Fact is truly, truly stranger than fiction.

Mrs Chandra (My principal in IIS when I was form 5) told me and Dee to write the story of the boy who ran away from home.

But I couldn't back then. Not really.

And now, I know why.

It's because Miel didn't get his happy ending yet. Not at the time.

And now, he has.

After running away, and going back to his abusive parents, his sister decided to run for it too (again). And, again, with the same circle of friends to help. I'm glad that it was one of us who allowed her to sleepover and sent her to the train station.

Then she went to the embassy. And then, history.

So, now, they're with their grandparents. And finally, after so long, they reunited with their real mother again, in their beloved country. And their stepmum and father were no longer to be seen.

And from sleeping on the cement floor with 30 lashes on their backs, and bite marks on their shoulders, they went to the luxurious life. How lucky.

And I, for one, am happy, glad and relieved that they got their happy ending. That luck was on their side.

They were good kids. They did nothing wrong. Even when they told the truth, they were abused.

And now. Life is sweet for them. And I know of no one more deserving.

I remember when he ran away from home. He called me. And he didn't even tell me. It was Father's Day.

Our classmate welcomed him with open arms. As did we. As did we planned and schemed and escaped, narrowly, I might add, from the clutches of the predators. I even called up an old friend to ask him to keep this stranger to him in his house.

Running from one place to the other, we were young. Foolish, we may have been. But the scar?

It's for life.

We had to grow up in our own ways. Even when we weren't ready. We were forced to face reality far harsher than others. And though we were in two different pains, two very different situations...we were able to lean on each other. For that, I am thankful.

Oh, Miel. Thank you for being a great friend. Thank you for being there with me through my pain. Thank you for still coming to see me before flying off, leaving me behind. I miss you. And I hope that you'll continue to be happy.

P/S, Thanks for the loose tee. And I'm sorry you didn't get to go to prom. You were supposed to be my date!

Friends forever!

Review on Taylor Swift's new album: RED.

RED 

Okay. So the name sounds nice. I really was looking forward to it.

So for a 16 track album, I was quite disappointed. I didn't love it.

State of Grace.
Red.
Treacherous.
I knew you were trouble.
All too well.
22.
I almost do.
We are never ever getting back together.
Stay stay stay.
The last time.
Holy Ground.
Sad Beautiful Tragic.
The Lucky One.
Everything has changed.
Starlight.
Begin again.

I guess it's her age that's making her as such. But Adele's 21 is more heartfelt, to me.

On a positive note, I did like Red, I Almost Do, The Last Time, Sad Beautiful Tragic and Begin Again. Although the harmony in Everything Has Changed was...quite melodious.

Red really is relatable somehow to 19 year olds.

I liked I Almost Do because I feel like it's something that somehow answers a question that has always been playing in my head. If she was a guy, that is.

The Last Time, which is a duet with Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol, describes perfectly what some 'couples' go through at her age. It's the time that you stand there, looking at his as he looks at you. And it's the last time. The last time you're gonna stand there and watch him. And try to memorize each moment...each freckle on his face...every inch of him before you let go.

Then, you can sing Sad Beautiful Tragic. Because the love affair ended. But what made me listen to this song constantly (other than RED) is because of the lyrics. Somehow, what I felt from it was so...wow. I guess it's Taylor Swift's kind of ballad/lullaby. Basically, my favorite line was "And you've got your demons and darling, they all look like me." When I heard that line, I was like, that's the Taylor Swift I fell in love with! And, notably, relatable to girls her age.

Then, there's Begin Again. I don't know why I love it. Just listen to it.

I didn't really like the other songs, although, I'm sure that, as most Taylor Swift's songs are, they are very...relatable.

If someone believed me, they would be as in love with you as I am.

Aku lebih rela begini.

You don't generate feelings from your mind. They come from the heart.

Once you fall in love, you will love that person forever.

You were the answer to my silent prayers.

It was stole glances.

Now it's down to stares.

So who will win this stare-down?

We're both at losing ends.

You're hurt too.

You're hurt too.

That's what they keep telling me.

Of course I miss you. Of course.

I thought you were my soulmate.

Fact is stranger than fiction.

"You don't try your hardest at something for over a year then just give up."

He watches you. He watches you as you eat in silence.

And his eyes?

They burn with a pain that you know so well.

Water glistening behind the macho facade.

As the green ice cream becomes witness.

You wanted to yell. To scream. To take his hand and cry.

Instead?

You sit there.

You watch him.

As he watches you.

Studying every inch of his face.

Knowing. Knowing that that would be it.

Why? Why? WHY?

You ask without an answer in sight.

It's been a long time coming.

But know this. If a guy is strong enough to show his heart to you. Able to look into your eyes and withstand the tears that threaten to flow.

Know that this is one that you will always remember. To the end of time.

Because no guy would cry in front of you unless you're it.

You're the one.

And he's just too stupid or blind.

Or you're just too stupid or blind.

To see that he just wants what's best for you.

For you.

Haruskah ku bilang cinta? Hati senang tapi bimbang ada cemburu juga rindu...

Alhamdulillah.

Tuhan telah memakbulkan doaku dalam masa yang singkat.

Hari tu doa. Hari tu makbul.

Melihat awak tersenyum, membuat ku senang hati.

I love your smile.

I love you.