A new year, 2021, is upon us. In June, Year 12 schoolmates will be sitting the National Matriculation Test (NMT). With that, we will embark on the last leg of the high school odyssey and become seniors. The very thought sends apprehension and pressure into our hearts. We cannot but feel weighed down. Compared with the days when we were dewy-eyed freshmen, however, we believe we are psyched up enough to embrace the coming challenges.

Last Friday, we went to the City Gym for the tennis lesson, which is the most comfortable slot on the weekly schedule. A pleasant diversion, it offers us an opportunity to get away from boring tedious schoolwork and to immerse ourselves in the sport. Meanwhile, we socialise a lot.

On the way up to the tennis court, we bantered with one another, while admiring the old folks who were working out at the City Gym. Cynthia and I were chatting laughing, 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 had our eyes riveted on some elderly guys doing a game on it. 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 with a smile.

“Oh, that’s wonderful. I hope you all have a good time,” said the grey-haired senior citizen. “You guys have been working very hard at school.”

“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 encouraged us, “You must study hard, and you must enter a good uni, girls.”

At that, Cynthia and I exchanged looks with each other. 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 slogging away 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.