‘hiatus’ since papa’s- last booking. Cutting back on the usual ‘small talk’ that usually ensued a ‘chanced meeting’ she immediately pulled him to the dance floor, quite remarkably as if it were, she, having the ‘intuition’ that papa was more than ‘eager’ to ‘ ‘strut his stuff’, after his extended ‘sabbatical’ away from her-Puteri, ‘prancing with him on Mutiara’s, shuffle one’s feet- platform, or presumably so.
The slow cha-cha maneuver went without a hitch with both papa and Puteri, very much synchronized in their ‘swirls and twirls’, ‘academic’ if you may- should the sentiment then, be ‘proclaimed’. The zapin segment was ‘fluidly’ executed, especially so, by papa, In Some Way, the ‘four step formula’, truly ‘worked’- as if by magic’, it somewhat ‘enhanced’ the drumbeats, anticipating them, even before they were played out. Papa was ‘elated’, he was about to tread on the Dangdut King’s concourse, his lifelong dream could finally be realized. It, is, now the proper, Cha- Cha portion that need be tempted.
The moment of truth arrived, the Cha- Cha song blurted out of the speakers, playing of all the numbers- the song ‘Sway’, held proper, by a lady crooner, of whom, papa had heard for the very first time. She, was wonderful, lending savory justice- evermore, along with the archetypal albeit instantaneous epiphany like perception that, the song was quite the ‘epic’ wherein much welcomed ‘heavenly manna’- felicitously dispensed; at the most critical juncture. In other words, it was ‘the Cha- Cha’ song for papa- to ‘heartily’, pranced, to.
Yet, Puteri, could be said, to not really be ‘emphatic’ with, papa’s, ‘over enthusiastic cum passionate posture as regards the ‘Sway’ number, for it was within the few milliseconds- into the song, that her arms became tight and inflexible, it was as if she, wanted to lead but was quite unsure- how to. Nearly losing balance, papa yanked her to him and instantly executed a turnaround procedure, inducing her to make a ‘still turn’ within the confines of their four hands, held together at the fingertips. She complied, and it was truly ‘magnificent’, quite a sight to, behold, especially so- for papa. All the time, it was the four- step formula that was much ‘utilized by both papa and Puteri, pretty much the configuration to ‘adhere’ to in all the ‘push and pull together with the ‘one arm pointed upwards immediately after’ procedure. It was just the need to practice more to rid of the niggling irregularities and whence forth- eventually- instilling the fluidness and the graceful components- the while later. The dangdut numbers too, needed to the said four step maneuver to further ‘amplified the efficacy of the ‘Dance’
Papa, had only danced the first dangdut song before entreating the still full of zest- Puteri, to walk back to their table- he was panting. Upon seated and viewing the much wiggling on the dance floor that he noticed a veritably ‘energetic’ act committed by an equally vigorous couple, to the extent of fully outshining the ‘very mediocre’ others in the hall. They, Ameerul and Ameera, a husband a wife team- when informed later by Shima, executed a multifarious type of maneuvers that if envisaged keenly, deployed most conventional Latin and Western movements yet still maintaining the quintessential Dangdut signatures. The Graceful portion is lost but not totally, its element supplanted by a universal design that would not, be seen to be out of place in any World Ballroom Dancing Sporting Event. Dangdut’s- unconventionality, was wholesomely exploited by this Regal Duo, for they had upped the threshold of the popular dance, thence, forth, furthering its evolution into something not totally known but could, be possibly- guessed. Them’ being the reigning champions could not escaped any honest to goodness Dangduteer, particularly so when further explicated by Shima. Step aside Abdul Ghafoor, your style is out of date!
It was nearly quarter past one when a mesmerized papa, was accorded, a courteous sent off at the door by Puteri, of whom exclaimed the customary ‘Take Care and Do Come Again’ gesture, adding further the ‘Don’t Forget To Book Me the Next Time’. Of course, whispered papa to himself, but the reality of the Dangdut Kings, being- made, ‘obsolete’ by the Ever Most yet Unasked- Royal Couple- deeply mystified him.

WHATS UP DOC?

