A Dream Comes True

Here is the english version of the official proposal that I made to my Little Lion and her family. I have been very busy lately and the fact that I was unable to access efx2 via my office's proxy server since the efx2 server migration, have made the situation worse. That simply means I could only blog from home. So %blog%, read on!



Friday, March 10, 2006. I wasn't sure whether I had enough energy left to drive home to my hometown but I did it anyway. I reached home about 2 am and everyone was asleep except for my mom who did not get up but just asked me whether I had eaten or not and she went back to sleep.



Saturday, March 11, 2006. My mom woke me up for the subuh prayer and then I went back to sleep and only got up again around 10 am. I went to the kitchen and mom was busy cooking something for lunch. I told them that we would leave for Shah Alam right after lunch. My mom and my niece, who was stuck like glue to my mom, were notably excited about the trip and both of them were showing off their brand new international passports that were made specially for the trip to Indonesia. We arrived in Shah Alam in the late evening and we went to Tesco to buy some stuffs as tokens of our visit as well as an indication of courtesy in line with our custom.



Sunday, March 12, 2006. We left Shah Alam for Melaka right after the subuh prayers and there we were joined by two of my best buddies Rah and AZ. We have been friends for about 20 years now. So, there we were, my mom, my little brother, my niece and two of my buddies, hopped into the ferry that took us across to Dumai, Indonesia.



We arrived around noon and Little Lion's parents and uncle Dodi were already there to meet us. My mom was pleasantly shocked with the welcoming greetings and by seeing that, I already knew that things were just going to go smooth from there on. We were then treated for a sumptuous lunch at the famous nasi padang restaurant, the Pak Datuk. I had mentioned it to my Little Lion before to watch out for my friends when they are around food and that day she could see for herself that they are never shy when it comes to eating! Don't hate me guys! It is the fact!



That night, the much awaited event came about. The house were filled with some important people in the neighbourhood who would later become witness to the official proposal from Bear to Little Lion. The event started with a quick, simple and yet delicious dinner and we were having a blast, chatted away as if that was not the first time we met each other. Honestly, I have never felt that comfortable before around people that I just met a couple of minutes ago.



After dinner, we proceeded with the official ceremony. Although Little Lion and family are Javanese, the fact that they live in Dumai, made them aware and adapted some the Malay customs. Anyway, in principle, there are not much difference in the core customs between the Javanese and the Malay thus things proceeded smoothly that night except when it came to the part where Bear's family representative supposed to make the proposal.



In the Malay custom and I believe it would be the same for the Javanese, the proposal would be made by the representative of the bridegroom to be. I was not even supposed to be present at that event in the first place. However, Bear with his very limited knowledge of the Malay custom and under anticipating the extend of the event, had forgotten to brief anyone from his side about it.



In order to avoid any embarrassment or awkwardness to anyone there, and looking at the puzzled look on the faces of my family and friends, I stepped forward and proposed to Little Lion's family himself. That could be a disgrace in the olden days but thank God that people have become more tolerant and flexible nowadays. An occurrence such as that, although still not that common but have been deemed acceptable by most of the modern Malays. Furthemore, I was without my father and uncles that night and who else would be in a better position to perform such duty if not for myself. So, just do it! And I did it!



In short, Alhamdulillah, the proposal was heartily and officially accepted by Little Lion's family and friends and insyaAllah the marriage would take place in Dumai on August 12, 2006.



Monday, March 13, 2006. The atmosphere was calm and pleasant. My two buddies left for Melaka that noon. The two moms were continuing their get-to know-each other sessions. My niece was happily playing with Little Lion's cousins and the Bear and Little Lion were playing their little games from time to time when others were not "really" looking.



Tuesday, March 14, 2006. The Bear and family left Dumai with lots of happy thoughts and memories. The only thing to do now is to move forward and make things happen. I was exceptionally pleased to know that my mom was having a great time there and had no issue whatsoever with Little Lion and her family and friends.



Thank you my Little Lion, my Princess Honeybunch, and Papa and Mama Lion, and your friendly neighbours for making us feel welcomed and at home during our stay in Dumai!



As for me, that was a dream that came true! I love you Diah!



To view the photos taken in Dumai during the event, go to:



1. Meminang Princess Honeybunch

2. Enjoying The Stay in Dumai



To look at the photos taken during Bear's first trip to Dumai, go to:



1. Asking For Her Hand: The Photos Part 2

2. Asking For Her Hand: The Photos Part 1