Memories..

I remember smells very well. And I always associate them with the place, time or person I smell the fragrance or odour from.

Do you know that you can wear the same perfume and yet it smells slightly different on different people?

I used to be interested in this person who used Farenheit as if the person actually bathed in it. My nose is pretty sensitive and everytime I went near this person, I actually kept sneezing non-stop. But of course, because of my interest, I bear the pain (of having to wipe my nose several times to a point it was so sore) to be near this person.

Then, when I started to be a Potter, one of the Heads used Farenheit too. I was amazed that I could identify the smell but it smelt different on him. The essence of the smell was still there, identifiable as Farenheit, but it was distinctively his smell. That was when I realized perfume can smell differently on different people.

I woke up this morning and looked out of the window. The air smelt slightly burnt and suddenly, the thought of my OBS adventure came to my mind. Haiz.. that was 14 years ago. You know, memories are very associative. And instantly, it reminded of my first love.

I had a five-day adventure at OBS and from there, I learnt that you just don't need physical strength to overcome obstacles. From OBS, I learn humility and teamwork. From OBS, I had a taste of my first love.

His name is Daniel Goh. He used to stay at Jalan Senyum (I don't know if he still stays there). I think he is one year older than me and was studying at St Hilda's Secondary School. I was quite a stalker huh? He wasn't good-looking but he was very charismatic and a born leader. He was humble and yet, commands the respect of the whole watch. I think I fell in love with him on the second day. I was very impressed with his abilities and character. Alas.. he never even gave me a second glance. He knew my existence but treated me just as how he treated the other girls.

Ironically, I was courted by another boy who was also in my watch. We called him Jetty. He was very handsome and actually had a very nice name but we couldn't stand his bragging. Now that I am a Potter, I realise that was all for attention. He came from one of the notorious schools in Singapore but that was besides the point. The point is.. he kept bragging (loudly) from Day One to Day Five. Not that we dislike him, but it got too much at times. He actually asked me to be his girlfriend on Day Four!!! Gosh.. imagine how shocked I was? I was interested in Daniel (who was actually on good terms with Jetty. Only Daniel could stand his braggings.) and yet, I was courted by another boy. So sad..

Of course I declined. I did not want my first boyfriend to be a braggart, right? And I regretted not approaching Daniel because that was the last time I saw him.

When I was in TJ, I had to take 152 to school. That was when I passed Jalan Senyum twice everyday. And everyday, I told myself to alight and walk through Jalan Senyum in case I might bump into Daniel. But I didn't. Stupid, right?

So what happened to Jetty? A few years ago, I read in the papers that he was stabbed by a secret society member. He actually managed to go to the police station but I think he died there. When he was courting me then, he actually asked a girl who was close to me in the watch for help. The girl asked me, "Do you mind being with a person so that he can better?" I told her that as long as I love the person, I don't mind. But if there is no feelings, why should I be with that person just to make sure he's going through the right path?

Once a while I will wonder, if I had said yes, would Jetty still be alive today. I'm not such an angel but if I could have played a part, maybe he won't turn so bad after all.

As for Daniel, wish you all the best in the world. You are one boy who made me cry for my unrequited love and it took me nearly three years to get over you (crazy right? I only knew him for FIVE DAYS)!!! That is when I realised, it doesn't matter how long you know the person; you can know a person for a lifetime and you won't even fall for that person. And Daniel, to my 15-year old self, you will always be SAT (sounds like MUD.. Chinese word, hor!) to me.