Bapak's Rambutan Trees

What's left of Bapak's rambutan trees

Bapak liked to toil the soil. I suppose because he had to manage the shop, that was one way for him to get away from the tension of work. Once, he had a plot of land full of undergrowth, weeds and shrubs just where the Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit China is now. Every Sunday, Bapak and Emak would walk from the shop in Riverside to his little square piece of land, and together they would clear the place. They brought along a kettle of cold tea and maybe some biscuits. Sometimes the children would come along. We were more of a nuisance than help. But I could remember the sweat dripping from Bapak and Emak's forehead as they burnt the undergrowth etc. in the bonfire. But I never got to see the place cleared. I was told the Bukit China School wanted to expand, thus they needed the neighbouring lands. That didn't deter Bapak for he bought next this piece of land just in front of the Chinese cemetery, where our present home is.

That was how it all started. There was a fairly new, typical Melaka house already on the land. Bapak had it renovated according to Emak's instruction - a rumah limas like that in Muar. And along the front and right side of the house, Bapak planted fruit trees. There were 3 rambutan trees, a mangga epal tree and a nagka (jackfruit) tree by the side of the building. Actually the jackfruit tree was planted by the previous owner. We enjoyed many years eating the delicious thick nangka before it had to be sacrificed for further renovation of the house.

When in fruit season .... yeah... yeah...tak payah beli ....

Now the 3 rambutan trees (because 'tot' or grafted) soon grew and gave us good fruits. But Bapak didn't live long to enjoy them. These are for his children, grandchildren and now great grandchildren to savour the fruits of his toil. Unfortunately, we had to clear two rambutan trees in front of the house when we renovated the house in 1998. One thing, they were getting old, covered with parasites and didn't bear many fruits. Another thing this Puteri got tired of sweeping the many fallen leaves ....But we still have one rambutan tree, still bearing delicious, yellow-skinned rambutans and a place for little Iddin to climb. Terima kasih Bapak .....