Orbituary

Deceased: Abdul Rahman b. Sirajudeen

As mentioned above, one of our friends has met a terrible fate on August the 7th 2005 while on a weekend holiday in Teluk Batik. Due to a big sea current, he was swept off from the beach into the open sea at around 4.00 p.m. and drowned. Together with him were his two other siblings. All but Abdul Rahman were rescued by the father. Abdul Rahman could not be found.

At about 9.00 a.m. yesterday, his body was found by the police. News of his sudden and tragic death reached the school at 1.00 o'clock in the afternoon. I was having my lunch at a quarter to two when the news reached me. At first, I was skeptical and full of disbelief. It wasn't until one of my friends said that the funeral was going to be held at 2.30 p.m. that I realised that I, too, like many other students, have lost a friend and potential school debater.

I was actually about to go for my group study when the news came. As I was the president of the Michaelian Debaters' Club and he was one of my juniors and also a friend, I felt compelled and determined to leave the group study for a while to attend his funeral service. I was then joined by Nicholas Cheong, who is now the new club president.

Although the funeral service was to be held at 2.30 p.m., it wasn't until about ten minutes later that the casket arrived at the mosque in front of the school. As he was in the Michaelian Military Band, most of the band members came too to pay him their last respects. As they walked in and paid him their final tributes, most of them couldn't hold their tears when they came out. I went in also to pay him my last respects and when I saw him, I was still doubting whether I was on solid ground or in a dream. Before I left, I saw Jeevita (my ex-lady headprefect) weeping and sobbing. Vidthya and Tjun Kong, her friends, were there to comfort and console her. Such touching moments made me almost broke down as well.

Abdul Rahman had been involved in several activities, among them in activities held by the Michaelian Military Band, the Michaelian Debaters' Club and also the La Sallian Convention as one of the delegates of St. Michael's Institution. He had many friends who grieved his loss. His news had certainly sent a shockwave to the whole school, including the teachers. Abdul Rahman had been very attached to many, if not all.

Today, during our daily assembly, his death was related by the principal and a short prayer session was held for him. During the prayer, many again cried and it wasn't until I reached my classroom that I also eventually became so overwhelmed and broke down. The final time I met him was last Friday, August the 5th, after school hours when he was carrying a xylophone and was passing by me. He met me and wished me a hello, which I returned. The thought of his death came so sudden that everyone was dumbstruck.

Let this be a lesson that death is always there to remind us that there is actually no tomorrow. We are to make the best of whatever time we have. Although we can defy human laws, we just cannot defy the law of nature.

God bless his soul. Rest in peace, my friend.