Hey, Bunny... Do you remember the day we met? Probably not. You were too young back then.
We met at a play date our parents arranged for us. I was five years old. I was in my Panda onesie. I sat there, busy playing with blocks and other toys our parents laid out for us. You were wearing that Bunny onesie which I thought suited you well. You came up to me, walking as fast as a three-year old could muster.
"Panda!"
That was the first word you said as you held my cheeks, your eyes wide with amazement.
And then... You gave me my first kiss.
The kiss shocked me so I pushed you and you fell to the floor. Your cry filled the room. I panicked. Our parents were just outside.
"Shh... please don't cry," I begged. "Please. I'm sorry."
You kept crying so I slowly made my way towards you. I reached out and gently patted your head until all I heard were your soft sniffles.
"There, there," I whispered. You had your eyes on me. "I'm sorry, Bunny."
"Bun... Bunwhi?"
You sniffed. I laughed at your struggle to pronounce the word. I wiped your tears and used my sleeve to wipe the snot off your nose.
"Yes, Bunny."
I didn't know your name yet. I didn't know what to call you, and that was the first thing that came to my mind.
"Whiwi is Bunwhi?"
Your nose was red from crying and your eyes were still a bit glassy because of the tears.
I wrapped an arm around your shoulder and my right hand lightly pinched your cheek. I just couldn't resist how cute you were.
"Yes. You're Bunny and I'm Panda."
"Panda hates Bunny?"
"No. No, baby. I don't hate you."
"But you pushed me." You pouted.
"You just surprised me, that's all. I'm really sorry I pushed you."
"So you like Bunny?"
"I do."
Your smile widened and I knew I was right to call you Bunny.
"I love you, Panda!"
I was surprised when your arms wound tightly around my waist. A smile spread across my lips as I returned the hug.
"I love you too, Bunny."
"Awww.... Look at you two."
"They're best friends already."
I heard our moms gush.
"It looks like Cha found herself a new friend," I heard dad say.
Friend? I suppose so.
"And Rhiri's already very clingy."
Our dads laughed at how tightly you were still hugging me. I didn't mind our parents' excitement about our instant closeness. At that moment, I was just so happy.
They weren't wrong. From that day on, we became the best of friends. We did almost everything together. We went to the same schools. Where I was, people were sure to find you too.
