KUALA KANGSAR: While most teenagers spend their mornings engaging in leisure activities with friends, Ahmad Awaluddin Idris has embraced a different routine.
The 18-year-old orphan, who suffers from congenital heart disease (hole in the heart) and airway abnormalities, has dedicated himself to cooking and selling nasi lemak every morning.
Assisted by his aunt Surani Ariffin, affectionately known as Mak Yang, and his cousin, Ahmad Awaluddin prepares the traditional dish.
After losing his mother to a lung infection at the age of 10 and his father at the tender age of two, he found solace under his aunt's care.
Surani, a single mother of two, earns a living by running a small eatery in front of her house.
Ahmad Awaluddin has been assisting her with the business since he was 12 years old.
"However, due to a recent accident that resulted in a broken leg, Mak Yang has been unable to work as before.
"To sustain our livelihood, I decided to take charge and cook every morning, despite having regular medical check-ups at the Penang Hospital every two to six months.
"We used to sell food in front of our house, but recently I have been selling it near a petrol station," he told Harian Metro when contacted.
The family currently resides at Rumah Awam Fasa 1 in Padang Rengas.
Although Ahmad Awaluddin successfully passed all subjects in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination, he has chosen to pursue entrepreneurship rather than higher education.
Rising as early as 3am, he prepares around 150 packs of nasi lemak each morning, selling them for RM1.20 per pack.
"I want to continue Mak Yang's work. I have an interest in business as well," Ahmad Awaluddin expressed.
"She has taken care of me so well, and I want to repay her kindness."