Impressed by my daughters' indomitable spirit to have their ears pierced this Hari Raya, I finally succumbed to their persistent request. No thanks to the in laws for their endless prodding. They claimed that Hari Raya is incomplete without the sparkles.
I first got my ears pierced when I was about their age. Unlike today's modern and hygienic technique of ear-piercing, those in my time were done traditionally. The ritual itself was quite horrendous. They would rub gently kapur sirih on my earlobes and took out a needle sanitized only by the candle flame. They would give me a betel leaf carefully wrapped with an assortment of betelnut, kapur sirih and other flavourings to chew. They said it would alleviate the pain. I didn't like the taste very much.
Before the piercing begins, a middle aged lady, I think she was the kampung's midwife, would recite some quranic verses before poking my earlobes with the needle. It was damn painful but I kept on chewing the betel leaf. After it was over, she rubbed this liquid on my ears and it was soothing. That's when I heard thunderous applause by family members. They praised me for being so brave. Yeah right!
Actually, I didn't want my daughters to wear any kinds of jewellery because they were too young to appreciate them. I should know better as I am their mother.
The thing is, I really don't fancy jewelleries. I hate wearing them. The only time I was made to wear them was on my wedding day. I looked like Mr T with a veil over my head. Me and jewelleries don't go together very well.
As much as I hate to wear them, I had to succumb to my mother's request of wearing bracelet, necklace, earrings and what have you on my wedding day. She said I'd look like a featherless chicken without them. Togel gitu. OK, I exaggerated that but it was something to that effect. Whatever.
On my wedding day, I received a gold bracelet and a necklace from my mother in law as a wedding present besides the usual barang kemas from the husband. I managed to wear my wedding ring for the first 2 years only and I took it off after having my firstborn. I have not worn it since then. It has nothing to do with trying to announce the whole world that I'm still MBA (married but available), it is just that my ring couldn't fit my short tubby finger. Tragic.
Remember, with each pregnancy, I get expanded. And the extra fat still remains in certain strategic places on my body. Even my shoes are a size 8. I used to be a size 6. Double tragic.
Since I don't like jewelleries, my husband has saved a lot of money. I mean a lot. He doesn't have to splurge them on every birthdays or anniversaries. I'm also low on maintenance. Which is why he kept telling me that he is so lucky to have me as his wife. I wonder if he meant that as a compliment or he was just so glad that I didn't kikis him sampai botak.
I'd like to think the former.
