Up until the point where my story begins, my social circles before living in Asrama had remained quite stable, consisting of the same group of friends I had been with since the beginning of Year 1 in primary school. It was only in the later days of Year 5 and Year 6 that I began to make a few new friends due to changes in our class composition.
These new friends, I should note, also came from my FELDA village, although I won't reveal the specific FELDA location. Those who know me would recognize the name of my beloved FELDA village, but for those who don't, such details need not pique your curiosity, as it would be similar to your own.
When I joined the Asrama fraternity, I found myself surrounded by a diverse group of friends from various parts of Johor. Initially, I struggled to form strong bonds with those from outside my district, finding it easier to connect with those who shared my geographical origins. Perhaps that's just the way life works, but nothing was certain.
It was only when I met Min (a pseudonym) that I formed a genuine friendship that went beyond my longstanding FELDA connections. Before that, my interactions with fellow students were mostly superficial, based on dormitory proximity or chance encounters. However, a chance encounter with Min while I was sitting alone on a bench near the badminton court brought about a heartwarming surprise. Quickly, we established a camaraderie rooted in shared FELDA of him memories, and our bond grew stronger over time.
My social circle expanded as I progressed through my formal schooling. Fifteen other Asrama students joined the afternoon session with me. The diversity among my new friends at school was eye-opening, as I hadn't expected to meet so many non-Malay students. Despite my initial surprise, I found them approachable and modest, typical of semi-matured teenagers.
Among this group were five Asrama first intake peers, students who had been part of the school since its inception at the beginning of the year. Their help during our early days in the Asrama was invaluable, and remarkably, they didn't hesitate to spend time with us, despite already forming bonds with non-Asrama students from Johor Bahru. Their unwavering commitment to the FELDA spirit left a lasting impression on me.
Each of my new friends had their unique qualities, but one incident stands out in my memory. It was an encounter with Kaido (an alias) after a Ramadan Al-Quran tadarus held in the Asrama surau. After the prayer, I followed my peers outside and saw Kaido, taking wudhu’ at a tap. As I joined him silently, he suddenly burst into laughter, his jovial laughter echoing as he continued to wash his hands.
In a casual tone, he asked, "Did you pass gas earlier? Is that why you're taking wudhu’ again?"
From that moment on, I couldn't help but associate Kaido with flatulence every time I performed ablutions. I hope he forgives me if he ever comes across this writing.
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