BEIJING: Syed Mohamad Fairus Shaik Ismail picked up his cooking pans and pots again after 22 years, all for his two children.

       The last time he prepared a meal was during his university days. Back then, his “menu” was limited to fried eggs and omelettes.

       But now, the trade commissioner of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation in Shanghai can dish out fried chicken and chicken in tomato sauce, thanks to his sisters and YouTube.

       He has to do the cooking as he is the only one whom his sons, aged 15 and 17, can rely on for food this Ramadan as Shanghai has been under a lockdown since March 28.

       Syed Mohamad Fairus said that his wife, also a civil servant, was recalled to Malaysia last year after using up all her unpaid leave.

       “This fasting month is a whole new experience. It is a special and unforgettable one for us.

       “Before this, I thought I could manage without my wife by eating out or buying food from the restaurants but the lockdown has spoiled my plan,” he said.

       Recalling his shopping spree before the lockdown, he said it was chaotic.

       “When news emerged of a possible lockdown, I drove my children to a grocery store only to find that it had closed. We rushed to a hypermarket but it was crowded.

       “Most of the stuff was gone. We only managed to grab a few frozen items and canned food, then queued up for over an hour at the cashier.

       “At 5.30am the next morning, I went to another grocery in hopes of getting something before they were sold out but it had not opened yet,” he added.

       Eventually, Syed Mohamad Fairus packed a few curry dishes from Malaysian restaurants in the city.

       The food was enough for a week but the lockdown, initially slated for five days, went on for much longer than expected.

       Living in a small community with just 24 households comprising mostly foreigners, Syed Mohamad Fairus and his neighbours would team up on bulk purchasing.

       But halal requirements also meant that he was left with limited choices.

       The family has been surviving on simple meals like popcorn chicken with rice and fried eggs, vegetable soup or burger patties.

       Syed Mohamad Fairus was thankful that his children were understanding, saying that they ate whatever he prepared and never complained.

       As the day is longer during summer, he would wake up at 2.45am to prepare food and eat with his children before 4.10am.

       Since the lockdown, he has gone through some 15 PCR and RTK antigen tests.

       Last Saturday, the family was asked to do an antigen test at 8am and another one at 5pm.

       “Then, the medic team woke everyone up at midnight for the nucleic acid test again. I ended up having only an hour of sleep,” he said.

       Despite feeling tired, he was optimistic and in high spirits.

       “Ramadan is all about understanding the sufferings of others and appreciating what you have.

       “I’m also taking this opportunity to bond with my children.

       “We cook and do things together. We would not have such moments without the lockdown,” he added.

       He said he was also blessed to have family members, colleagues and friends in Malaysia who would always check on his well-being.