Not Rich

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Not Rich


What does it mean to be rich?

A person might have RM500 in their bank account and still claim they’re rich. But someone earning 100 times more might scoff at that idea. So, who’s right?

Today, I want to share a story—two couples living in parallel worlds. One believes being rich means having more money. The other believes being rich means being grateful for whatever they have.

The first couple measures wealth by financial abundance. They pray five times a day, sometimes more. Their relationship with God is strong, and their prayers are consistent. But they don’t ask for “more money.” Instead, they say, “Murahkan lagi rezeki”—may our sustenance be plentiful.

Is this a sensitive topic because it touches on religion? Perhaps. But bear with me.

This couple prays day in and day out, never missing a moment. And for some divine reason, their prayers are answered. Rezeki flows in: tickets to cold countries, holidays on sandy beaches, performance bonuses. Their social media glows with envy-inducing posts. To outsiders, they’re couple goals. Relationship goals. Pick any trendy label.

The second couple struggles daily. Let’s just say they’re non-believers. There’s no god to pray to, no divine comfort to seek. It’s just the two of them, facing the world alone.

No sandy vacations. No golden tickets to winter wonderlands. Nothing fancy.

They argue constantly about money.

“Don’t gamble—we’ll lose what little we have to survive this month,” the woman often says.

“Don’t waste it on tech, games, whatever. We need to save. We need a bigger house.”

And they do. They live in a tiny studio apartment. One’s a light sleeper, the other snores. It’s not ideal.

This parallel continues for years.

Then one day, something shifts.

The couple who equated wealth with money—the ones who prayed diligently—are heading for divorce. Despite all the blessings, they couldn’t find happiness. Greed crept in. The desire for more, more, more. When is it ever enough?

That mindset destroyed them. But greed wasn’t the final blow. The real damage came during the asset division. The fight was brutal. Life isn’t fair—someone always has to compromise. The divorce was messy. It left them in debt.

Meanwhile, the struggling couple? They’re now renting a comfortable condominium. And let’s just say—they’re not heading for divorce.

I could ask a controversial question about religion. But let’s not go there.

Instead, here’s the thought: Even if you ask God for more rezeki, and He pours it down upon you, remember—humans are mere mortals, flawed and sinful. Somewhere in that gift, something may be taken from you.

Life is unexpected.

One day, you can be rich rich—overflowing with wealth, comfort, and ease. And the next? You’re not. You’re back to square one, rebuilding from scratch.

You can ask God for anything. You can pray for more, for better, for relief. But at the end of the day, it’s not just about what you ask—it’s about how you choose to confront yourself. Your mindset. Your resilience. Your honesty in facing your own flaws and fears.

Because wealth isn’t just measured in currency. It’s measured in character.

Don't fall for social media aesthetics too!

These are my personal memories and lived experiences. You are not permitted to reproduce, adapt, or portray this scene in any form of media, out of respect for my reality. The original publisher is still alive. Any similarities or resemblances to this story will be regarded as a violation, and I will pursue legal action accordingly. It is unacceptable to misrepresent or claim my life experience as your own.

If you wish to contact me, please do so respectfully via email: nilhdaf@gmail.com

Do not depict my painful experience in any media format, including films resembling Pekak.

Image Source: Canva
Proofreader: Microsoft Copilot



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