I made some biryani rice and mutton dalcha the other day. Since I know that my neighbour loves biryani (from our many long conversations about makan places while waiting for the lift), I decided to tapau some for him. He was pleasantly surprised and welcomed me into his home with a big smile.

As I was seated in his living room, he brought me a cup of coffee, “You must try this famous Vietnam Coffee.”

I thought it rather odd he served me coffee in a paper cup, but I assumed being a bachelor and all, perhaps he was not prepared to receive guests. So I sipped the aromatic, thick coffee as we engaged in a delightful conversation about Chinese New Year, family, work and food.

Soon, it was time for me to leave and as I got up, he said, “Thank you again for the biryani, I’ll have it for dinner. And oh, I will return your food containers tomorrow if you’re home.”

A few days passed and there was no sign of my neighbour or my food containers – not that I was afraid he’d run away with the disposal plastic ones I packed the food in. I was just eager to hear what he had to say about the dishes.

And then last night, while I was watching a comedy on television called ‘The News’, I heard my doorbell ring. It was my neighbour.

“Your containers! Sorry for the delay but I had to wait until the containers were cleaned properly,” he said.

“You didn’t even have to clean it lah, its fine,” I said as I took my containers from him, cleanly washed.

“Don’t worry, I bought a new sponge to wash it. It’s not the same sponge I use for my own dishes. So, its halal as well as pork-free,” my neighbour elaborated.

It hit me right then why my Vietnam coffee was served in a paper cup instead of a ceramic mug.

“You do know right that halal and pork-free isn’t the same?” I blurted.

“Of course. Pork free is no pork while to certify something halal requires a lot more than just no pork. But don’t worry, the sponge is new, so it is definitely clean and halal for you.”

I wanted to say a lot of things that very moment but all I could manage was a sigh.

“Thank you for cleaning my containers and taking the trouble to get a new sponge. So how was my biryani?”

“Fantastic. I will now put aside the ‘halal sponge’ just for your containers, so please feel free to keep sending me your cooking,” he chuckled.

“Only if you cook for me. Didn’t you say you make awesome prawn noodles?” I chided.

He seemed puzzled, “…but my pots and pans…are not halal…”

“There are many things non-halal going on in this country. Your pots, pans, mugs, plates and sponge is the last thing I’d worry about. Remember, your pork-free prawn noodles for my halal mutton biryani. Deal?”

Jimmy cracked a smile as he put forward his hand. I smiled and gave him a hug instead.

Alhamdulillah. Thank you Allah for blessing me with a good neighbour.