Sea Life Chapter 7

Eagle Auriga

5^th March 2002 to 6^th September 2002

I join this vessel after the 911 incident, my sign off had delay for a month due to security issues and both me and the Second Officer had to go to the airport at least 5 hours before the flight for the security clearance procedure. We are the first to try out the procedure after the 911 incident and the check in luggage had to be open up for inspection and all the items inside had to be wipe by a chemical paper to check for any explosive content.

I had manage to break up with my girlfriend due to her unreasonable demand of long phone call which is not possible after the 911 incident. I had went for a backpacking trip to China spending a week each in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing after that.

I took over the Generator from another third engineer and all are due for major overhaul, we mange to complete one of the major overhaul with two second engineer in just two days before one of them sign off and the other one took over.

The remaining two generator had to be done over the span of six day with two units per day as we had a lot of STS Operation after that. The other engineers will keep 6 on 6 off watch while me and fifth engineer will carry out the overhaul during the short voyage out of the river.

Most of my time are spend on preparing the cylinder heads at the Generator Platform, each generator had 6 cylinder heads and each cylinder head will take about a day or two to prepare. With the major overhaul of all the three generators with 18 cylinder heads to prepare and service, most of my time on this ship are spend on the job.

There are a lot of leakage around the engine room, cleaning also took up most of our time as there are a lot of oil major inspection coming one after another. Fifth Engineer CJ is always complaining about the job, but his complain doesn't really have any effect and in the end he still had to carry out most of the job against his own will.

Second Engineer Sam doesn't really talk much, he became a contrast to Chief Engineer Patrick who join later who like to talk a lot. Chief Engineer Patrick join the company after he left another better company when he was third engineer, he always comparing how life were better in the previous company. When he first join this company he cannot get use to the fact that most of the job had to be carry out by engineers ourselves, he use to having engine crews in the previous company and all he have to do is just supervision.

Our company happen to let other company manage 4 of our vessels later towards the end of my sailing career, one of my fourth engineer met the crew from the other company and try to chat with them about machinery maintenance. He realize that the engine crews actually know more about the machinery than the engineers as they are the one that do the actual job.

Chief Engineer Patrick told me more about the famous Rogina, he was sailing on one of the vessel and Rogina was the Third Officer. Most of the guys onboard were very interested in her but she only have eyes for a fourth engineer name Soh Hai. So one day the fourth engineer went to Chief Engineer Patrick and start crying and saying that he had been sexually harass by the Third Officer. When Patrick ask about the details he found out that Rogina had brought some candles and light a path from fourth engineer cabin leading to her cabin.

I had heard about how two of the girls from my batch had join a container ship and turn the vessel into a love boat where one having a relationship with Second Officer and the other had relationship with Third Engineer. There is also a Professional Third Engineer who sail on one vessel with his wife, when the vessel arrive Singapore the office inform him that his wife had requested to join the vessel. He start to panic and that is when they realize that he is having two wives in different countries, some rumor say he actually got three wives in three different countries too.

Starfish

Amidst the morning mist of the swift returning tide I set out on my daily run, my walkman on my side. Lost within my private world apart from cares and woes I ran along the moistened shore, the sand between my toes.

In the distance, I saw a boy, as busy as can be. He was running, stooping, picking up, and tossing in the sea. Just what he threw, I couldn't tell, I looked as I drew near. It seemed to be a rock or shell - as I approached him I could hear:

"Back you go, where you belong. Your safe now hurry home. Your family's waiting for you little starfish, hurry on!" It seemed the evening tide had washed the starfish on the shore, And the swift receding water left a thousand there or more.

And this self-appointed savior, was trying one-by-one To toss them back into the sea, against the racing sun. I saw his plight was hopeless, that most of them would die. I called out from my private world, "Hey Kid, why even try?"

"Must be at least a thousand here, strewn along the beach, And even if you had the time, most you'll never reach. You really think it makes a difference, to waste your time this way?" And then I paused and waited, just to hear what he would say.

He stooped and took another, and looked me in the eye. "It makes a difference to this one sir, this starfish will not die!" With that, he tossed the little life, back where there was hope. He stooped to take another. I could tell this was no joke.

The words that he spoke to me cut like a surgeon's knife. Where I saw only numbers, he saw only life. He didn't see the multitude of starfish on the sand. He only saw the little life he held there in his hand.

He didn't stop to argue, to prove that he was right. He just kept tossing starfish in the sea with all his might. So I too stooped, and I picked up, and I tossed into the sea, And I thought, just what a difference, that this boy has made in me.

