Four simple words: "Mum, are you okay?"
They were enough to break a Malaysian mother's heart after her nine-year-old son finally opened up about the hardship he had been quietly enduring while the pair lived in their car.
Taking to Threads, the mother, who uses the username lilymirae114, uploaded a video on Sunday (August 16) of her son opening up about their living situation.
In the video, the boy first checked on his mum before asking when they would be able to rent a house.
"Mum, are you okay? Aren't you going to rent a house? My body hurts from sleeping in the car because I can't sleep," he said.
His simple words appeared to hit his mother particularly hard.
The family had been living in their car and surviving on instant noodles while waiting to find a place to rent.
Her son is usually the one who finds it hardest to express himself or complain about anything, the mother wrote in the post caption.
When he finally told her that his body was hurting, she knew he had reached his limit.
"But when he says something like this, it means he’s really exhausted and has had enough.”
She added that her son often keeps his feelings to himself because he does not want to upset her.
That made his admission all the more heartbreaking.
The mother explained that her son stutters because of a speech delay.
The boy had also been eating instant noodles almost every day while they were living in the car.
In the comments section, the mother of three explained that she lost her job and accommodation after refusing to work for what she described as an online gambling operation.
She struggled to find affordable accommodation that would allow her to live with her child, leaving the pair temporarily living in the car.
@asiaone Her son saying that his body hurts from sleeping in the car was the straw that broke her heart. #malaysianews #malaysia ♬ original sound - AsiaOne
The mother, Mimi, said she and her son have found a place to rent after spending nearly a month living in their car, reported Malaysian outlet World of Buzz.
While the family has managed to find a roof over their heads, the new rental still costs considerably more than what she had originally budgeted for.
Despite what they had been through, Mimi urged others facing difficult circumstances not to lose hope.
"Get through whatever tests the Almighty has given you and always stay positive. There’s always a way through every problem," she said.
The family's story has resonated with many online, with many voicing support for the pair.
"You made me cry," wrote a netizen, adding, "I pray that things will be made easier for you and your children."
Another commenter said: "I feel so sorry for you and your child. I hope many people will be able to help you. From afar, all we can do is pray for you."
Others also offered help, from rental rooms to financial contributions.
"Could you please send your QR code so we can send you some money? Much love to you and your son. Hang in there," one commenter wrote.
"You can DM me if you still haven't found a room to rent," another commenter wrote.
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helmy.saat@asiaone.com
