Special Deepavali celebration for couple with 'newfound' parents

SEREMBAN: It will be an extra meaningful Deepavali for L. Linda Kasturi and R. Karthik this year when they celebrate the festival of lights this Saturday with their “new mother and father”.

What’s more unique is that Linda and her husband Karthik, aged 39 and 35 respectively, have opened their doors to Mohamad Fakhrulzaman Abdul Mailk, 57, and Rohayati Salleh, 46, affectionately known as “dad and mom” to stay with them for the past six months despite being strangers.

Linda said she came to know Mohamad Fahrulzaman and Rohayati when she and her husband, who used to run a used furniture business, wanted to buy a refrigerator put up for sale by the couple who was experiencing financial difficulties due to the imposition of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in March.

“My intention at that time was just to buy a refrigerator but a great deal of sympathy gushed towards my father’s fate (Mohamad Fakrulzaman), as he had lost his job as a cook at an eatery since the MCO and their situation forced them to sell furniture to make ends meet.

“I then invited them to stay with me because my house is spacious and comfortable for them,” she said when met by reporters here yesterday.

Linda said she also prepared halal food and provided a special praying area for her new parents as she respects the religion and belief of Mohamad Fahrulzaman and Rohayati.

The mother of two children aged 10 and 11 is also taking care of her 60-year-old mother S. Kamala Devi but said the couple’s presence has completed her family and she was determined to take care of them as long as possible.

“Let them stay here. I intend to build a house for them next to mine as my children have grown close to them,” she said, adding that Deepavali will be celebrated on a moderate scale due to the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).

Meanwhile, Mohamad Fakhrulzaman, who suffered a stroke last year, said the family treated him and his wife as their own parents, and he also feels comfortable mingling with others despite being of different race and religion.

“Linda and her family took us to their home to care for us. I am very grateful to Linda and her family for taking such good care of us and providing us with halal food. I do not care what outsiders have to say but only we know how close and loving we are with each other,” he added.

He said his five children, aged seven to 24, were aware of his situation. Four of his children are being cared for by their biological mother in Maran, Pahang while the fifth is studying at a religious school in Indonesia.

-- BERNAMA