Love is h beautiful feeling that express honesty, affection and at the same time friendship. It is the greatest gift we can ever hope to give or receive. It can turn frown into smiles and turn all the ugliness in the world into the most beautiful portrait we could ever have the pleasure to behold.

        Honestly, it is hard for me to write about love. Love is something that you cannot express well with writing or words. But, I know, as a Muslim, w must give our loves to the most Merciful God and Muhammad b. Abdullah. Always let them be the number one for you whenever you are. Then give your loves to your families, friends and another man in this world.

      Love is beyond any restriction and rules. Loving someone is trying to be the best person of his lives. But first, you must love yourself. You cannot love anyone if you do not love yourselves first. This world is the beautiful creation of the almighty and with love; we can fill the best of colours and making it more vibrant and lively.

     

  

          “Ring…” the shrill ringing of the school bell pierced the air, bringing to an end the silence that reined the class for past forty minutes. As the mathematics teacher stepped out of the class, there was a sense of relief as Mr. Siva was a strict disciplinarian who would not tolerate any of our pranks.

          The other students started their conversation. Today Zahirah who sit beside me was absent. She got a fever. Then, I saw Seng Hye bustled to the front of the class. The most detestable boy in the class, he was the prankster whose his behavior was a source of irritation and annoyance to most of us especially among the girls. He approached me with his familiar mischievous grin from ear to ear.  Then, in a twinkling of an eye, he put something on my desk. As he ran out of the classroom, I could hear his hysterical screams. I knew he was up to mischief again.

           It was then I saw he slimy, creepy creature staring at me with it moist eyes. All of a sudden, with a croak and a single giant leap, the four-legged creature landed on my lap. I was frozen with fear. Then, I let out a few screams that echoed the class. This joke was at my expense.

    Calling his name at the top of my voice, he cowered in silence. The hilarious laughter I heard before from my other classmates stopped. Seng Hye had guilt written all over his face. We were both summoned to Mr. Siva’s room. He asked for apologize and was let off with a stern warning.  

     As I stepped out of the room, I knew this was the one incident that would remain in my memory for a long time. Initially, it was the day I lost my temper but now, it becomes my most embarrassing moment in my life. Zahira who was absent that day always teases me about this incident. She keep saying “Why did Seng Hye did not wait for her?”

In our lives, we come across many people. We see new faces every day. Many of them remain anonymous, some may be acquaintances and some become our friends. Friends come and go throughout our lives and each friendship is a unique relationship. Some friends are joy to be with while others may bore us.

        For me, my best friend is my own cousin. Named Azilah Syuhada, she is in the same age as me. Maybe because of that, we get closer easily compared to the others. We contact each other frequently. We were both exited if we met each other. We share the same hobbies. She is a tall girl, who stood at 1.67 meters. She really has a good sense of humour. Whenever I am with her, I will always laugh my head off.

        She lives with her family in Butterworth. Being the eldest in her family, she had the responsibility of looking after her other two younger brother and another two younger sisters.  

     Azilah is simple and had always lived up o her motto ‘Simple in virtue and steadfast in duty’. She always attire in baggy jeans and oversized t-shirt. She is very compassionate, always willing to lend a helping hand or give a sympathetic ear to other people’s problems. That is why, aside from my mother, I always share my problems with her.   

     ‘No man is an island’. We all need friends. A man without friends is a lonely man. We need friends whom we can confide in and share our problems with. So, we should never ever take our friends for granted. Without friends, our lives would be boring. 

Perhaps, of all the people in person’s life, family holds a special place. It is mother who brings her children into the world. It was father who teaches them their first words and it was their siblings who mould their characters. My family is such a pleasant and amiable family. I am very blissful to be one of the members of this wonderful family.

          My father is a well built and of medium height. Born on July 1965, he is 47 years old this year. He is a quiet but firm person. Knowing the importance of education, he always tells us to study seriously for our future. Being dependable, I am comfortable to tell all my problems to my mother. She had remained as a housewife ever since her marriage with my father

          I have five siblings; two older sisters and two younger sisters. Being in the middle is quite lonely actually. Both of my older sisters always stick together. Same goes with my younger sisters. Fortunately, they are very considerate and helpful. My sisters are now studying in universities for their degrees. Both of my   younger sisters are still in the primary school. I am the only one who studies in secondary school. So, you understand right, why I said I am lonely before? But, they are very fun. Every one of them has very interesting characters and unique interest. For example, one of my sisters loves shoes, while the other one loves novels. Once in a while, my sister who studies in Terengganu will come home. You know right, what Terengganu is famous of? That’s right! ‘Keropok lekor’. She knows that I love it. She will buy a lot of ‘keropok lekor’ for me. That is why I said she is a sister with beautiful heart!

