A Gift that keeps Giving

My imagination had a clear gift for me on my seventh birthday. The day was the 2nd of October 1988. I remember that day, as if it was yesterday. Before that day, I was brought to a local gift shop to buy my gifts. My family told me that we will be spending my birthday at a remote beachside, called Trombol. It's off the northwestern coast of Borneo. Being from Kuching, in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, this place should not have been an adventure to get to. But, this was the 1980s, and Sarawak back then, was not as developed as it is today.

To get to Trombol, we needed to take a yacht or "sampan" (local slang for long boat) from Kampung Telaga Air. Being on a promontory, between the sea and the swampy river; Trombol could be accessed either by sea or river. My bet was on taking the prestigious sea-route, seeing that i'd always wanted to travel via yacht. I even had dreams of meeting with a killer-whale en-route to Trombol.

Back to the gift shop. The trip to the shop, was on the 1st of October 1988. I was asked to choose four toys I wanted for my birthday. I was very excited. So, I chose four action figures from the infamous, "Masters of the Universe", which was popular at the time. My mother told me not to open the package until we've reached Trombol. I begged her to allow me to open "just one" toy. She relented, and by the time we reached home; I had them all opened. She told me that "that" was my lot. So, I felt sad. But, still looked forward to the journey to Trombol.

The day finally arrived. We headed for the jetty at Kampung Telaga Air. By the time, we reached the village, it was raining real heavily. Our host was not to be seen. She must've gone before us, but left us this lovely looking yacht to take. Then, came a shock.

The boatmen told us that the yacht was in no condition to brave the rough seas. I was more frustrated at the fact that I would never meet the dolphins and killer-whales of my dreams. Yet, at the same token, I wasn't aware that we were being groomed for the "sampan". The very boat that would take us into the rough and wild terrain of a crocodile infested river. And, not being a swimmer, i felt horrified by the very prospect. But, as everyone else had gotten in; I relented with much anguish.

The river reminded me who was boss. We were jostled to and fro. At one point, it nearly looked like we would capsize. I held on for dear life. My sister enjoyed the journey; I was in terror; whilst my baby brother was unaware. He had the shields and caresses of mum.

Then, the water dissipated. You would think that being on the cuff of the monsoon season; there would be a lot more of it. But, we were down to the last drop of water in this leech and crocodile infested swamp. Seeing no crocs at hand, we braved the banks to the direction of the bungalow.

I remember as soon as we were all safe above the high ground, and amid the tall grass, I fell into the mud. I got up, rubbed the mud off, and continued to run. My heart sunk as I saw the greenery and tall coconut trees expose the lush splendour of this isolated beach. There, in the shade of a tall coconut tree, stood our bungalow for the night. We saw our hosts and were glad to have made it, in time for sunset.

I smelt the aroma of fresh mangoes when I arrived. To this day, 30 years later; I still associate mangoes with this adventure. We slept with my father's friend who wore swimming trunks to bed and pyjamas to the beach. We found that quite strange.

The next morning, I realised that I was at last a grown up. I was now, 7 years old. It was different than being 6. I was an older child now. I swished my feet against the incoming waves and behaved as if the changes of the age were setting in. I could feel what it meant to be 7. I had some coconut and received another gift from my father's friend. It was a KFC coin cup. It gave off a catchy KFC jingle as I put in the coins for my savings.

After breakfast and a nice birthday tea; I dropped the coin cup. It smashed on the floor. I was very upset about this. So, for the rest of my stay; I resolved to sitting on the log putting in a 20 cent coin time without number; and hearing the same jingle. At least I could save on the coins. Yet, in the midst of the despair of having no gifts for that birthday, I looked across the ocean at the islands. It was then, that I imagined these lands to belong to me. And, what I did with that imagination, gave birth to my written universe: The Autherens.

Thirty years on, it's this gift that keeps on giving. And, has produced a book called: "Stories From Another Universe; Featuring A Story of Missed Opportunities." I would like to thank the universe for that experience. This has been a gift that has never stopped giving because it has kept me sane; through thick and through thin. Also, I was glad that I could have the opportunity to use the gift as on the return journey to Kampung Telaga Air, we nearly capsized. We had to tread through mangrove forests to get to a neighbouring river to take the boat back. It was a great adventure and I would like to invite all those readers out there; to take another adventure with me. To the Autherens, by reading my book. Thanks all.