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Journey to Academia: Departure and Arrival |
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I can still vividly recall the day I departed from the familiar confines of
my childhood abode to embark upon the hallowed grounds of academia. The eve
prior, I meticulously arranged and rearranged my belongings countless times.
A new flask and a bottle of Tiger Balm, procured by my attentive mother,
accompanied me. She had thoughtfully anticipated any potential headaches
that may arise along my journey.
As I prepared to depart, my beloved boyfriend accompanied me to the train
station. A benevolent neighbor graciously offered her conveyance to
transport me to my destination. It was at that moment that I felt a profound
sense of maturity enveloping me, an adult venturing forth into uncharted
territory, both physically and mentally. Despite a tremor of trepidation
coursing through my veins, I repeatedly reassured myself that this was the
very aspiration I had fostered throughout my existence, now materializing
into reality. Though I discerned a tinge of sorrow in my boyfriend's gaze,
curiously, I found myself strangely unaffected. The farewells, meticulously
rehearsed during countless nights, weighed heavily upon me, and yet, as they
were eventually enacted, an unexpected solace swept over me. Only a year
later would I comprehend that this parting marked the inception of the
demise of our relationship.
Having embarked upon the train, I promptly settled into my designated seat.
Midway through the journey, serendipity facilitated my acquaintance with a
venerable gentleman, himself bound for Kuala Lumpur. Intrigued by my
destination, he divulged that he was a pedagogue by profession. Alas, the
journey was beset by a lamentable delay of three interminable hours,
inciting a maelstrom of apprehension within my breast. My thoughts
incessantly gravitated toward my brother, who patiently awaited my arrival.
What if he had grown disheartened and elected to abandon his vigil,
returning to the sanctuary of our familial abode? What would become of me
then? A cacophony of anxieties engulfed my ruminative mind. My train
companion's valiant efforts to engage me in an intellectual discourse proved
futile, for my restless disposition thwarted any semblance of concentration.
A tumultuous cheer threatened to erupt from within me as the train
recommenced its relentless journey. The night assumed an air of refreshing
coolness, brimming with uncharted adventures.
Upon reaching Kuala Lumpur, my erudite acquaintance graciously extended his
assistance in handling my cumbersome luggage, for which I felt profound
gratitude, as I would have surely struggled singlehandedly. The train, with
haste, resumed its unrelenting expedition. Within the vast metropolis, I
felt infinitesimal and profoundly isolated. We bade farewell, and my heart
soared as I beheld the sight of my brother. A surge of elation coursed
through my veins, tempting me to rush over and embrace him. Alas, such
displays of affection were foreign to our relationship, our interactions
characterized by a certain unfamiliarity. Instead, we exchanged but a few
words. Exhaustion assailed my senses, and I surrendered to a profound
slumber, akin to that of an innocent babe, as my brother chauffeured me to
his dwelling. When I awoke, I found myself amidst a jovial gathering, only
then realizing that it was my brother's natal day. How wretched he must have
felt, languishing in anticipation of my arrival.
The ensuing night evaded my grasp, as exhilaration and trepidation waged a
relentless battle within me. Uncertainty veiled my mind, rendering me
oblivious to the realms of dreams. When slumber finally engulfed me, the sun
had already begun its ascent at the early hour of five.
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