Uncle Cotton Pillow (Pakcik Bantal Kekabu)

it was late when we left Fendy's wedding (we were actually delayed due to happy shopping merry-go-round at amcorp mall). on our way back, not over the highway, we stopped at a stall (well, a small shop by the road would be a better description) to buy cotton pillow. 


it was no one as we slowly looked at the hanging pillows. well, cotton pillows are good compared to pillows made of synthetic fiber, duck down is not suitable because it is always hot here. later came an old man (not too old maybe) from the back of the shop. he is uncle cotton pillow.


"sorry, i went for the toilet. i thought of closing, but here you are. so, what are you buying? have a look first, we can discuss the price", said uncle cotton pillow. 


he was pretty talkative, or we can better say entertaining, asking we we from and such. my better half also bargained a good price for two cotton pillows. kinda good, i think, as we drove home happily, two fat pillows heavier, leaving RM 62 to uncle cotton pillow. plus we learnt that there are three typical types of cottons (for pillow); the gold -, the dry- and the cheap cotton.


despite all, we were touched as he told us his story. he was in service, a navy. just retired few years back. you know that these people have some extra allowances during their service, he had a business. he owned a petrol station in cheras. he was pretty "buck" those days. 


he told us, he can't sit in a proton, he didn't do warung (roadside stall selling food). he drove either merc or bmw with his income above 25k a month. decent, flashy life. 


but in god's will, he became a loan guarantor for someone. that someone went away in the dust, we supposed, leaving him that time with a large amount to pay on that someone's behalf. he was in a deep trouble and later declared bankrupt. 


that bankruptcy brought him back on earth, right at his cotton pillow roadside shop. he said what happened taught him, made him a better person. he is now an easier to be approached man, uncle cotton pillow, unlike mr. petrol station. he talks to people with respect. he learn to know god.


he told us, "if you want to seek tranquility or if you want to release some steam out of your mind, don't look for music, karaoke, dancing or whatever therapy you might know. just wake up deep in the night, perform tahajjud prayers and recite zikr. maybe you'll find what i've found".