Visiting A.K.Bear.

Sun 27 Jan 2019.

I'm sure I've written about Bear before this, but I'm writing now about our visit this morning.

Hank said earlier that a group of OP's were  to visit A.K.Bear yesterday, but I said I couldn't join them because of a prior engagement in Kuala Pilah. We agreed to do it today. Last night Hank called saying Razali wanted to join us, but to make it in the morning. So we finally met at the club around 9, and a 'phone call from Razali's wife got us the 10.30 appointment with Bear at his house. There were 5 of us - Razali, his wife and pilot son, and Hank & I.

Bear said he's 75, same as Razali. Bear had been a national tennis player since Form 5, even representing the country at that young age. We met after university because he joined Felda before the Civil Service. Through the years we would bump into each other. He frequently joined the OP's outings, often arriving late because he would always take the train to KL, which is the logical thing to do. I do it all the time, only lately preferring the bus, because it's faster. 

Bear had always appeared to be in good health then, if somewhat on the heavy side. I'd meet him at SIGC, of which he's a member but not a golfer. There are 2 hardcourt tennis courts, but they're hardly used, and lately even the nets appear abondoned. I've never seen Bear anywhere near them. He'd have his LTAM meetings at the club, and before this, often attended our club's AGM.

Sometime in 2016 or thereabout, we met at "the Giant" Ampangan. I was coming, Bear leaving. Then suddenly he fell near his Volvo, parked on the side road. I rushed to him, and so did, would you believe it, Kamariah Sabeh !(Hank might have something to say here.) As I tried to put Bear up into a sitting position on the kerb, I instructed (yes, "instructed", and in the appropriate tone) Kamariah to fetch a glass of water from the nearby restaurant, which she quickly did. When Bear appeared recovered, I asked if he could drive, to which he said "yes", and we saw him drive off home. 

The last year or so, some friends at the club said Bear was not well. Dato' Sulaiman also related about Bear getting into bad mood and tearing off his tubes when he had them for treatment. This story was borne true at his house this morning.

These were the news about Bear's ill-health. Hank and I went to Bear's house twice before this, but failed to meet him because he was in hospital both times. 

We met Bear sitting in his easy chair. He didn't get up. But he recognized us, and said he is ok. But obviously he isn't. His face looks shrunk, his large frame is smaller, and the big tennis thighs have lost their girths.  Mostly, his eyes betray the illness in his body. And he didn't say much, although he was following our talk.

Bear, Halim "Rock Foundation" (Bear's name for Halim),me and one more guy, Khalid (not an OP) were personally interviewd by the MB, the late Dr. Said, when applying for the NS State Scholarship after being accepted as undergraduates at the University of Malaya. Bear stayed at the First College, although, like us, he was from Seremban. Rock Foundation, Hank and I became housemates at the Malay Settlement, PJ, because we couldn't get into the Residential Colleges. Must be the "tennis" on his application form. Bear once had his Honda 90 motorcycle hauled up by some students all the way to the 4th. floor. There was no lift. I wonder to this day how he got the motorbike down.

Bear was also very briefly the GM for PKNS , on secondment from the Civil Service. But the adventure didn't last long. To put it simply, Bear is no politician. All his old friends know this. But we don't mind one bit. This is friendship lasting more than half-a-century. Friends can take anything.

Gratuitously I offered Bear's wife the suggestion that he reads one page of the Quran every day. It's food for the spirit, as taught to me by a religious teacher. I remarked to his son as we walked out, "look after your dad". I said to Hank as he exited my car, "pray for him, Hank".  We should supplicate for our well-being from the Merciful.  Friends can  show support and sympathy. That's what friendship is all about.

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