KUALA LUMPUR: Ali longs for the familiar embrace of celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri with his three children and other family members.
For the second Aidilfitri in a row, however, it does not seem like he will be getting his wish.
Instead, he will be marking the festivities yet again with friends at the old folks' home in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, where he now spends his days.
Met during a recent visit by Media Prima Bhd, Ali said, after being sent to the home two years ago, he "escaped" and returned to Ipoh, but was later sent back.
"My children sent me here the first time because they were busy working and I was living alone in Ipoh.
"After about a year I 'ran' back home and continued living alone in Ipoh... I had my neighbours' help by sharing their food.
"I was living alone for about a year but then I fell and broke my leg so it is hard for me to walk, so my children sent me here," said the 74-year-old retired policeman.
Initially calm when speaking, his emotions soon came to the fore when he was asked about his Aidilfitri plans.
"Last year, I celebrated Hari Raya here... no one came to pick me up. I think I will be celebrating it here again this time.
"The atmosphere is different (at the home) when compared to when we celebrate with family and children. (It is) less festive because my relatives and children are not here," he said, almost in tears.
While Ali feels dejected, 72-year-old Ahmad feels differently.
The former manager of a government-linked company is, in fact, looking forward to celebrating Hari Raya with friends at the old folks' home.
"This year, insya-Allah I will be celebrating Hari Raya here. I don't want to go back... it is a waste because I cannot walk.
"Many of us will be here, we didn't go back. I don't feel lonely because my children come and visit every week," he said.
Ahmad has two children, but the elder one, who used to take care of him, died due to a heart problem.
The passing of his firstborn, coupled with Ahmad's deteriorating condition which had led him to be wheelchair-bound, made it necessary for him to stay at the old folks' home.
"Before this, I lived with my eldest, but then I lost the ability to walk, so I was sent here.
"I went to the hospital, they said there was nothing wrong with me, but I cannot walk.
"I have no strength to hold the fork and spoon, so I asked the doctor for medicine, but they said there was no medicine to help me," he said.
Ahmad said he misses the joyous Hari Raya celebrations he used to share with his grandfather, siblings and cousins at their kampung house.
"I have 10 siblings, but two have passed away.
"They don't know that I am here. Maybe I will invite two of them for Hari Raya, but most of them are in Johor," he said.
Ahmad's joy at being able to celebrate Aidilfitri at the home is Mohammad, 68, who said it would be "quite exciting".
The former aircraft engineer, however, hopes to celebrate Hari Raya at his house next year.
"I have told my children that next year I want to celebrate Hari Raya at home. My house is just 10 minutes from here.
"Those days when I bought that land (to build the house), I planned to live there when I retired, but instead, I am here. We can plan, but the best planner is Allah," he said.