To an everlasting friendship

Lasting bond: The writer (left) and Mahbub maintain close ties despite taking different paths in life.

LIFE has been tough for Mahbub Dayat. But, he has soldiered on without complaint. He is contented with what he has, which is very little. Mahbub is my childhood friend.

We grew up together in Kampung Sungai Balang Besar, Muar, or more specifically, a little enclave known to locals as Parit Gantung. The inhabitants initially were first and second generation Javanese immigrants from Kecamatan Kauman in the Residency of Ponorogo, East Java.