"My World Collapsed" – Boy Buries Parents One Day After They Dropped Him Off At Campus
The 19-year-old said that although he was shattered, he accepted it as fate.
By Kay Ng — 07 Feb 2023, 11:47 AM
On 4 February, 19-year-old Faris Najmi Arbain waved goodbye to his parents after they dropped him off at the Politeknik Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (POLISAS) campus in Kuantan, Pahang, where he was studying.
Tragically, he would be burying their bodies just one day later.
Faris told New Straits Times that his parents, 48-year-old Rosmayati Bakarand 47-year-old Arbain Baharudin, dropped him off at school while they were on their way to an aunt's house in Kerteh, Terengganu.
"They had dropped me off around 2.30pm. Only around an hour later, one of my siblings who was in the car texted me on WhatsApp," said the 19-year-old.
"I thought it was just a small accident. My world collapsed when I was told that both my parents had died."
Rosmayati and Arbain died instantly when their Toyota Estima crashed along the East Coast Highway 2 (LPT2) near Cheneh at 4pm.
"I believe both my parents were probably tired and didn't manage to get any rest after sending me. They continued their journey to Kerteh," said the son.
Faris said he was in shock when his uncle came to his campus to tell him that both his parents had passed.
He also said that although he was shattered, he accepted it as fate and was grateful that his three siblings survived.
His elder sister, 20-year-old Farah Najwa, and his two younger sisters, 12-year-old Fatin Najla and 10-year-old Faiqa Nabila, sustained injuries and were treated at the Kemaman Hospital.
Rosmayati's younger sister, Rozeta Bakar, 47, said her sister had planned to spend the night at her home for the Thaipusam holiday.
"She said she wanted to come over and spend the night. I then prepared rice and dishes for them," she said.
Rozeta said she was devastated when she received a call saying her sister and brother-in-law had passed away and would never make it.
"My siblings and I will discuss among ourselves on how we will care for the children."
The couple was buried in a single grave at the Pengkalan Kenangan Muslim cemetery in Kampung Baru Kerteh.
