Saturday And Stroke Bring Sad Memories

It was an unfortunate coincidence that deaths came a knocking on a Saturday due to a killer disease – stroke.

My younger brother died on Saturday, Oct 3 and so did Nasriah Darus’ husband, Nik Hasmi, who died at the general hospital last night after being in a coma for more than a month over a stroke.

Nasriah is Assistant Editor of the Malay Subs Desk of Bernama Economic Service. Her 44-year old husband, who was attached to Risda, was survived by a son. His remains were buried at the Muslim cemetery in Batu Caves before Zohor prayers today.

For Nasriah, Saturday was the saddest day of her life as Nik Hasmi left her with no parting words. During the last few weeks, she had been spending sleepless nights in the hospital, and during the days, she would be in the office.

In the early stages when he was struck by the killer disease, she took leave to be by his side. There were occasions when he would make some gestures, and was told by the doctor that he could hear people around him speak.

His conditions worsened lately as he had a fever. Nik Hasmi breathed his last at 7.45 pm.

At the Ar-Rahimah mosque, Nasriah was in between sobs when she reminisced the days she spent with her husband at the hospital. But there was also a wish from her husband before he had the stroke – that he didn’t want her to be at the resting place on the day that he dies.

Perhaps, that was a premonition for her. It was the last journey for him, and he didn’t want to her cry at the burial place as he was leaving for the next life. It was not easy for her, but she had to abide by his wish.

The most touching moment was when her 18-year old son led the prayers for his late father.

Najib, my late brother’s son, would have been in Nasriah’s son’s shoes, had my brother died when his son was much older. Najib was only 12 when my brother Yunus died of stroke. At a young age, a tearful Najib recited the Yasin prayers after his father succumbed to the killer disease at the General Hospital’s ICU. My brother died at 10 am.

Alfatihah. May Allah bless their souls.