I remember the first time we met. We were waiting for our school bus. You, with your grand pappy, me, with my dad. Looking quite spiffy in our iron-starched uniforms. I always wondered why your uniform looked so damn neat and mine looked like fluff. Even when school ended, your uniform looked damn clean. I had a lot of shit all over my uniform. I mean seriously, in art class..did you even use the paints?
I remember we used to sit beside each other in the school bus. And that one time you sat in BigBully’s seat and she punched your arm. I was sitting beside you and you tried not to cry. So I punched Big Bully in the gut and well, she almost took my eye out with that hair pin of hers. I remember you threatening you were going to tell the bus driver. We became friends that day. We were sooo gonna tell our parents the minute we reached home.
I remember going for our Malay class together. The teacher made you sit beside me because you were way too quiet. And I erm….was way too noisy. She thought you could learn to be more active in class and she wanted badly to shut me up. I also remember the countless of times you would secretly give me a sweet when I’m made to stand outside the class for no rhyme or reason.
We were never in the same class till Primary 5/6. But whenever we saw each other either in Malay class or along the corridors, we would discuss what new easer or pencil we were going to get. Or what was the latest pencil box we intended to get our parents to buy.
I remember how I bumped into you at the mall. You were with your mum shopping. I was almost in tears because Dubai who was just three had wandered off. Your mum and you helped to look for her. No questions asked. Fortunately, Dubai was at the bloody magnet section and she didn’t even know what was happening. I remember how thankful I was to you. For not judging.
I remember when we were in Secondary school. You were always chilling by yourself. Sometimes at the concourse, writing in that ugly school journal which you called your diary. I always wondered what you wrote in there. You did ask me, though to try keeping a diary. I did and then I gave up. Had way too much spelling mistakes.
I noticed how sometimes you sat at the canteen minding your own business even though you were surrounded with noisy girls. I admired that about you. You’re comfortable being who you are. You loved sitting at the concourse facing the field. Wanting to get out of school as fast as possible. I remember I was about to play basket ball when I saw you sitting at your usual spot. You looked sad. That was the first time you told me of J***. And then you told me about your group of friends whom you hanged out with on the weekends. You described each one to me and how special they meant to you. You called them your real friends. Like ColorfulShoes Bf, CFB & PP. I wished I was part of that outside life you had.
I remember how we used to walk for our Malay class. Although, you hated the subject, you never once missed a class on purpose. I have no idea how you did it. I remember you talking to me in class and I got scolding from MadMalay Teacher and was made to stand outside the principal office. Ok, so maybe me not doing my homework didn’t help the situation.
I enjoyed walking with you from the classroom to the basement for the Malay lesson. We had a lot of conversations. I told you about Soup. And you listened. And you understood. And you made fun of my clumsiness whenever I saw her. Geez..the number of times you had to pick me off the floor whenever she walked by! I told you about Her. You both were in the same class. You listened whenever I spoke about Her. You didn’t understand. You still made fun. But you swore to kick her ass if she hurt me. Although you knew, I was going to run like wind the minute I realize how much I felt for Her. That’s when we started writing letters. Oh man, you’re right, the stupid stories started from an early age.
I remember our unique idea of giving each other surprise unique letters. We actually wrote on hangars, cups, shot glasses, slippers, fans. You liked the fact that it made Her extremely edgy whenever we exchanged letters. We enjoyed seeing Her go into her crazy fits.
I remember the first time I told you I was scared of losing Her. You were working at the gaming place. You thought I was paranoid. Said I think way too much. Then we discussed about this rather hot guy who fixed the arcade games at your work place. He had a cute ass eh?
I remember sitting on my bed, stunned. Feeling lost and dejected. And you called. You just happen to call because felt I needed to go down to church today. I told you what had happened. With my grandmother and with Her. I remember feeling everything and not feeling anything. You kept insisting that I should go down. Even threatening to come to my place and drag me by the hair. I never regretted going down that day. Thank you.
I remember PP & your surprise birthday party at my place. You thought we were having a bbq at the beach. You both dressed in beach wear. I remember the surprise look you had when you saw your family and friends. I also remember you got one helluva shock, you slapped me and then you gave me a hug.
I remember when I started school and you were working at Serangoon Garden. Came over almost every day to chill and study till you finished work. Our sudden impromptu plans. We were always having impromptu plans. I like making sudden plans. Or sometimes having no plans at all. I remember you did too. Sometimes you come down to my school and we’ll have a study session cum feast in my class.
I remember how you get hurt every time you give your heart to someone. And that I couldn’t do anything about it. I remember you crying whenever you talk about it. And it broke my heart that I couldn’t make it better. I always wondered how you did it. You never gave up on love. You still haven’t. I know you think you do, but you haven’t. We would have numerous discussions on commitment-phobic ness. And you came to the conclusion that although I was chronic, you’re still willing to be my friend. Chronic & all.
I remember GummyBear. I remember a lot of things about my friends. I remember I’ve known you for 17 years. I remember everything. I am blessed you’re in my life. I am blessed that you share yours with me. Don’t be angry with me when I irritate you. It’s just fun seeing you go crahzee.
You think I forget. You assume I forget. I haven’t.
I’m right here, GummyBear. All you gotta do is look babe.
