Life is short.

Yesterday, it came to me as a very unsettling and extreme shock when i had come to know that my dear friend's brother had passed away. I could think even think nor did i know what to say as i just could not make myself come to realization that this had happened. As soon as i got home from college, i freshened up, changed my top and started to make my way to her house. Half way there, i realised that i had probably not dressed appropriately, i wasn't thinking straight as i had proceeded wearing my knee length stripped skirt with a top which gave a little more emphasis on my chest, unnecessarily. I quickly rushed back home, changed into a pair of jeans, a dress top, with a semi-cardigan and a scarf. Thank goodness that i had changed, as all the women at the house was covered head to toe. I met Shahzan, Abdullah and Adam M outside the house and i made my way inside the house. She met me as i removed my shoes and i stepped inside her house, one look at her face, her red eyes, swollen from crying from so much, she embraced me in a hug and whispered, "Sanam, today i lost my brother". These words alone were enough to break me completely. I wanted to howl and cry with her, slam my fists into the ground and just cry. Everything else just seemed to be a blur as i sat on her staircase with Ryo and Nabila, quietly talking to ourselves. I watched people come and go with their condolences and words of sorrow for this devastating occasion. I watched as she and her sister greeted every single person who entered the house, greeting them and bringing them into their home. I watched her mother sitting, praying beside his body, wrapped in sheets of white, acknowledging and mustering words here and there to those who approached her. I watched a mother, strong as a rock, occasionally overcome with intense grief as the tears she could not hold back seeped out of the corner of her eyes. I watched her sit next to the body of her deceased child, lost. People came and went, some stayed others departed after making a prayer or giving their sympathy to those family members affected by this death. I recognized a few familiar faces, teachers from Mutiara but mostly the relatives and close family members who I've come to familiarize myself with from the various occasions in the recent weeks.

Life is so short, we never know when our time is going to be up. We don't know when its our time to depart, to go to that place people speak of, "Heaven" or "Hell", various beliefs of people from different religions. We don't know what God has planned for us.

The last time i saw him, was a few weeks back.

He was so happy and looking well.

I hope that he lived his life happily as he looked, with no regrets.

I hope that he is in a better place now.

Rest in Peace, i know you're in a much better place now.

Alfatihah.