Patimah and Ridhuan
Dance of the domestic
Patimah and Ridhuan were one of the first seniors at this centre and they were proudly present at the ribbon cutting. This kitchen is, in Patimah's own words - her second home that she has been missing for many months. Their return today settles into a familiar, well-rehearsed, symbiotic routine.
The giving in give and take
Patimah says that every morning, Ridhuan helps her clean the house, wash the toilet, then goes jogging. She relaxes at home and thinks about what she wants to cook. Patimah is proud of the the fact that at 76, her husband exercises everyday. She confesses she is not like that. They have been married since 1968 and shares their secret - 'Don't jealous jealous so much." "One person angry, one person go outside and relax." Apologising to each other is important. In the past, Ridhuan had many friends that are girls but told his wife don't be angry, they are just friends! Ridhuan says that housework is the responsibility of both the husband and wife. Patimah shares that she only cooks, does laundry and ironing, everything else Ridhuan does. Every morning, Ridhuan prepares her breakfast and medication before jogging. He leaves a word of advice, without give and take, "cannot until now".
Ikhlas
The secret to good cooking is to cook with joy, sincerity and generosity. They used to run a food stall at Macpherson then Cuppage. 3am they would need to go to Geylang Serai Market, 5.30am at the stall. They will head home at 7pm. It was a gruelling routine for 14, 15 years to bring up their family. Now that their children are grown, they can relax.
Burnt rice as keropok
Patimah says she didn't need to go far to find her husband. They grew up in the same kampong, married there, gave birth at Tan Tock Seng, They worked hard, Ridhuan was working in PUB and washed cars after work for $10 a car. "Wait one month can get $10." His salary at PUB was $114. They do not understand how they could raise two children on that when nowadays "how much your salary also not enough". Clive from PAC disclosed that their granddaughter is now studying in UK to become a doctor. Patimah is the eldest in her famiily and had to help the parents by going house to house to wash clothes. One house $10, $15 a month. They bought their children's milk at Sungei Road Market, 2nd hand or with dented cans. Patimah would recall her life and feel so happy she wants to cry. They are tears of joy over what they have gone through and now they are "ok already". They remember a time they used to pluck tapioca leaves growing in the kampong to supplement their meals. If rice is burnt, they will still salvage and make keropok.