Valentine Day Recollecting My First Crush

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ALL HISTORY NOW

Intan Maizura Ahmad Kamal.
Intan Maizura Ahmad Kamal, Sunday Vibes Editor, from Petaling Jaya.
"My first crush was my History teacher back when I was in Form 1.
I attended an all-girls school in the London Borough of Neasden, somewhere in a suburban area of northwest London.
To this day, I still remember him with much fondness because he was the one who turned a mild-mannered Malaysian teen into a football fanatic!
He used to give me matchday (football) programmes and sometimes football club pin badges, of which I'd later become an avid collector.
I guess he found in me a kindred spirit. While all the other students (girls) were into Top of the Pops and the latest boy bands, I was the only one who understood football-speak and could banter with him about the players in the top flight of English football.
I remember he was a staunch Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) fan, a club based in the West Midlands.
And me? A die-hard Tottenham Hotspur fan. I always looked forward to the Monday after a weekend of football when the first lesson on the timetable would be our History class.
Without fail, I'd either receive a copy of a Wolves matchday programme, which he would have kindly saved for me, or endless ribbing had my team lost over the weekend.
As an aside, I also recall that despite being a fanatical Spurs fan, I had major "hots" for the then-Manchester United captain and legend, Bryan Robson.

United legend, Bryan Robson. Source from Pinterest.
Back in the 80s, Robson was possibly the best midfielder of his generation — and the most handsome — and I had posters of him grinning with benevolence from every corner of my room, much to mum's chagrin.
Why is there even this aside? Ah, it's relevant because for some reason, I thought Mr C (let's leave it at that in case he's still alive to read this!) was a dead ringer for Robson. Or maybe my young, hormonally-charged mind was just playing tricks!
Mr C had an endearing, roguish kind of charm that not many of the teachers possessed. He was gregarious and sported a kind of mullet (haircut) that was so popular back then.
He'd come to class wearing a big smile, the same beigey-plaid suit every day, and totting a big rucksack like he was planning on running away from home or something.
Mr C had a booming voice, and because I always sat at the front of the class (yes, I was a total teacher's pet), I'd often be the target of flying spittle whenever he spoke. And he spoke A LOT.
On hindsight, my love for History as a subject was probably due to him. But then again, I'd always had a thing for the exploits of Henry VIII and Hitler too.
But true to the fickle nature of adolescent crushes, I eventually moved on, although Mr C remained one of my favourite teachers throughout my school years.
To this day, I continue to have in my possession some of the precious club pins that he gave me. My prized ones are a Spurs and Manchester United one — the former, a sparkling silver beauty, and the latter, of faded gold and ruby red.
Having outgrown teachers, I turned to movie stars. In fact, this crush would end up being the mother of all crushes, setting me up on a lifetime journey of seeking "The One".

Michael Corleone played by Al Pacino in a scene from The Godfather.
Michael Corleone. Ahhh, even typing the name makes me smile. Remember that epic Coppola movie, The Godfather, starring the young and dashing Al Pacino as the main protagonist, Michael Corleone?
As far as I was concerned, there was no one finer — nor would there ever be — than the raven-haired Michael Corleone in THAT army uniform in the scene when he attended his sister's wedding.
Well… that was until I met the NEXT love of my life — at university. But THAT'S another story! To be honest, I don't think crushes ever cease. Whether you're a child or an adult. There's always someone who's going to set your heart a-flutter and spin your world around. People say you eventually do outgrow "puppy love". But do you? I guess not if you're a Libran!"
FIRST CRUSH (AND CRASH!)

The young Joshua (left).
Joshua Arulselvan, 60, freelance trainer, from Ipoh.
"It happened soon after my debut as a teenager, coupled with a newfound and enhanced appreciation of this other species of slightly smaller human beings — girls.
It just sort of crept up on me — the soft voice, the gentle gestures and gesticulations, the giggles and the smile. And of course, the physical differences as they seemed to bloom and blossom before your very eyes!
My first crush was a neighbourhood friend of the same age. To my innocent teenage eyes, she was the epitome of all that was great about life — sugar and spice and everything nice.
The shoulder-length hair, which she'd casually toss when turning to speak or laugh, the placing of the hand to the mouth or chest to indicate alarm. The sweet "hello" in my direction.
I'd always been a shy person so it was tough to even speak to her. And of course, it was drummed into us, by friends and older cousins that the guy had to make the first move!
There were opportunities to cross paths — church, choir, church work and acting in the annual Christmas plays.
I also exchanged test papers for revision, something my friends laughingly exclaimed was a trademark of mine.
Back then, our families didn't have cars so together with our siblings, we'd walk to the church and back on Sunday mornings. It was definitely a time to look forward to.
As I recall, she loved wearing these cute little dresses which made her "eye candy".
I remember struggling and stumbling in my humble efforts to make conversation. I didn't mind what she uttered. Everything felt like honey dripping!
Such sweetness and, upon reflection, such silliness too. Thinking of what to say and whether it'd sound okay, and what her reaction would be.
Somehow, I'd always regarded her as this cool personality who was never flustered and always said the right things. After all, it was a crush, right?
Alas, it turned out to be a one-sided affection. The infamous line "I just want to be friends" came up and that was it.
To be fair, I think she meant the part about being friends, unlike some others later. A friendly girl, she didn't have a boyfriend while in school.
All too soon, we completed our schooling and went our separate ways. Of course, being from the same neighbourhood — and our families knowing one another — I do know of her whereabouts and have occasionally met her a few times in passing.
A memorable if somewhat short-lived and unreciprocated first crush. Of course, in hindsight and mature reflection, it was a time and place to appreciate and to be thankful for.
An embryonic and sincere version of true love. The memory still brings a wistful smile to my face…" - NST
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