Dorm 1, a place unmatched in its charm, left an enduring mark on my soul during my time at Asrama. It stood as a paragon of perfection, a sanctuary where I remained perpetually free from worry or disturbance.
The passage of time had no power over my fondness for this dormitory. During moments when I was not occupied with academic pursuits, I often preferred the comfort of its confines over venturing into the common areas or neighbouring dorms.
Here, on my cot, I would relax, my Walkman filling my senses with sweet melodies as I enjoyed the humorous content of Ujang or Gila-Gila magazines. Strangely, I never quite grasped the appeal of Mangga magazine, despite Kaido's subscription.
Allow me to share with you the story of my dear friend, Iman. Fate had placed his sleeping bed directly above mine, resulting in close quarters during our nightly rest. Despite the serious exterior he projected, Iman's friendship remained steadfast. This assertion is not motivated by any hidden agenda; it stems from a genuine belief.
Throughout our friendship, Iman embodied friendliness and never caused me any annoyance or trouble. I say this not to boast but as a testament to the fact that Iman's behaviour never provoked annoyance, vexation, or any other troubling emotions in me. To the best of my recollection, I never noticed any wrongdoing on his part.
Our friendship was devoid of formalities, and we often engaged in jokes and laughter, which frequently led to tears of joy. Notably, Iman had a habit of waking up early, starting his day before Subuh. It was he who would wake me up, and when I regained consciousness, I would find our dorm bathed in the soft light of early morning.
Sometimes, I would overcome my inertia and join him, unfurling the mosquito net, going to the surau for Subuh prayer, and then returning to my beloved cot. Unfortunately, sleep often eluded me as the dormitory came alive with the activities of others. In the meantime, Iman would have already completed his morning routines with meticulous precision, making his bed neatly.
Among the many memories, one particular incident remains vivid—an event that clung to my consciousness with unwavering persistence. It occurred one morning after Iman had woken me up as usual. However, this morning had an unexpected twist—a sudden drenching with cold water, a prankster's playful act courtesy of Encik Zul.
Luckily, I was not the only one to experience this watery assault. Several drowsy students, who had neglected the Subuh jemaah prayer, were also on the receiving end of Encik Zul's whimsical prank. Instead of malevolence, the result of this watery escapade was laughter and amusement.
In the aftermath, as cheerful banter filled the air, I playfully teased Iman about his delayed wake-up call, which only added to our amusement. This early morning drenching, although a new experience, was free from any fear and was simply a source of shared laughter.
Iman later revealed that he had tried multiple times to wake me up from my deep sleep, suspecting that tiredness from the previous night might have held me captive. I hurriedly went to the surau for Subuh prayer, but the spectre of Encik Hussin remained in my thoughts, amplified by the looming presence of Encik Zul making his rounds.
As Encik Zul began his rounds from Dorm 7, my unease led me to seek refuge behind a locker, a precaution that even Encik Zul himself usually ignored. On one day, to my astonishment, Encik Zul opened the locker door, revealing my hidden sanctuary, which was a source of great embarrassment for me. Amused by the irony, he gave me a knowing smile before continuing his inspection, while the dorm's residents shared in the amusement.
My embarrassment transformed into unrestrained laughter. My inexplicable urge to seek seclusion remained a mystery from that era. What was undeniably clear, however, was the strong bond that existed between Iman and me.
Our leisure hours were filled with various amusements and unique diversions, one of which was gathering beneath the dormitory's whirring fan during the night. This kind of meeting, held in darkness when the dormitory lights were off, became a favourite pastime among our peers.
As respected members of Dorm 1, we strived to maintain our distinction by engaging in lively conversations, passionate discussions, and even candid critiques of our fellow students. Although these gatherings lasted no more than fifteen minutes, they held a special allure. Afterward, we would return to our cots, satisfied by our nighttime revelry, and drift into peaceful sleep.
Kaido, the luminary mentioned earlier in this narrative, remained a significant presence in my Asrama life. Our initial misunderstanding regarding my ablutions after Quranic recitation, which was mistakenly believed to emit ammonia gas, blossomed into a friendly companionship.
Our shared destiny, as both classmates and dormitory residents, meant that we spent twenty-four hours together. In my opinion, Kaido had a remarkable sense of humour. His ability to inject levity into even the most serious situations was undeniable.
Despite our camaraderie, Kaido's inner thoughts and emotions remained a mystery. While he projected an air of joviality, he concealed introspective thoughts and deeper feelings. I refrained from speculating about the hidden aspects of his being, and our relationship remained light-hearted.
Our rivalry, although playful, continued within the dormitory. Playful banter and light-hearted exchanges were the hallmarks of our interactions, ensuring that laughter always emerged victorious.
In addition to our main characters, Dorm 1 was home to three junior occupants: Abu, Abe, and Abi (aliases used for discretion). Despite their similar physical statures, their temperaments and personalities were distinctive.
Out of prudence due to my seniority, I avoided getting involved in their youthful intrigues, mindful of the potential for discord. Among the three, Abi stood out as the most compatible companion and showed an unexpected interest in my daily routines. He had a mysterious aura, setting him apart from the typical junior students in the dormitory.
In summary, Dorm 1 exuded an atmosphere of harmonious coexistence, with minor tensions barely noticeable. The living conditions were excellent, and the junior occupants posed no apparent problems. The question of who would be the leader, whether Iman or myself, had vanished, reflecting the dormitory's peaceful atmosphere.
Reflecting on the individual experiences of Iman, Kaido, Abu, Abe, and Abi, Dorm 1 filled me with a sense of joy—a pinnacle reached in my Asrama life. It represented a period of pure delight, where every experience was cherished, and I revelled in contentment.
However, the state of Dorm 1 played a significant role in my decision to leave Asrama the following year. I wanted to preserve the pristine memories of this era, untarnished by the passage of time. While the initial two years of my Asrama journey may have seemed unremarkable, they, in some inexplicable way, had fostered an attachment to Asrama itself.
The question lingered—could I leave this realm of unspoiled beauty and perfection? Could I recreate such harmony in a new environment? The answer, as revealed in subsequent chapters, cast a profound shadow over my heart.
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