Hi there. I am a bolster. I was made of cottons packed rather loosely inside a long cylinder-shaped green cloth, with stripes of white and red.

Sometimes, I complained about the choice of colour of said cloth. It’s green, for God sake! I like red. And the colour is dulling day by day. Where’s the bolster activist when you need one?

But then, I am a bolster. My skin is stripy green. I cannot complain.

I am not sure of my parentage, but I know that the cottons inside of me originated from a cotton tree planted in the backyard of Jamaludin household in the serene village of Kampung Kilang.

The green cloth must then originated from the worn-out clothes of the household’s extremely boisterous offspring.

I shall not complain.

The lady of the house made me and my siblings. My brothers and sisters had different skin back then. Big bro was brown, big sis was red with white stripes, little bro was baby blue and little sis was pink hue with small flowers.

The lady even made our close cousins, the pillows. Big fluffy ones. Monocoloured and poly ones. She was a generous old lady with smiles still held in position by false teeth, and she will gave us all away.

I still remember the day when she benignly handed me to her smiling young grandchildren. The girl was small back then. Dark chocolate eyes that glitters with mischiefs. Small feet that tapered when she ran around the house chasing her big brother. Smiles that stretched to the horizon. Clean hands after wiping dirts onto her clothes. Muddy stripy brown-coloured clothes.

Kids.

She is still small, no doubt. Just a foot taller than me now. But don’t tell her; she’ll fume and gracefully throw me across the room intended to land flat on your face but, no, she and her lousy aim will only end me hard on the wall.

Anyway, back to my autobiography.

I have no favourite food nor drinks. I dislike water. Water will only seep through my permeable skin and sog the cottons. Very discomforting, mind you.

My favourite movie? Well, that little girl hardly took me out on dates or to catch any movie, so, yeah, my knowledge on movies are rather deprived. But I do remember her telling me of ‘The Gladiator’ and ‘I am Sam’ when she weeped silently and hugged me for comfort from the saddening story.

Girls and their tendency to weep.

Favourite music? I don’t really have one. On nights of insomnia strikes, my little mistress would plug in her metallic blue MP3 player and we would listen to Nsync and Bon Jovi and The Callings and Siam Shade and L’Arc~en~Ciel and whatsit, me rather reluctantly.

I don’t really fancy them. They rocked their music too hard for my liking, but how do one bolster nag a girl about her choice of music?

My favourite clothes? Haha, I was anticipating this question! My dearest girl dressed me in this baby blue and yellow checkered bolster casing, and lovely one it is!

She is a rather meticulous person actually. Clean one. Dutifully undress me and wash the casing every month or so, just to make sure I retain my clean, fresh and crisp scent.

Oh, and she hardly drools at night. I’m very grateful to have one polite sleeper as an owner; no maps were left imprinted on me. Haha!

I wonder if my siblings are as lucky as I am. We bolsters have no hari raya gatherings like you humans.

What about my reason for existence? Each and every one of us must have a reason to exist on Earth, my girl always says. She always repeats hers rather Naruto-like. So I ought to have one, too.

I live to serve my mistress. Be it hugged or thrown, I’m all hers.

Fancy enough for an immobile object, eh?

During her happy nights, I’m there to be bear-hugged because I know she’s too arrogant to admit she feels like hugging something.

During her fumed-up nights, I’m there to be punched as she cursed the jerks who made her irk. Did I mention I’m a part-time punching bag?

During her insomnia-filled nights, I’m there, all ears as she bantered on and on about her day, her dreams, and her late grampa’s Ford Escort she is so gonna own one day.

During her rare down nights, I’m there to be the permeable me, absorbing moistures venting out of the corner of her eyes. It was discomforting. Not because of the cottons inside of me sogging, no, but because the usual stuck-up authoritative figure of my mistress is not supposed to be pathetic.

I’ll just loosen up myself and let the lungs-crushing hugs continue as I was held close to the heart.

Do not remind me I have no lungs.

As a bolster, I held true to our motto of always being there. But my now little girl is growing, I am positive of that.