Poor

One day a father and his rich family took his young son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can be. They spent a day and a night in the farm of a very poor family. When they got back from their trip the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"Very good, Dad!"

"Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked.

"Yeah!" "And what did you learn?"

The son answered, "I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden, they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lamps in the garden, they have the stars. Our patio reaches to the front yard, they have a whole horizon.

When the little boy was finishing, his father was speechless.

His son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are!" Isn't it true that it all depends on the way you look at things? If you have love, friends, family, health, good humor and a positive attitude toward life, you've got everything!

You can't buy any of these things. You can have all the material possessions you can imagine, provisions for the future, etc., but if you are poor of spirit, you have nothing!

Fisherman

One day a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach, with his fishing pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the sparkling blue surf. He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the prospect of catching a fish.

About that time, a businessman came walking down the beach, trying to relieve some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family. "You aren't going to catch many fish that way," said the businessman to the fisherman. "You should be working rather than lying on the beach!"

The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and replied, "And what will my reward be?" "Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish!" was the businessman's answer. "And then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman, still smiling. The businessman replied, "You will make money and you'll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish!" "And then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman again. The businessman was beginning to get a little irritated with the fisherman's questions. "You can buy a bigger boat, and hire some people to work for you!" he said.

"And then what will my reward be?" repeated the fisherman. The businessman was getting angry. "Don't you understand? You can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let all your employees catch fish for you!" Once again the fisherman asked, "And then what will my reward be?" The businessman was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman, "Don't you understand that you can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again! You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won't have a care in the world!"

The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, "And what do you think I'm doing right now?"

Tree, Leaf and Wind.

Tree

People call me "Tree".



I had dated 5 girls when I was in Pre-U. There is one girl who I love a lot but never dared to go after. She didn't have a pretty face, good figure or an outstanding charm. She was just a very ordinary girl. I liked her. I really liked her. I liked her innocence, her frankness, her intelligence and her fragility. Reason for not going after her was that I felt somebody so ordinary like her was not a good match for me. I was also afraid that after we were together all the feelings would vanish. I was also afraid other's gossip would hurt her.

I felt that if she were my girl, she'd be mine ultimately & I didn't have to give up eve rything just for her. The last reason, made her accompanying me for 3 years. She watched me chase other girls, and I have made her heart cry for 3 years.

She was a good actor, and me a demanding director. When I kissed my second girlfriend, she bumped into us. She was embarrassed but smiled & said, "Go on!" before running off. The next day, her eyes were swollen like a walnut. I did not want to know what caused her to cry. Later that day, I returned from soccer training to get something & watched her cry in the classroom for an hour or so. My fourth girlfriend did not like her. There was once when both of them quarreled. I know that based on her character she is not the type that will start the quarrel. However, I still sided my girlfriend. I shouted at her & ignored her feelings and walked off with my girlfriend. The next day, she was laughing & joking with me like nothing happened. I know she was hurt but she did not know deep down inside I was hurt too.

When I broke up with my fifth girlfriend, I asked her out. Later that day, I told her I had something to tell her. I told her about my break up. Coincidentally, she has something to tell me too, about her getting together. I knew who the person was. His pursuit for her had been the talk of the School. I did not show her my heartache, just smiles & best wishes. Once I reached home, I could not breathe. Tears rolled & I broke down. How many times have I seen her cry for the man who did not acknowledge her presence?

During graduation, I read a SMS in my hp. It said, "Leaf's departure is because of Wind's pursuit. Or because Tree didn't ask her to stay"

Leaf

People call me Leaf.

During the 3 years of Pre-U, I was on very close terms with a guy as buddy kind. However, when he had his first girlfriend, I learnt a feeling I never should have learnt - Jealousy. Sourness to the extreme limit. They were only together for 2 months. When they broke up, I hid my happiness. But after a month, he got together with another girl.

I liked him & I know he liked me. But why won't he pursue me? Since he loves me why he didn't he make the first move? Whenever he had a new girlfriend, my heart would hurt. After some time, I began to suspect that this was one-sided love. If he didn't like me, why did he treat me so well? It's beyond what you will normally do for a friend. I know his likes, his habits. But his feelings towards me I can never figure out. You can't expect me a girl, to ask him. Despite that, I still wanted to be by his side. Care for him, accompany him, and love him. Hoping that one day, he will come to love me. Because of this, I waited for him. Sometimes, I wondered if I should continue waiting. The pain, the dilemma accompanied me for 3 years.

