Getaway PD

Bismillahirrahmaanirraheem...

In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Beneficient

I've had a weekend getaway with highschool (clique) friends last week. It was planned, 10 years ago...when we were 15.

When I met them back, it felt all too surreal...and awkward.

I know this is getting somewhat journal kind of thing, but bear with me.

Truth is, I've never been especially good at reconnecting with people I used to know (except for the INTIANs, and special sisters who stay together regardless). Given a period of time, things get frighteningly awkward...and I just lose the friendliness altogether. Honestly, ideally I would still want to keep the memories and stay friendly, but realistically it didn't just happen the way I imagined it.

Digression aside...there's a lot of catching up done with said high school friends. And you know what, I was and still am terribly surprised to know what each of us has gone through to become who we are today.

At 25, some has gone through the test of betrayal, backstabbing, depression, heartache/heartbroken, loss of parents et cetera.

When listening to their stories, I felt like the biggest jerk because I have never ever understood their struggles and it felt so painful to listen to their recounted experiences. One friend almost broke down recounting hers, but all of us listened intently.

Because we have never heard about it so openly told before. 'Cause we thought she was so tough. And strong. How could a person so strong break? Yet, that night she looked so vulnerable, and I could tell that she finally felt better telling us about it.

The depth of each of the test was unthinkable...that I felt it is almost impossible that my friends, yes, them have grown so much from those tests.

It makes me keep thinking, that Allah tested each and everyone of us so that it provides us chances to be more patient, more resilient, more forbearance, and most importantly to be a stronger individual.

I learnt too that you gotta be strong for your own sake. People don't give a dang about you, because they are just more self-conscious about themselves and they're busy battling their tests too.

You just gotta be strong.

And keep moving forward.

Look ahead of the difficulties, and see what lies beyond the trials.

Go on, be vulnerable. Constructively wallow. Thread through all the pains. Allow yourself to grow through those painful emotions.

'Cause you know what?

At the end of the rainy days, you gonna be a better fighter of your own.

InsyaAllah!