She will go to college, she always says that. And then she will fly off overseas in her quest to become the surgeon she wanted to be. She will then work herself out just for the sake of others. Move out of the house and settle into a nice apartment of her own.

Maybe she would neglect me someday. Abandon me. Leave me untouched on the clumsily made bed.

Maybe. But I hope she will take me with her, as ridiculous as it sounds.

Even heroes had the right to dream, so why can’t a bolster?

I will just cherish the days I have with her, sharing her joys and punches and kicks and hugs and whatsit. I want her to be happy.

And I am happy as long as she continues to smile and hug me.

I better get going. Night owl little missy looks like she’s dozing off to sleep anytime sooner and I better be on the bed, lest she couldn’t find me and end up not sleeping at all.

Adios, readers, and have a blessed New Year. Happy always and get a bolster if you aren’t.

Oh, my bad. I forgot to introduce myself. I am Mr. Bolster but you can call me Encik Bantal Peluk if you like. As cuddly and fluffy and irresistible to ladies I am, please don’t hug me. My jealous mistress might throw a fit.

MORAL OF THE STORY:

To quote Kaamyl; "Jadilah seorang bantal peluk."

And, never take things for granted. Respect and love them for their services now before you end up losing them.

I sounded corny? Oh well, back to my bolster then I go…

We went for a trip to the elusively sardine-packed KB Mall. There was a Digi promotion going on there, and those walking yellow weird thingy was there. Two of them.

I saw kiddies snapping pictures with them. The walking yellow weird thingy grinned and happily distribute yellow balloons with their happy faces on them.

Walking yellow weird thingy was never my thing. Them and those weirdly yellow painted face. Huge belly. Eerie smiles.

I felt the sudden urge to puke. And punch those protruding bellies. Smirk evilly in victory and walk away after committing those crimes.

But no, Atiqah is a good girl. Just walk away and treat herself to ice cream after ceasing the urge to kick those walking yellow weird thingy.

When they went to buy Hazim and Yaya’s school uniform, I excused myself to buy Fish Burger at the Bakery [RM2]. Man, I hadn’t had my lunch.

After that, I was thirsty. As I sauntered towards the ice cream bar, Hakim toddled behind me.

"Angah nak beli ais krim."

"Hakim nak!"

"Kita share, ye?"

"Tak nak! Hakim nak makan sendiri!"

"Angah nak beli seringgit je. Share."

"Okay la."

"Angah pegang."

"Hakim nak pegang!"

"Angah pegang."

"Hakim nak pegang!"

"Biar. Angah makan sorang."

"Okey la okey la."

So I bought the RM1 choc-chip vanilla, since plain vanilla was not available. What a pity.

I paid and I licked. Hakim screamed. "Hakim nak pegang!"

"Angah pegang."

"Hakim nak!"

"Sape yang bayar?"

"Hakim!"

"Pandai betul…"

I sighed and licked.

He screamed.

I licked.

He screamed.

I sighed.

I stooped to his height and said, "Angah belikan yang baru."

He stopped. We walked away, hand in hand. He protested, gesturing towards the ice cream bar behind us.

"Angah beli tempat lain. Sini tak de ais krim dalam bekas."

We arrived at the other ice cream bar, the pink one called Dairy something. He scurried happily forward.

I licked and frowned at the price tag.

I leaned forward and studied the flavour available.

"Angah, cepat la beli!"

"Tunggu la. Nak pilih."

I chose the cookies and cream flavour and dug my Doraemon purse for the RM3 bill. Took the ice cream for the unsmiling cashier and gave it to grinning-all-over dearest little baby brother clad in a khaki jeans and black and white layered tee. Well, that’s how I describe it. Hakim call it baju raya.

I sighed in defeat. "Tak masuk akal langsung. Beli ke sendiri ais krim harga RM1, beli ke Hakim RM3…"

"Hah?" He asked from behind the pink ice cream spoon.

I didn’t do myself justice by going with the family. Everyone got something paid for them, except our independent miss here. [Mir got a new MP3, Hazim uniform, Harith uniform, Yaya a freaking pink shoes which won't be used at all, Hakim ice cream and whatsit]

I didn’t even get the black shirt I wanted. Pfft.

