A new year, 2021, is here with us. In June, Year 12 schoolmates will be sitting the National Matriculation Test (NMT). With that, we will step into the last year of high school and become seniors. That very thought sends apprehension and pressure into our hearts. We cannot help but feel weighed down. Compared with the days when we were freshmen of the school, however, we believe we are well prepared to embrace the coming challenges.

Last Friday, we went to the City Gym for the tennis lesson, which is the most comfortable time of a week. The tennis lesson gives us an opportunity to get away from boring tedious schoolwork and to immerse ourselves in the sport.

On the way to the Gym, we chatted with each other, looking around at the old folks working out at the Sports Centre. Cynthia and I were chatting laughing too, but pressure from schoolwork was nagging at us like a spectre from the back of our minds.

Gradually we lagged behind the herd. Passing by the football pitch, we saw some elderly guys doing a game inside. Amazing! From the other side of the fence, one of the grandads greeted us warmly, “Hey, girls. May I ask where you and your classmates are heading for?”

“We are going to take our tennis lesson,” Cynthia replied smilingly.

“Oh, that’s wonderful. You guys have been working very hard at school,” the grandad said.

“You are working hard, too,” we shouted back to him, while quickening our pace to catch up with the classmates.

Waving furiously at us from behind, this strange grandad said reassuringly, “You must study hard and enter a good uni, girls.”

At that, both Cynthia and I smiled. We, welling up in tears, expressed our gratitude aloud to the grandad. Concern from a complete stranger made both Cynthia and me feel warmth and support.

It suddenly dawned on us that we are not fighting alone. While we are sweating in the classroom for our future, our parents, our teachers, and even the whole world are behind us, cheering us on. On our down days, all the encouragement and care will buoy us up hopefully. With the blessing, we will be able to sail through the rough seas and reach the destination ultimately.