Me Plus Her

In Person

Let us fast forward to January of 1968.

I was asked to be a guest performer for a show. I was told that I would be performing my hit single.

That time, I almost came late for the show. I truly hate being late, but I had too many stopovers before I came to the studio.

I came in. I saw a woman. She was fixing herself in front of the mirror while humming a familiar song. She had brown hair. She had green eyes. She was a charming woman.

I had to interrupt and ask her as I saw a free station beside her. "Excuse me, is someone using this?"

She stopped then looked at me. It took a while for her to answer my question. I was bothered at first, because she had that intimidating stare. Yet I was relieved after a few seconds when she smiled then replied, "Hey! Uh... No one's using it."

I moved as fast as I could. But I had to thank her. "Thank you so much! Name's Agnetha, by the way."

She replied. "I'm Anni-Frid... I mean Frida."

I kept on fixing myself 'cause I looked like a mess. "It's nice to meet you Anni...I mean Frida." I paused for a moment. Why was her name so familiar? "Where are you from?"

She narrated that she was born of a Norwegian mother and a German soldier. She came from Norway. She and her grandmother moved. Then she was orphaned at two. She grew somewhere near Eskilstuna.

Eskilstuna... Anni-frid... I still couldn't remember where and when did I saw this woman.

I told her that I came from Jönköping. Then I checked on her reflection again, and I was able to connect the dots. "Don't tell me you're Anni-frid, the woman who sang En Ledig Dag. The woman the whole nation was watching as traffic lanes switched that day...I mean night."

"Yep that was me." She replied with a smile.

"So you're a wife and a mom?" I just asked her based from what I heard from the interview before. She looked young and beautiful given those facts. I couldn't help asking questions after knowing that she was a friendly woman.

"I used to be..." then she paused. I thought she was done. I felt sad, because she sounded sad after saying those words. But then she changed her tone and laughed, "...a wife, but I am a mom."

I smiled at her. I truly thought she would cry, but it seemed that she had moved on after separating from her husband.

Then she continued, "And you're Agnetha, the young singer and songwriter. You are talented."

Wow! Hearing that from her boosted my confidence. She was just an amazing person. "Don't be silly. You are great too. Your voice jusr soothes the ears." It was true. I almost forgot every problem I had after listening to her.

We kept on chatting until we were called by the production people to perform. I felt that there was a connection for us. She had that charm, and I even wished she was my elder sister. What if my parents adopted her before I wad born? That could have been amazing. But I couldn't help notice that she kept on staring at me, as if there was something wrong with me. At the same time, her stare just kept me going. Have you ever felt light towards on person, even if you're not related?

Then we were called to perform. Frida performed the same song from her breakthrough performance. And as for me, I performed my hit single.

As the show was about to end, all the performers were asked to gather again. Frida and I were almost beside each other. I was kind of shy, that I kept looking at her. She was just meant to be the star of the show. Then she caught me looking at her, and she smiled at me. I responded by smiling back. She boosted my confidence again.

When it was finally over, some of the performers were bidding each other farewell, sharing compliments, and even hugging each other. I went to Frida, as she was the last person to hug.

I hated goodbyes. It was hard to say goodbye to her though we just met. I felt like I was going to lose something when it happens. I was building up tears regardless of my smile. I called her, "Frida?"

"Yes, Agnetha? You were great out there."

"Please call me Anna." I wanted her to call me that way. I allowed people who are close to me to call me Anna. So tears were falling from my eyes. "You were great there too Frida. I don't want to cry, but..." I hugged her. "I am really going to miss you, Frida. You were like a big sister who cares. I want to be your best best friend.

She handed me her hanky. "I am going to miss you too Anna." She led me to the backstage. "You made me feel like I have a little sister though we only had a short time together. You gave me a chance to have an open girl talk like this. I wanted to be your best friend too. You are like an angel to me."

Then we stopped moving after entering the dressing room. "Sorry. I made your hanky wet with tears." I told her as I was about to return it.

But she closed my hand and put it on my chest. "Keep it." I looked at her, and she was smiling. "So that you'll remember me." She paused. "But I am positively sure we'll see each other soon."

"Really? Do you promise?" I childishly asked her.

"Yep. Take care of yourself, okay? Don't do anything stupid with men. I just don't want you to end up like me." That was a first. I never heard it from some friends after several breakups. Instead, I heard this advice from a person I just met. She was truly a caring person.

"Thanks Frida. Just be strong in whatever circumstance your facing. You are a strong woman since then. You can do it!" Before I left, I turned back to her. "Did I mention that your eyes are beautiful? They're captivating. And you are truly beautiful"

"Eh really? Thanks! Take care Anna!" The she hugged me again. I felt soft too. I felt the love, the warmth of a best friend. I was trying to hold back my tears. "It's nice to meet you Anna. Have a safe trip."

"Thanks Frida. It was nice meeting you too. I'll see you soon."

Those were my last words that time. As I departed the place, the last thing I saw were her green eyes and her charming smile.

I was quite intimidated and insecure the first time I saw Frida in person. However, I was wronged. She was actually a wonderful person.

She was not just talented but caring. Aside from that, she was a fighter. She stood strong after all she had been through. Beauty would always be a word associated to her. Finally, she was like a big sister.

Actually, I wanted her to be my big sister.

It was just the beginning to a journey for me plus her.