There's still that surreal feeling that this time I have returned to Malaysia for good. I probably will no longer go back to the UK and will probably only rarely see the friends that I have just spent at least 5 years with. In fact, there were even some nostalgic feelings as I was leaving Preston, though that was mainly because I will miss all the lovely people there, such as Rehana and all the kind souls who taught and supported me during my clinical years.
I left Manchester at 1.55 pm on the 21st and left London at 10 pm. After checking in at Manchester, I lingered around the departure area for a while before going through to the departure gates. So I had a sandwich and a drink at the Costa Coffee where Kadir and I used to take a break before he left for Egypt at the end of his trips to the UK. Oh yes, I lingered (while reading a book, so it wasn't completely idle), as I felt that as soon as I pass through security, I'm leaving Manchester for good. It was hard because there was this painful feeling in the pit of my stomach but no tears would come out. It was like feeling overly nauseous, yet not being able to vomit. Oh the agony!
I spent some wonderful quality time with Kak Atun, Kak Tiqah and Chris, Kak Ayuni, Sarah, Wani, Hani and Dodo before we left. Faiz even called to say goodbye. It's difficult to fathom the fact that this means farewell and we don't know when our paths will cross again. I'm gonna miss everyone and their own unique wackiness: Aidah and her obsession with romance and curly hair, Aishah's shamelessness which is no different from mine, Fatimah's delicious soto and magnetic attraction to cameras, Sarah's coolness and dependability, Dodo's boyish charm (I can't believe I'm writing this!), Faiz's vanity and loudness, Imree's awkward goofiness and Zaid's intellectual discussions and random trivia. Please do keep in touch, guys and gals!
Oh yes, and congratulations to all of us for making it through the five years together! Couldn't have done without you!
Fatimah and Dodo were MIA due to being in the hall, and Aidah was, erm, probably with her family.
