再續前緣

時間真的是一種很玄的概念。上中學時，總覺得日子難過。彷彿一瞬間，不惑之年已不再遙遠。

同學們告別校園後，便各奔前程。有的選擇了深造，打工，成家，立業，或走自己的路。同窗之情，也隨著時間，漸漸流失在生活的各種瑣碎當中。而我，也同樣的背著對前途的憧憬，野心，困惑，還有一份從不言敗的驕傲，一筆筆的給自己人生的壁畫，絵上色彩。

時間，就這樣在忙與盲當中流失了。驀然回首，畢業經已20年。

但在我心裡總是有一把聲音，常常我耳邊念念碎。每年大掃除時翻到舊照片，難免會忍不住緬懷一番。這聲音時而如蚊吟，時而洪鐘，時而不聞。它，從來沒有消失過，只是偶爾潛伏著，等待著下一次的突擊。

去年三月的某一天，心中這煩躁又來無端騷擾。終於忍不住了，便在Facebook里輸入了1991年高三文商3，盼望能尋會失散了的同學們。本來也不敢抱著很高的期望，但出乎意料之外，原來瑞強，淑慧，嘉娣，添順已經成立了一個小組。欣喜若狂之際，馬上要求加入。那時心裡七上八下的，擔心他們已忘記了我。畢竟也失聯了那麼久。

驚喜的是，他們不但沒有忘記，還給予我一個很熱誠的歡迎。我也把佩心，慧妮，心怡介紹了進去。

後來不曉得哪位英雄提出要搞一個20年畢業聚會，而且要把它搞大。大家馬上就接受了這個好主意。剛開始時，也只是說說而已，大家也不太認真。當時間越來約靠近時，大家慢慢便活躍起來了。同學們都自動自發的參與：有的要做主持人，攝影師，財政，查賬，安排流程。有的到處去找失散了的同學的通訊方法，有的照著通訊錄一個個的通知，有的找場地，有的報效，有的樂捐。每個同學為了這難得的聚會，都自動自發的不計回報的付出。淑慧與嘉娣還邀請了我們高三時的班主任，Mr. Goh.

我有時想，大家都這麼熱忱，那把在我心中念念碎的聲音，一定也同時活在他們心裡吧？

好不容易的終於熬到了聚會當天。和外家親戚吃了午飯後，便啓程往岜都去了。原本三小時的路程，因為華人新年的關係，再加上柔佛水災，我們用了大約四各多小時才到達。雖然這樣，我和太太還是滿懷喜樂，期待著和老同學們的重聚。

到達了場地之後，有好幾位同學已經到了。緊接著，同學們一位一位的出現了。大家就好像從來沒有分別過的樣子，握手，問候，擁抱，胡扯。之間的互動，是故友式的, 大家都開著只有摯友才能開的玩笑。原本一點點的隔閡，也漸漸的融化了。當我們重播同樂會影片時，雖然音響效果極差，大家還是很興奮的看完，細細的重溫著我們年輕的瘋狂。

回想到當天的聚會，讓我感動的不只是因為我們當晚準備的節目很棒，又或是雖然和家人有約，工作需要，同學們還都盡力的出席。這些都讓我很感動。

更感動的是，雖然分開了已經20年，我們現在又有一個重新去對彼此相知的機會。而當我們在這個殘酷無情的企業化生活里打滾而受傷，感到孤立，無助的時候，同學們的友情20年里都沒有改變。這是多值得慶祝與驕傲的事啊！

對我最愛的朋友和同學們，我要打從心底向你們致謝。謝謝你們給我心中那一把聲音一個交代，也謝謝你們當晚的出席。

最後，謝謝你們給大家一個再續前緣的機會。

Together once more

It has been 20 years since we graduated from high school, and most of us have not crossed paths ever since we left school on that fated last day. We ventured into different direction of life with the same degree of enthusiasms, ambitions and confusions. As we bid farewell to each other we armed ourselves with the imaginary invincibility, believing that the world is our oyster.

Then some of us further studied, became professionals, built businesses, started family, or just merely gained weight.

And just like that, 20 years came to pass as if a stone has been dropped into the quiet water, vanished with only the ripples to remind us of its once proud significance.

For me, there is always a little fainted voice in my heart that reminded me of my root, and of my dearest friends and comrades with whom I sit, fought, danced, sang, cried and laughed. Sometimes the little voice became louder, sometimes mute, but it has always been there.

One day last March, the little voice became just a little too irrefutable. So I searched for our class and year in Facebook, not hoping for any result. To my surprise, few of our classmates have set up a page with pictures from their gathering last year. I immediately requested to join the group, not expecting them to remember me.

Instead, they welcomed me with open arms, and I soon added them to my list of friends. I have also recommended a few classmates whom I still have the privilege of keeping in touch with to join the group. The group grew slowly but steadily.

Then someone suggested that we should have a BIG reunion for our 20 years anniversary. The idea was immediately approved of. I guessed, just like me, deep down everyone must have the same little voice.

For a while nothing was being done, and as the deadline was closing in, the momentum was suddenly getting intense. Everyone was volunteering to take part in the organization. Some offered to be the MC, the photographer, the treasurer, the shopper and the list went on. Friends started scouting for suitable places, searching for long lost classmates, compiling phone book, calling everyone on the phone book, and all sort of activities just blossomed like wild mushrooms after the rain. We even invited our form teacher, Mr. Goh, to join us.

Fast forward to the event itself. We started our journey to Batu Pahat after having lunch with Crystal's cousins. It took us a little more than 4 hours to reach our destinations due to the heavy Chinese New Year traffic. Despite the long journey, my wife and I were both in good spirits and were hoping to see old friends again.

And then one by one, they showed up. As if we have not parted at all, we started shaking hands, hugging, joking, laughing and drinking the way that only closed friends could. We simply picked up from where we left off.

Although we prepared some activities and games to get everyone warm-up, they were all redundant. All of us were zoomed in when the video was playing, giggling, laughing and poking each other, and the dusted memories became clear once again.

What touched me was not only the fact that the programs we prepared were amazing (well they were alright), or how everyone chipped in to help, or how everyone showed up despite challenges in their work or with family members. On top of all these, what really touched my heart, when the dusts eventually settled, was that although we have spent the last 20 years apart, we were given a chance to renew our friendship. I now realize that although sometimes I felt abandoned and lonely struggling in the cold, cruel corporate world, our friendship is still how it was 20 years ago, untouched, protected, treasured and now growing.

It is rare and fortunate to have friends like that. I had an accident prior to the reunion dinner and immediately they were offering all sort of helps, without me even asking for them. If these actions do not represent their genuine and caring friendship, I have no idea what does.

To my dearest friends and comrades, you have my deepest gratitudes for your everlasting friendship. Thank you for giving meaning to the little voice in my head, and thank you for making the effort to be with us.

Most important of all, thank you for giving us the opportunity to be together once more.