It was Nigel’s birthday today. I remembered how he and our cousins, Christopher and Ronald: with their wives, Shirley, Evalina and Debbie; would meet every week – a cousins weekly get together. They would mostly rendezvous at ‘Q’ Bistro restaurant restaurant in SS15, Subang Jaya. My wife, Jeannie; and I; had the opportunity of joining them once. This was before the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted everything for everyone all over the world.
No one would have guessed that it would have been the last time that Nigel, Christopher and Ronald would meet. Nigel passed away due to a vaguely described hospital reason / illness (the jury is still out on that) in August 2021.
When Christopher and I were leaving “Le Bread Days” cafe today; I made a suggestion that he, Dato Ronald and I, together with our wives; meet for dinner today at ‘Q’ Bistro, in remembrance of Nigel. Chris thought it was a capital idea and got on the phone to Ronald, told him of our dinner meet up plans and asked him and his wife Datin Debbie, to join us for dinner. Ronald was game and our dinner plans set.
Jeannie and I arrived at the restaurant about 20 to 8. As we were about to enter the restaurant, we met an old friend, Pel Poh and his wife, coming out of the restaurant. It was good to catch up with them after a long time. Pel said the food at the restaurant was good, more so, today. They enjoyed their dinner.
Christopher and his wife, Evelina, arrived soon after. We proceeded to order our dinner as Ronald informed Christopher that he and his wife, Debbie; were going to be late.
Jeannie and Evelina both ordered roti naan and tandoori chicken. Christopher would have his dinner later with Ronald and Debbie. I ordered rojak. Pel was right. The food was good. Their drinks on the other hand, not so, well, at least mine. The iced coffee I ordered was awful. Even Jeannie agreed. So, I ordered an banana split ice-cream to make up for the awful iced-coffee.
The banana split ice-cream was like a banana split ice-cream you would expect. The banana was not overly ripe, just how I like it. Generally, the ice-cream was ok.
Ronald and Debbie joined us about an hour later. He, Debbie, Chris and Evelina brought up stories of the past, where Nigel was very much a part of it. Nigel loved his local food, so did Shirley. Their meet ups centred mostly on family. They also talked a lot about tv shows they watch. Nigel loved comedy shows, especially, “The Jeffersons”. He would “relive” comedy scenes and laugh heartily about them.
He did have a great sense of humour. He talked about the local “Halle Bailey”. It was the first that Jeannie and I heard of it. I thought that was the best joke I’ve heard for the day. Trust Nigel to come up with something like this.
It was close to midnight when we called it a night. We all agreed we had great fun. We also agreed that we revive this cousin meet up, at least once a month. Our next meet up will be to celebrate dad’s birthday in two weeks time. He will be 92.
