Saturday, February 21, 2009

Long Lost Friend

Early last week, I had a new friend request on my facebook and was pleasantly surprised to see that he's my sec schoolmate/classmate. We lost contact when he joined NS.

Sec 1, we're in the same class. I sat in front of him. I could feel that he liked me as he would do almost anything for me. For Egs:
- When he knew I liked his self-made plasticine, somewhat used as blue-tac, he made a real big one for me (but I threw it back at him whenever I was unhappy:P).
- He would deliver video tapes to my house (which was about 10mins by bus then another 10mins walk), just to the doorsteps, not allowed to go in & meet my conservative & fierce mum.
- Same for the Atari games which I wanted to play. He lent me his full set infinitely and delivered to my doorsteps.

I always wonder why as I had the weirdest hairstyle then. Because of that, I had been the laughing stock among the gals especially Mel. Hubby will always burst out laughing whenever he sees photos of the younger me but those were already considered better ones comparatively. If he were to see any pic of me in that goofy hairstyle, think he’ll definitely flip! Haha... Well, think about a (girl) studdent with short, layered & back-combed hair (short as in real short, just a lil longer than the boys’) with a centre part... but a bit of the short, naturally-curled fringe was deliberately “pasted” on the forehead for don’t-know-what reason. And yes, that’s me...

Ok let’s come back... Sec 2 onwards he went to the first class & I was in the 2nd last. Only when we’re in Sec4 that we resumed regular contacts. Even went to his place, I mean with the gals during CNY & I was being teased almost endlessly. But the gals warned me to not accept him as he seemed to be a very sheltered person as he's always well taken care of by his elder sisters. Nothing happened though & we went on our separate ways after ‘O’ levels... till about 3 years later I can’t remember how we got in touch again. The same old him... still delivered stuff to my doorsteps.. be it medicine or dinner.. we went out quite a few times & then he got into NS. In a way, I was glad that he didn’t ask to bring our 'friendship' to the next level. I think I liked the attention showered but couldn't imagine myself being together with him. I didn't dislike him though... just didn't like him enough to want to be with him, to get emotional when he vanished. And also, I didn't need to choose between religion & him.. maybe that's one of the reasons too.

All thanks to FB, I get to catch up with this childhood (or teenagerhood friend haha). He asked me out for lunch 2 or 3 days after re-meeting on FB. He's supposed to pick me up below my office at 12. He said he'd call when he’s nearing. But 12.15.. 12.25.. no call from him. So I text him...

Me: “Hi, is our lunch still on?”
MS (replied almost immediately): “I’m here. Still waiting at the drop-off point.”
Me: “Still??”

So he explained that he actually reached my office around 11.35 but this blur friend saved my hp number wrongly the previous day & text the wrong person. When I didn’t show up or respond, he called the number to know that it’s switched off. He thought that he’s being stood up but still waited downstairs. Only till I messaged him around 12.30pm that he realized he’d saved the wrong number... Careless careless...

We’ve so far met twice for lunch & both in Central asit's just a short drive from my office but away from the crowd. And his treats;)

He's doing well now, driving a new B-class Merc & the boss of an ID firm of 10 years. So the gals were very wrong. Hmmm...

Was interesting meeting an old friend & we took turns to try update each other on the important events during those lost years. So much to catch up on & also clarified some issues happened back then - at that time, someone told him I already had a boyfriend which was why he chose to let go. Glad that now we can at least talk about things very openly.

MS said if he could turn back the time, he'd have persisted... but now that I'm happily married, everything's irreversible.

Then 6 years ago... back in 2003, we could have met. He’s a regular at Newsroom & mine was right next. Had bumped into quite a few old friends who happened to pass by but not him. He said if he met me then… he'd "go all out" to win me over & hubby wouldn't have a chance.. haha! Yep... I’m quite sure things would not be the same if I were to re-meet him before Mr Soh. But was it for the better? Certainly not. As I feel so happy with us that I can't imagine how life could be better without hubby. Yet both hubby & I agree that he would have been the best choice then. At that time, I was so lost. I needed a pair of strong hands to pull me out of the troubled situation & steady shoulder to lean on. Finances wise, he definitely fitted the bill. And from how he treated me when we’re much younger and even now, I think I would be well taken care of. If MS came into the picture first, I wouldn’t have given hubby & myself a chance to know each other. Or rather, we wouldn't even meet then?

However, it's my heart that I have doubts in. If back then I didn't feel, not even a lil, sad when he decided to go away, I’m pretty clear about my feelings. So I would be accepting him for the wrong reasons and get myself into more distress if I happened to meet someone whom I found myself emotionally attracted to. After all these years, I know myself... Nothing beats LOVE. Of course, money is important as well. And God is so good... He placed hubby in my life. Not MS, & others were just passers-by. I know that my friends were really supportive but many did silently doubt my decision... Vince could not give me financial stability then... choosing him would mean I've to start from scratch again. Why did I not go for TM? Eric? Or others who could provide me sufficiently? At that time, I wasn't that sure... just followed my heart. Besides being the No.1 doting & attentive (then) boyfriend, I saw his potential in proving himself at work. Hubby’s also the only one among the rest who shares the same faith as me and unbelievably, with very similar background & problems, which I've now come to realise how important that is for a couple. It's definitely drawn us closer. Sometimes, even till now, I do admire my own courage & take pride in having such accurate foresight:P But frankly, all I can say... it's His arrangement.

Had also filled MS in on what hubby & I been through especially during the initial 3years+. He felt happy for me that I was able to find such a good husband and he gave us his blessings. He also said... now besides hubby, I have another man to trust.

I'm really happy to have re-found this long lost friend and hope that he'll be a good friend for another 20 years... or even 30, 40 years... not only with me, but also with hubby:)

No comments: