Ayra sayang!

Some months ago, before my niece was born, my sister asked me for suggestions on what to name her baby.

I gave a few ideas -

"Kalsum!" Classic, I thought. Don't ask. I don't know what I was thinking.

"Hish, kelak orang tunggah anak aku Som Som Ayam!" She argued.

"Maryam!" I suggested.

"Kelak orang kampung tunggah nya 'Yammmmmm, oh Yammm!'" Like, what the hell!?

This went on for quite some time. I pushed for Maryam the most because I couldn't think of any other names that would be perfect for a baby girl... And of course, it's just in my nature to be stubborn. Biar lah!

Few months after, Ayra Nabilah was born. At first it was just Ayra, but my brother in law wanted a name with a beautiful meaning so they added Nabilah.

Naturally, some people were a bit inquisitive when they see Ayra for the first time because my sister is very fair. In fact, she is the fairest among us siblings! Ayra, on the other hand, is not.

"Kenak nya gel.. oh!" Their unfinished questions when they finally realised Ayra takes after her father's darker skin tone.

Nak di jadikan cerita... While I was doing... something in the... something (seriously can't remember), I overheard my mother playing with Ayra in the TV room.

"Ayraaaaa.." She called out as Ayra replied with a baby's blank stare and their usual pouty lips.

"Ayraaaa..." She called out again, and continued with, "Ayra Nabiiilemmmmmm..."

If I was drinking, I would've choked on my drink. If I was standing, I would've rolled on the floor laughing. If I was.... Okay you get my drift! I really can't remember what the hell I was up to BUT the point is! - My sister tried so bloody hard to pick a name that no one could bully her daughter with and she picked Nabilah. We found a loophole! Nabilem!

Wahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

*wipes tear* Sigh.

To those who do not understand - my mother is a Melanau. 'Bilem' is Melanau for Black or Dark.

The other night, on the phone with Ahmad, I retold this incident and explained to him from A to Z (maybe even continued back to A then to Z again).

"Sebab Abang Daus kan gelap!" I laughed.

"Eh, hari tu jumpa.. Takde lah dia gelap pun," He claimed.

"Ha ah! I lupa. Korang kan.. sekulit," I said.

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAR.

Bilem, bilem pun, Chik Cha sayang juak. ;-)