My first number ones…

Ive gotten my exam marks! Well before that Im sure you have read my previous posts on my english marks. Let me start again.

My exams were over by the 7th of May. On the 8th of May, a Thursday, while I was in the classroom, my class teacher, Mdm Mary came over and tap my back. As I looked up, she said that I did well for my English paper 2. I was grinning ear to ear and carried on drawing in my book. I told dad when he picked me up. He was happy. Of course the question always comes, “You gotten your marks yet?”

On Friday, 9th May, I was waiting to join my class after mother tongue along with 2 other friends; Said, Rahmat and Fariq. Mr Lim, our maths teacher, was there waiting too. He said to me, “Amirul you did well for your maths and the rest of you should follow Amirul”. I was again grinning, Fariq whispered to me that I gotten 98/100. I asked him how he knew. He didnt answer and just kept smiling.

I told my dad about it after school. He asked me whether Mr Lim said it in class or just the 4 of us. I said the 4 of us. Dad got me a toy while we were out. I asked him what was it for. He said it was for being diligent and hardworking for the exams. Cool!

Weekend came and went. I couldnt wait to get my results. The wait is agonising.

Monday came and as you know I got the marks for English paper 2, 49.5/55. Unfortunately we didnt get our maths paper. Another wait. arrgghhh!

Tuesday came and WUHOO!!! I got my maths mark - 98/100! 98/100! And I was the highest in class!!! Nathan had 96 and Donovan had 94. Everyone clapped after the announcement. I was very happy. Never before has this happened. The top in the class. Wuhoo! I was stunned when I first heard it and then excited thinking about what Abah would do - you remember his tagline, “you do your job and I will do mine.” I kept thinking if only I had 100, what would Abah had done.

Mr Lim said that when the teacher who marked our papers was marking mine, she had thought I had gotten full marks. Alas the last question was one of those you need to really understand and apply. See if you adults can answer this question;

Bakery was giving a free donut for every 3 donuts bought. Each donut cost $2. a) if Ali bought donuts for $27, how many donuts did he buy?
b) how many donuts did he get if Ali paid $16?

Leave your answers in the comments.

I got 2 marks out of 4 for this.

Anyway, when I left the school, Abah and Ummi was waiting. I ran to Abah and told him I got 98/100 for my maths. He hugged me tightly. He asked wheres the paper but we werent given the paper to bring home. I told him how we were given the paper to check our answers and scores. However, Mr Lim used my maths paper and I had to share with Rahmat. Mr Lim then collected all the papers.

Abah told me how proud he was. He said it was like the first time he laid eyes on me when i was born. He said he was very honoured to be in the same car or in the same room or in the same house as the top student.

By then, Abah had sent out smses to grandpas and grannies and relatives. All more or less congratulate. Apah’s was the best; “Astonishing cucu Apah. Alhamdullillah semoga Allah menjadikan Amirul anak yang Ariffin sesuai dgn namanya”. - May Allah bless me and make me a diligent and clever synonym with my name.

Ummi said I shouldnt be boastful as it may hurt other people’s feelings. So I have to hold back telling my other friends or cousins. Abah said if I was asked, then tell. Its sad that I cant share my happiness with others. Abah said that its how the world is even if you are genuine enough. Considering other people’s feelings is part of life.

On Wednesday the 14th, I accompanied Abah to his office. After his work, he brought me to Swensen and we had junior omelette and junior coit tower. Abah had the same!!! and he is twice my size!

I remembered the shopping center we were in as it was near Abah’s office. We were at the toy section on Monday. I had wanted a Ben10 toy but he said I have to wait for my other results and then he will see. Oh well.

After Swensen, he brought me to the toy section again. This time they had the second set of aliens. Something which I wanted. It wasnt there before. Wuhoo! Abah got me the toy! He said, “If you had insisted on it, and its not I will give you anyway, if Abah had bought for you, you wouldnt have gotten this one today.” Still trying to understand how this work.

We went to Eunos to see my Apah who will be leaving for Indonesia on thursday morning. We went home thereafter and I was very tired. I slept like a log.