Haikal stood still.
The grave was fresh. The scent of wet soil lingered in the air. People were still around, reciting prayers. But deep inside, Haikal was wrestling with something heavier than grief.
RM20,000.
That was the amount Adam borrowed from him — just a few weeks before this sudden goodbye.
He didn’t ask for it back before. He trusted Adam. But now… Adam was gone. And the bank? The bank didn’t care. They wanted their money.
That night, Haikal couldn’t sleep.
He stared at the ceiling, whispering to himself:
“What now? The guy’s dead. Does the debt just… vanish?”
It sounded crazy, even to him.
“Can you even sue someone who’s dead?”
Rewind: 2 Months Earlier
“Bro, can you lend me a bit? My kid’s starting school and I’m still waiting for a payment. I swear I’ll pay you back next month.”
Haikal didn’t even hesitate.
“All good, man. I trust you.”
That was the last time Haikal saw Adam smile.
Present Day: After Adam’s Passing
Curiosity got the better of him. Haikal asked around. Just to know. Just to be sure.
A lawyer friend replied, and what he said shook Haikal:
“Yes, you can take legal action — not against the deceased directly, but against his estate or the executor managing it.”
“As long as the debt was valid when he was alive, your right to claim it doesn’t disappear just because he did.”
Haikal just sat there, silent. A storm of emotions swirled inside him.
But strangely… there was a flicker of relief.
This Isn’t a Story of Revenge
Haikal wasn’t out for blood. He wasn’t some heartless guy chasing a ghost.
But he had his own burdens too. His own bills. His own responsibilities. And that RM20,000?
That was his money.
He didn’t blame Adam’s family — not one bit. But if Adam left behind assets, it was only right that the debt be cleared first, before anything else got distributed.
Haikal believed Adam would’ve wanted that too.
So Haikal Made a Choice
He reached out to Adam’s estate executor.
He had proof. He spoke calmly. No drama. Just the truth.
And maybe you’re thinking: that’s the end of the story.
But no. This was just the beginning.
Because what Haikal learned that day was something we all need to hear:
“Death doesn’t erase responsibility. It just passes it on to those left behind.”
The Final Takeaway?
If you owe someone — settle it while you’re alive.
And if you’re like Haikal, wondering what to do… know this:
There is a way. There is a process. And you’re not alone in it.
