If you follow me on instagram, you've probably noticed that I encountered dr. Pitha, an Indonesian ObGyn slash writer working in London. To be completely honest, the meeting was unplanned but rather a warm surprise from Allah. And here's the full story.
The drive
It was a sunny weekend. My family had planned on meeting distant relatives living in London. With no enthusiasm, during the one hour drive I did not question the whereabouts or whom it is we are visiting.
From what I overheard, it was my grandmother's cousin named Eko. Several calls, missed turns and snacks later we managed to find the house. A simple English vibe house with bricks and white wooden windows. My grandmother, who might be the only familiar face to the family, got out of the car first. My mom along with my sister followed. I took time to decide whether or not to bring my camera with me. Considering it was heavy, I stored it inside the car.
A man, at about the age of my dad, opened the front door with warm greeting and a smile.
Oblivious
My brother and my dad shook hands with him and soon we were all led inside to the living room. I noticed several family pictures, focusing my sight and thought on his children. I wonder how old his children are.
After we were all seated in the conjoined living room - dining room, the small talks began. Om (Indonesian word, means uncle) Eko apparently had been living in London for almost 10 years, working full time and returning only for special moments like Eid. My mom talked about the reason my whole family was in London (accompanying our daughter for her summer school).
I didn't pay much attention, until Om Eko mentioned his wife is a practising ObGyn in London.
Now at that point of time, the author's page started to picture in my mind. The name Eko somehow rings a bell.
Earlier that month
Earlier that month I bought Mahkota Perempuan book through online bookshop. I've heard this book being recommended several times, but my final push to buy was after dr. Davrina cited that the book's writer is working in London.
The book review
I remember that day I was waiting for my doctor's appointment, reading the book which successfully shed my tears in public.
I enjoyed the book, as I've written in my instagram account:
I'd recommend this book to medical students out there so you'd take time to reflect on your future patient's cases.
I'd recommend it to women out there so you'd thank Allah for the blessings of rahim, that is named after one of His names.
I'd recommend it too if you're men, so you'd remember and appreciate the value of women.
And I'd recommend it to you all, as a reminder of our strong yet compassionate mothers.
But if you're a softie... I'd recommend you not to read it in public places, so people won't see you tear up, hehe.
Hesitate to contact
Upon reading it, I planned on emailing dr. Pitha: introducing myself and my plan for this summer. And I might be able to arrange a meet up to interview her and learn from her. After all, it's not something you see everyday! And scholars in the past showed example in approaching teachers, travelled miles to seek knowledge. Why not, eh?
But I hesitated.
Benefits of silaturahim
So I was in complete shock when Om Eko's wife emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray of tea. It was really dr. Pitha. MasyaAllah.
That moment, I felt like Allah was teaching me the benefits of silaturahim aka connecting with distant relatives or brothers and sisters of Islam.
The lessons
I am beyond grateful, that I could meet her in person and learn from her. From her manner of talking, I noticed that she is a humble person who always has a smile plastered on her face. She's very soft-spoken, as I imagined her would be when narrating her stories.
dr. Pitha, as I called her, finished her MD degree in Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Indonesia (FKUI). Married at a young age and became pregnant, she pursued her masters on Health Services Management in UNSW, Sydney, Australia with Australian Development Scholarship. After which she continued her dream residency (specialist) study on obstetrician and gynaecologist in FKUI.
When her husband, Om Eko, attained a job in London the whole family of four (them and their 2 kids) moved. Despite her struggle (which you can read in the book) to get the practise license, she is now a member of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, United Kingdom working in Hillingdon Hospital, London, United Kingdom. It has been about 7 years.
One thing I noticed, is how she showed an elegance in being obedient wife. When I asked, if she has further plans on returning to Indonesia she smiled and say:
"How ever my husband pleases."
That's beautiful!
But, how did she get into writing? I noticed the book doesn't only tell the stories she experienced in London but rather a long way back to her residency training in Indonesia.
"It was my husband who took my writings off Facebook. Yes, I initially write my reflections on an Fb page. They were sent to a publisher, then after several processes of editing it was published."
The last question would be, the struggles she face!
I remember a writing in her book of her dream to work in fertility clinic (Fertility clinics are medical clinics that assist couples, and sometimes individuals, who want to become parents but for medical reasons have been unable to achieve this goal via the natural course). Upon living abroad however she was faced on challenges of her beliefs. Her clients were surprisingly different from what she expected: gay/ lesbian couple. In Islam, the ruling of this is clear and strict.
Shocked, she decided to leave the job and focuses on deliveries of baby.
"To cope I make sure that I'm not involved in the process (of conception), as it violates my belief. However if the woman present to me pregnant, regardless of the background, I'd still serve them equally as my patients."
Through several challenges of iman, she gracefully showed her stance.
MasyaAllah.
Finally? I took a picture (and an autograph)!
I thank Allah that He has made this meeting possible against all odds.
May Allah bless their family, continues the amal jariyah from the book she wrote and strengthen our faith.
-h.a.
p.s. Lucunya, sebelum akhirnya membeli di toko online lain saya mengontak nomor WA resmi untuk membeli buku. Jawaban adminnya meminta maaf karena sedang tidak di Indonesia. Ternyata, nomor itu adalah nomor ayah beliau, yang akhirnya saya temui pula ketika bersilaturahmi ke rumahnya! Jadi malu.
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