At the end of my 3rd year, a junior pursues me. Everyday he pursues me. He's like the cool & gentle wind, trying to blow off a leaf from a tree. In the end, I realized that I wanted to give this wind a small footing in my heart. I know the wind will bring the leaf to a better land. Finally, leaf left the tree, but the tree only smiled & didn't ask me to stay.

Leaf's departure is because of Wind's pursuit. Or cause Tree didn't ask her to stay.



Wind



Because I like a girl called leaf. Because she's so dependent on tree, so I have to be a gust wind. A wind that will blow her away. When I first met her, it was 1 month after I was transferred to this new school. I saw a petite person look ing at my seniors & me playing soccer. During ECA time, she will always be sitting there. Be it alone or with her friends, looking at him. When he talks with girls, there's jealousy in her eyes. When he looked at her, there's a smile in her eyes. Looking at her became my habit. Just like, she likes to look at him.

One day, she didn't appear. I felt something missing. I can't explain the feeling except it's a kind of uneasiness. The senior was also not there as well. I went to their classroom, hid outside and saw my senior scolding her. Tears were in her eyes while he left. The next day, I saw her at her usual place, looking at him. I walked over and smiled to her. Took out a note & gave to her. She was surprised. She looked at me, smiled & accepts the note. The next day, she appeared & passes me a note and left.

It read, "Leaf's heart is too heavy and wind couldn't blow her away."

"It's not that leaf heart is too heavy. It because leaf never want to leave tree." I replied her note with this statement and slowly she started to talk to me & accept my presents & phone calls. I know that the person she loves is not me. But I have this perseverance that one day I will make her like me. Within 4 months, I have declared my love for her no less than 20 times. Every time, she will divert away from the topic. But I never give up. If I decide I want her to be mine, I will definitely use all means to win her over. I can't remember how many times I have declared my love to her. Although I know, she will try to divert but I still bear a small ray of hope.

Hoping that she will agree to be my girlfriend. I didn't hear any reply from her over the phone. I asked, "What are you doing? How come you didn't want to reply?" She said, "I'm nodding my head". "Ah?" I could n't believe my ears. "I'm nodding my head" She replied loudly. I hang up the phone, quickly changed and took a taxi and rush to her place & press her doorbell. During the moment when she opens the door, I hugged her tightly.

Leaf departure is because of Wind pursuit. Or because Tree didn't ask her to stay...



Moral

In love, we win very rarely, but when love is true, even if you lose, you still win just for having the tingle of loving someone more than you love yourself.

There comes a time when we stop loving someone, not because that person has stopped loving us but because we have found out that, they'd be happier if we let go....

Why do we close our eyes when we sleep? When we cry? When we imagine? When we kiss?

This is because THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS IN THE WORLD ARE UNSEEN.

There are things that we never want to let go of, people we never want to leave behind, but keep in mind that letting go isn't the end of the world. It's the beginning of a new life. Happiness lies for those who cry those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried. For only they can appreciate the importance of the people who have touched our lives.

A great love? It's when you shed tears and still you care for them, it's when they ignore you and still you long for them. It's when they begin to love another and yet you smile and say, "I'm happy for you." If love fails, set yourself free, let your heart spread its wings and fly again. Remember you may find love and lose it, but when love dies, you never have to die with it.

The strongest people are not those who always win but those who stand back up when they fall. Somehow, along the course of life, you learn about yourself and realize that there should never be regrets, only a lifelong appreciation of the choices you've made.

Loving is not how you forget but how you forgive, not how you listen but how you understand, not what you see but how you feel, and not how you let go but how you hold on.

It's more dangerous to weep inwardly rather than outwardly. Outward tears can be wiped away while secret tears scar forever. ..

It's best to wait for the one you want than settle for one that's available. It's best to wait for the right one because life is too short to waste on just someone.

Love Calista

It rained so hard tonight. I could feel the wind piercing through my ribs. A rainy Christmas eve. It just made me feel sadder and lonelier. It had rained the day he was buried into the ground and I had cried just like now.

I was attracted to this cheerful guy when I first started helping out in the 'Home for the Disabled' three years back. He was a very special guy who was almost perfect if not for his eyes. He was blind. He became blind when he was 8. He got the high fever then and the doctors could do nothing. He lost his sight as a result. He told me he didn't really mind not being able to see because he could always touch and feel things we normal beings weren't able to.

