I've got news from my brother yesterday that my uncle who was performing his Haj with my Mom and his wife, passed away.

I was dumbfounded, of course.
To be told the news, I broke down immediately. Sobbing away while at work.
The very uncle, the very one I called "Abah" passed away at a Hospital.
I am grateful to the colleagues for understanding. For the comforting words, the encouragement, the hugs.

Then I had to face my dad.
My dad was my uncle's bestfriend and when I got home, my dad was already asleep.
But I knew he was having trouble sleeping.
With the occasional sounds of his bed creaking. He must have been tossing and turning.

We went to visit my cousins and today was the very first time I saw my dad's vulnerability.
He lets down his guard. He cried while talking to the cousins about my late uncle's health and past history and I never seen my dad cried ever.
I cant even bring myself to comfort him cuz i was already tearing.
So I left the living room and stood in the toilet for the longest time.

My cousin told us that the day my mom, aunt and uncle were supposed to fly off, my uncle cried four times.
He told my cousin that he was afraid he would not come back in "one piece".
He complaint to my dad he was having chest pains.
I guessed he must have seen it coming.

But for now, Im hoping for a safe trip home for my mom and aunt.