When Julian Met Zahrah

“Wow, you’re a celebrity now!” I said excitedly when I saw them on the front cover of a magazine. There was something about the picture that was worth frowning upon. Maybe it’s the way they smiled or posed that made them look so divine and angelic. Such a perfect family portrait! Together, they looked like professional models who could easily pass for some family product advertisements on TV. But, hey, that’s not what it looked like when I first met Julian and Zahrah the year before. But, more importantly, that’s not what it was all about when Julian first met Zahrah on that Malayan soil. Things had indeed changed so drastically after they signed that holy matrimonial contract. Their story of determination had indeed captured the world. Their life’s miracles had developed into an even more interesting shape. To begin with, Julian looked bulky these days, thanks to his part-time profession as a truck driver. Zahrah looked even bulkier, thanks to her second pregnancy. Kayla, their only daughter, looked bulkiest with love and care, thanks to their famous parents.

“Yes, Hilmi. We are the poorest celebrity in the whole word!” Zahrah said jokingly. “Tell you what, I still can’t believe that we have made this far. We started with nothing, but see that furniture? It’s donated by our kind friend who thought we were homeless. See this table? It was given by someone who took pity of our “poor” life. Oh, yes, sorry that we have to make you wait before you came to our house this afternoon. I’m busy teaching some Islamic courses these days to kids and adults. It turns out that the muslim community in St Albans are really desperate for a great ustazah like me! Haha. Anyway, did you know that Julian was also an actor? Haha. Yes! Yes! He was part of the cast members for Dingin Lavenda. What? You don’t know that story? Aiyo, it’s on TV3 lah! Wait wait, we will also be featured in a documentary on Astro soon! I don’t know lah, Hilmi. These people have started coming into our life now that it’s impossible to resist. Not that we are enjoying it, but things are definitely getting better now. It’s amazing how things could turn when you truly believe in something. Right, Hilmi?”

Yes, you are right, Zahrah.

You see, when Adam met Eve, the world was merrier with kids. But when Julian met Zahrah, the world was merrier with stories (and kids, too, of course).