Mom said she’ll only buy a black leather shoes for my college. I wanted a sneakers. Where is the justice? Where is the love?

Pfft.

So I wasted around RM6 for food. Yeah, great. Just great.

Wishing you guys a happier day ahead.

Just got back from my first hour of P2 training. It was, catastrophic. And I’m being understating.

Miss Asyikin [Me no sure of her marital status, but she doesn't look like a mother to me. Or I just sucks at people-watching. Nah.] taught me the complicated art of side parking, tiga penjuru and naik bukit.

Side parking was okay, I suppose. Managed to grab it on my second try, which was a bit slow considering me as the subject here.

Tiga penjuru was, I failed. Pfft. She didn’t really told me what tiga penjuru was, so, yeah, I kinda got lost there. Of course I wouldn’t know where to go, I didn’t even know what I’m supposed to do to begin with!

I failed the naik bukit, too. In the nutshell, you guys better have a life insurance before climbing in the car with me driving.

And we went to hit the road a bit. I was on 20km/h, hit the clutch, and somehow, the freaking Kancil’s engine ceased to a halt.

Did I whine? Cuss? Cry? No, you must be delusional.

I laughed, of course. What else there is to do then laugh and restart the uncooperative engine?

Don’t ever think I’ve failed the whole driving thingy. I’ve got seven hours more of P2 training. So, yeah, it’s not that bad considering I’m still a freshman in this field.

You see, driving is so unlike cycling. Car is nothing like bicycle.

There’s only one suitable philosophy in driving: Practice makes perfect.

So I better bid thee adieu, start the engine and hit the road!

Note: Kaamyl asked for a post, since Clannad filled her line of vision whenever she view my blog.

Come to think of it, haven’t watched Clannad after the water reservoir broke loose. Oh well.

I’m playing post midnight counselor nowadays, and it’s giving me a shoulder-ache.

Man, I could really use a massager now. Where’s Sufiyyah when you need her?

Why post midnight, some apprehensive readers might ask? Well, the thing is, Celcom to Celcom messaging is rated at 1 sen per sms after 12 a.m. to 6, so the other person figured out it is better to get counseled and save money at the same time.

But I had to endure myself and was granted permission to sleep only past 2 a.m. since the kid kept asking me questions after questions.

That lucky kid even asked me "Why aren’t you sleeping yet?" around 1.54, to which I replied, "I’m waiting for you to cease question-fire."

But the kid brushed my answer off, like Excalibur brushing off Black Star’s answer in the manga ‘Soul Eater’.

I love asking so I can’t find the usually prominent cold spot in my heart to brush off sensible questions from other people. If one wants to learn, we have to teach him/her, right? Kedekut ilmu will get you nowhere.

I’m still holding on to my handphone. Wish me luck and I’m hoping the bags under my eyes won’t be that noticeable. Oh God.

My bags aside, wishing you a happy day ahead!

I’m on Clannad now. All together 24 episode, but there are currently 10 posted on CrunchyRoll.

It’s a very funny story, but an extremely saddening one. By 7 episode I’m already having a thin drizzle.

A depressing one indeed.

I just want to post a question. If you were to be admitted to hospital for any reason whatsoever, what is the worst possible thing that could happen to you?

I asked Fatimah and she went, "The worst is when the doctor administrated the wrong medicine."

To which I replied by my perfected-a-long-time-ago answer, "My worst is getting no visitor."

Another question asked, what would who feel if you are gradually forgotten?

I can’t answer that; that’s extremely personal.

And another. How would you feel; what would you do; living with someone, spending time with that someone everyday until her day comes to the very end?

I can’t answer that; that’s extremely personal.

Then, I’ll leave you to think. Have a good day.

Quote: "If… you don’t mind… Please be Fuko’s friend!"

So, no more exam. I should be happy, right? But I felt weird. I’ve been used to constant studying and studying in between enjoying my limited sleep [I've a new blanket! My, I love blanket!].

Now what to do?

