AIYAH! A BIT TOO LATE

The Bakawali flower or Queen of the night (Selenicereus grandiflorus) flower in the school bloomed last night.  I realised this the moment I went to school yesterday morning.  Too bad I did not get to see it in bloom.  For your information it is said that the flower of this plant only blooms one night a year (or sometimes several years) and withers within hours. In Chinese it is known as Tan Hwa (昙花). To the Chinese, when this flower blooms it is a sign of good luck and good luck will come to those who happen to the occupants.
According to traditional beliefs, if one were to say a prayer and pluck the flower when it is in full bloom and then place it in a pail of water for bathing then ones beauty would be enhanced. Bathing with this flower is also said to help calm the mind and also bring good luck to the person.  Aiyah!  It is a bit too late for me to get a blooming flower for a beauty bath.  Shucks!  By the one one reminder is that the flower must not be thrown into a rubbish bin or the drain. It has to either be thrown into a river or buried.
The Malays believe that Bunians or fairies would be present when the Bakawali blooms.  Another belief is that a goddess from another realm would be protecting the flower when it is in bloom.
Some people say that the Bakawali plant is intertwined with that of the fate of the planter.  Should the planter die,the plant dies too.
In traditional medicine, the Bakawali flower is said to be good for the eyes.  After the flower has faded at dawn, one can squeeze the water from the Bakawali.  The dew plus whatever water from the flower is applied to the eyes.  My friend Khairah said that it is safer to consult a doctor as the traditional cure is just what has been practised by village folks.