~JcZw

12.20 am in the morning and somehow I'm still awake. Thinking. About many things.

Do you see over a thousand students? Dazzling in their white uniforms? Green badges, each bearing an eagle riding on their left side of their chest. Do you see the hall? Row upon row of tables. The students stare with trepidation.

Do you see the other people. Stern and composed, sharp contrast to the nervous students. Do you see their papers? Papers that would decide the next two years, possibly their very careers. Nestled in their hands. Emotionless pads that could bring joy or sadness.

The students step in. Some with quick eager steps. Some with calm measured strides. Some sidle in, unwilling to face the fight in front of them.

Do you see their happiness? 19th November 2004. Its raining. Rain pours down like tears. Those of laughter or those of sadness? Who cares. Relief is shown visibly. Students laught. Cry. Hug. Elation. Joy. Rain. The students step into the open. Freedom. The sky darkens. Rain pours. But everyone celebrates. A new chapter of life will start. They forget. So fast, they forget what they have just completed. It seems so far away just 10 minutes after its over.

Do you see over a thousand students? Resplendant. Uniforms of white, just as it had been just a little while before. Green. Blue. Khaki. Beige. Beige. Beige. All eyes turn to the new crest. Gold. Red. Nil Sine Labore. A new home.

Do you hear their cheers? Do you see them dancing? Do you see them bonding? Such bonds that are only uniquely tied in this time of the life. This is where they belong. This is where they want to belong. They want to stay. Can they stay?

Do you see their anxiety? Not many do. It remains hidden. Mentioned once in a while. Not often. No one thinks about it. No one would. Its too early. Do you see them split up? The calender shows that the first week has ended. Another environment to get used to. Do you see them survey each other. Studying and sizing up fellow classmates. From different backgrounds, different schools. SJI. AHS. RGS. TKGS. VS. DHS. MSHS. CGS. NYGS. Do you see them making friends? The ice breaks. The first day. Already they begin to bond. The third day. Already they begin to go out together. Friends. New friends.

Do you see them interacting? Do you see them cooperating? Do you see their enthusiasm? The fire of a smouldering barbeque. The lapping waves at the Esplanade. The crowd of orchard road. The hushed silence of the aiport. The wooden stage of the concourse. The canteen at 10.25 am. Do you see them having fun? The silence of the lecture theatre. Broken by the odd chuckle. The odd guffaw. The tuitorial classrooms. Interacting with the teachers. Having a good time. Learning. The field at mid-morning. Running. Sweating. Lungs bursting. They did it together. Do you see them learning and developing?

The calender wheels towards the end of the second month. Do you see them threatened? Do you see their fear? Do you see the class pull closer? As a flock does when it is threatened with seperation. Do you feel the tension in the air? It is tangible. A cold fist that squeezes and wrings the fear from your heart. Do you see the tears? The laughter, reassurance. More tears. And so the cycle goes. They cannot reassure others if they themselves are not assured. Promises. They will stay if it is humanly possible. They talk.

And they pray. God will help. He has done so. They have seen it. In the lives of others. It is rare that a class can stay together. It is not impossible. God brings peace of mind. He brings reassurance. He picks out the best path. He will help.

And they will rest. It is late. It is now 12.44 35 sec. am. February 28 2005. Possibly the worst, and yet, the best night that they will be having. Not many will sleep well. But know that God is with you. He is always with you.

They call themselves S15. S15. The best class that could ever be formed. So many memories have they given. So many have they been received. They will receive many more to come next time. So many friends. The best friends. Friends whom you miss just over a single weekend. Friends whom you can dream about at night.And with God's grace, they will.

Dear God, please give all of us peace and the courage to face tomorrow. You are always with us, you will always decide the best path for us. Thank you for all the memories you have let us have in these 2 months. We appreciate so much the time you have let us spend together. Give us the faith to always trust in you. No matter what may happen tomorrow.

In Jesus' Name, Amen