5J: Convergence01

For me, when it comes to defining life, it always boils down to this age-old question:

Is the glass half empty or half full?

Either which, there will always be a void to fill.

Last night the void was sealing a bit. It was 5 Jujur’s inaugural reunion after 2 years leaving Seafield behind as another chapter of life began to unfold for us. It was certainly, one of my most look-forward-to affairs post-secondary school.

Two weeks prior, I was told by Adam about Aliaa organizing it. It was kind of on a short notice, but it shouldn’t be an excuse for not attending. But already the fun factor was down by 2 since Hafeez had to attend class the next morning and Izzat had to train for a rugby meet with UKM.

Since Ibu was out of town, I had to ask E-Bub for a lift. So she swung by, we had a lil’ chit chat, and before I could embrace the coolness of her Kelisa’s air-conditioning, we’re there. The only people that we’re there the moment we arrived were obviously Aliaa, Sue Chin, Melissa, Imran and her girlfriend Hana. Desperately struggling to start the barbeque fire. Okay. It was only 8:30 p.m. Minutes later Adam showed up clad in the Starsucks t-shirt. As we were munching on French fries and fighting desperately to keep the barbeque fire from dead, Ninie, Sharifah, Intan and her beau Faris came much to our excitement (Seriously. It’d be dead bored with only 8 of us around) and their presence pretty much got the ball rolling. Earlier on, I tried to convince Din of coming but he said it all depended on the attendance. So while the rest were busy catching up, I gave him a buzz just to be sure that he’s coming. He had to. We insisted. Before we knew it, he walked through the gate with style and composure. Just like the Din we all know and love. It was quarter past 9 and frankly, the number of people that showed up was dismal. Somehow, someone got a hold of Haleem and again, he had to come. We clearly insisted. He came alright. He turned up dropped with such aplomb that it made us gleaming with hope that this gathering will prevail marvelously despite the poor turnout. Siew Lai initially couldn’t make it since she was (probably) under ‘restraining order’ by her parents. But after she -with the help of Melissa and Sue Chin- persuaded the folks, they went blitzing out of the lawn to pick her up, also joined by E-Bub.

Whoever said that ‘quality is better than quantity’ surely has stronger reasons to why he or she came up with that quote rather than the palpable rhyme factor. It’s actually true. Okay, so there were only 13 of us out of 44. Only a quarter it. But what made it fine was that it was the right crowd, the right mindset and the suitable atmosphere to compliment the overall vibe. Heck, with great food, nothing can go wrong.

Everyone had a pleasant time. Sue Chin would go around and ask every single one of us what we are up to lately, Melissa and Siew Lai would be busy ‘cleaning’ up Sue Chin’s uproarious antics, Din just couldn’t help himself but to tease Intan over and over again, me, E-Bub, Sharifah, Haleem and Ted just can’t stop tantalizing Misha Omar…oooppss! Ninie, Aliaa made sure that the good stuff (food!) kept on coming and Imran, well, busy with the missus. One of the funniest moments was when I kept on complaining about how can most of them forgot each other’s name and vice versa. They instantaneously counter-remarked my whining by collectively shouting, “Duh! You were the class monitor!” Ouch. My bad. Okay! Group photo!


Sorry Imran. You left too early!

Towards the end of the night, we unanimously made a vow to hold this reunion every two years. 2006 will (God-willingly) witness Convergence02 in Din’s place. As all of us left, not knowing what tomorrow has in stored for us, we knew that all in all, it was an amazing night. At least I do.

As I drove by past Aliaa’s house bidding farewell to others, it made me realize that it doesn’t matter if the glass is half full, or half empty. No one asks us to really think about it but in the end it does left us in befuddled-ness trying to find the significance of it all. Now that’s life.

Thanks to:

Aliaa – for the canny initiative, making the first step forward when everybody else’s running backwards.

Sue Chin, Melissa, Siew Lai, & Imran – for being sporting and top-class chefs for the night.

E-Bub & Din – for the lift.

Adam/Ted, Sharifah, Intan, & Ninie – for the much-needed company.

Haleem – for the gags.