​ Red brings good luck to UiTM student

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The red t-shirt that brought luck to Afandi.

KOTA KINABALU: Red is a colour somewhat associated to good luck and that has somehow rubbed on Datu Afandi Datu Dasir.

He was called up to the stage as group chief executive officer of AirAsia, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, had spotted his red t-shirt to be that of a Manchester United’s jersey, which it was not.

When Afandi corrected Fernandes by telling the latter that it was a Ferrari t-shirt, it prompted the Malaysian aviation tycoon to jokingly reply, “That is even worse.”

Fernandes offered Afandi a chance of a lifetime, “If you strip your shirt in full view of your university mates, I would offer you a paid trip to any destination of your choice.”

Initially reluctant, Afandi finally gave in to his friends’ goadings and met up with Fernandes on stage.

“I was very nervous, my heart was beating so fast and I thought I was going to faint,” admitted the 20-year-old third-year Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) student.

Fernandes repeated his offer and asked where he would like to go, and after a long pause, Afandi answered, “London.”

The Diploma in Planting in Management student later admitted that, actually, he had always wanted to go to Paris, but, “I do not know why I mentioned London. But I guess, my choice was not that bad either.”

So Fernandes told the crowd that Afandi would be flown to London to watch a live match involving Queens Park Rangers, and asked him to choose the opponent.

“Against Manchester United,” said Afandi, and that received a nod from Fernandes.

He disclosed that he was not actually a Man United fan, nor does he watch football that much, but said, “I picked Man U because I just wanted to see his (Fernandes’) reaction.”

The string of luck did not end when Fernandes again gave Afandi another offer, “You may bring a friend, a female friend, to go with you to London and watch the match.”

Afandi whispered into Fernandes’ ear the name of the female friend.

“Can Miss Ainatul Azian please come up to the stage?” announced Fernandes, and a confused-looking girl walked up but she did not say whether she accepted the offer or otherwise.

“That was the first time I actually called her name out. I have cast my eyes on her for quite sometime, and yes, I do have a crush on her,” said Afandi.

Fernandes was at UiTM to deliver a talk on AirAsia’s success story in conjunction with their Industry and Community Linkages Carnival on Tuesday.

And for the record, Afandi did not have to strip in front of his university mates afterall.

“I am just happy to have made their day, that is the best gift and satisfaction one could get from seeing those smiles,” said Fernandes.