To my beloved, Ti... I would like to seek this opportunity as well to seek forgiveness in any event of mishaps, disappointment, upset that I may cause to you, during our 6 month relationship. And to all our friends...of 360... Selamat Hari Raya ..Maaf Zahir.....(Bathin not yet ahh....)

Friday, 20th October 2006, 1300hrs, I was standing by for Friday prayers in Khalid Mosque. I noticed that there were a lot of  beggars at the front gate. When a person offer donation to one...the others began to rush for that person's offerings as well. A closer distance, I may assume by their accent that they were Indonesians. I wonder by what means they manage to come to Singapore.

On the other part of Geylang, within the vicinity of Joo Chiat Complex, you may observed another group of Indonesians. But they are more productive, by selling farm products, like dried fish, the coconut leaves used to make ketupat, and variety of dried goods.

The crowd in the bazaar which was organised in conjuction with the festive season, is still tolerable. Actually, I was killing time, roaming around, the vicinity, till 1500hrs, where I made my way to Darul Arqam, where me and Ti made a rendezvous.

Darul Arqam is an association for Muslim converts, and as the name implies, it looks into the welfares, religous guidance and problems faces by new converts to Islam.

Then, we made our way to Joo Chiat Complex where we begin the major shopping. Ti hated shopping. She hated crowd. Therefore, she had always had her own choice of shop, where she can just buy something and go. A store named "Impian Hawa" which located at third floor is her choice for so many years. She bought brown pantsuit and being a member, she gain discounted price...plus accumulated previliges which render her a free brooch. Then, its my turn to buy my stuff. I also had my own choice of shop for Hari Raya outfit. Taste Fashion is located at 2nd floor. I spotted the collarless red silky outfit....try it ...show it to Ti, satisfied, pay for it...and go. Simple.

Then I drag her into the crowd, in one of the bazaar, out of the complex. She obliged. We stop by by and bought bags of crackers, nuts, cakes and finally ended up with about 20 kilos of load. To me, its not a problem. I got my endurance Targus backpack to chunk some of the load, and carry the remains with my two hands. Thanks to the fitness ritual I practices.  But Ti,  didn't feel good about the idea of me carrying all her loads. But I told her I insist, giving the reason that I feel "naked" if I didn't carry any... (that is suppose to be her line)

It was coming to 1700hrs and we returned to Darul Arqam, because we had not performed the Asar prayers. We took turns. Ti went for her prayers first, while I keep an eye on our big shopping bags. We ended up sitting in the air-conditioned building, talking, after our prayers...just to kill time till 1800 hrs...where its time for us get ready for iftar.(breaking of fast). We went to Banquet, just opposite Darul Arqam, and as expected, others were already queue to buy their meal. We were lucky to reserved a table for both of us. In time like this...most of the tables were taken...and those who came later...had to make do of any location, whether in the pavement or in the car park for their meals.

I bought for us a simple meal initially, which was 3 pieces of curry puff because we will be having a short meal since that we would again be taking turns to go to Darul Arqam for our  Maghrib prayers.

Few events taken place before iftar. Ti told me that she was being "adopted" as a sister by 4 teenage boys. Hahaha. The reason was that the boys requested her to keep an eye on the table next to us so as not being taken ...while they bought their meals. How sweet of  her to comply. Another event was that an elderly women suddenly approach us asking for a favour. The favour was that asking whether we could acknowledge her daughter if she happened to arrived after shopping at God knows where. She needs to buy something for her iftar. Me and Ti were contemplating. I told the elderly woman of how can I recognise her daughter? This time, it was her turn to contemplate. She then told us she need to buy something but the queue at every counter were long and she had nothing to eat or drink, and worse .. the time for breaking the fast will be in any minute. Then Ti offered the elderly woman, her mineral water that I bought...The elderly woman was very grateful. I then offered her few dates for her to start the fast.... and when it was bout 1853 hrs, I signalled her ...its time to eat.

Just then, her daughter arrived and she said thanks to us for offering her mother something to break her fast. Sometime later, the elderly woman approach our table again...and this time she repeatedly complimented us followed by a short prayer...for our long-life and abundant sustenance. We were touched....on the idea...of a stranger offered a prayer for us.

After both of us had performed Maghrib prayers at Darul Arqam, its time for a proper meal and the queues were less. And feeling that both of us  were already full, by the currypuffs, we share a plate of chicken rice. We spend about an hour at the dining table, with talks. We are always enjoy each other's company..but that night we felt it was different.

We refuse to roam around again the bazaar because it began to be less accesible with more crowds. We hailed a cab...and made our way to Tampines. It was indeed a great and blissful evening for me and Ti.