I was really touched by his optimism. Even though he was blind, his eyes were the most soulful eyes that I had ever seen. He was extremely helpful towards others and always did his best to give others what he could. He showered his love lavishly on everyone he knew. He was like an angel. He had a kind and unselfish heart. He gave half of what he earned to charity and he would help out at the 'Home' almost everyday.

Whenever we were free from tending to the people at the 'Home', we would talk to one another for a long time. He talked about God a lot and how blessed was he to have found joy in the Lord. He didn't blame God for any misfortunes that had befallen on him. He said the Lord had his reasons for not giving him sight and he didn't blame God for the fact that his parent got killed in an accident when he was barely 12.

I felt somewhat ashamed when I heard his words since I had always blamed God for not giving me a prettier face. I bore a grudge against God for not giving this wonderful angel His fullest blessings. I thought that God was unfair to him for taking, apart from his sight, his loved ones away from him. I felt that he truly deserved more.

Luke and I were completely different from one another. He was an optimist and I was a pessimist. He could overlook flaws easily while I would always pick at others' faults. However we did have one thing in common. We both had an undying passion for astronomy. He told me he still remembered how lovely the stars had looked like before he became blind. And how his dad used to tell him about stars, black holes and space before God took him away to Heaven. One thing he didn't know was that I was silently crying for him all the time while he talked.

I knew then that I loved him more than I could ever loved anyone.

Luke and I had been together for almost two years. We could hardly bear to be away from one another for less than half a day. We spent most of our time helping out at the 'Home' and 'watching' the stars at a pasture near it. I would tell him the names and shapes of the constellations that appeared in the skies and he would listen carefully with a smile on his face. It seemed like he saw the stars that I told him, behind those soulful eyes that could never see the art of God.

Maybe God thought that Luke was too good for this world. He decided to bring him back to His side. Luke contracted leukemia that fateful 1994. He kept his illness from me and thus I didn't know anything about it at all. It was only when he started looking sick that I noticed something was wrong with him. When asked why, he would pass his paleness off as a slight flu. I didn't believe his words but I didn't say anything. It was September
1994.I was waiting at the 'Home' for Luke. "A call for you, Calista. It's from a hospital," a helper at the 'Home' passed the phone to me worriedly.

"Yes, hello? This is Calista here. Can I be of any help?" I asked, chewing my lips nervously, sensing bad vibes in my spines. "This is the Boulevard Hospital. We found your name and this number in Mr. Pietra's wallet. He had fainted on the streets just now and someone brought him in. I was hoping that you can come down to the hospital now and help us with the documents."

I hung up the phone and ran all the way in the rain to the hospital which was a mile away.

I signed whatever documents that were needed and ran to the ward that Luke was in. There he was my angel, lying almost lifeless on a bed that seemed too large for him.

"Calista, is that you?" He asked when I held his cold hand. "Yes it's me," I choked on my words. "Aww... please don't cry. Everything will be alright," he smiled. I looked at his pale face and it broke my heart. "Luke," I sobbed. "Why is God so unfair to you?" I bawled out on his chest. He stroked my hair and said softly, "God is fair, my love. He's gonna take me to a far better place called Heaven. Don't you agree?"

I didn't answer him as I was lost in my own thoughts. I really didn't know what was going to happen to me without him in my life. Moreover, I had this dreary feeling about going to hospitals ever since I was young. I felt so lost and detached from the world. Why must God take away my one and only true love?

Three months had passed ever since Luke was admitted into the hospital. It was December and Christmas was nearing. My visits to Luke had grown lesser over the three long painful months. Each time I visited Luke, we would have nothing much to talk about. There was always this awkward silence between us.

I didn't know what caused it but I guessed it had something to do with the atmosphere in the hospital. Luke had lost his cheerfulness over the months. He was always too tired to talk. At times, he would try his best to listen to me while I talked to him but the pills they fed him always put him to sleep before I could finish.

We drifted apart somehow although I still loved him a lot. I had only visited him once during December since I was busy working and the 'Home' needed helpers desperately.

It was the 24th of December. I realized that I had not visited Luke for almost three weeks! How funny time seemed to fly when you were busy. I had prepared a gift for Luke for the past two weeks. It was a piece of cardboard pasted with 3D star stickers. I called the constellation that I made up 'LoveLuke'. I hurried to the hospital with the gift in my hands.

