What are big sisters for?

Did I tell you, I had a surprise call last tuesday from my big sis?  she is now residing in Kuching Sarawak, East Malaysia. "hai lai, are you in Brunei? I would be in Brunei for a short transit esok. Why dont we get together with everyone for sungkai lai? before I even paused for an answer, she went on " You belanja (treat) lai ah?. Dont tell everyone that I am around as I want to give them a little surprise" I actually even forgot with what I wanted to say as my big sis has this habit of talking continuously only to pause when she wants to take a breathe. I was actually delighted to hear from her as I had not called her for awhile and I actually had not seen her for months. She did come to Brunei for a short visit but that was like 6 months ago if I recall correctly. so I told her "Ok tu kaka tini, its on me. we can book at Ilotus as they really serve good buffet for sungkai".."eh why not at the airport?" she asked casually "you know lai, I have to catch a flight at 8 pm". 

 I thought the airport restaurant is also good but at $28 per person and for 15 people would be too tight on my wallet. Not that I wanted to sound so stingy, I had been giving a few dinner and sahur treats to a couple of friends for the last 3 or 4 nights and raya is coming. So I told her, "the Ilotus is really good kaka as I was there 2 nights ago. what you can do is to check in early and get your boarding pass so that you wont have to rush to the airport afterwards". and the good thing of being siblings, we can always be frank to each other "besides, the airport restaurant is expensivelah kaka tini, if we get everyone together, my pocket is not that deep enough at the moment, you know lah raya is coming" she nodded "ok tu lai"..well that was the conversation.

My big sis showing off her new residence in Kuching

so when the day came, unfortunately my other sis could not make it as her son was celebrating his birthday. My dad couldnt come as well as he had his usual dialysis and my youngest brother cancelled at the last minute and his excuse was that he had to attend our nephew's bday. what a dissapoinment! so it was only half the crowd than expected. it turned out to be a good 1 1/2 hr spent with my big sis.