This blog has been a medium for us former 5S1 students to hold on to our past memories. Be it appropriate or not, the story that I am about to tell has nothing to do with our alumni, but, I would like to share our experiences with all of you, about an incident that happened just earlier today, 4th July 2012. Take care not to smile at any part of it, for it is not a happy one. I hope that this story will serve as proof of our school's unity, passion, love, empathy, loyalty, and friendship towards each other.

Every morning here is just the same; we get to school and go to class. This morning was no different. The form 6 students were doing things that they always have. We joke, we talk, and we do our unfinished homework. The day was bright but dare I say it, there was a certain fogginess that clung to the morning like an opaque mist surrounding a fort. Mdm. Jessie came in the classroom and taught us the argumentative essay about ICT. Students of upper 6 Science were assigned to come up with points and some will present them to the whole class. I remember it well, we were having fun - brainstorming for points and ideas, arguing with each other for the best reasoning. Suddenly, our class was interrupted by Pn. Lucia, our Pengajian Am teacher. Mdm. Jessie got up and told us to continue whilst she attended to Pn. Lucia. So we did, and we laughed and we played around. Not long after, Mdm. Jessie came back with a troubled face and said, "There's bad news". Do you know ---? He passed away." What? What did she say? Who? I asked all around, talking in a high tone, "Sapa? Hani, sapa?" Nurhani looked at me with surprised and beaded eyes and replied, "Jugney".

This boy was a friend of ours, we had been classmates before he transferred to the Art class. As quick as the flash of lightning, the cheerful class became a sea of statues. We all froze, in shock and in disbelief. Later, they all said, he was just fine yesterday, they made merry and joked with him, but he was much quieter than usual.

"Semalam dia ok saja kan? They said dia jatuh semasa menunggu bas nak pegi sekolah," said Mdm. Jessie.

"Anyhow, we should continue". But those words were partially ignored. Kung Teck Wee was called to present his points, but most of the class paid no attention to him. Our minds were already elsewhere. To where, I cannot say, though I can tell, that as hard as Mdm. Jessie tried to contain herself, her mind was also elsewhere. "Should we continue? I think we cannot continue," she later said. "Can I leave you? If the teachers are going to the hospital then I must go as well." We said yes, and she left, leaving us all in shock and silence. Some of our friends started crying already. Not long after, we saw all the Art students leaving their classrooms.

"Where are they going?" "To the hospital". "Then shouldn't we go too?" "But how?" "Kung and Nathaniel have transport."

So we all left our classrooms and junior students were staring. We waited at the lobby, discussing our transportation. The teachers were also there and they kept telling us,

"There's no need to be here." "You need permission from the principal to go." "Call your parents if you're going."

The funny thing is, the principal, Pn. Azizah, Pn. Wan Juliana, and Cikgu Baki were already gone. So we could not have gotten their permission anyhow. Besides, some of the Art students already left. Nurul Aman even went home on his motorcycle, and came back to school in a huge white van, just to drive his classmates to the hospital. They just had no care for the teachers' warnings. Then, Mr.Wilson, our kind and understanding guru tingkatan came to us and said that he cannot forbid us to go, but we shall carry the risks on our own shoulders. Thus, it was decided. We left school and drove to the hospital.

We walked to the morgue and everyone was there. Jugney's family were all gathered there. All that we students did was stand there and gave donations and waited, but perhaps this could give some moral support to Jugney's family. I saw red eyes and red faces. A lot cried, be it girl or boy. Ching Hua, Jugney's best friend - a boy - cried the hardest. That was when, the deceased's father started crying. Anyone with a heart who heard him that time would feel the grief, remorse, and pain of a father who lost a son. Sometime after, the mother cried and wailed, as she lamented on her beloved son. "Sayau aku.." was the only thing that I could comprehend from her cries. I could not describe to you how it felt like listening to their weepings, but I could say that I felt like escaping the place. The sadness and despair in their voices were emotions that I can never imagine. No parent should bury their child, but God is Almighty. This is reality and this is life. As I understood it, Jugney was the hope of the family for a better future. Now, it must seem impossible to them.

Cikgu Baki gathered us and thanked us for coming, and told us to pray and take this as a reminder. And so, we left the place and went back to school. Mr. Wilson came to class and did no teaching that day. He let us eat and his kindness felt reassuring. I shall not be surprised if all of us form 6 students will be scolded by the principal himself tomorrow, or some time in the future. Tell me, in a situation like that, could you stay and study in class while your friend lay in the morgue? Could you stay when all of your friends pay their respects and you didn't? I am old enough to understand that what we did was wrong by law, but I am also old enough to understand about empathy and being human.

Bintulu is a gloomy day today. The sun shone in the afternoon but the grey clouds arrived from the north and covered the land in soft shadows. Today's events showed me how the people of SMK Kidurong could be such wonderfully supportive people. Even those who barely knew Jugney, went on board that rebellious act and went outside the school compound during P and P. I am reminded of my idleness, my responsibilities, my dreams, and my unconscious thought that there will always be time. I was wrong. I am reminded that everyone will die some day, and it could be any day. Time will never wait for us. Honestly, it really could be anyone. That is why we must always stay virtuous and do what is right. Cherish the people around you and live your days with fulfillment. We actually know these things, but somehow, they slip pass our heads in everyday life and we sometimes forget. I believe that this is a reminder from God and that it should be shared. Please pray for him, for those who can, because he was a good lad, a boy of many smiles and jokes. He will be missed. And let us hope for the best.

My friends, take care and take note of this reminder, for in this modern age we tend to take for granted of the things around us. Only when they are taken from us, will we notice their significance.




Mimie.