I walked briskly to Luke's ward. On the way there, I felt a sudden fear in my heart. I didn't know why but somehow, it made me hurry my pace. To my ultimate fear and worst nightmare, Luke was not in his ward. He was gone! I ran to the counter and asked for Luke but was handed a package and a letter instead. I opened the letter with my tears flowing down like mad.

"My beloved Calista, please don't cry when you get this letter. I just want to let you know that I will be happier at the place where I'll be going soon. God and my parents are waiting impatiently for me. I'm looking forward to see them again. I know how busy you've been these past few weeks and I really missed you terribly. I know how much U dreaded coming to the hospital although U never said anything. I felt it. To tell you the
truth, I've thought of ending my life at times to end the pain and loneliness that my illness had brought me. However, I remembered that life is bestowed by the love of God and it would be a terrible mistake to kill myself just to escape misery.

"Now, I'm glad God decided to take me away earlier. I don't want to be a burden to you and I can't thank you enough for all the love and patience that you had given me through the hard times and the good times. U love me just the way I am even though I cant even do a small thing like watch a movie with you. Please don't blame God for taking me away. He does it because He loves me, just as much as He loves you.

"Don't ask why all the time. Things are planned and they are meant to be this way. Don't keep thinking that God is unfair and stop bearing grudges against him. God is a fair God. Everything that you lost today will be compensated in another way tomorrow. Just keep on believing.

"Remember err that I'll always love you even when I'm not by your side. You're the most beautiful person that I've ever 'seen' in my life, even though you are always complaining about the way you look. Beauty comes from within. Just to tell u that u will always be a part of me that I can’t lives without. Thank you once again for your sweetness and your wonderful unselfish love.

P.S. I'm sorry that I can't celebrate Christmas with you. Here's a gift I've prepared for you ever since the start of December.

Love,
Luke.E.Pietra."

I tore open the package, sobbing all the while. Inside it was a picture made up of tiny stickers of stars. On top of the black paper was written 'LoveCalista'. He too had made up a constellation for me. I knew how much effort and time he must have put in making the gift since he wasn't able to see. I cried my whole heart out that night at the hospital.

It was Christmas Day, 25th of December; 1994.Luke was laid into the ground. The rain was coming down hard. Nothing could describe my sadness. I was filled with remorse. In my busyness, I had neglected Luke. I should have spent more time with him. I didn't even get to see him for one last time before he died. I didn't really treasure him until he was gone. I missed him so much now.

I wanted so much to hug him and to tell him how much I loved him. But it was all too late. I had let time slip by and it would never come back to me. I had lost Luke forever. Forever, that word suddenly sounded as strange to me as I watched Luke's coffin being lowered into the ground. I cried for the man who taught me the ways of life.

The one person who changed my views towards many things. The angel who taught me to overlook others' flaws and to see the beauty behind imperfections. The one who told me to accept whatever cards that were dealt to me. Now this one person had left my side forever. Gone like the two pieces of pictures that carried the words 'LoveLuke' and 'LoveCalista'. They were buried together with the memory of Luke.

Treasure what you have now before it becomes regret, when it becomes too late. Time always slips us by when we least realize it. Let the people you love know what they mean to you, because you never know what might happen......life is too fragile

Red Rose

Dedicate this Touching Love Story to Rose, a fan of my blog who request for more English Love Story.

Red roses were her favorites, her name was also Rose. And every year, her husband sent them, tied with pretty bows. The year he passed away, the roses were delivered to her door. The card said, "Be My Valentine," like all the years before.

Each year he sent her roses, the notes would always say, "I love you even more this year than last year on this day." "My love for you will always grow with each passing year." The year he passed away, she knew it was the last time that the roses would appear on her front door.

She thought he ordered the roses in advance before this day. Her loving husband did not know that he would die. He always liked to do things early, way before the time. In this way, if he was too busy, everything would still work out fine.

She trimmed the stems, and placed them in a very special vase. Then she sat the vase beside the photograph of his smiling face. She would sit for hours, in her husband's favorite chair while staring at his photograph and the roses sitting there.

A year went by and it was difficult to live without her mate. With loneliness and solitude that has become her fate. Then, at that same very hour, as on Valentines before, the doorbell rang and there were red roses sitting by her door.

She brought the roses in and then just looked at them in shock. Then, she went to get the telephone and called the florist that had delivered the roses. The owner answered and she asked him if he would explain why someone would do this to her, causing her so much pain?