The imbroglios that do not favor attempts to truncate their consequences, a jumbled heap that was pre concerted, yet, never really, volitional. However so, they were the insuperable imperilments, whence sojourning in potent ness was cardinal. The blatant utilization of nefarious commandments that flippantly, did not need extraneous circumstances to, wholesomely, justify; their flagrant manipulations. The concerns, that were projected, from all over, however so, did not budge the potentate, to yield even though a miniscule into the much decorous and verily; laudable concourse. A meandering enterprise that does not dictate a seriousness much sought, wherein all channels for effective dissemination of positive pointers are impudently and efficaciously overseen by a malcontented demagogue. Added to the entire gamut, there is the existence of a Citizenry, that is, either too myopic or too comfortable- to collectively voice- genuine concerns. Howsoever their numbers are fast decreasing as days turn forward, as, a result of an inexorable albeit distending awareness, as regard the possibilities, of a better polity that could be categorically effectuated should a World class Democracy be cultivated. Veritably, a populace that is mature and sentient, thus having, the proclivity to, courageously demand such sublimed praxis in respect of their off springs- time ahead, as against, a much jaded and ossified, yet, predominantly- ‘injurious statecraft’. True to everything that is sacred, it is the young and the impressionable that are, sincerely and earnestly responsive to their environs and the inherent capableness, should a superior methodology be accomplished. Meanwhile the degenerate papa and his ilk would only be contented with their ‘wretched’ dangdut and the so called- entailing ‘seni’ configuration, verily a much ‘inconsequential’- exercise, in futility. An, insignificant dot, on the Nation’s civil landscape, contributing: none whatsoever to its impending ‘reconstruction’ and imminent rebuilding, not unlike a purposeless pile of chaff that is better be cast to the rubbish heap and into oblivion. Nevertheless, do battle on, Oh, bright- eyed ones- papa’s heart, tears and hopes will always be with you!

THE FOUR STEP FORMULA

Papa called Yanti, an, old friend, and a divorcee, responding to her earlier sms she sent him. Yanti said she had arrived in K.L a few days back, accompanying her teenaged daughter who wanted to visit her half sister of whom is staying in Setapak. They are very close even though of different fathers.
Yanti, used to be married, to Zafrul, one of papa’s, closest, buddy and still in frequent contact, the fact was, Yanti got papa’s number from him. They are still the best of friends albeit Zafrul, has since their separation; remarried. Veritably, all of them, Zafrul and wife, Yanti, the kids and Zafrul’s first wife and her new family are all in good terms and truly in the spirit of Sirratulrahim. Therefore, deep in, papa’s heart, they could never be, other than- Kinsfolk!
Papa invited Yanti for a karaoke night out, that coming Friday, evening, she said she could not give a confirmation so soon, and only on the particular day, will she contact papa again.
Yanti send papa, an, sms, saying she was already in Mutiara, and had already booked, a regular, Karaoke room, as he had asked- papa had earlier anticipated he could only be there a bit later after ten thirty. Papa beckoned her to join him at the mamak stall situated near the club, for nasi lemak bungkus and teh tarik, before proceeding for karaoke. She complied and soon after, they were having a pleasant chat, prattling about, the good old times. Inadvertently, papa’s eyes did a roam about, and fixed a gaze at a nearby table, where sat, the elderly albeit dapper and still handsome, retired but of higher ranked- Armed Forces Personnel, Papa’s old compatriot in Dangdut. Walking the short distance to Mutiara, papa and Yanti waved at him, smiling, as if, amused like, he waved back.
Yanti chose mostly duet songs, from the computerized T.V control terminal, papa, whilst waiting for the songs to come up, called Jinair and unkel. Both answered, they were already in K.L and being somewhere near Mutiara, but had to attend to prior appointments before sallying forth there. They both gave the same answer- could only be there a bit later in the evening.
