As expected, news of dormitory reassignments for the upcoming academic year reached us, much like the announcement the previous year. I didn't have a particular preference for any specific dormitory. To me, they all seemed the same, and I was content with any place that offered comfort and convenience.
However, when the dormitory placements were revealed, I was momentarily surprised. To my astonishment, I had been assigned to Dorm 1—a unexpected twist. Until then, I had consistently been placed in the last dormitory. So, the unexpected move to the first dormitory caught me off guard. Initially, the thought of relocating to an unfamiliar setting filled me with a hint of apprehension. But as I contemplated this change, I began to wonder about other transformations life might have in store.
Although I initially received the news calmly, my unease grew gradually. Dorm 1 differed not only in size but also in occupancy compared to the others. It was smaller and hosted fewer residents. However, what brought me relief was the knowledge that two dear friends, Iman and Kaido, would also be residents of Dorm 1. The comfort of their companionship eased my concerns about potential loneliness.
Indeed, the upcoming academic year promised significant changes in my Asrama life, and I wondered whether it would bring more stress or positive experiences.
Fortunately, my closest friends, Min and Bel, were assigned to dormitories nearby. Min was in Dorm 2, and Bel was allocated to Dorm 3. This ensured that communication channels between us remained open, and I wouldn't be without their companionship.
Iman, on the other hand, was assigned to share a dormitory with me, which boded well for our friendship. We looked forward to the opportunities for shared activities and anticipated a positive future.
Moving day arrived, and it involved the task of transporting my locker and mattress from the distant Dorm 6 to the coveted Dorm 1. Surprisingly, the thought of being separated from the others for a while made me feel somewhat privileged.
Fate had decided that I would share a bed with Iman. In a kind gesture, he chose the upper bunk, sparing me the trouble of setting up a mosquito net, a daunting task for the occupant of the upper bunk.
Next to me was Kaido, our beds positioned by a window that offered a view of Hutan Bandar. My bed was close to Dorm 2, while Kaido's was near the entrance door.
Dorm 1 had a unique ambiance that I couldn't quite define. It was like breathing a different kind of air. The atmosphere felt purer, fresher, and the natural light streaming in brought serenity. Despite its smaller size, I found myself growing fond of Dorm 1, even in those initial days.
Furthermore, Dorm 1 provided a commanding view of all the other dormitories. From this elevated position, I could observe the behaviours of my fellow residents, each with their distinct traits. Dorm 1 offered a perfect vantage point for an observant person like me.
Unfortunately, the bathroom facilities were inconveniently distant from our dormitory, requiring us to traverse several other dormitories, which was less than ideal.
But what truly set Dorm 1 apart were its inhabitants—a congenial and unobtrusive group. Iman and Kaido, in particular, made efforts to create a comfortable atmosphere in Asrama. Their unique personalities and thoughts added vibrancy to my life and helped alleviate the prevailing stress. More about this will be discussed in the next chapter.
As I mentioned earlier, Encik Hussin had assigned our Form 3 class placements, and I found myself in class 3L1. Stepping into this new class, I noticed little change from the previous year. Most of my classmates were familiar faces, and I anticipated a similar atmosphere to the previous year. However, this time, our classroom was on the upper floor.
This change seemed to align with the transformations already happening in Asrama. Dorm 1 and the upper-floor classroom were now conveniently close, making it easier to move between them.
These two locations were the primary areas of my Asrama life, and the newfound proximity promised to simplify my daily routine. I wondered if others in similar circumstances felt the same sense of relief.
What was certain was the feeling of impending change in the air, signalling future events. As 1998 came to a close, I contemplated the challenges I had faced in Asrama and felt grateful for having navigated through them. These struggles had strengthened my determination and taught me that joy and pleasure can be elusive but should be embraced when fate allows.
During this period, I began to feel a growing anxiety as the PMR examination approached. The realization that I would soon be a Form 3 student felt surreal. I watched the senior students in our school preparing for the PMR with trepidation.
The examination halls filled me with apprehension as I imagined myself in their shoes the following year. During my first year in Asrama, I had learned of a remarkable achievement—every male student had achieved 8A in the previous year's PMR, except for a mere three who still attained commendable results, one securing 6A and the other two achieving 7A!
I struggled to understand how such results were possible. Did it mean that getting 8A was relatively easy? The idea of achieving such results weighed heavily on my mind, and I wondered if I could rise to the occasion and secure 8A in the upcoming PMR examination.
In an attempt to prepare, Bel had managed to obtain a set of PMR questions from a source, and we attempted to solve them. However, I found myself struggling with many of the questions. Math was the only subject in which I felt somewhat confident, but even my grasp of it was less than comprehensive.
As time passed, I made a conscious decision to push thoughts of the PMR examination to the back of my mind. I chose to confront it when the time came. The impending pressure weighed on me, but I knew I couldn't falter when the moment of reckoning arrived.
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