Mohamed Danish Fawaz
3L(14) 1st May 2008
ERP Question 2aShe had always been there for me. She’s the harmony to my melody. She’s the bright phosphor bronze strings to my guitar. She is the oxygen to my fire. Without her, I would have had an aimless life. Without her around, I wouldn’t have a shoulder to cry on. She offered me that serenity that nothing else could offer. She’s little Guilin Lake. Located behind the Bukit Gombak Mrt Station, she is a beauty that is able to mesmerize many. The calm waves of her waters, the picturesque view of her humongous rocks gives you that sense of joy that comes naturally when you visit her. But, the government is going to claim that piece of land. They are going to build a new entertainment centre in replacement of her.
I found out about a month ago. My heart was filled with an amount of melancholy that overwhelmed me for subsequent week. It was disheartening to note that something that you value so much would soon be taken away from you.
She was there for that one moment in life that almost got me kicking the bucket. In fact, she was always able to cheer me up or at least pacify me. She had always been able to make me feel tranquil. Whenever problems occurred being it at home or school, with my family members, relatives or friends, being in front of Guilin lake would take my mind of the problems.
It was the December holidays and my family along with 3 of my aunties families went on a journey to Melacca. It was a fun experience initially but it came crashing down at the end of the 3rd day. My auntie, Cik Piah, got into a conflict with my mum and my other two aunties. Cik Piah and her husband were having financial difficulties and that affected the relationship with my mum and my other two aunties. I took the situation with a pinch of salt. To me, it did not seem to matter then. But things got worse when Cik Piah segregated her family and she never came to our family gatherings. She stopped contacting us. After a few months, things got better between Cik Piah and my other aunties but it got a lot worse between my mum and she. She developed this pool of hatred towards my mum. They used to be the best of friends. But look how money could easily break a bond. It was hurtful for me. She was my beloved aunty. I loved her dearly but she had to turn her back on us.
Later on, it was the early months of the year and it was the worse year one could have. My auntie, Cik Anita, a widow was supposed to get married on Chinese new year, but to her horror and in fact all of my relatives, her husband-to-be was caught in a hotel with another lady. This incurred the wrath of everyone in my family, the Rabi family. Despite that incident and thorough interrogation coming to the finding that he was having an affair with that lady, Cik Anita still insisted to get married with him. This aggravated me greatly. Cik Anita was too blinded by love that she couldn’t see the probability of a dark future for her 3 lovely princesses. I was utterly concerned for my cousins.
A few months later, we found out that one of my uncles has had a second wife for more than 7 years. It was during my cousin’s wedding ceremony that we found out. My auntie, Cik Faridah was crushed into pieces. She was supposed to be happy on that day but i could see glitters in her eyes. She was holding back her tears. It was painful for me to see her that way. It left an impact on me as well.
All these happened in a matter of a few months. Before this, Rabi Family was very closely bonded. But when these things happened, i asked myself, why did all these happen? It was hurtful for me because the victims and people involved in the conflicts were the ones i was close to. They were dear to me. I did know where i could vent my frustrations. I just wanted to calm myself down from the emotional turmoil. Throughout these string of events, Little Guilin was there for me. I would make a trip there, all the way from Woodlands, just to visit her. She would then bestow me with her power of peace. I was always cheered up after every trip and i would then be able to smile again. She was the only thing that could cheer me up. No human being could. That is how significant she is to me. That is how dear she is to me. But soon, she will be gone. Perhaps one day, I’ll be able to find such a beauty.