1. Buy a bike. I want a shiny silver-coated one, with basket at the front.
2. Recycle study notes. It’s humongous and I didn’t even read all of them. We’ve made a bet as to who got the most money out of recycling our notes.
3. Finish the fiction I’ve promised A’isyah-nee. The one about my first car ride with her. The journey was dangerous, to say the least. But it was fun. Now I’m struggling to put it in writing and I gave her my word that I’ll have it done within a week after I’m through with SPM.
4. Finish my mountainous amount of unfinished fiction. I’ve got a lot. Need to get back in author mode. I write under the name… cannot tell!
5. Watch anime. Ah, I’m on episode 4 of Final Approach. Got another 9 to watch.
6. Get a car license. A must. I can’t go on depending on others just to loaf out somewhere else, ceh. Amateur author gets her inspiration from watching the hustle and bustle of the city. Till then, I’ve got aniki as my driver.
7. Study English. I need to sharpen my communication and broaden my vocabulary to a much sophisticated level. And my writing skill needs a brush. I write merely crap, no?
8. Study Arabic. Need to start from the very beginning. To think that my English is better than my Arabic… And the fact that I study Arabic since I’m 5 proves that I’m such a twerp…
9. Revise Chemistry, Bioslogos and Physics. I miss them. Who doesn’t?
10. Get a part-time job at A&W or similar restaurant. Hehe, it sounds interesting. And a working experience will definitely help my communicating with others. I tend to sneer people. I’m as friendly as a cat.
11. Design our batch’s t-shirt and badges. We’re stuck at the colour combination. And Bob got this absurd idea of going stripes which the others doesn’t seems to concur. I’ll get to work.
12. Help plan for future batch reunion. Need one a.s.a.p since Kaamyl’s flying away. Again. And this time, NO ONE is allowed to bring manga to reunion!
13. Learn the art of culinary. I so can cook! Maggi, scramble eggs, rice, stir-fried veggies, prawn noodle, fried chicken, etc…
14. Sleep.

As usual, 2 or 14. I think I’ll start with number 5.

Life is bliss. Au revoir, minna!

Oh, and the current theme song of this major blissed life; Brave Heart by Ayumi Miyazaki.

The song is currently available at my profile. If you like it, pm me and if I like you, maybe I’ll be chivalrous and send it over. All matters aside, enjoy.

Sometimes, just sometimes, anime speaks the best thing. Here’s some of the enjoyable quotes of all times.

—–

Stop making me repeat myself! Its bad for my health! - Duo Maxwell (Gundam Wing)

Don’t tell me he wants to conquer the world? Can’t he come up with something more original? - Lina Inverse (Slayers)

I just love the smell of C4 in the morning - Ling Ling (3×3 eyes)

Listen up numbskull, if Kasumi isn’t back by dinnertime, we’re gonna have to eat Akane’s cooking, and if we do that, man oh man we’re gonna wish we were lost at sea! - Ranma (Ranma 1/2)

So tell me, what’s it like living in a constant haze of stupidity? - Hiei (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Does a death wish cause you to talk to me that way? - Hiei (Yu Yu Hakusho)

I don’t like it! It smells girly! - Kuwabara (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Don’t talk, it makes you sound stupid. - Yusuke (Yu Yu Hakusho)

You try to sound like you think through things, when in fact you’re not thinking at all. - Kurama (Yu Yu Hakusho)

You’re a team player, a save-the-day superhero. I hate people like you. - Hiei (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Hiei, I can’t accept this. I value our friendship and all we’ve been through but… I don’t like you that way. - Kurama (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Now I understand the relieved, I feel very situation… - Sosuke Sagara (Full Metal Panic? FUMOFFU)

Is there a need for a reason to kill someone? - Mugen (Samurai Champloo)

Lupin! Don’t you dare die before I get to arrest you! - Inspector Zenigata (Lupin III)

The interaction of men and women isn’t very logical. - Dr. Ritsuko Akagi (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Would you like to see my daughter? I have some pictures right here! - Maes Hughes (Full Metal Alchemist)

Babies aren’t born after just 5 months! - Riza Hawkeye (Full Metal Alchemist)

It’s a bad habit of mine. When I concentrate on one thing, I forget other important things. - Tsukushi (Hana Yori Dango)

