Recalling the past, I use to be a shy and timid person that is encased in a large body. Cowering in alpha males'/females' shadow as I see them mixing with new group of 'aliens', dare not initiate a conversation with anyone but the ones that I know. By putting on a weak but genuine smile, I tried to ward of hostilities that would harm me, avoiding being targets for potential bullies. It was a couple of days later when someone came up to say "Hi, my name is... What's yours?" I drew enough courage to start replying the stranger. From there it is where we became acquaintance. As time goes by, it was networking that made me knew more people, although just by names and faces.
It took the cooperation of both individuals to strengthen the bond. We cherish this bond that we currently have, reinforced it with trust and tolerance, love and care, give and take, forgive and forget, until it became strong enough we became good friends. Appreciating the moments that we have been through, the good and bad times, helping one another to get through obstacles in life, lending the shoulders when we shed tears, sharing laughter and joyful moment, opening our hearts to one another; the bond grew so strong to the point where it became nigh unbreakable. But it did not stopped there. Due to networking, I knew friends of him/her and he/her knew mine. The ring of friendship grew bigger and bigger. Knowing more friends made me feel comfortable, as though we are a family.
As our life intertwined to a certain point, we shared the same fate and the same destiny. Our goal became one goal, our purpose is one purpose only, to conquer life's task, to accomplish the target in life, to face one tough war that is coming our way.
It was after the test, where we met up, to receive the verdict that befall us. Some were joyful, some contented, some upset. We shared this very particular moment together, exchanging words of compliment, cherish those who had fallen, congratulating those who rose above all. But sadly life did not end there, mentors told us this was just the beginning for a much tougher challenge in life. We took those precious advice but cast it aside for the time being.
Then the time for us to toast for our victory came. We celebrated together, went on gala parties and fancy restaurants; toast with the finest wine and dine the best food. We went on outings that were the most grand where we can ever possibly imagined, sharing unforgettable moments where it is only filled with laughters. Our time was only filled with one particular purpose: to have as much fun before we go our separate ways, to share moments so hard to forget that we will always remember each other.
Time was our enemy, Time envied us, He envied because we had too much fun and so He decided to rob it away. It was in a short notice when we had to do one thing, one of the hardest and most difficult thing in life: to choose. This will be one of the life changing moments to our future, the future that we had always hoped for, to be successful in our life. But it comes with a price, a price too great that we have to sacrifice. We had to go our separate ways to pursue our dreams.
Time was playing with us now. He flew by even faster now, making it hard for us to grab hold of it. We were happy yet sad at the same time when we know where we were destined to go. It was only the matter of time before we go our separate ways. We weren't contented with the happy moments we had so far, it was still too little, we were greedy, we wanted more. So we met up a one last time, the one time that we will never forget. This made it harder for us when we had to leave, it made us sick thinking of it. The feeling is like reaping a piece of flesh from you.
We parted our goodbyes, did our group hugs sadly didn't take any final shots with our cameras, we left.
We walked the quiet and dark corridors... The walk was one of the hardest and shortest walk...
And walked further...
The next thing I knew, we were already at our own individual homes, preparing to leave, and the next thing I knew some has already left, flying overseas, going to distant lands.
I felt something wet but yet warm at the corner of my eyes. I touched it and looked at it under the moonlight that shone in my room. It sparkled for a moment... and my eyes started to flood. I quietly took my pillow and cover my face, while smiling weakly and reluctantly, as I know one day, maybe one day, we will meet again. My mind is now blank... only wishing my friends "All the best my dearly departed friends. May our future shine."
A very heartfelt thank you to all my friends, for giving me such a wonderful time in life, and changing my life for the better. I would want to deeply apologize for what ever I had done wrongly in my past. Thank you.
Credit to Bryan Kwon for the photos.
