I opened my wardrobe and stared at its content. “You can bring your own clothing or wear what the studio provides”. The voice on the other line rings fresh in my memory. “Now, what have I got myself into?” I thought to myself. I glanced at my old rags and I picked a few of my favourite outfits. Packed everything in a bag.

Capture your youth while you still have it. I was trying to convince myself that I was doing the right thing, RM299 package deal. RM299, to capture my youth, sure that’s a reasonable price to pay.

I arrived at the studio, still uneasy. Peer pressure can be stressful. Everyone has it, I should also own one too, a personal album.

I arrived at the studio at nine o’clock in the morning. I walked up the stairs, stairways to heaven. Every time I climbed up a flight of stairs, I think of that song. No correlation or whatsoever, my mind wanders off – I am not meeting my Creator. The photographers greeted me warmly and next, they asked me to undress ! Not really, they just asked me to select some outfits.

“Sit here and relax, we need to dress up your face,” the gentle voice said to me. She then, started her work and I sat like an obedient child. A good hour passed and I was ready to change to my first outfit.

Smile. Look here. Hands here.

Ok, let’s get serious !
Too serious, let’s soften the look.

The shoots went on for hours. I thought my skin was going to be scrapped off with all the dressing and undressing ! It was really fun though seeing my hair transformed from short, curly, wet look to stylish.

A month later, I picked up my RM299 worth of goods. A set of personal album and a big, huge, gigantic portrait of myself, hung at the entrance of my room. Where is my personal album now ? On my book shelf, collecting dust. The album was taken 5 years ago. Who has seen it ? Only 10 person. That’s two person every dang year.

This year, my youngest nephew of 10 years came into my room on Chinese New Year, and greeted me “Gong Xi Fa Chai”, he then gestured his hands with his big bright smile, waiting for his ang pau. I was outraged, I replied “Your aunt is not married !” “Then how come got wedding picture here one?” he blurted innocently.

So, money well spent ? My RM299 paid me a married aunty look and a rotting album !

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