Farah had her piano lessons privately tutored besides maths, Malay and geography, whilst the same went for Farahat whilst Farazil for Malay and maths and Izzat, for almost everything ! It was not to make them attain the best in schools but to ensure that they did not fail in these subjects. We never had learning attitude with Farah, who was ever diligent and enthusiastic about going to school and Farahat for that matter, but with Farazil and Izzat, that is different.
Farazil was an enthusiastic student and wanted to be an all-rounder whilst at the same time he was very conscious and shy about any shortcomings that he might have. Hence he was forever angry with us whenever I happened to run a little bit late for his tuition classes. In reality I was never late but just that he always wanted to be at the tutors place much earlier than scheduled.
This was the direct opposite of Izzat . For Izzat, if he could avoid tutoring, he would rejoice at the given opportunity . Skipping classes was the norm with Izzat and this bad habit dragged on right to his MCKK days! For him, especially, we had to make regular weekend trips to Kuala Kangsar, where the College was situated, to ensure that he adhered to his lessons. We travelled almost every alternate weekends and when his exams were nearing we traveled every weekend and put up at the Rest House which allowed us forward bookings in view of our regular patronage there.
Most occasions we had Akasyah Sabri to stay over at the Rest House to study with Izzat. It was hard going for us both physically and financially too but we felt we had to do it for the sake of Izzat’s inevitable failure if we did not do it! To say the least, Izzat was into all sorts of mischief which he only knows. Of course we had assumed Akasyah knew too but then he was too loyal to Izzat to reveal anything to us when questioned.
We decided not to probe any further and instead resorted to this regular weekend visits, which completely prevented Izzat from indulging in his past exploits. Of course, knowing Izzat, we could not underestimate his capability to miss out on his exploits at other days of the week. Collegians always find ways to circumvent personal obstacles and handicaps. That has always been our trademark !
We had a hard time with Izzat, but thank goodness, he made it in the end, just as the other three did too. On looking back at Izzat's case, I cannot help but realize a tinge in similarity to my earlier childhood days too, but then that was when I was with my grandparents then, which episode of my life I had touched on previously in my earlier articles. For me, it was the College which saved my life and made something out of me that contributes to what I am today - thank God for that !
Needless to say, we all have a share of life’s offer and without being philosophical we will all finally reach our goals, whatever those are, eventually, as the saying goes , “You reap what you sow”, which reminds me of a story which goes as follows :-
Three dead bodies turn up at the mortuary, all with very big smiles on their faces. The coroner calls the police to show them what's happened. A Detective Inspector is sent and is taken straight to the first body.
"Englishman, 60, died of heart failure whilst making love to his mistress. Hence the enormous smile, Inspector" says the Coroner.
The Detective Inspector is taken to the second dead man.
"Scotsman, 25, won a thousand pounds on the lottery, spent it all on whisky. Died of alcohol poisoning, hence the smile."
Nothing unusual here, thinks the Detective Inspector, and asks to be shown the last body.
"Ah" says the coroner, "this is the most unusual one. Irishman, 30, struck by lightning."
"Why is he smiling then?" inquires the Inspector.
"Thought he was having his picture taken", replies the coroner.
End of story!
written by Tunku Farid
edited by Aida Halim
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