KUCHING: Movement restrictions had kept them apart for over two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.
So when word finally reached Yusman Basri that his eldest son Azwin, daughter-in-law and his two grandchildren were heading home he was ecstatic, even more so because it was Hari Raya Aidiladha.
“When the children come home to celebrate with us, it makes parents happy, especially after two years of not celebrating Aidiladha together.
“On Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Azwin, 30, did not have the opportunity to return to Kuching,” he told Suara Sarawak at his residence, here, today.
But his elation turned out to be short-lived when life dealt Yusman perhaps the cruelest blow just after the celebration.
Azwin and his family were tragically killed in a collision at the Roban junction near Jalan Saratok, last Monday while they were en route to Miri.
Fifty-six-year-old Yusman recalled how he had earlier got everyone ready for the road trip as Azwin wanted to move out as early as 3am to ensure they reach Miri early.
“I tidied up their things, carried their belongings into the car and even helped change my grandchildren’s diapers,” he said, his voice trembling with emotion.
Yusman remembers telling his son to travel safe and to give him a call on reaching Miri.
Sadly, the call he received was the one which informed him that Azwin, his wife Nadziran Mohd Nor, 28, and their two children Hazreen Zharfan, 4, and 15-month old Hazeef Zharfan had died in the accident.
It was from the Saratok Hospital and a shocked Yusman rushed over.
The bodies of all four eventually arrived at the family residence in Taman Laruh Skim at 11.51pm from Saratok Hospital.
They were laid to rest at the Kampung Gita Islamic Cemetery here on Wednesday.