            For a conclusion, I hope we can be together for a very long time. I will always pray for our glory in life and hereafter. They are the best for me. Even if I get the chance to be born again, I wish I will only become the member of this family. Nobody can replace them in my heart.

         If only I listen to the forest ranger, we will not lose in this thick scary forest.

        “We’re lost,” Rahim said in a barely audible whisper.

        “Why don’t we follow the trail?” Johan suggested in same tone.

        “There is no trail to follow,” I snapped with a flicker of irritation. “Rahim is right, we’re lost in this jungle.” We sat sadly. Suddenly we heard loud peals of thunder. The long branches of trees started gesticulating wildly in the storm. Sheets of water cascaded from the sky. We ran for cover and the darkness was slowly enveloping the jungle.

          “We will find our way out here tomorrow,” my voice broke the silence.

          “That is, if we survive the night,’ Rahim murmured. Overcome by a hopeless sense of despair, we floundered. We crawl under some shady trees to spend the night. Although we were exhausted, we could not rest our minds and bodies. The hours dragged by.

           At daybreak, we decided to walk again. The ground was soggy after the downpour of the previous day and we could not ignore the gnawing pains of hunger and thirst. Suddenly above the silence of the jungle, we heard the gurgling sounds of water. Then from a leafy screen, we saw the glistening of a winding, silver stream. After quenching our raging thirst, we continued walking until we came upon a footpath. Our spirit rose. The thought of being reunited with our families were uppermost in our minds. Our pace quickened.

         After an hour’s walk, we reach a junction. Ahead was a bumpy road littered with potholes filled with water. Then, from the distance came the spluttering sound of engine of a vehicle. As it came into sight, we saw an old pick-up truck driven by an old farmer.

          “Want a ride?” the old man asked.

          “Yes,” we replied simultaneously. We climbed the pick-up truck. It was a bumpy ride but we did not mind.

         Last school holiday, my family and I went back to our hometown, the eagerly-awaited holidays bring a respite from homework, lessons, extracurricular activities and exams. For me, spending a holiday at home is equally unbearable.

         0n the last day of school,  I  eagerly waited for the bell to ring at 1:10 p.m.. Then, I felt like a caged bird hat has just been set free. I slang my bag over my shoulder and make a beeline for the bust station. My hometown!

        We started our journey early in the morning. When we arrived, we had a quick lunch. I make a short exchange and headed for my favourite spot here- a secluded corner of my grandfather durian orchards. There under a shady spot, I sat down a surveyed the surroundings.

          Here, far away from claustrophobic classrooms, rushing crowds, busy sidewalks and congested streets, I enjoyed the solitude of nature. As I took my seat on a flimsy woody bench, and looked around me, I can see a flurry of activities. Birds flew gracefully and noiselessly above me while bees traveled flirtatiously from tree to tree, colourful butterflies flit about here and there flapping their fragile wings and ants scurry in a single file carrying bits of food on their tiny backs.

            A soft cool breeze blowed. I can hear the soft rustle of leaves. The air is heavy with the scent of shrubs and grasses coupled with the scent of ripe durians.

            I lied on my back with my hand clasped behind my head and watched streaks of sunlight filtering through the canopy of leaves. Soon I fall into short but deep slumber. When I woke up, I can see the sun slowly descending behind a row of far hills. Although I would love to linger for a little longer, I moved away reluctantly and leaved knowing that Opah would be waiting for me. 

           The person that I admire is the most prominent Malaysian leader which is Dr. Mahathir b. Mohamad. As the forth and most dynamic Prime Minister of Malaysia, he will undoubtedly leave an everlasting impression on the sands of Malaysia for many years to come.

            Born on 20 December 1925 in Alor Setar, Dr. Mahathir is the son of teacher. After his early education at the Maktab Sultan Abdul Hamid in Alor Setar, he enrolled at the King Edward VII College of Medicine in the University of Singapore. He was armed with a MBBS degree in medicine and set up his own clinic, the Maha Clinic in Alor Setar. As a doctor, he came into close contact with people from variety background and enjoys a close relation with them. He is very understanding. So, when he was thrust into politic, he strove to fulfill the needs of people. Service to the nation has been his virtue.

             Once he was the Member of Parliament for Alor Setar in 1964. Holding a number of portfolios, including Minister of Education, Minister of Trade and Industry and Deputy Prime Minister, he finally becomes the Prime Minister on 16 July 1981. His contribution to the nation is so huge. He has left his mark in every aspect.

            Outspoken by nature, Dr. Mahathir speaks without fear or favors. This had been his special characteristics as a statesman. The inefficiency of local and international organization has always come under his criticism.

             Dr. Mahathir stepped down as the country’s fourth Prime Minister on 31 October 2003 and was succeeded by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. It has been more than two decades since Dr. Mahathir ruling Malaysia. It had undoubtedly been the golden era for Malaysia.