"I know your husband passed away more than a year ago," the owner said. "I knew you'd call and you would want to know," he continued. "The flowers you received today were paid for in advance. Your husband always planned ahead, he left nothing to chance."

"The re is a standing order that I have on file down here. And he has paid, well in advance, so you'll get them every year. There is also another thing that I think you should know. He wrote a special little card which he did several years ago."

"Then should ever I find out that he is no longer around, that's the card that should be sent to you the following year." She thanked him and hung up the phone, her tears now flowing hard. Her fingers shaking, as she slowly reached to get the card.

Inside the card, she saw that he had written her a note. As she stared in total silence, this was what he wrote...

"Hello my love, I know it's been a year since I've been gone. I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to overcome. I know it must be lonely and the pain is very real. For if it was the other way, I know how I would feel. The love we shared made everything so beautiful in life. I loved you more than words can say. You were the perfect wife and the perfect companion."

"You were my friend and lover. You fulfilled my every need. I know it's only been a year, but please try not to grieve. I want you to be happy, even when you shed your tears. That is why these red roses will be sent to you for years."

"When you get these roses, think of all the happiness that we had together and how both of us were blessed to have each other. I have always loved you and I know I always will. But, my love, you must go on, you have some living still."

"Plea se, try to find happiness while living out your days. I know it's not easy, but I hope you find some ways. I know you will. You have always been there to cheer me up. The roses will come every year and they will only stop when your door's not answered, when the florist stops to deliver and knock on the door."

"He will come five times that day, in case you should be out. But after his last visit, he will know without a doubt, to take the roses to the place, where I've instructed him and place the roses where we are, together once again."

Love Story

It all started long time ago, on a Wednesday afternoon at the poly swimming pool. I never knew it started so early until MG told me the truth after she gives me her first kiss. I was doing my second year while she just joins the poly for first year. I love swimming a lot, and I like to do a bit of skin diving once in a while. I always swim at the ploy swimming pool every Wednesday afternoon, and that afternoon she went there for a swim with her classmates.

What caught her attention was that I was able to hold my breath and dive the breath of the swimming pool with ease. She was impressed and told some of her guy classmate that whoever can do the same thing; she will reward him with a kiss. Of course, none of them are able to do it, so she had make up her mind that her kiss was only for me.

She started off asking around for any information about me, and she manage to found out that one of her best friend was just starting go out with my best friend AK. Maybe it was fate; AK told me that the girl he is going after is kind of shy and wanted a group dating. Of course, MG was there to be my date whenever we went out for a group date. Every thing seems to be so perfect, for we have so much in common. We thought our love story would last till eternity, and we could even die for each other too.

As time goes by, we start to become steady and hang out more often as a pair, and of course as I have said earlier she give me her first kiss and told me the real reason for that kiss. I was a quiet, shy and shabby guy back then, the only clothing I wear is T-shirts and jeans, I could take a shower with just a piece of soap. I don’t know why, girls always want to change their guy after they have given them their most precious thing. The same thing happen to me, I was force to dress up more appropriately, and I had to start using shampoo, facial wash and shower foam.

Then problems start to happen between us, seem like I manage to get a lot of attention from other girls after that. Whenever I sit alone at the poly canteen having my lunch, girls tend to prefer to sit around me, and whenever MG saw that she will become angry for no reason. I also found out later that one of her best friend DT was having a crush on me, and she was making up tales behind my back to destroy my relationship.

Christmas was coming round the corner; I thought it might be a very good chance for me to do something about our relationship. I spend one month of my time every night, folding paper birds and putting them into a big glass bottle. I wanted to give it to MG as a surprise Christmas present, there are a total of 500 paper birds, each and every one of them were fill with my love, hope and thought of her.

It was Christmas Eve; we were supposed to meet up at Orchard for dinner. She came, and she wants me to promise her something first. She said DT told her that seaman always fool around when they go oversea, and she doesn’t want me to go sailing after my course. I told her that I couldn’t promise her that, as I need to sail at least six months to get my diploma, if not all the three years of studies will go down the drain.

She left, disappear among the crowd in Orchard, I don’t even have a chance to give her the Christmas present. The words she said before she left still tingling in my mind till these days, “Guess you are too good for me now, I am sure someday you will find a girl much better than me, just forget about me, ok?” Not even a hug, a kiss or a goodbye, she was gone from my life forever. We use to think our love story would last till eternity, and we use to think we could even die for each other too. Guess I am unwilling to give up my future for her, and she doesn’t have enough trust in me.