A Simple Nasi Lemak

This was sometime back before dining in has been disallowed. My wife and I were at one of the specialty Nasi Lemak stalls in Clementi. She went ahead to buy drinks while I joined the long queue waiting for the Nasi Lemak from Jalilahs Corner, a traditional malay food stall. The queue ahead of me had 10 people queuing, all eager to get their portion of Nasi Lemak which is only served on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Halfway through the queue, my wife returned with drinks and managed to find an elderly uncle who was sitting down alone as he sipped his coffee. My wife asked his consent and he was agreeable to share the table he was sitting down on with us. She put the drinks down and went forth to order more food from a fish soup stall. 

As we started eating, we noticed the elderly gentleman looking at our nasi lemak with intensity. My wife went ahead to ask him if he would like a set. He mentioned that he would have like to have it but as the queue was too long, he could not queue for the duration. Without hesitation, we offered him the takeaway set as a gift to him such that he can satisfy his cravings. Initially, he rejected but eventually accepted on our insistence. 

He insisted that he make payment for it and we accepted it. All of us had a hearty nasi lemak meal together even though we were strangers. Yet, the touch of kindness between us was the common language that bonds us as friends. 

Wondering about our helperr's share after that? We tried to queue again for the Nasi Lemak from Jalilahs Corner but it was sold out! That quickly! I went to another malay stall around the area and managed to get another set of nasi lemak. We told our helper on what happened and she was happy that her share of food made someone else's day. Also, the nasi lemak we got for her from another stall tasted great to her as well - definitely sweet with a touch of love and kindness to it!