I've known a man for thirteen going on fourteen years now. And as much as I desire not for this to appear as a eulogy or something akin to it I am wont to recite, no to renew the times spent with this paragon of virtue/emo.

We went to the same kindergarten, a quaint institution next to a church down the road to Serangoon Gardens. Trinity Methodist Church Kindergarten, I believe. From a young age, we shared common interests and we would have endless fun role-playing the characters from the golden era of child programming - Transformers and (GO! GO!) Power Rangers. And from that age where memory is blurred, there was a promotional event organized by a local bookstore where you'd send a set of names in and they'd write a story for you with the names as protagonists. The two of us always got the evil dinosaurs that walked around scaring the rest of humanity. Always.

I saw less of him as we entered paradise/ACS (J). The confusion and tumult of entering a school so big, and gasp without having your meals provided for in small cups drew us apart. Well the fact that we were in different classes too didn't make things better. The first three years of primary school yield no solid recollections or poignant events that require much reminiscence or commentary. But he and I were classmates soon enough in primary four, and the rest of the innocent, trapped in a bubble of protection and ignorance like primary school existence, culminating in 6.10 - the three digits that symbolize loyalty, manhood, and the right to rule the universe.


Things upped and went. Things fell apart. But it was no coincidence I feel, that 35/40 of us made it into ACS(I) and proceeded to claim it as our own. The man and I were seperated in secondary one, and well haven't been in the same class since. But the embers never fully dimmed as this NPCC reject by his own admission left the police and joined the Symphonic Band in 2003. Although he was a year too late than the rest of us, his trumpeting skillz saw him make good and we both were part of the executive commitee of 2005 that brought back the award for top band in Singapore. But that's immaterial. Awards mean nought if you don't gain em with a smile.


We joined ACJC concert band in Nov 2005. And we grew closer as brothers because brothers see beneath the cold, aloof exterior and brothers are able to see what really gnaws and leaps within. We helped each other out, in the understatement of the century.

People change. Girls come. People change. But he has always got my back. He's seen me at my lowest and I've seen him at his emo-est. Through all the problems, heartaches and whatnot he has been there for me.

And all I can say now, bro is that I'm here for ya too. Always have, and always will be.


Get well soon Milton.