I apologize if my stories often revolve around academic pursuits and exams. I ask for your understanding in this regard. Let me explain, for I was only fifteen years old, and the looming spectre of the upcoming PMR examination dominated my youthful existence.
My thoughts were consumed entirely by the pursuit of academic excellence. The intricate corridors of emotion and profound contemplation remained dormant, unexplored, as they lay beyond the scope of my usual musings.
Despite my unwavering dedication to academics, I remained an active participant in the athletic activities of Asrama. Volleyball, in particular, had captured my heart. This sport seamlessly blended relaxation with competition, requiring a combination of strength, focus, and agility—a challenge I embraced eagerly.
My involvement in volleyball began with my limited knowledge of the sport. My first introduction to it came from a Japanese television drama series that my much older sisters had avidly followed when I was just a kindergartener. In those early days, I viewed the sport with disinterest and indifference. However, as I observed my friends' daily games, my feelings evolved from apathy to fascination.
Despite my initial lack of expertise, I didn't emerge as a helpless player on the volleyball court. While there were certainly more skilled players, I had my moments of prowess that occasionally impressed my peers.
Our volleyball games usually took place on weekends, following a routine affectionately known as the "King method." The victorious team, like reigning monarchs of the court, remained in control, while the defeated team was promptly replaced by a fresh set of competitors. The popularity of the sport ensured a continuous stream of eager participants waiting for their turn on the hallowed grounds.
As I look back on those fond days, a deep sense of nostalgia washes over me, filled with memories of the simple joys of youth. Volleyball, with its blend of athleticism and strategy, will always hold a special place in my heart.
To be honest, volleyball was not without its moments of monotony, especially when the ball ventured outside the court's boundaries. Retrieving it, especially when I was the errant launcher, could be a challenging task. Climbing the fence to retrieve it held little appeal for me.
Playing volleyball, however, was far from tiring. It demanded not only physical skills but also unwavering focus. Hours could pass by in joyful engagement with this sport. It was a pastime I cherished.
I discovered that I had a talent for endurance. I would often be drenched in sweat after a game, my clothes soaked, a testament to the physical benefits of playing. Afterward, I would feel rejuvenated, filled with contentment and energy.
The original Asrama volleyball ball had seen better days and was no longer suitable for use due to wear and tear. In our collective enthusiasm for the sport, we embarked on a communal effort to acquire a replacement. I was fervently involved in these endeavours, as I was one of the regular players. Eventually, we replaced Asrama's traditional white volleyball with a multi-coloured one.
As the number of participants inevitably exceeded the capacity of the volleyball court, some of us resorted to playing football on the adjacent field. Form 2 marked the beginning of a surge in football activities, despite the field's modest size. It was during this time that the Asrama football league was born, with teams representing their respective schools.
I make no claim to being proficient in football; I recognized my limitations in this sport. However, I held no contempt for it and even managed to enjoy it, albeit with a touch of awkwardness. My ineptitude was not as pronounced as one might expect.
Interestingly, fate bestowed upon me the honour of representing the school's premier football team in the Asrama league, consisting of six players per side. To be honest, words scarcely do justice to my astonishment. Nonetheless, I accepted the opportunity with unbridled enthusiasm.
During my time in Form 2, I noticed a significant shift in the interpersonal dynamics among the students. These relationships became increasingly complex as each student matured, and their thoughts and attitudes became more intricate. Discordant ideas and varying interests became the basis for deliberate or unintentional divisions among the student population, influencing their decision-making processes. Distinguishing the truly important from the trivial became more challenging, ensnaring their judgment in a web of confusion.
For instance, when assembling the school's premier football team, victory was not the sole objective. If it were, only the absolute best players would have been chosen. I had no illusions about the difference between those with remarkable skills and those without. However, pride and dissatisfaction often took precedence over skill, and a preference for enjoying the game outweighed the call of victory.
As one of the fortunate few selected for the top team, I found myself in a position where I had limited input. I played my role as dictated by the circumstances and managed to achieve success in our matches.
However, in Form 3, my interest in sports within the hostel underwent a noticeable shift. When I ventured onto the field, it was more often for a game of volleyball. Over time, I noticed a significant improvement in my skills, which extended my participation.
Who among us would willingly embrace mediocrity? During this period, I found myself with numerous opportunities to engage in longer volleyball matches. My passion for the sport grew stronger, yet I remained uncertain about its eventual course.
The size of the hostel field was not conducive to a wide range of sports. Apart from volleyball and football, we occasionally played badminton and table tennis, neither of which were my forte. I admired the skill displayed by my peers in these games, but I had no personal inclination to pursue them. One of my friends, Iman, had a particular fondness for both sports, especially table tennis, where I often found myself as an unwitting opponent during free time matches.
During this period, sports served as a remedy for my emotional well-being. It provided an escape from the complexities and challenges that besieged my mind.
The path I traversed was not without its trials and tribulations. It was a time of significant transformation, both physically and mentally. A multitude of thoughts weighed heavily on my mind, causing disquiet.
I subjected my thoughts to thorough introspection, carefully weighing the pros and cons of each decision. Family, friendships, and the environment played a significant role in my deliberations. In the past, decision-making had come naturally, unburdened by uncertainty. Now, the landscape of life was more complex, and I grappled with each choice presented to me.
Life within Asrama illuminated my existence with each passing day. A sense of completeness enveloped me, providing a stark contrast to the doubts and anxieties that once plagued me during Forms 1 and 2. I longed to forget those memories, to rid my soul of their oppressive weight. Perhaps, though, every trial and tribulation served a purpose, and it was the will of Allah that I experienced this moment at this time.
My concept of happiness differed from that of others. While some found joy in material possessions or thrilling adventures, my contentment stemmed from simpler sources: the confines of Dorm 1, the world of volleyball, and the pursuit of academic excellence. I understood that the tapestry of human purpose and the spectrum of happiness were vast and varied, with each individual thread being unique and valid in its own right.
At this point, I realized that the tapestry of my life had been woven with meticulous care. I was grateful for this awareness. The path I had travelled must continue, undeterred by the allure of more complex journeys that threatened to divert me from my course.
Life followed a routine, with each day beginning with the Subuh prayer and then proceeding through breakfast, laundry, morning shower, and morning prep class. After these formalities, the school day started, filled with lessons, revisions, and academic pursuits. After a mid-morning break, we prepared for school and then headed to the dining hall for lunch. Finally, dressed in our uniforms and carrying our books, we boarded the school bus and resumed our roles as students.
Outside the school grounds, I was just a student following the demands of academia. But within the hallowed walls of Asrama, I transformed into a person whose identity was inseparable from this sacred place. Challenges and trials were ever-present, but I faced them with composure because the path I walked was undoubtedly chosen for me.
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