It's Been Ten Years Since ..

Yesterday, June 23rd, marked our 10th wedding anniversary. Frankly, I never cease to wonder that we have managed to last this long, considering the odds, of which there were many.

Any of you out there who have ever embarked on a second marriage following the collapse of the first, for whatever reason, would understand perfectly where I am coming from.

The exes, the kids from both sides of the divide, the in-laws (and 'out-laws' too), the mutual friends (some taking sides, some valiantly trying to maintain the status quo);  that's the kind of excess baggage (and I mean this in a positive way) we drag along into our second.  

I still remember the biting words of someone close (a family member, in fact) who rudely dissed our union, then in its first year, with a dismissive "... alah, don't even know if this will last five years..."

Well, it has been a decade since and we are still here, alive and kicking, the going still great. No thanks for the withering vote of no confidence, though.

As a woman, when you remarry at 47 you know darn well the direction you are taking. At least I did. You didn't marry for lust; you marry for companionship.

I had interesting monologues with God long before meeting Pak Abu. Truth be told, remarrying wasn't on the cards at all; I had no intention of giving my growing daughters a stepfather.

But I did ask Him, if there was jodoh for me yet, to bless me with a companion who could guide me into becoming a better Muslimah because I had been a lousy Muslim for the longest time.

Although I was tired of being one, starting over was tough. It wasn't easy to wean yourself off  'la dolce vita' (the good life) even if you knew it was for a better one.

This was because duniawi was real, something I could relate to, as opposed to the hazy notions of akhirat, qiamah, syurga and neraka; such was syaitan's hold on me.  

I had no doubt that Allah swt listened, for, here I am, where I want to be. And I guess I can speak for Pak Abu too because we share the same goal.

We have to continue working on this second chance that we have been given, to make it work and last, till death do us part. Insyaallah.

The Dinner

As in the past (here and here), we made our way to La Risatta in Medan Damansara for an anniversary dinner. We had hoped for a quiet evening, but the restaurant was chock-a-block with yuppie (and noisy) patrons.

We ended up sitting on barstools at a high table; it was uncomfortable, to say the least. Fortunately, before the main course arrived we were moved to proper seating.

Whatever the condition, the restaurant remains in our good books; the food was excellent and the service topnotch, as usual.

We kept coming back because of their seafood zuppe; it's rich and absolutely delicious. 

Last night's sampling included fried calamari with tartar dip, sauteed mushrooms, gnocci & peeled prawns, and the usual garlic bread.  

For dessert we decided to try their napoleotani creme brule; it came in three little dishes of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, respectively. I'd definitely order it again.

We noticed business had improved much after they renovated last year.  It used to be so-so and we had liked the laidback atmosphere then. Now everything seemed so hurried.

Pak Abu said we should consider another place next year, just for a change. Perhaps...