It all started when Dr Norzalifa Zainal Abidin and Major Kalam Pie have been in secondary faculty on the Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) in Seremban, Negri Sembilan almost 4 decades in the past.
Kalam would climb as much as the roof or water tank on the boarding faculty simply to take photographs of his highschool crush.
“But she had many admirers and I never thought to approach her, at least, not until many many years later,” he shares.
Today, the couple are each 55 and fortunately married. They bought married to one another in 2011 and have three sons and 4 daughters, from their earlier marriages.
“When we first met in high school, we weren’t sweethearts. We were just schoolmates,” says Kalam.
Kalam was a pupil on the faculty since kind one whereas Norzalifa joined when she was in kind 4.
“We had an orientation for new students and I had to sing. So, I sang the song Casablanca. From then on, I had a lot of secret admirers and Kalam was one of them,” reveals Norzalifa.
When they have been in highschool decades in the past, Kalam would climb as much as the roof or water tank on the boarding faculty simply to take photographs of his crush, Norzalifa.
“He would appear with his film camera and take pictures of me and then disappear, macam paparazzi (like paparazzi). He had a whole album of me which he only showed me after we got married!” she says.
When all the ladies (on the faculty) go to hope on the surau, Kalam would climb onto a ledge simply to take Norzalifa’s image.
“He would take shots of me everyday for two years. Initially, I was a bit annoyed,” she provides.
Norzalifa additionally obtained many letters from her admirers however admits that she didn’t know if Kalam was one among them as a result of they have been principally nameless.
But Kalam clears her doubts: He didn’t write her any letters, he solely took photographs of her.
She was too widespread and I by no means approached her. I simply took photographs and stored them to myself. I used to be simply ‘an admirer’, says Kalam of his then high-school crush, who’s now spouse.“She was too popular and I never approached her. I just took photos and kept them to myself. I was just ‘an admirer’,” he says.
After highschool, the pair parted methods to additional their schooling and chart their very own paths.
Norzalifa went on to review structure in England, whereas Kalam studied engineering regionally and joined the army.
“We never confessed ‘our love’ nor kept in touch. There was no email nor WhatsApp during that time, only snail mail,” the couple reveals.
Romance blossoms
Their love story actually solely began when Norzalifa had a stroke. And it was due to expertise that they reconnected.
“I had a total of seven strokes between 2008 and 2010, and when I woke up from a coma, I sent a message to this Yahoo email group of friends (which Kalam was the admin of) and I told everyone in the group what had happened and that I was at Puswari Hospital in KL,” says Norzalifa.
“My friends came to visit me at the hospital and Kalam was one of them,” she says, including that she was impressed with him as a result of he noticed her at her worst however his love for her remained fixed.
She was a divorcee and single mom to 4 daughters at the moment.
“I was partially paralysed and had to go for physiotherapy.
“Kalam and the others would visit me. He was very surprised by my condition, and since he’s an Ironman triathlete, he said he would help me improve my health,” she reveals.
Their love story actually solely began when Norzalifa had a stroke, and it was due to expertise that they reconnected.True to his phrase, he taught her learn how to eat and drink correctly, take care of her well being and he additionally accompanied her for physiotherapy and introduced her out.
Norzalifa began specializing in nature remedy.
“The doctor asked me to go out and get used to the community again so Kalam would bring me out to the forest and river to do nature therapy and reflexology. I had to use a walker whenever I went out.”
Kalam and Norzalifa grew to become a pair in 2011.
“He proposed to me several times. There was one time when I had seven proposals (from different guys) and Kalam was one of them,” reveals Norzalifa.
She jokingly provides that her seventh stroke was as a result of she felt confused and didn’t know learn how to reply her seven suitors.
They have been all ‘baik’ (good) and wished a solution instantly, she says.
But Kalam stood out.
Norzalifa remembered how Kalam was with her by the very low interval in her life. She additionally remembers one night time when she was craving a drink of teh tarik. He had simply completed responsibility and known as to ask if there was something that she wished.
“So he came at 3am with the teh tarik,” she says. “It was difficult to get at that time, but he managed to get it and pass it to me even though it wasn’t visiting hours (at the hospital).”
“I would jokingly say I wooed her with just a packet of teh tarik,” laughs Kalam.
Keeping the flame alive
He beloved me once I was at my worst, says Norzalifa, of husband, Kalam.For Norzalifa, honesty and belief are essential in a relationship.
“I like how he’s always there – all the time. He’s my backbone. And, he’s supportive of my career. He’s not the type that says a lot but he’s genuinely loving through his actions and non-verbal communication,” she says.
“Every day, we’d find some adventure to go on together. In the morning, we’ll usually plan what to do at The Jungle School, our project to help the community,” she provides.
The couple are co-founders of The Jungle School Gombak, a social enterprise set as much as empower the Orang Asli to earn a dwelling whereas sharing their distinctive tradition with others.
Norzalifa says that Kalam could be very romantic and reveals it in his personal quiet manner.
“His eyes sparkle and light up whenever he looks at me. Even after 12 years of marriage, he still makes me blush,” she admits.
“I admire his leadership qualities and social intelligence. He makes strangers feel comfortable and can talk to people easily,” she says.
“He’s really good with plants and animals. He’s like an animal whisperer, even a goose that is a very garang (fierce) animal, will lompat (jump) onto his lap and shoulder,” she says, and the couple giggle.
Norzalifa admits that she was a workaholic earlier than, however with Kalam subsequent to her, she has learnt to loosen up and revel in every second in life.
“I’ve learnt how to pause and just enjoy my afternoon tea with him,” she says.
“When we love each other, every thing else falls into place: the people, the jungle, the animals, the community,” says Kalam. “I can’t really explain why I love her, I just do – she’s also sweet, smart and I like how she smiles.”
Though they’ve totally different backgrounds – whereas Norzalifa is extra into arts, structure and artistic design, Kalam is extra into engineering and the army, “they complete each other”.
And their group venture (The Jungle School Gombak) binds them collectively.
“Every day is an adventure. There is always something new to do and explore each day,” the couple concludes.
