Once Upon a Time During Exams and Leisure Time

01 "...He gave me a bright smile he ever had and left."

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are grey

I recognized that song. I knew who sang it; the only person that I knew who would sing that song. I turned my back and there he is, leaning at the front door. He smiled at me with his orange bag on his shoulder.

Farhan.

"I'm coming!" I replied with a smile while rearranging my assignments to be done at home later. I stuffed my books into my bag and quickly followed his footsteps.

"Help me with the assignments, will you? Why do we need to learn Physics anyway..." I grunted. Farhan chuckles.

"I'll help you with the assignments later, okay? Besides, stop nagging or you'll be old before time." I gave him a long, cold stare before he stroked his hand on my cheek. I smiled and continued to walk back home with Farhan.

I have already known Farhan since we were still in our diapers. We went to the same kindergarten and used to play together; 'masak-masak', 'kahwin-kahwin', hide-and-seek, hopscotches, you name it. He is my only companion and a good friend too. Our house is not far from each other. As we grew older, we went to the same primary school and were in the same class since the first day we registered together and ended our primary school years. My father also worked in the same company as his father, so we bonded a lot and my father treated him, as he is one of the family and so do his family did to me. We were still together until June, when we were in upper secondary. His father was promoted somewhere around Australia. Since his department was a sudden action, I did not have a chance to meet him for the last time and we lost contact since then.

As time passed by, I managed to finish my study with flying colours. My SPM result was great. Not long after that, I managed to further my study at Harvard, my father's Alma Mater. I struggled at first, nut I managed to graduate and got good results during my final year. Now, my study years had passed and now it is time for me to live in the real life. Works, problems, friends, and of course, marriage. My father asked me about it one day. He said, he had a nice man for me to build a family with. I disagreed with Father because I had my very own man, Amir. I knew him since my first year in Harvard and kept him a secret from my family until the time comes. I argued with my father about it and we did not talk to each other for weeks. Then again, Father kept asking me to marry him. I called him Mr. X. Why would I want to marry someone I did not know?

"I believe you'll get along with him once you know him again..." Again? He sounds like someone I used to know, but I did not care about it.

I did not want to keep my fracas with Father longer, so I met Amir and discussed through and through about this matter. I told Amir the whole story. Amir decided to let me go. It was difficult for him, but he asked me to obey my father, as he believed that parents' choice is always the best. We spent a bit more time together as it will be our last meeting. Our final moment as a couple. After we said goodbye, I met Father and agreed with his idea. Father looked delighted and hurriedly phoned Mr. X's family, I guessed, without knowing I was in tears on my bed and he was happy, planning for his daughter's big day. It was 6 month to go before the marriage took place. I spent the first 3 months still in tears, reminiscing Amir and our memories together. Mr. X tried to get to know me called me a million times. Maybe Father gave my phone number to him, but I did not bother answering it. I also received bouquets of flowers, chocolates, plush toys and others from him that all ended up in my trash bin. What a waste of money. Well, it is not my money anyway.

It was April when one day, Father wanted me to meet my future husband. I refused. I kept myself locked in my room, pretended to be asleep when Mr. X's family arrived. My action did not make Mr. X from stopping his attempt to take my heart. He called me. Annoyed, I picked up the call.

"What do you want from me?"

"Hey... I knew we haven't met for a very long time and I understand why are you doing this to me, but please, give me a chance to explain and introduce myself."

"You have 60 seconds." It was a long pause before I heard this melody. The melody, which reminded me of someone. A special one.

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are grey

You'll never know, dear,

How much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away

Could it be...? Farhan? I immediately switched off the call and ran downstairs to meet him. He was not there. I ran outside to search for him, without realizing that a car was speeding down the road and hit me hard. I only felt the pain and a blurry vision of my father, cradling me before I lose my conscious.

"Urgh... where am I?" I was in a white room with a figure standing beside my bed.

"You're in the hospital. Lucky you weren't dead, or else I will be single for the rest of my life." I stared at him. A long stare. Silence filled the room.

"If you still wanted to cancel the wedding, I have to let it happen. After all, what is use of marrying the one who did not love me? I better tell your father about it.", he said before walking towards the door.

"Wait!" He stopped and turned, waiting for my words.

"Uh... I knew it was my entire fault. I wanted to fix this up. Would you help me and tell my father to continue the wedding?" I smiled. Now I had realized that my heart was taken before Amir borrowed it from him. That person was Mr. X. My Mr. X, Farhan.

The time had come. The wedding ceremony. I smiled happily and I did not know why. The ceremony went well and we were officially married. Many guests came and most of them were my friends and Farhan's. While I was busy entertaining the guests, a text message came in.

"Amir?" He asked me to meet him outside. I went outside and saw him standing quite far from the guest's tent. I walked out to meet him.

"Hey..." He smiled.

"Looks like you're happy with him."

"Couldn't be more happier, I guess. I really wanted to thank you for all our previous moments together and I'm sorry that the groom wasn't you."

"It's okay. I'm happy when you're happy." He gave a bright smile he ever had and left.