Last night I stood at the verandah. It was just passed 1 am and I just had my shower. Talking about a long day yesterday. My laptop plugged song from Ruffedge, "Bila Rindu". I gave the KL skyline a long stare. It was a clear night last night. I could see the glimmering lights from the KLCC Twin Towers as well as the glorious lights from KL Tower.

Obviously I was thinking about someone. Or perhaps something.

Anyway, I attended my friend's kenduri in Shah Alam on Sunday night. Later that night I wrote something in my diary for the event. Something nice to write about a friend.

Same Face, Different Mind

I used to know him as one mischievous lad. We met for the first time in one dormitory back 13 years ago. He was just a kid. Another kid from city. Simple and yet obnoxious sometimes. We practically grew up together in that boarding school. He maintained his 'otai' style. Perhaps, pailang would be the buzz word during that time. Later he got pulled out from the school by his dad when we were in Form Four. I heard his dad had enough of him causing troubles for the school. So then our batch was reduced to 110.

I did'nt meet him for quite a long time. I continue my life as usual, from the graduation of high school to enrolling myself in premier university in the States. Then in 2003 I flew to London just to visit old friends from school. I enjoyed myself by walking alone on the streets of London. Then one day while I had coffee in Starbuck near Marble Arch, someone came and approached me. He looked tall and dark skin. At first, I thought he was an African American. What surprised me was his language. He spoke Malay.

"Excuse me, ni Farid ek? Farid Md Nor?".

I was taken aback. Who the heck is this guy? Then a face came to my mind, together with a name. Well, well, well...it has been 7 good years since he departed from the school and oddly, we finally stumbled each other in London. Of all places in the whole world. Weirdly enough, later he attended a private college in Philadelphia, which is 3 hours of driving away from my college but we never met up for a hang out.

But the friendship continued until today.

Today he has become a father to a cute boy. Muhammad Asyraf Ariff. And last night I was personally been invited to his humble mansion in Shah Alam to witness kenduri cukur jambul for his first born child. I felt honored and I stayed till the end of the ceremony. I saw him carried his baby with all the gentleness he had and he moved from one uncle to another and from one aunt to another. That night I saw a different guy.

The guy whom I used to know as rebellious, mischiveous and quite an obnoxious type of kid has now become a peaceful man. He looks much content and he carefully chooses decent language to hold conversation with his friends. He is more interested to create friendship rather than creating enemies. In addition to that, he dazzles us with his wisdom. I never know that he too, has become somewhat religious and constantly improves his knowledge in religion based on knowledge, not the custom as we all do.

I congratulate him on his new born baby and I wish he will become the best father to his child, the best husband to his wife and the best friend for all of us, SASsian 9397. Congratulation again, Irwan Ariff b Dato Ir. Mohd Zain aka Ude. Looking forward to seeing the next baby comes up! :D