Versi BM di bawah.
I used to care for my late grandmother with Alzheimer's disease during my semester breaks, both at my home and my aunt's house. It felt like she was living her life in reverse.
Fortunately, she loved being around me, though she sadly viewed my younger sister as an enemy. Well, likely because she saw her as younger and cuter.
I was lucky because she thought I looked exactly like her favourite neighbour's daughter (who was actually my aunt, since my dad's family grew up next door). She always got so excited when she thought her neighbour's daughter was visiting. However, I often struggled to answer her questions when she would ask, "Is your mommy expecting you home by now?" or say, "Wow, it must be a long trip from Kedah to here (Kuala Lumpur) by motorcycle!" She would even open the door, point to a neighbour's house, and insist it was my home.
As the years passed, she began acting like a child, so I started treating her like one. I would pat her shoulder to soothe her to sleep and use the "aeroplane spoon" trick just to get her to eat.
I still vividly remember crying while bathing her and changing her nappies. My tears came from remembering that she was the one who helped my mother care for me when I was a newborn, especially during my mother’s confinement period. After having previously helped care for my paternal grandmother to give my other aunt a week-long break(most of time she was the one who took care of my grandma) , being able to care for this grandmother too felt like an absolute privilege.
P.S. My late grandmother passed away right in front of my eyes. I am glad because she no longer has to feel any pain. However, I also feel sad because I will never be able to see her again, and I always remember her as a cheerful and funny person. Opah was skilled at business, even though she was a housewife. I miss you, Opah. Really... I truly miss her. May Allah grant Opah the highest place in Paradise. Thank you for not casting me aside when I had nothing.
## Terjemahan (Bahasa Melayu)
Saya pernah menjaga arwah opah yang menghidap penyakit Alzheimer semasa cuti semester, sama ada di rumah saya sendiri mahupun di rumah mak cik saya. Kehidupan opah seolah-olah berputar mengundur ke belakang.
Mujurlah dia suka berada di samping saya, walaupun menyedihkan apabila dia menganggap adik perempuan saya seperti musuhnya. Mungkin kerana dia melihat adik lebih muda dan comel. Saya bertuah kerana dia menyangka wajah saya seiras dengan anak perempuan jiran kegemarannya (yang sebenarnya ialah mak cik saya sendiri, memandangkan keluarga ayah saya pernah tinggal berjiran di sebelah rumahnya dahulu). Opah sentiasa teruja setiap kali menyangka anak perempuan jirannya datang melawat. Bagaimanapun, saya sering buntu untuk menjawab soalannya apabila dia bertanya, "Mak kamu tak tunggu kamu balik rumah ke sekarang?" atau berkata, "Wah, mesti jauh perjalanan naik motosikal dari Kedah ke sini (KL)!" Dia juga pernah membuka pintu, menunjuk ke arah rumah jiran, dan berkeras mengatakan itu adalah rumah saya.
Tahun demi tahun berlalu, opah mula berkelakuan seperti kanak-kanak, jadi saya melayannya seperti seorang budak kecil. Saya akan menepuk-nepuk bahunya untuk mendodoikannya tidur dan menggunakan helah suapan "kapal terbang" semata-mata mahu dia makan. Saya masih ingat dengan jelas betapa saya menangis semasa memandikannya dan menukarkan lampinnya. Air mata saya mengalir kerana teringat yang dialah orangnya yang pernah membantu ibu menjaga saya semasa bayi dahulu, terutamanya ketika ibu dalam tempoh berpantang.
Selepas pengalaman lalu membantu menjaga nenek sebelah ayah bagi memberi ruang rehat seminggu kepada mak cik saya (kebanyakkan masa makcik saya yang jaga) , peluang dapat menjaga nenek ini pula dirasakan sebagai satu penghormatan dan keistimewaan yang amat besar bagi diri saya.
P/S:Arwah opah meninggal depan mata saya. Saya gembira sebab dia tak perlu rasa sakit lagi. Tapi, saya juga rasa sedih sebab saya takkan dapat jumpa dia lagi dah dan selalu ingat dia seorang yang ceria dan kelakar. Opah pandai berniaga walau dia jadi suri rumah pun. Ili rindu opah. Betul.. Rindu betul. Semoga Allah beri syurga yang terbaik buat opah. Terima kasih tak sisihkan Ili masa Ili takde apa-apa.
