On the passport, she is Ana. But her real name is Sally. Somebody screw up her passport application (on purpose, i think)...but let's not even go there.
THE ARRIVAL
She arrived in Port Klang looking like she's auditioning for Rockstar INXS. I whispered to Abang Az..."macam rocker lah..". Short scruffy hair, 5ft or slightly less, dark skin, sulky expression. She was wearing a flare bottom very faded grey jeans, black t-shirt and check this...a knee length denim trenchcoat..She definitely arrived "in style". Far from the harmless looking girl in pink outfit and matching tudung in her resume photo. Oh boy, lucky mum is not there.
THE TRIP HOME
We took the express bus the same night, just me & Sally. She bathed and changed into the pink "resume-suit". Good choice! We didnt speak. She slept mostly. I asked if she wanted to follow me to the bathroom during the stopover. She mumbled something and slept. End of polite conversation.
MUM, MEET SALLY
My sis fetched us at the station about 6a.m. Mum was waiting at the door, i salam and hugged my mum. Sally did the same. Mum got a shock and politely hugged her back. Then we see the true Sally; the Sally who is blur, the Sally who totally has little comprehension of electricity and plumbing; the Sally who either refuse or doesn have the capacity to learn; the Sally whose cleaning standards are suspect.
Day one...Sally, if you dont understand, ask. If you dont understand much bahasa, Ibu (Mum) can speak Aceh so ask her. She nodded.
We started training...getting her into routines. Sally's waking hours are mine too. I was with her all the way. So is mum. We teach her in Bahasa, and some reinforcements in Aceh. Boy is she slow. She doesnt react to your questions/ instructions. Either she's blur or she's testing my nerves.
Day three..or was it four. Mum speaking to her in Aceh. After so many days, she startled...Ibu can speak Aceh. Duuuuhhhhh!!!!!!!
Mum is not happy with Sally (not yet, i hope she gets better)...
4 comments:
Urrrkk she has a delay like about four days. Let's see how much she can learn
ggrgrrr...even from here my hair stands on ends...i am driven up the wall...grrr...
u r very patient maaa...i would hv cooked her for the cats.
idham
lollies - blur tahap gaban ni. dont know if buat2 blur or memang blur.
idham - its more of not wanting to go thru the hassle of finding another....and trying to be optimistic ;-)
sleeps - hahaha....she's now jauh nun di utara, nasib baik!
oh dear. good luck to you. your mom especially.
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