THE MEMOIRS OF MUSTAPHA HUSSAIN - Malaysia Today

352 Memoirs of Mustapha Hussain
needs economists talk about – food, shelter and clothing. They should
add ‘medication’ as I was often in need of some. I enjoyed my conversations
with Sutan Jenain, which sometimes covered socialism. I came
to realise that two more items should be added to a man’s needs –
entertainment and recreation – both items my family had yet to enjoy.
Our grilled squid was a big hit – it was a sell out on the first day –
and demand kept growing. We made some money and were able to buy
a new change of clothes. Through Sutan Jenain, a friend gave me an old
bicycle I repaired for my oldest girl. I was also introduced to a Shell
Company officer, Radin Mas Sumarto, who had just been posted from
Bukom Island. It was at a party he threw for the Javanese community of
Tanjung Karang that I tasted really delicious and nutritious food I had
missed for years.
Soon after, our landlady doubled her commission, but we gave in.
What else could we do? Not long after I earned the title of ‘the best
maker of grilled squid.’ 4 One night, as usual we gathered at 8.00 pm to
find out how our food did during the day. Those who made good sales
smiled while those who did not looked glum. To my shock, not a single
piece of my grilled squid had been sold. Undaunted, we still made some
the next day – although we faced the same outcome. We made some on
the following days and prayed hard; but strangely, our squid was left
unsold. The landlady claimed our grilled squid smelled unpleasant, but
my wife insisted that she had washed them thoroughly. Then it dawned
on her why the landlady had been sneaking up on her each time she was
cooking in the common kitchen. A week later, our suspicion was
confirmed when the landlady’s son, who took pity on our family, said
loudly so his mother could hear, “Pak Mustapha, mother hid your grilled
squid and sold her own.”
I had not once thought this lady had the heart to ‘pour sand into our
rice bowls’. Though poor, we had been good to her and she had known
us from my lecturing days. I learned yet again that greed is boundless
and even a friend could become a victim. We stayed on as we had little
choice. We continued to sell grilled squid, not at the canteen, but by the
roadside, facing the Selangor General Agency. My loyal friend Kundur,
transported my grilled squid in his trishaw from our rented unit to the
Sunday Market each day at 5.00 pm and back to my house at 11.00 pm.
When the landlady tripled the rent on the excuse that the price of rice
had increased, we begged for some understanding, but she shouted,
“Those who cannot afford the rent can leave. There are many others
keen to come in.” Angry tenants retaliated by destroying her light bulbs.
The landlady screamed for my help as she was afraid her property would