It is a sad week for me. Monday 2.30pm a collegue in KL office called up and informed that my boss, my mentor for the past 2 years collapsed and passed away in the meeting room.
My mind went blank, I was driving and calmly told the colleague thank you for breaking the news to me and hanged up. I was with 2 other collagues in the car, one whom had known WR for 20 years.
I told them the news, and then the phones started ringing, from 2.30pm to 3.3opm everyone thought we should know the news had called, the other colleague had by then round up the other guys on site and briefed them. I couldn't join because I just couldn't stop the tears. I shut the office door and pretended to be busy, my mind wandering and I was trying to recall my last conversation with him. His last email to me was 1216pm. He called me earlier to confirm some info before his meeting in KL.
This man is the first mat salleh I actually get close to and because of age difference and experience he has become my mentor and a fatherly figure to me. We talked of how to complete the project together everyday. We drink together after work, and oh yes, he can drink like a fish, not uncommon for a mat salleh.
He shares his previous projects experience with me, having completed projects in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Indonesia, Houston etc.
His wife is in KL with him the day he passed away, she was suppose to go back to Perth early for Xmas and he was suppose to join them 2 weeks later. They just had their 35 wedding anniversary, and I was just admiring how the couple can go through the thicks and thins over the years, still loving and cherishing each other.
I went back to the hotel blank the night, not knowing what to do. The wife wanted to wait for the daughter to come over to decide details of the funeral. Tuesday and Wednesday passed with lettle accomplished. I was dazing most of the time. even Tuesday morning when I reached work site my tears started to roll again and I had to detour and come back to office half and hour later.
I sat at his favourite table at his favourite pub here, and ordered his favourite burger and beer. Another colleague joined in, visible upset and suggested that we should put a plate there and name it "Warwick's corner" in memory of him.
It was decided then the funeral shall be held on Friday at Nirwana Memorial Center and his body will be cremated and ashes brought back to Perth.
I flew down to KL with 2 other collegues, couldn't help but cried when I hug his wife infront of his coffin. This is the first time in my life I feel the pain described in many books I have read to lose somebody. The excrutiating feeling just squeeze the tears out from your heart...
CHEERS WARWICK! R.I.P.! We will complete the project off and make you proud.
Xmas used to be special to me, even though I am not a Christian. I love the songs, "Silent Night" and "WHite Christmas" never failed to sheer me up. I loved the decorations and the atmosphere. Chirstmas eve is my mum's birthday, so we always eat out during christmas eve and we always have cakes.