the birthday, the beach, the night

I attended an old friend's 21st birthday celebration at a very pretty chalet he managed to book during the weekend (the slots fill up months ahead there). He was a good friend I knew in primary school. We both played the violin, much to my surprise when I first learnt about it because he was such a punk (he still is. some things don't change). And also, we were in the same gang in class too.

Our gang did everything thinkable and anything unbelievable together. For example, we:
1. copied each others' homework like a factory process before silent reading everyday only to get suspiciously identical mistakes
2. always formed the same team to compete with the other clique in captain's ball during PE lessons. and we always cheered for our side to win as though it was the only thing that mattered
3. hanged out at the same corner of the hall during recess, arrowing a runner to buy food for the rest and bitching about just anything else at the benches.
4. even collaborated to share answers in spelling and tests to a high degree of proficiency.

Looks like primary school was much more fun than I even knew. 

All of us pretty much parted ways after PSLE and lost contact until another close friend mooted the idea of holding a class gathering after 4 years. Yes, 4 years. Wild, ambitious, crazy, whatever. We planned it, made it, had it, enjoyed it. Some people changed, others hardly. Not all were contactable or able to turn up of course. But at least, we knew most of us were doing well and had a good time at the reunion.

And yes, we invited the other half of the class too. Hey, we had become 4 years more mature too please!

By an interesting twist of fate, I met this dear old friend in camp during NS too. What a better way to see each other again 3 and a half years after that! No odd feelings, just good feelings. Yes, there's that time gap, but who cared! We were in for it together, towards ORD!

And we did.

--- 

Now, the birthday party. 

Time check: a jolly good 10 years. 

Time flies.
---

The place got a bit stuffy and I needed a breather. I decided to drag my army friend who was there too to take a walk by the beach, enjoy the sea breeze and sit down and gaze at the Singapore Straits. We strolled and made small talk as he smoked. We already knew just about what we needed to know about each other, maybe just a bit more gossip about other people and their lives, so it was mainly just silent strolling.

It didn't take too long to reach the seaside. Singapore's really that tiny, really. I'm always amazed that this tiny plot of land could actually develop and grow so fast.

For all the noise, stress and rubbish in our lives, the night was calm, the beach was peaceful, the fresh air was invigorating and most importantly, the silence was comforting.

Sat on the breakwater and gazed outwards. The feeling was indescribable. I just felt so at ease with myself. I suppose it was inner peace.

The sun was setting, the night sky had a rich hue of crimson red and the lights from the ships moored in the waters of the Singapore Straits dotted across the horizon. It seemed as though everything was at a standstill, nothing moving, nothing changing.

If not for the abominable mosquitoes that mounted a relentless all-round assault on my poor body, I would have stayed there and gazed at the beautiful sea view for hours.

---

As Apollo led his golden steeds back to the Palace of the Sun, 
the primordial deity Nyx stepped out of the shadows and began to take over the heavens,
bringing forth the night.

---

I just couldn't help but realise once again how fast time had past. Everyone around us is growing older by the day, myself included. I myself will very soon, as unwilling as I am, become 21 in less than 3 months time too. But then, I have to remind myself time after time that it is thus important to make the most of the time we have to do what our heart desires and not what others expect of us, to do what you can for others and not what others can do for you and, to just enjoy and treasure life before it is too late.

We can't escape the wrath of time, but at the very least, we can safe-keep all these precious memories, experiences and feelings we have had to savour them and share them with loved ones until the end of time.