I imagine myself being approached and interviewed on the street by a team of content creators, finding content for their next uplifting videos. Kinda like People of New York, except it's People of Damansara, probably? Let's chuckle together haha.
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It was a nice Sunday at Cova Square when Jieha was coming to get some snack for later. After a long morning service at Masjid KD, teaching the community children of Gugusan Apartments, she has had her lunch with the committees and will head home soon to snuggle with Citam. Definitely need to spend some time with herself to recharge from the social exhaustion.
"Excuse me, we're from People of Damansara. Do you mind lending us five minutes for some sharing?" A group of three people approached her from right front as she was heading towards My News convenient store.
"Ah, sure. Is it like an interview?" Jieha was startled, but feeling curious as she was fixing the position of her army green tote bag strap on her shoulder. They seemed quite young, warm and friendly. The lady interviewer was holding a mini mic, and another team member was ready with a small Sony camera, probably mirrorless. The other one was holding a placard written 'Share Your Wisdom' with a logo People of Damansara. They are all wearing a similar shirt too.
"Yeah it's sharing about your perspective on life. I'm Suzy by the way. This is Tina and William. Nice to meet you! May we know your name?" Suzy started to introduce herself and her team. Tina waved her hand and smiled, as William friendly nodded while focusing on his recording.
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Jieha,". Jieha smiled at each of them, reciprocating the warmth. She has not been in front of the camera for quite a long time. She can feel the butterflies coming, and the need to not chase them away, instead, preparing some space for them to rest.
"Thank you Jieha. So we're already started recording, we'll cut out some parts and edit them later. Hope you're okay with it?" Suzy continued.
"Yeah sure" Jieha took a deep breath inside while keeping her smile.
"So, what do you do for a living?"
"I'm a teacher, international school nearby"
"I see. You're a millennial I'm guessing?"
"Yeah definitely" both Jieha and Suzy smiled and chuckled together, almost like an unspoken social cue between a Millennial and a Gen Z sharing generational struggles of adulting.
"So, would you say you are happy with your life?" Suzy asked, the most cliche question ever, but always the trickiest. Jieha paused for three seconds to cultivate her words.
"I am.. content." Not seeing it as a yes-no question, she continued. "I see happiness as an emotion. It comes and goes like other emotions do. Contentment, on the other hand, is the state of my mind and this is how I see myself in life right now" Jieha replied, receiving a nodding response from Suzy and Tina showing their interest.
"That's very interesting. Does it mean you consider yourself as successful?" Suzy's next question instantly came before she passed the mic to Jieha. Three seconds halt.
"In my definition of success, yes," Jieha answered with a smile that extended to her eyes and soul.
"A lot of young adults are trying to find themselves in the society and building their life. Would you like to share with us your definition of success which allows you to be content with your life right now?"
The interview continued to the end. Tina handed a small paper bag with the team's merchandise as a token of appreciation. It was a heartfelt moment for Jieha where she discovered another side of her and trying something new.
"Thank you so much we really enjoyed this!" Suzy said before they separated.
"Thank you. Me too!"
A week passed.
Jieha was driving towards the mosque for Maghrib prayer as a notification from People of Damansara through Instagram popped up. She reached the mosque and parked, realising that the video from last week's interview was already published, she took a deep breath feeling anxious and excited at the same time.
She clicked and started watching the video. It began with quite relaxing introduction between her and Suzy, though Suzy's face was not in the frame, only her hands can be seen with the mic.
"A lot of young adults are trying to find themselves in the society and building their life. Would you like to share with us your definition of success which allows you to be content with your life right now?"
Jieha recognised this part.
"My definition of success is what we called 'aafiyah in Islam. It's a safe life, no presence of evils or harm. Protected from dreadful sickness or hardships. It's a calm and peaceful life, good health and enough wealth. It's not perfect, not lavish, but it's enough.
I have good relationships with my parents, my siblings, great circle of friends, fulfilling career, living my childhood dream actually working as a teacher. I connect with my local community and contribute what I can. I have good conscience and I love the wisdom that comes along with aging.
All of these come from a very very tough times when I was a child and a young adult, years of trauma, bad decisions and self-sabotaging. I worked really really hard to build myself a peaceful life in every way possible, and, I believe that I have achieved it. Life's still challenging in its own way, but I am blessed with contentment and 'aafiyah, and that's all I ever needed"
The bilal's voice reciting out Maghrib adzan was projected through the speaker. Jieha kept her phone in the dashboard compartment of her car, and stepped out with a beaming smile. She slowly walked towards the Muslimah's section of the mosque as her mouth responding to the adzan, glorifying her Lord, the ultimate love of her life.
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Dengkil.
