People do come and go, but mostly talented-great people goes earlier..

I’m devastated to see the newspaper four days ago when I was on the bus to Port Dickson for a short-scened-drama shoot which involves the 25contestants; which are the footages which will be shown on Friday for a Live Pentas Anak Wayang..

As soon as I got onto the bus, the headline of Kosmo! Paper was stated “GoodBye Yasmin”.

“How inacceptable was that?!” I thought to myself. As I walk to the back of the bus.. I swear I couldn’t breathe properly for a few second when I saw the news..

Since last few years, I have been having dreams to work with her. Elza worked for her. People who had worked with her, I seriously envied.

Sepet was the first movie which caught my eyes. I didn’t get to watch her other movies as when they were shown on cinemas, I was either at Australia a year ago or didn’t make it for her previous movie “TalenTime” when Elza invited me for the premier. To think of it now, I’d regretted so. So much for not being able to attend the movie!

I missed getting to introduced to her when Rey Buono and all the Sunway Folks were meeting her last year, along with the TalenTime fellow actors. Where was I?? Australia studying. Nita, my best friend, met her.

How she talked? How would she reacts when she talks.. How would she ‘tunjuk-ajar’ if I were given a chance to talk to her? Would she liked me? Would she take me in for her future movies?? Would she..?

I couldn’t accept the fact. As soon as reached P.D, I was being slot to-be-shoot for the second scene of the day. My script was stated, Ruby as the ‘Pengemis Kurang Siuman”. It was soon that I found it was the assignment which I didn’t get to perform last week as I was eliminated out. I stayed in character, my make-ups, clothings and character freaked my fellow anak-anak wayang out and so did the wardrobe people. As soon as I got down to the first scene’s set to get ready for my turn for the next scene, everyone couldn’t stop taking photos of me as the beggar character.. What I was holding beneath, who knows..

I fell too many times to be counted for the ‘Pengemis’ to snap food from orang ramai. NG-ed around 9-10times for the beggar to fall as her fellow actors couldn’t give the camera a better-convincing expression. I myself, on the other hand, stayed in character although the rough sand scratched my legs and had bruises all over my body, even my feet bleed some.

Thankfully, my fellow actors gave their tribute of expressions. My part was done, theirs to-be-continued tomorrow. I just have to stand in for the character tomorrow.

After the scene, I went back to the hotel room. The news showing Yasmin Ahmad’s funeral. I walked into the room. Picked up my phone and called Elza. She was the only one I know who knows her close enough for me to talk to.

I burst out crying.. “I haven’t known her Elza… I haven’t..” | Elza: “Yea, I know.. I’m sorry Ruby..” | -Silence- | -Sobbing- | Elza: “You would’ve loved her though..” | -Sobbing- | Yes. I know I would have.. I know I would..| Elza: Sorry dear.. I have to go now.. I’m going for the ceremony. You take care okay? | Yea.. Bye.|

There she goes. The end of a director whom I adore the most, whom I’ve always wanted to work with, whom all cast and crew and families and all her fans loved.. Whom I have yet to meet. I shan’t forget you Kak Yasmin, The Storyteller who has done her tribute to lived up her story and give live to all her stories in all her works. Thank you. Thank you.. Thank.You.

**P/s: Her few last entries – http://yasminthefilmmaker.blogspot.com/

***P/s: Read if you love her like how Adflin Shauki loved her – http://afdlinshauki.blogspot.com/2009/07/kehilangan-al-fatihah.html

Sincerely-stranger-ed,

Ruby.