I listened to her words with excitement; she had so many stories to tell. Finally, I could not believe my eyes; there she was sitting right in front of me sharing her stories. We have not met each other for nearly 10 years. Danielle was my best friend when we were in secondary school but I have not heard from her after we got our SPM results. Recalling back those memories of how we drifted apart and went separate ways.
During our senior years in secondary school, we used to hang out together, most of the time preparing for our SPM examination. It would be a white lie if I said we have never fought, but we managed to give in and forgive. Our competition level was very high as we always competed academically. If she was first in class, I got second and vice versa. These competitions were always very healthy. We continued our competition all the way to SPM examination. We then applied to work part-time at Golden Screen Cinemas in Mid Valley as both of us share the same love that is in movies. Three months passed in a blink of an eye. There we were standing in the school hall shivering to our spines while waiting for the results to be announced. Those couple of minutes felt like hours but I was jumping in joy together with Danielle as both of us scored the best result in the whole school.
Days passed so quickly, and the next image that came to my mind was a moment that I completely forgot about. Everyone was mourning for the loss of Danielle's mother. She had succumbed to cancer. I saw Danielle lying beside the motionless body wailing so loudly. I walked towards her and gave my words of support. I knew it was not much of help since she continued crying. I knew that she is experiencing a really devastating moment, so I waited till everything was settled and supported her all the way. Then I went to talk to her, she said that she was going to New Zeland in a scholarship to study law. I on the other hand would leave to India in a month's time to pursue my tertiary education in dentistry.
That was the last time I heard from her. We totally lost contact and went our separate ways. I was in a long- term relationship with a course mate. I came back once yearly during my final semester breaks only because I was also an active member for the International Red Cross Youth Organization. The activities held by Red Cross are normally during my semester breaks, therefore I did not go home during short breaks. After six years my course was over and I have the abbreviation 'Dr.' in front of my name. My relationship with my course mate, Jessica was still going. I was working in KPJ Hospital as a dentist saving money to open my own clinic.
One cold night, while I was using my laptop, I came across a file o have not opened in years. It was the folder of my senior year pictures. It was then when I recognized that girl, who was none other than Danielle. I knew it was time for me to find and talk to her. I opened my Facebook account and typed in her name, I could not find her, so I contacted one of our classmates to get some information about Danielle before managing to add her as a friend on Fcebook. She immediately accepted my friend request and heard a 'bing' sound. It was the chat box and the first message I received from Danielle was, Wow, you still remember me after all these times. She was working in one of the well- known law firm as a criminal lawyer. After nearly two hours, I told her that we should meet up for dinner one of these day. She agreed instantly.
I stepped out of my dream and continued paying attention to her story, She started talking about her fiancée and told me that she was getting married in two months. She met him at her workplace and said he was made to be with her. I replied in a sarcastic tone 'Girls!?!?!?!? I told her about Jessica and Danielle. I told her that could be arranged soon and after nearly three hours of catching up, we had our dinner and bid farewell, promising to keep in touch this time around. Before she left, she passed me an envelope, it contained her wedding invitation, I then joked 'I thought you were going to end up living with cats.' She gave me a sarcastic Ha Ha Ha laugh before punching me hard on the elbow.
After that, we became close friends like we used to be in secondary school. It was to be in secondary school. It was true that true friendship never dies. We confined our personal problems to one another and kept them as secrets. Twenty years later, still friends we heard the sound the Boeing 777 land in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. My daughter and Danielle's son has just landed after finishing their semester in college studying abroad. Friendships are truly everlasting and true friendships can be passed down from generation to generation.
