"A good friend is like a four leaf-clover; hard to find and lucky to have." Irish Proverb
I took a deep breath for a few times in order to calm myself. I whispered to myself, "Alannah, it's going to be alright. Everything is going to be fine. You have to be strong. For Ivy's sake." I plastered a smile on my face before pushing the door in front of me.
As I opened the door, I looked around the room. I saw my best friend, Ivy lying on her bed. She turned to her right and saw me walking towards her. She gave me a weak smile and said, "Hey Alannah. Thank you for coming here every day. You don't have to come here often, you know."
I looked at her in shock and replied, "Why would you say that? You are my best friend and of course, I will always visit you. I really hope you get well soon! Please take care of your health." She looked at me for a few seconds and tears came out from her eyes.
I could see pain in her eyes. Ivy was a strong girl and she hid her pain really well. She instantly wiped her tears. She smiled and replied to me, "Thank you for always been there for me. Even though my life wasn't all perfect and full of joy like what people thought. But at least I have you in my life." I smiled brightly at her.
It was an awkward silence as I could felt that Ivy started to tense. I quickly tried to change the topic by showing her food that I brought with me. I cannot bear to see her crying because I knew that once she started to cry, it will be difficult for her to stop and I cannot bear to see her looking so hurt and vulnerable.
I opened up my bag and exclaimed happily, "Look what I got here! Your favourite food, sushi!" I took a biteand handed her a chopsticks for her to join me eating. She giggled and joined eating sushi with me. I looked at her while she was busying herself with food. I stared at her for a few seconds and thought, "I wonder why do a sweet kind girl like Ivy has to encounter something like this in her life."
We spent a few hours together talking about dramas and current issues. I bid goodbye to her and headed to the bus stop. I was walking to the bus stop with thousands of thoughts wondering in my mind.
I got on the bus and sat nearby the window. As I looked through the scenery by the window, my thoughts were full of my memories with my best friend, Ivy. Ivy Arabella Kim, my best friend for almost 10 years. We spent a lot of times together and created a lot of memorable memories as well. We shared our problems and supported each other.
My eyes filled with tears as I remembered Ivy telling her problems to me. Ivy was a really understanding and considerate person. I admired her personality. Her kind heart and not wanting to hurt others around her makes her different from all the people I met. That's what makes her special. However, I think that's also why people kept on using her for their satisfaction and needs. I felt bad for her. I remembered how Ivy came up to me and poured her heart in telling her sorrows. I would feel bad and mad at the person who controls her. Her parents. Her father, Ian Kim and her mother, Flora Kim would tried their best to control her life and expected her to obey their rules without any objection. I felt pity towards her.
Her parents treated her and her younger brother, Isaac differently due to their genders and how they viewed their child. It seems unfair, I supposed.
I remembered the days when Ivy would cooped up in her room during summer holidays. She was not allowed to go out with her friends and even me. She had a really strict parents and her life mainly consisted of studying and stayed at home. She did not have the life of every girl her age experienced. Hangouts. Sleepovers. Dates. Late night walk with friends. Going to the beach. Bowling. Karaoke. Ivy didn't get to experience this in her life. Not even once.
I remembered how she cried and wished that she could at least find her happiness once she graduated university. However, that seemed impossible to achieve since she had a strict and overprotective parent.
Ivy was a girl with high dreams and hopes. I remembered the days when we were in high school and she told me her plans in life.
*****Flashback started*****
Ivy smiled at me and said, "Alannah! I think we should go to the same college together! I had always wanted to study at the top university in United Kingdom. I want to study accounting. How about you?"
I smiled widely at her and replied to her questions immediately, "Oh my gosh! I want to study accounting too! That's good! We can be course mates." Ivy giggled and I could see that she is happy with her plans in life. If only Ivy's parents could see how determined and smart their daughter is. If only they could be considerate and communicate with her better. I could see a sparkle of joy in her eyes as she kept on talking about her plans after graduating from high school.
Just like every other teenage girl, Ivy dreamt of catching her dreams and also make her parents proud despite her parent's strict rules and overprotectiveness. I admired her patience and strength to endure all this kind of pain. It might not seem much to others but I know it is unbearable to those who encounter this life experience.
