We had an informal high school reunion last night.
Actually it was almost the same buddies who had been keeping in touch since ie - Weng, Man Bola, Zaini Zainal, Amir, Max, Waltzco, Ramadan and the few, but this time around the invites went beyond this circle.
Not expecting much fun or fair for these types of gathering, I am really looking forward to meeting up with old buddies from the high school days. I would consider the 2 years with them in the boarding school was one of the highlights and the point when our future were shaped although not in its entirety.
The drive alone to the place was rather peacefully despite the area was rather notorious for night revellers. I reached there almost on the dot at 8:30 and luckily a car just pulled out from a spot opposite the restaurant. I made my way, not seeing many 'familiar faces' until i saw a long empty tables arranged conspicuously for 20 odd patrons. There's a tap on my shoulder as i walked past that group of tables, and behold Weng the organizer himself, chatting away on the hand phone giving directions to those still at lost.
We pick one end of the long table and before long, few more joined us - mostly the familiar faces. There were surprised laughter whenever a familiar face but not familiar figure made an entrance. Few unfamiliar faces that requires more jolts to the ageing memories but everyone took the next available seats without qualms. Notes began to be exchanged, firstly between the two who sat next to each other than across the table and before long, volleys of crosstalk began to fill the atmosphere. From time to time a few who would hold the group into stitches especially when friendly jabs were thrown to those who with regards to old flames and puppy loves. For a few hours, these 42 years old were like 17 again.
The best were always the last. Ahmad Radhi aka Pochong, the once 'notorious' kid that we all knew, and for a few years after our school years we were told of how lost he was when most of us were completing our colleges and universities finally came. He was a charming calm and contented man. Trying to recall our names each and everyone, trying to reconnect. I was a few lucky ones whom he recognized, well mainly due to my feminine namesake but he remembers those few troubled times during his many forced sequestered moments that we did talked about life, back then.
As nights wore thicker and midnight loomed closer, a more serious discussions took place and a resolution was made to make a formal reunion a reality this year, being the 25th years since 1984.
Pochong took helm upon request, to recite the closing prayers and we were not disspaointed but utterly touched and humbled by his choice of prayer recitals. Requesting us to say prayers to those whom has gone before us while we managed to meet up this time around. As I drove back home alone, in the calmness of an early midnight moment, reminiscing the same drives alone that I used to make where my inner resolved became stronger after each such reunions of the hearts..
I am recalling my earlier posts way back in 2006...
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