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Benjy, what else can we do but keep missing you? - Iness Irdayanty
๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ Malaysia /Culture & Society

Benjy, what else can we do but keep missing you? - Iness Irdayanty

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Inessa Irdayanty shared a heartfelt tribute on the fifth anniversary of her brother Benjy's passing, expressing deep longing.
  • She described the profound emptiness left by a series of family losses over the past decade, including their mother, Benjy, and father.
  • Inessa and her sister are navigating life without their three pillars of support, cherishing memories and trying to find strength together.

On the fifth anniversary of the passing of actor Benjy, also known as Khaeryll Benjamin Ibrahim, his sister Inessa Irdayanty has penned a poignant message expressing her enduring love and longing for her late brother. The loss has left a void that is difficult to fill, a sentiment that has been amplified by a series of bereavements the family has experienced over the last decade.

"To say life is difficult is still not enough to describe it. The best way to describe it is that everything feels unreal," Inessa wrote in an Instagram post. She reflected on how their once five-member family has dwindled to just herself and her sister, a reality that still feels surreal.

To say life is difficult is still not enough to describe it. The best way to describe it is that everything feels unreal.

โ€” Inessa IrdayantyDescribing the surreal nature of her family's losses.

The family has endured the loss of their mother, Azean Irdawaty, followed by Benjy, and then their father, Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad, all within a span of 10 years. "What else can my sister and I do but accept this reality?" Inessa questioned, emphasizing their acceptance of these profound losses.

What else can my sister and I do but accept this reality?

โ€” Inessa IrdayantyReflecting on the series of family deaths.

Despite the pain, they hold onto the wisdom their mother imparted, revisit Benjy's classic jokes, and try to piece together the fragments of life their father left behind. Inessa admitted that she and her sister are still struggling to adapt to life without the three individuals who were their anchors.

"You know how my sister and I are. Love is still love, fighting is still fighting. But now there is no one among you to break up our fights," she wrote, highlighting the absence of their mediating presence. They are learning from their mistakes and moving forward, often wondering what their mother would do, how Benjy would lighten the mood, or what their father would say.

You know how my sister and I are. Love is still love, fighting is still fighting. But now there is no one among you to break up our fights.

โ€” Inessa IrdayantyDescribing the dynamic between her and her sister after losing their parents and brother.

"We never thought it would all happen this fast. All that remains is the two of us without the three of you. It feels so incomplete. There are times when it feels so empty," Inessa shared, expressing the lingering sense of incompleteness. She concluded by asking if they are allowed to say they miss him, affirming, "Because we really do miss you. Come into our dreams and tell us your silly jokes."

We never thought it would all happen this fast. All that remains is the two of us without the three of you. It feels so incomplete. There are times when it feels so empty.

โ€” Inessa IrdayantyExpressing the profound sense of loss and emptiness.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.