CHAPTER 10

Despite the discouraging experience with the Cinema Club, the following year saw me become an active member of a few other societies, namely the French Club, Arts & Craft, Literary & Debating Society and the Badminton Club. These kept me busy the whole year. The French Club was to organise its first poetry writing and reciting contest, Arts & Craft a major exhibition before the end of the third semester, in conjunction with Speech Day. Debating Society planned to have a glitzy annual Language Night in the middle of the second semester. We had to give that year's affair extra attention as several neighbouring schools -- some of which our rivals -- were invited to participate. And since students at DR Residential were familiar with at least three languages -- Bahasa Melayu, English and French -- our school principal thought it would be a good idea to incorporate all three in the show. On top of that, the Badminton Club was organising intraschool tournaments to select players for the school team. I was busy as a bee.

All the running about -- meetings, scoutings, practices, rehearsals -- gave me great opportunity to interact with a lot of students, something that I did not think I could do before. Students began to notice me, teachers thought I had great potential as a leader. My roommate Ben was happy as I had decided to finally come out of my shell. I soon found myself among the popular crowd, and got invited to the best functions and parties held at the school.

My third year was less hectic. I was relieved of some of my club activities in view of the lower certificate examination that I had to sit for at the end of that year. The exams would determine whether I could still qualify to continue my education at DR Residential, or face expulsion. The school was dead serious about producing only the best.

Despite the monumental pressure to study hard, I found myself emotionally falling in love with one student, and physically lusting after another.