"Mak cik, nasi seringgit, tambah ayam!"
It has been over so many years since I last set foot in this place. The last time I set foot here, was the day that I attained my final official government exam, Malaysia's O-level-cum-SPM. Since then I never returned here. When I entered the school grounds this morning, I was instantly shot aback, hardly anything changed. The old school 'terminal' was still the same. The broken mock cannon still aiming at the neighbouring school, the now painted gold 12-feet keris and the orange door that leads to the prefect's port.
I walk towards the canteen. As I enter, I feel hundred of pairs of eyes looking at me. Have they never seen a man before? I walked casually and took a seat at the last table. I sit there, I stare at the "Siti Faridah" signboard. The school canteen hardly changed; the sink is new, there are fans now, but the rest is still the same. I look at a group of boys, walking from class, in their hand holding tightly STPM Organic Chemistry, another was holding Mathematics T. Ah, Form 6, so brave of them to take it up.
I look at my watch. I lean back into the chair, I see a group of blue dressed students walking in my direction. The forward one's face was full of spirit and determination, he was tall and he looked like a leader, my eyes meet his eyes, I instantly give a nod. "Prefects", I whisper to myself. This brings back memories.
I here a voice from the back, "Dad!", she hugged me so tightly. I kiss her on her cheek.
"You are early, dad. Where's mom?"
"She went to see Cikgu Hanifah" I say as I brush her hair.
"Oh, well Dad suppose you have met, Jennifer, Nia Hui, Mariamanthi and of course Eugene".
"How can I forgot your friends?", I thrust my right forward towards Eugene, he held it tight and firm. I shook it, if you are going to date my daughter you sure must be a man, I said to myself.
I tell my daughter that I am early because her mom and I had some errands to do, so we came early. She went back with her friends.
I then walked towards the teachers room, I cross the principal's office, I remember the days when I forbid other students from walking here. I entered the staff room. It was the same. Only the teachers were different, none that taught me are here now. My eyes started to warm up.
It is now 12.30pm. The school hall was now open, I stand outside the hall with other men, all fathers, some are teachers. I see my beautiful wife in the hall, waiting anxiously to get this over with. As I stare at her, I remember that in this very school that I had met her, fell in love with her, and finally marry her. In this very school, that I had my first crush and my first heartbreak. My first political ambition and my first sovereign power. I had numerous enemies and had a handful of trustful friends.
I continue to talk with the other men, when suddenly I saw a brown file in front of my face.
"She got 5A+ and 3As, two B's!" my wife said.
"That was my results too, only thing I got an A+ for English only" I say it, followed with a smile.
I shake hands with the other four men I am with, and wave goodbye. We walked towards our car and get in it. "Where's is she? Isn't she coming with us?"
A soft strike hit my head, "Oh come on, didn't you know that she has this so called 'motivation' after this?"
I nod.
We drive towards the gate, I wave goodbye to the guard, as we pass the keris, the cannons, and the 'terminal'. We drove out passing the glorious words of "Sentiasa Maju".
