SUCH IS LIFE

FORGING BONDS

Izz was speechless. He wasn't the most virtuous individual, but he had his values. Rina always reminded him that you are what you surround yourself with, and Bella's statement was making Izz really question whether he should associate himself with her at all. Izz shifted his stance so that he was directly facing Bella and looked her in the eye. "Alcohol?" Izz asked.

Bella nodded.

"Partying and getting drunk?"

Bella nodded.

"Late into the night?"

Bella nodded.

Izz sighed miserably. "No. I'm just...not that kind of person, alright," Izz said. Bella frowned. "Well, you're no fun," she pouted. Izz shrugged. "Maybe I am".

Weeks later, Izz was tapping his fingers on a table, waiting for the others to come. First, Wafi came. Then, came Aniq. Later, Aleesya arrived. Hani and Haziq followed soon after. Lastly, was Alisya and Mimi. Each person, with the exception of Hani and Haziq, and Alisya and Mimi, occupied a separate shed. They were at the park. A stone path encircled the park, and sheds were scattered throughout, on the outer rim. On one side was a basketball court, and on the other was the playground Izz used to play at. There was also a square stone area where old folk do yoga, and a spot where the calisthenics dudes would work out on the pull up bar and parallel bars.

Once everyone had arrived, Izz clapped his hands and stood up. "Alright, gather round," he announced.

Haziq was the first to come, with Hani hiding behind him. Aniq and Wafi glared at each other and sauntered over, standing on opposite ends, not taking their eyes off each other. Alisya and Mimi came up with bright smiles on their faces. Lastly, Aleesya came, leaning on one side. "Whose idea was this, eh, Izz?" Haziq asked. Izz brushed the question aside, remembering how it was Riza who sparked the idea of gathering all his friends, and Rina came up with what to do next.

His hands still clasped together, and a wide grin on his face, Izz began. "Okay, everyone. Some of you know each other, some of you don't; some of you know each other but haven't spoken to each with one another for years," Izz spoke, his eyes meeting the people who correlated with each description.

"Now, I would like to thank you for accepting my request to come here; and yes, as promised, there will be free food," Izz continued, his lips twitching a bit at thought of how much he had spent on said food. "Let's make a line, and what we'll do, is greet the person next to us, then the person next to that person, and so on. That way, we will greet everyone here".

"Feels like a motivational camp," Aleesya remarked. "Even if we already know each other?" Mimi asked. Izz nodded with a hum. "Sounds childish, no?" Aniq scoffed. "It's free food. The easiest free food you'll ever get. No activity, no free food," Izz affirmed.

And so, the activity began. Izz began with Haziq, which went along smoothly. Then, was Hani. "Hello, Hani. It has been a while. I met your mother the other day. She was sweet".

"Oh, okay," Hani responded awkwardly. "Look...I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable before. But...we're still neighbours, and... friends, if you'd like," Izz said, a nervous smile on his face the entire time. "I guess so. I'm sorry too if I hurt your feelings in the past," Hani said sincerely. "So, how are things with Haziq?" Izz asked, trying to make the conversation more light-hearted. "Oh, he's nice. These past few weeks he has been saying a lot of good things about you," Hani beamed. Izz smiled. "So... friends?"

"Friends".

Up next, was Wafi. "Hello, there, Wafi".

"Hi".