Frugality with Love

We spent dinner out on the front yard, underneath the moonlit sky. Candles are lit, cushions are spread about and a humble feast has been laid out on the bamboo mat. Gratefully my mother minded Alipuddin' and left my husband and I alone for our romantic dinner for two. The dinner had to be a short one as baby was having fits of jealousy for not being invited to join his parents outside. No matter, once my baby was back in my arms, we've both had our fill of love and conversation after a day spent apart from each other.

Once the food's been cleared away and Alipuddin asleep after having his fill, I drank the last drop of tea and breathed in deeply the fresh night air. There was a breeze and I can smell the sweet scent of the flickering candles from underneath the mango tree. My husband has retreated indoors and I was on my own. I felt calm and at peace. Praise be to God, my prayers for a contented heart came to fruit. But not without a little effort on my part.

Due to the rising price of petrol and food, the cost of living has skyrocketed. For simple folks like us, a daily dose of our favourite beverage at the local mamak will soon burn a hole in our pockets if we're not careful. It's been hard for me to give up this pleasure. It's a chance for me to enjoy a short stroll in the neighbourhood and a change of scenery with my husband after a long day. But finally I had to let it go. It had to take a little desperation to squeeze out inspiration to make do with what we have. But in the end it made me realise that quality of life does not need to depend on a lot of money. Just a smidgeon of ingenuity served up with love.