Ah po's fourth 7th

I almost forgot about the fourth 7th until Mary sms me. I was on the impression that we were only doing the odd weeks. 3th Aunt and hubby were the first to arrive. As usual, she would bake the kuay for praying. The pace had somewhat gone slower. People were coming in later than previous praying. The fourth bro's family came in around 10+. The rest reached 30 mins after ritual had long started. This time, only 3th bro was driving. That explained the delay. Poor guy had to travel to a few places to ferry the eldest and second sis. Simon was not driving that day. He seemed to be very tired. As usual, the young generation gang would congregate at the room, while the older generation would sit in the living room and chit chat. Simon shared with us a funny situation that he encountered in the week that had passed. His friend was getting married in the coming weeks. So he invited Simon. Then Simon regurgitated what the priest advised us previously. He sms to his friend that he might not be able to attend because of Ah po's demise. If he is not pantang, he would attend. Then his friend sms back. "Father side or Mother side". After Simon sms back, his friend did not respond. So he took that as a "NO".

At that moment, fourth bro came into the room. He had a long "casual" conversation with Simon. The gang was still in the room. As Mary pointed out later, it was like endless loop. The same msg was repeating over and over again. You would see that the group slowly dispersed and formed again at the other side of the room, leaving Simon nodding in silence as fourth brother repeating his msg.

Then 3rd aunt came in the room. She reminded everyone to come early next sunday as fifth 7th was the biggest event in the 7 weeks long ritual. Bata po and family would be coming. You would feel the significance of the event in the tone of her voice. She said there would be a announcement to make. No details were disclosed.

Just when the clock hit 12, we were ready for the burning of the offerings. The ritual ended at 1225pm. While the elders were packing up and chatting away, I quieting made a slow and steady departure back to my home sweet home.