Setting Forth is always Hard

The 4^th TAYO ASEAN came to an end. It was October 09, 2009. Feels like were back to our student life again. The first bell was Trigonometry. Fortunately, they didn’t go with a new lesson when we were out the school.  Discussion of a new lesson took place. We had a seat work after the discussion when suddenly; I was called by our SSG Adviser. She asked me to fix up the pictures in the SSG Bulletin Board because there will be visitor coming.

I am on the Computer Laboratory when I saw our SSG President Jayson R. Gabia being busy with something. Being a girl who’s always up with everything, I decided to ask him if what that thing that made him busy is. And then I knew that it was Mr.Nik who will come to visit our school. I felt so much excitement that time. I will see Mr.Nik once more for I thought that the dinner last Thursday will be our last time to see each other.

I decided to go with them and fetch Mr.Nik from Asturias Hotel. On our way, we kept on wishing Mr.Nik to be in the Hotel and are ready to come with us. Thanks heavens he was there sitting in the lobby chatting with Ms.Bibi (from Malaysia also). When he spotted us, he smiled and then got up from his sit. We told him that we were going to get him and bring him to our school for a very short tour. The guests that day were supposed to have an Island Hoping at Honda Bay so we presumed that he cannot come to us. But the most special thing that he did for us was that, he was still willing to come with us instead of having an Island Hoping with the other guests. (I forgot to say that Mr.Nik Azuan is also an awardee of the 4^th TAYO ASEAN Awards.) Going back to the topic, we felt a little shame for Mr.Nik chose to go to our place which is not that good because of lack of facilities. Another thing is that we have no service to ride at. There is also a drizzle. What we did was to ride a tricycle. Jayson and I took a multicab for us two because the tricycle cannot accommodate us.

Mr.Nik and his company was the first to arrive at our school. They managed to go first at the school canteen. Then when Jayson and I got there at school, we started the tour.

We first went at the 1^st Year rooms. He told them something to remember and then he took pictures with them (students and teachers). He kept on reiterating that he always been on top 3 when he was still in school and that we can do it also. He also told them to study hard and neglect playing.

After the room-to-room tour, we went to the school canteen. There we stayed a little bit longer. We asked him if he wants some food to eat but he just request for a can of coke.

We sat together with him again, conversing. That time I saw myself in a corner, very silent, just listening to their talk. And then, after a moment or two, he noticed me. He asked if me if why I’m so quiet that time and then I told him; “You know what Mr.Nik, I’ll be missing you so much.” Then he kept quiet for a while.

After he finished drinking his coke, we decided to bring him back the hotel. But after that, he took some picture again with us.

That time, he started to breakdown. He turned back and begun to cry. We also cried, very hard. And then he says sorry for being emotional. But it was not really a big deal for us. He gave us tokens that we will surely keep forever. That moment ended when we took him back the hotel. A simple goodbye and shake hand from him, and then we separate ways.

“We live our lives, for ever taking leave.”

-Rainer Maria Rilke