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Story
The loyal jaga
Hussein's tale |
| The Loyal Jaga WHEN HABIB NUN KHAN, a jaga in the employ of the Ang family retired from his post to return to his native village in the North West Frontier, he requested that his boos employ in his place his son, Abdul Rahim. Mr Ang readily agreed. Habib NunKhan collected a gift of $500 (a large sum of money in the 30s) and bade farewwell to Mr Ang. To his son he said, "Serve Mr Ang well and look on him as a father. He has been good to me these 20 years. Although you are only 19 years old he is paying you $18. Do not waste this money, do not run after women and guard the house as you would your own." Mr Ang owned a sawmill which worked the timber bought down from the Seremban forests by his coolies. He had only one child, a girl of 18 whose beauty was much praised by people, both young and old. But Leng Hwa fretted under the severe regime of her home, for her father was stern and placed on her many restrictions which a young women would find irksome. Now, this girl Leng Hwa fell deeply in love with Abdul Rahim. His hero's walk, his handsome features which rivalled hers in the beauty of their lines filled her with the pain of longing. She wished she could talk to him, to hear the sweet sound of his voice, to tell him of her burning love for him. But she never had the chance. During the day, when Mr Ang was away at the sawmill Abdul Rahim was not on duty. When he came on duty in the evening father was home. Watching her every step. Then a bold and cunning plan took seed in the brain of Leng Hwa. She would talk to Abdul Rahim in the middle of the night, when all were asleep. So one midnight, when everyone was quietly resting in their beds Leng Hwa stole out to seek her beloved Abdul Rahim. Nature was helpful and sent a heavy downpour of rain which made the night cool for sleeping and noisy enough for secret movements. She found Abdul Rahim under the front porch of the house, watching the falling rain. He was startled to see her appearing suddenly, silently, the dark nipples of her small breasts showing under her wet clothes. |
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Now, Abdul Rahim too harboured a secret love for Leng Hwa and, tonight,
when she appeared before him exuding a sweet perfume of virginal innocence
a desire for her grew in him like a mushroom cloud and nearly overwhelmed
him. But Abdul Rahim remembered the words of his father and after the girl
had spoken of her love and begged him to take her away he spoke thus to
her, "Mistress, do not talk to me like this. My father worked for your father
and when he left here to return to his village warned me to treat
your father as my own. How can I run away with you who are my sister?
How can the fence eat up the vegetables it safeguards?" He spoke and
turned away so that her wet clothes would ot corrupt his purpose. Disappointed the girl returned to her room. The following night she spoke again to Abdul Rahim. So wilful was she, so desperate that she threatened him. She said she would tear her clothese and scream and charge him with attempting to rape her. But Abdul Rahim spoke to her saying that he was duty bound to behave with decorum. The thrid night Leng Hwa again sought him out. This time she threatened to have him killed for now she loved him no more and only hated him. She had humiliated herself too much. Again Abdul Rahim begged her to be sensible and reminded her once more of his pledge to his father, Habib Nun Khan. The next day, Abdul Rahim went to Mr Ang's office to tell him that he had another job and would have to leave Mr Ang's service. Strange to say, Mr Ang was not surprised at this sudden announcement. "Surely," he said to Abdul Rahim," You have a reason for leaving me and you are hiding it. Have I don't you any wrong? Or has my daughter given you cause to be angry?" But Abdul Rahim showed no sign that the last question was near the mark. He repeated that he wanted to leave and go away. Then Mr Ang said, "Abdul Rahim, you are a good boy. I know what happened. I heard the conversations between you two. I heard her theaten to tear off her clothes and I heard her threaten to kill you. Take no notice of her and she will be cured of her stupidity. Do not leave me." So saying, Mr Ang gave Abdul Rahim $100 and had him moved to a room in his house. "Here you shall sleep," he said, "for you are like a son to me." Abdul Rahim did not refuse the offer because he still loved Leng Hwa and did not really want to leave her despite her threats. A few weeks later Abdul Rahim was found dead in bed, his throat cut. Who murdered Abdul Rahim? This has remained a mystery to this day.# LK Chai |
Edelweiss
- the heritage house - Armenian Street for fine dining in a beautifully restored building
in the heart of George Town. Telephone: 04 261 8935 |
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Art, Jazz Book
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The food guide
The jungle war (11) |
| _____________________ The Penang File Issue 52 |