Papa and Yanti wholeheartedly sang the P. Ramlee and Ever green, Malay duets, exuding much gusto and feel although peculiar to their distinctive interpretations. Yanti letting go with vibratos and all, with papa, not relenting even a bit, trying to outmatch her, to the extent of, the whole room vibrated with their unparalleled ‘vibratos’. Reaching the Cha-Cha numbers, papa entreated Yanti, to join him dance, Dangdut King- style as he had practiced a lot, in front of the mirror at home. Being an ex, old hand at Dangdut although has since long retired, papa was truly hopeful that she can tutored him in the intricacies of the Majestic steps, but Yanti, apparently, has forgotten, and not ‘prancing’ ever since the more than a few, number of years, after leaving the ‘scene’ has left her legs ‘heavy and ‘immobilized’. On the other hand, papa seemed to have mastered even though ‘minutely’ the ‘four step’ formula or configuration- the ‘key steps’ to most popular dances. What he has to do now is to test it out ‘four hands’ on, either with Nita or Puteri, on the dance floor, that is.
After nearly, two hours of singing, JinAir arrived, followed by, a ‘huffing and puffing, Unkel- of, whom had walked, the entire distance from Medan Tuanku to KFC Jalan Raja Laut, as a form of self imposed exercise. He has a strange notion of having a heart condition albeit not officially confirmed by any medical specialists leaving Unkel toying with the idea of going through with the ‘camera and cable probing into the heart procedure’, as recommended by Dr. Yunos.
Since Yanti wanted to go visit some old friends at another Dangdut establishment, papa went to the main counter outside, into the main hall of the Karaoke lounge. As, the dance hall is situated on the first floor and the lounge on the second, the singing hall is unusually very quiet and much ‘relaxed’ if compared with other lounges the likes of NewsKtv. Having paid the not even eighty ringgit in total bill, papa could not help noticing the cashier who handed him the change. She was, of all persons, Meera, an old, dangdut, buddy, papa was elated, he seemed to be meeting quite a number of old friends. The same thing happened when all four of them, papa, yanti, jinair and unkel was about to leave Mutiara, they met up with Dato’ Shaheed and his longtime aide, Wak Suratman. Exchanging the customary albeit insuppressibly good humored ‘light banter’, Yanti and papa together with the Dato’ and Wak were laughing aloud all through the ‘unplanned rendezvous’. Upon leaving, for the car park, papa gave Wak Surat a hearty bear hug. He, good naturedly, just pushed him away.
Upon entering, The Club Extravaganza, they found the place, filled to the brim, with not a table, that was visibly- unoccupied. Enduring no more, the slightly longer, than the recommended ‘wait for a moment- for an empty table’ by the waitresses, papa and yanti along with jinair and unkel decided to wait it out at one of the late night eating stalls immediately across the road outside the club. Whilst enjoying their tehtariks and ‘cordial’ small talk, Zahida was, seen at the entrance, just outside the club. She was straining out, the upper part of her body- as if looking out for somebody. Yanti called out to her, yelling that Mahat, her husband was seated three or four tables to the left of her, across the road. After confiding with Mahat something that concerned the club, she came up to the foursome’s table. Giggling throughout the ‘informal gathering, Zahida was truly the darling of the group, to the extent of unkel, being visibly ‘smitten’ by her. Both, Zahida and Mahat are, longtime buddies; of Yanti and papa, and both again have gone up in the Dangdut Corporate world with Mahat, being the G.M of the Club and Zahida, its Corporate Comms Manager. Last, but not least, as this post is about longer than normal, papa, has, got to, really, incorporate the penultimate part, right about- now. They, the above mentioned, characters were real people, and papa, in his inconsequential way, only wanted to highlight the ‘rich and colorful' tapestries that were made up from the throbbing Dangdut yarn, interwoven into the entire ‘fabric’, that is Kay El by Night Or Day Or Whatever, Really!. Yet, they, the luxuriant personalities, are, veritably, living, and breathing creatures albeit insignificant and irrelevant all the way, However so, and without further ado-That’s Life! The evening out ended without either of them venturing into the club. At nearly 3 AM, Yanti called for a Take Five- she was too tired. Having asked where Yanti's place of stay was, Jinair volunteered to send her, as his house was nearer to her's than papa's. Yawning, papa send unkel to Medan Tuanku and when driving the last leg towards his humble abode, papa half smilingly,thought to himself- he has that many-'nocturnal' dangdut buddies and knows where to go, whenceforth, everybody knows his name and Jinair and unkel too- ostensibly, but not to get intoxicated nor to cavort with the girls, only to sing and dance and to watch the Dangdut Emperors, make manifest their 'Seni' or 'Art'