Like the title above, this post is about death.

Or rather someone I knew who passed on.

How many times have I thought that death is sure coming for me, but seconds after that I forget only to be reminded again when a tragedy happens? Weird, how life tricks and blinds you with lies. Yeah, there are reminders everywhere. Accidents, illnesses, loss in the family and a lot more. Yet the feeling disappears in just nanoseconds. Like how you enter the mosque and your iman feels like it's at its peak? Yeah, that feeling. Coz after that when you walk out the devil whispers in your heart to forget all that. Forget that there's that Higher Power looking at you. Undeniably, we are weak. Weak to the influence of the devil.

Years ago, I've lost my dearest Atok. My relationship with him was how it was supposed to be. He, being my grandfather, helps my parents in instilling discipline and knowledge in us. So that we'll remember our purpose in life, not to forget who we truly are in the midst of all the worldly distractions. Yes, he was an amazing person. Beyond amazing. I thank my Lord for giving me the honour of having been born to his son, my father, and my mother. He had tonnes of stories, but I was too young and ignorant to bother. Now, I only hear them from others. It's still blissful nonetheless, as that made his presence in my life more real.

In the midst of preparing for my O Levels, my mum was worried. Worried that I was turned into some mindless zombie, eating herself away with studies. My grandfather gave me some words of wisdom. About how he managed to juggle everything and yet, be a good student at the same time. He told me to see the green, take a breather once in a while. Experience many things, coz life is short. Too short to be too focused on one thing that's not certain; the world. Try as many things as I can, coz nothing is ever permanent. About how he was a rojak seller, a barber, a fireman among other things.

I listened.

That old man who was my grandfather, the one who, together with my dearest grandmother, raised 10 fantastic children.

A great family.

I just miss that old man so much. The tobacco smell, the very disgusting-tasting pipe, his grey hair, his wrinkly smile.

The tired but sharp pair of eyes. Those eyes.

Piercing, but soothing.