The Neglected Student

Once upon a time, in the extraordinary world of IIUM, there lived a student named Maruf. Maruf was no ordinary student; he had been studying in IIUM for a whopping 11 years! He had completed his bachelor's degree, master's degree, and was now pursuing his PhD. To Maruf, IIUM was not just a university; it was his entire universe!

Maruf believed with all his heart that IIUM was the best university in existence. He proudly boasted about its incredible faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and the enriching environment it provided. According to him, there was simply no other university that could compare to IIUM. He was an IIUM fanatic through and through.

Maruf's friends were a diverse bunch. Most of them had achieved remarkable success in their lives. Some had secured high-paying jobs, gotten married, and were living the good life. Others had ventured off to places like the USA, Canada, Australia, and Europe to pursue their dreams. They would often call Maruf, teasingly referring to him as the "IIUM Wizard" and poking fun at him for staying in one place for such a long time.

One day, while Maruf was deep into his research, he received a call from his friend, Ali, who had recently moved to the United States. Ali, with a mischievous tone, said, "Hey Maruf, when are you going to step out of your IIUM bubble and explore the world? You're like a rare species now, my friend!"

Maruf chuckled and replied, "Ah, my dear friend, you know I have found my true calling here in IIUM. Why would I ever want to leave this paradise? Plus, I can teleport anywhere in the world through my research papers!"

Ali burst into laughter on the other end of the line. "Maruf, my man, I'm worried you might end up in the mental hospital! Don't you get bored studying in the same place for such a long time?"

Maruf, ever the optimist, replied, "Oh, Ali, my dear friend, boredom is a concept unknown to me! There's always something new and exciting happening at IIUM. I'm constantly discovering fascinating research topics, meeting brilliant minds, and enjoying the delicious nasi lemak at the campus cafeteria!"

His friends couldn't help but admire Maruf's dedication and unwavering love for IIUM. They realized that even though Maruf might be missing out on some worldly adventures, he had found true contentment in his academic journey.

 Years flew by, and Maruf, the eternal student of IIUM, continued his never-ending academic journey. His friends, a mischievous bunch of boys, found endless amusement in his unwavering dedication to IIUM. They would often call him "Maruf the Magnificent," teasing him about his seemingly unbreakable bond with the university.

One sunny afternoon, as Maruf was engrossed in his PhD research, he received a video call from his friend, Zain. Zain, who had just returned from Europe, couldn't help but poke fun at Maruf's enduring commitment to IIUM. With a cheeky grin, he said, "Hey there, Maruf! How's life in your IIUM bubble? I heard they're planning to build a statue of you in the library!"

Maruf chuckled and replied, "Oh, Zain, my friend, you have no idea! IIUM is not just a university; it's an alternate universe. In fact, I'm working on a top-secret project to invent a teleportation device that will transport students directly from their dorms to the lecture halls!"

Zain burst into laughter on the other end of the call. "Maruf, my buddy, you're a living legend! But seriously, don't you ever get tired of being in the same place for so long? I'm worried you'll start mistaking the campus for your own house!"

Maruf, always quick with a witty response, retorted, "Oh, Zain, my dear friend, IIUM is my house! In fact, I've started redecorating the campus with beanbag chairs and disco lights. It's going to be the trendiest university in the world!"

Their banter continued as Maruf's friends joined the video call one by one. They were all leading exciting lives in different corners of the world. Aziz had secured a high-paying job in the USA, while Rafiq was enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Canada. Each of them had their own unique stories to share, filled with adventure and success.

As Maruf listened to their tales, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy mixed with amusement. He exclaimed, "Hey, guys, while you're out gallivanting around the globe, I'm here perfecting my nasi lemak recipe at the IIUM cafeteria. Who needs to travel when you can experience the world through spicy food?"

His friends erupted into laughter, unable to resist Maruf's infectious sense of humor. They realized that Maruf's dedication to IIUM was not just about academic pursuits; it was about finding joy in the everyday moments and the friendships he had formed along the way.

As the call ended, Maruf's phone buzzed with a message from his friend, Hasan, who had settled in Australia. It read, "Maruf, my buddy, I hope IIUM has a designated parking spot for your spaceship! Don't forget to join us on our adventures. The world is a big place, and we miss your hilarious antics!"

Maruf grinned and replied, "Fear not, my dear Hasan! I'll make sure to take breaks from my IIUM kingdom and join you on your escapades. But remember, I'll bring along my IIUM flag, just in case we stumble upon an undiscovered IIUM outpost!"

And so, Maruf, the legendary IIUM Magician, continued his academic odyssey at IIUM, charming his friends with his wit and unwavering love for the university. With every passing day, he discovered that life within the IIUM universe was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a never-ending supply of spicy nasi lemak. Maruf's friends couldn't help but admire his ability to find humor and joy in the simplest of things.

Months passed, and Maruf finally completed his PhD, earning the title of "Doctor IIUM." His friends decided to throw him an unforgettable graduation party at IIUM, complete with hilarious surprises and a parade of IIUM-themed floats. They even brought in a group of squirrels dressed in tiny IIUM graduation gowns, just for laughs.

As Maruf walked through the campus, surrounded by his friends and the mischievous squirrels, he couldn't help but reflect on his incredible journey. He realized that while IIUM was indeed his universe, his friends were the stars that made it shine even brighter.

During the party, Maruf's friends took turns sharing their fondest memories of their time together. They recounted the time Maruf accidentally turned a lab experiment into a bubble-filled catastrophe, or when he dressed up as the IIUM mascot and danced wildly during a football match. The laughter echoed through the campus as they reminisced about the countless pranks and hilarious moments they had shared.

As the night came to a close, Maruf stood before his friends, filled with gratitude and a touch of sentimentality. He raised his glass and said, "To my IIUM universe and the incredible friends who have made this journey unforgettable. IIUM might be the best university in this world, but you all are the best friends in any universe!"

The room erupted with cheers and clinking glasses as Maruf's friends lifted him on their shoulders, carrying him triumphantly through the campus. The squirrels, who had formed a special bond with Maruf, hopped along, adding to the joyful chaos.

From that day forward, Maruf's friends continued to tease him about his eternal love for IIUM. Whenever they met, they would playfully ask if he had built a secret underground tunnel connecting his dorm to the lecture halls or if he had started an IIUM fan club with squirrels as honorary members.

Maruf would laugh heartily and reply, "Well, my dear friends, IIUM might be my one and only universe, but you are the comical constellations that brighten my days. And who knows, maybe one day IIUM will take over the world, and we'll have spicy nasi lemak ruling the international menu!"

And so, the legend of Maruf, the IIUM Magician, and his hilarious adventures continued to be whispered and chuckled about across the IIUM campus. His unwavering love for IIUM, combined with the laughter and camaraderie of his friends, created a legacy that would be remembered for years to come.

And as Maruf stepped into the next chapter of his life, ready to embrace new opportunities beyond IIUM, he carried with him the memories, the laughter, and the spirit of his beloved university, knowing that the IIUM universe would forever hold a special place in his heart.

So, the legend of Maruf, the IIUM Wizard, lived on, reminding everyone that true happiness can be found anywhere as long as you have passion and purpose in your heart. Maruf, the eternal student who truly made IIUM his universe!