AND WORRY I WILL..

My daughter, the aspiring writer, is now also an aspiring dancer!
Pening!

The chaos started sometime last week when her school pincipal called.

"Puan, Smartreader has been nominated for one of the category in MFA award on 12/11/07.

Soooooo....

"Really Datin? Congratulation!".

"Well, thank you. The reason I called is because the organizing committee has extended an invitation to our centre to showcase student's talent through entertaining performances.
Your daughter and a few others has been selected to perform an Indian dance that night.
So, I'm asking for your permission nak bawak Dinie pergi function tuh. Boleh tak Puan?"

Heemm....I'm gonna let her suffer, just for a while...like a day or two..
Let her wait... kekekeke... (evil smirk on my face).

"Ohhh...ye keerr...errmm...I'm afraid I have to ask her father dulu...you know la kaann....kena consult my husband, see what he says. Can I get back to you later?"

"Of course Puan, I understand. Dinie is one of the brilliant dancer we have in school. I really really hope she can join us. Anyway, thank you for your time and expect to hear good news from you soon."

Suck me dry!! Bodek baiikk punyer Datin. Lebam punggung aku ko cium!

"Ok Datin, thank you for your call. Will consider the invitation and get back to you soonest posible. Bye, Assalamualaikum."

Now...let see. Things to consider:

1) The function will be held at night, in KL (Berjaya Time Square Convention Centre). Dinie selalunyer pukul 10 malam dah lelap dah. Boleh tahan ker anak aku nih? Sure penat giler.
Risau.

2) No parental supervision...except of course the principal (and Datuk), their driver and another teacher. Cukup ker kakitangan nak layan kerenah bebudak tuh nanti!
Kot ada lak yang hyperactive, merayau sana sini, hilang plaks tak naya ker?
Safety anak aku paling penting...especially now!
Risau.

3) What else? Ermm...kena tanya tuan punya badan, nak participate ker tak nak. Must explain every little detail, pros..cons..etc..etc..
Risau.

"Dinie, whatever decision you make, Mama akan support. Kalau tak nak join, takpe. Kalau nak join, kena commited, buat betul2, jangan nanti last minute cancel plak. Most importantly, mesti enjoy. No point kalau buat sesuatu sebab terpaksa. So what say you?".
Risau.

"Nak, Dinie nak. Confirm!".

Sheeshh...confident nyeer. Ok. Aku pun antar SMS kat principal dia, confirming her participation.
Anak aku practice tiap-tiap hari. Balik rumah pun practice gak. Tergedik-gedik..hehehehe.
Betul poyo.
Ada satu hari, dia balik school, dengan sengih yang lebar, cerita yang teacher dah beli baju untuk dance.

"Ma, Dinie dah try, cantik giler!"

hehehehheehe...sukahati la Dinie, janji you happy and enjoy.

On the 12/11/07, last Monday, she went to school as usual (bukan belajar pun, practice dance!).
Balik rumah dalam pukul 12 tghri, aku tengok muka dia gelabah semacam.

"Ma, Big Aiman tak datang school tadi, tapi teacher kata, dia datang petang nanti. Kalau tak datang, Dinie kena dance sorang! "

"Ma, teacher kata, balik rumah, makan, solat, rehat. Nanti dalam pukul 2.30pm, Uncle Man jemput Dinie, pergi kat school balik."

"Ma, Dinie kejap lagi nak pakai seluar jeans dengan baju pink tuh. Mana Mama simpan kasut tinggi Dinie?"

"Ma...Ma...apsal Mama nih...cepat laaa."

Adeeii....
Risau.
I'm calling Datin now, apa cerita sebenarnye....

"Puan, the students kena berkumpul kat school dalam pukul 3pm, kena bersiap dari sini. By 5.30pm kena ada kat KL, ada dress rehearsal. The dinner starts at 7.30pm and their performance tentatively antara pukul 8.45pm ke pukul 9.15pm. After the winner has been announce, baru balik. Hopefully, sebelum pukul 12 malam."

Riiighhtt....
Blaaa..blaa..blaa...
Yaddaa..yaddaa...yaddaa...
12 malam!!
Risau sesangat!

Ok.
Relax.
I can do this.
She will be fine.
Stop being so overly protective.
Enough worrying already!
Inhale.
Exhale.
Keep it together.
Kalau dia nampak aku panic & risau, she will too.

The rest of the day went as planned. I wish I could follow them, tapi tak bleh. Aku rasa macam nak camping depan convention centre, so I could be near her. My hubby punya comment:

"Jangan merepek. Jangan nak buat kerja gila, stalking your own kid. Whatever scheme you are planning now, you can just drop it, I tak nak subahat. Yang you risau sangat nih apsal, for all you know, she's really, genuinely, having fun! So, chill!"

Deiii tambhi..
This is what I do best. I worry.
Don't expect you to understand, just let me be.

Aku rasa, every 5 seconds aku tengok jam.
Ehh...dah pukul 9.30pm. Agaknya dah perform lom? Hmmm...
SMS Datin!!

-Datin, how's the show? Hope everything is under control. Just want to confirm, tentatively when can we pick Dinie up at the centre? -

-Puan, don't worry, She is in good condition. The kids just finish performing and currently having their dinner. Still waiting for the result. Will update you later. -

Aikk...baru habis perform!! Mesti lambat start nih. Ntah2 Najib datang lambat! Hape laa...

10.30pm. message from Datin.

-Parents. We are on our way home. Will reach the centre in about 1/2 an hour to 45 minutes time. See you there! -

Yeaayy! Jom amik anak!

Around 11.15pm, still in her Indian attire, anak aku sampai.
Leganyeerr..
Kaki, tangan, jari, telinga, hidung, bulu mata, gigi..check...check..cukup tak!
Hehehhee...ko ingat aku gila sangat ker....

Nampak penat. Kesian.

"Dinie OK? Enjoy tak?"

"OK, enjoy, tapi penat skit la. Ma, Dinie nak balik, nak tido."

My daughter, my sweetheart, my reason for living.
I'm so proud of you!

Go here for the result.