If you die, I’ll kill you! - Zoro (One Piece)

Don’t look back. If you got something to do, then only look forward. - Kurogane ( RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE)

Who is this place? Where are you? Me am Excel! - Excel (Excel Saga)

Excel: You know, all together this class probably doesn’t have an IQ of 100.
Hyatt: Or even double digits. (Excel Saga)

Come on, scribbles on the bathroom wall, please show me the path that I must follow! - Excel (Excel Saga)

Please don’t worry, Mister, I only came here to obliterate you- not rob you. - Excel (Excel Saga)

You know why big brothers are born first? To protect the little ones that come after them. - Ichigo (Bleach)

How did I pass? She beat me like I owed her money. - Ichigo (Bleach)

We fear that which we cannot see… we respect that which we cannot see… thus the blade will be wielded. - opening words of the first episode (Bleach)

I am Valentinez Alkalinelia Xifax Sicidabohertz Gumbigobillo Blue Stradivari Talentrent Pierre Andri Charton-Haymoss Ivanovicci Baldeus George Doitzel Kaiser. Don’t hesitate to call. - Vash introducing himself to Wolfwood (Trigun)

A man can’t just live on carbohydrates alone… - Spike Spegiel (Cowboy Bebop)

… If you let the fly live, the spider is going to die. You can’t save both without one suffering. - Knives (Trigun)

That’s some good advice. Maybe I should write that down, frame it, and stick it up on my wall. - Colonel Karl Lichen Schubaltz (Zoids Chaotic Century)

It must be the way you look, Vash the Stampede. Your very existence seems to cause me undue irritation. - Legato (Trigun)

Where would you like to fall? - Cyborg 002 ( Cyborg 009)

There is no such thing as a weapon that doesn’t kill. - Chise (Saishuu Heiki Kanojo)

A sinner once passed away will never return, but sins will never vanish and the love will never die. - Les Soldats (Noir)

My name is VASH THE STAMPEDE!! Forgive the lack of warning, but it’s time for my daily massacre! If you do not believe I am the real thing, take a good look at me and start freaking out!! - Vash (Trigun)

The past is the past… and the future is the future. A man is a man, and a woman is a woman. I am who I am, and you are who you are. Like it really matters anyway… - Faye Valentine (Cowboy Bebop)

There are three things I hate the most: Kids, pets, & women with additude. So tell me, why do we have all of them packed into our ship!? - Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)

I’m not going there to die. I’m going to find out if I’m really alive. - Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)

Lesson #3 : If you see a stranger, Follow him. - Ed (Cowboy Bebop)

I wouldn’t mind if you want to kill me, but I might struggle a bit. - Trowa Burton (Gundam Wing)

Oh, man, Quatre loves to blame himself for everything if you let him. Sooner or later, he’ll start saying that there’s no air in space because he didn’t work on it hard enough. - Duo Maxwell (Gundam Wing)

Kira Yamato : You’re…you’re a girl?!
Cagalli Yula Attha: Whatta ya think?
Kira Yamato : No, no it just reminded me again that you are a girl.
Cagalli Yula Attha: That amounts to the same thing jackass! (Gundam Seed)

We humans are just made to be greedy I guess. But there are some of us who can resist the greedy temptations and desires of our hearts. - Jing (King of Bandits Jing)

Even without clocks, the sun will still rise. - Captain (King of Bandits Jing)

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. - Various Characters (Detective Conan)

How could I forget? He’s into dead girls! - Kagome (Inuyasha)

42… 30… 31! Our marks add up to 103! We win! - The Bonkuras (Osaka, Kagura, Tomo), upon seeing Chiyo getting 100 (full marks) in a test (Azumanga Daioh)

There are three things I cannot tolerate: cowerdice, bad haircuts, and military insurrection, and it is very unfortunate that our friend Vegeta posseses all three of these. - Freeza (Dragon Ball Z)

Vegeta :Goku! I’d rather die than fuse with you!
Goku: But Vegeta, we’re already dead! (Dragon Ball Z)

If you want to know the truth, you must have the courage to accept it. - Bear (.hack//sign)

I came to laugh at you! - Chars Aznabal (Gundam)