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It all started with ‘Facebook’, a popular social media application that has impacts on
ed many people’s lives, be it positive or negative depending on how individuals
themselves perceive and use it.

Yeah…facebook. I will never forget the day when I received a ‘friend request’ from Formatted: Indent: First line: 0", Line spacing: Multiple
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Amar through Facebook. He requested me to be his friend. Usually, those unknown
people who requested to be an online friend with me, will be left ignored. I would
never easily approve them just because for myI am extra carefulness towards about
making friends with strangers. Surprisingly, it that was not the case for with Amar.
When I looked at his profile picture and some of his posted pictures on the application
and having an adorable looks, I felt somethingwarmed up towards him., not to fall in
love with him but just to be a close friend with him. I was trying so hard to recall about
him as maybe we had met each other before in any events or maybe he was one of
the students that I bumped into in any inter-school programmes. However, nothing
appeared in my mind about this guy. Therefore, I think he was a total stranger who
just came into my life.

Then, without much thinking much further, I clicked the button ‘approve’ on his Formatted: Line spacing: Multiple 1.15 li
friend request. In just Aa few moments later, he sent me a private message, thanking
me for accepting him as his a friend. I was over the moon getting his message. Since
then, we kept messaging each other, from facebookFacebook to whatsappsWhatsApp.
When messaging was not enough, Sometimes we did would make telephone callsand
as well as video calls. , as for us, messaging was not enough to make us even closer.
Deep inside, I felt something about our friendship was becoming stronger. I liked
him, he liked me and we liked each other. Our friendship was so strong. Besides liking
and commenting on each other’s updated status on all social media that we had, we
did always chatting on phone and messaging. Wishing good morning and good night
to one another was definitely a must and in between we shared all stories and photos
of the days.

Days went by and without me realiszing it, it had been 3 months that we had been
a close and special friend onlinesince we became friends on Facebook. As students we
were so busy with our studies and homework but we could spare our little time left to
contact each other. However,so we still have not gotten any chance to meet up in
person.

There was aOne day that he asked me to go out onfor a date. But I refused. I gave
my best reason which was we both needed to study for our PT3 examination at the
end of this year. He kept asking. Besides, I was in decline as I was afraid that after
meeting me, he could leave me as I was much far below than his expectation. I am just
an ordinary girl, nothing special in me compared to him as he was good looking, and
kind hearted as prince charming who is always being chased by all girls.
 Finally I surrendered myselfagreed to haveing a date with him. It was all about to Formatted: Indent: First line: 0.29", Line spacing: Multiple
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prove that I was really honest of being such a close friend with him. The day finally
arrived. I was in a total nervous wreck. My hands were wet and shaking continuously.
I came earlier to make me settle down with myself. Sitting at one corner of the fast
food restaurant, I kept asking myself whether I hadve made the best decision to meet
him. Would our friendship remain strong or vice versa after the meeting? So many
things came into my mind.

“Hi, are you Nana?” I heard a woman’s voice on my left calling my name. I turned. Formatted: Line spacing: Multiple 1.15 li
I saw a smiling lady in her mid fourties standing next close to me.

“Yes, I am Nana…and I am sorry, you are?” I asked the lady. She sat in front of me,
still smiling while putting her handbag on the chair beside her.

“I am Puan Nora. Amar’s mother..” she said but this time sno smile on her face
this time. She looked very serious. Then she continued.

“I know all about you. You are currently the only one of his close friend of his Formatted: Indent: First line: 0.33", Line spacing: Multiple
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online. Frankly speaking, I don’t like it. As you know, since you are still young,, just a
form 3 student as him, this is not a right time for you both of you to build aup
relationship. It worries me a lot that you Even though just being a good friend, it would
go to some extents that both of you will go beyond friendship, maybe falling in love to
with each other and eventually, and the worst part you both tend to forget
aboutneglect your studies. That worries me a lot…”

I nodded without realizing. I did not have a courage to look at her. Looking at her eyes Formatted: Indent: First line: 0", Line spacing: Multiple
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would definitely showing her my eyes were started to cry. The feeling of sad deep
inside of me made me just kept quiet. Then she continued.

“You know what, since you came into his life, eventhough it was just through Formatted: Indent: First line: 0.33", Line spacing: Multiple
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online, he has become a different boy. He is not performing well in his studies
anymore. His results are getting worst. He could not focus in class. and somehow Hhe
always does not obey my advice to go to tuition classes and do his homework. I have
been observing him that he always keeps his handphone with him,He spends all night
chatting and calling using his handphone. Until one day…” she stopped and I know she
was still looking at me and hoping I would look into her eyes. But I did not dare, I was
waiting eagerly for her to continue.

“Yeah… until one day, I confronted him. I pushed him tomade him tell me Formatted: Line spacing: Multiple 1.15 li
everything about the person on his phone that he was busy withyou. After being
threatened of me telling this issue to his father, finally he confessed and told me
everything. I have no choice. I have to put a stop to all this nonsense. I took his
handphone and contacted you by texting as if I am Amar. I set this appointment to
meet you personally. So here I am.”
 I was shocked. I thought all this while Amar was the one who really wanted to
meet me. Apparently, his mother was the one who set the date of the meeting so she
could, taking chance to meet me just to break our friendship.

“Puan Nora, I am sorry and I understand. I know I am wrong. I did not know that
Amar’s results were deteriorating ever since we becaome friends. He did not say that.”
I admitted my mistakes to Puan Nora even though I was totally
dissappointeddisappointed with her words.

“Nana, listen here. Being students, both of you have to focus on your studies and
do not let friendship ruins your studies. You just know each other through online. Well,
Tthere are a lot of bad things that could happen through online friendship because
you do not know the person in real life. Besides, you both of you are going to sit for
PT3 examination at the end of this year. So, do focus on your study. Make your parents
proud of you, Nana with your excellent results of PT3. It same goes to me as well. As
a single parent of him, I want Amar to gets an excellent results in his PT3. I am really
sure that he can do his best in his exam but it can be achieved if you are no longer
with him. To me, I am sorry but, you are just a distraction for him to get his succeedess
in academically”

“I know Puan Nora. Again, I am so sorry.” I said.

“That is good ifI am glad that you understand, Nana. Please do not contact him
anymore. You Bboth of you can move on and go youron separate ways. Be a good girl.
Thank you.” Having said that, she went away and left me alone feeling confused. I was
totally blurred.devastated.