A DAY I SHALL NEVER FORGET It was a day I shall never forget. She lef without a word a word.

I looked at her pale face and cold body. My tears just flowed. I still remember vividly that fate ful day. A phonecall from Melaka brought news that my beloved grandmother had met with an accident. To me, she was the dearest and most important person in my life. No more will I see her chubby cheeks and warm smile on her lips. On that day, she had gone out to buy some gifts. She had told her neighbour that she wanted to visit us in Muar. On her way back along a busy street, she was knocked down by a speeding car. My grandmother was in a coma and she never regained consciousness. The police could not contact or trace nearest kin for she did not have her identity card with her. My grandfather became very suspicious that something was amiss and searched everywhere for her. Finally he found her in the general hospital! Obviously, someone had mentioned to him about the road accident earlier. It was already six in the evening. At once, my grandfather contacted us. My grandmother had suffered a very serious brain injury and the doctors were trying their best to save her. We left Muar immediately but when we arrived at Merlimau, my uncles mobile phone rang. The person at the other line sadly told us that grandmother had just passed away. Our hearts broke and we were sobbing uncontrollably. She was still young, only 60 years old. It was very painful to know that no one was by her side at the very moment of her death. I remember the advice she had given me all these years. I treasure the things that she had left for me the pictures that we had taken together, which I would cherish forever. I will never, ever forget the day she left us. May god bless her and may her soul rest in peace.

A FRIEND Have you ever had someone in your life who helped you figure out who you are? Someone whp showed you the right path. Someone who would be there for you even if you did not take that path. Someone who would always seemed to be right, but never held it against you when you were not. Someone whom without, your life would most likely be entirely different. I have and her name was Melissa. Melissa was more than my neighbour, she was more than my mentor and confidante. She was my best friend. Melissa lived three houses down from me when I moved into a new neighbourhood. She made moving to a new neighbourhood a lot easier. She was one of those persons who was a friend to everyone. She was a friend to everyone because she was so special. She was always in a good mood. She always had something pleasant to say, and no matter what was going on, she could get you to smile. Melissa was a few years older than me. I was in the Form One and she was in form four when we met. She was tall for her age and practically towered over me. She always kept her long black hair pulled back into a pony tail because she was a bit of a tomboy and liked to be athletic. But when she let it down, it waved in the gentle breeze, and there was no more doubt that she was a girl.. her facial features were soft. She also had the deepest brown eyes that sparkle brightly. When she flashed her pearly white teeth, she would light up an entire room. Wherever she was, there would be laughter, smiles and happiness spreading out like some sort of delightful virus. She would listen to you. She would be your friend, even if she just met you. I cannot remember a time when she had something unpleasant to say about someone. That was one of the many valuable lessons I learnt from her and it had become a part of my life. She seemed to know everything. Each time I had a perplexing question, I knew she would have the answer for me. Her wisdom spanned several subjects, ranging from textbook lessons to life lessons. She taught me by example. She showed me that it was a waste of time and energy to get mad, upset or angry or so irrational that I let myself to be controlled by my emotions. She was always calm, patient and even tempered when faced with people who were les than pleasant to be around. I learnt from watching her deal with people, that being nice never fails. And I learned from watching her deal with the situations life would present that as long as you gave everything you had, and never quit you could never be beaten. Melissa was truly an amazing friend. She was a true friend. . I could always depend on her being there for me with the right words of advice, even if I do not want to hear what she was saying. She knew how perilous the journey of adolescence could be. She informed and guided me in my choices. Yet she never forced anything on me. My mistakes were for me to make. But, she would be right there to steer me back once I had realized what had done. I know for a fact that my life and attitudes towards life would be different if I had never known Melissa. There were so many times in my life when I would have been completely lost without her kind words and comforting voice to soothe and shepherd me. Although Melissa is now away at college and not here to share my trials and tribulations, she will forever be with me, in my heart. I will never forget

the lessons that she has taught me.. most of all, I appreciate her genuine and warm friendship. Thank you for being my friend, Melissa.