We have known each other more than 20 years. As our life start to unfold into different spectrum and colors, we keep in touch once in a blue moon while respecting each other space. Little that I know our meeting would be a little bit different this time around. She called to say that she was in JB. To be specific, she was staying at Pulai Spring. I was in a middle of a meeting. I told her to give me another half an hour. She called me again as I was about to leave the meeting. I rushed to my room to pick up my purse and as it was inside my Ikea red foldable shopping bag, I just grabbed it. I met her who was waiting in front of Canseleri Building. Above all places that she can park her black Mercedes, she chose that special place!
She sounded chirpy than usual. Or is it my imagination that when we met few years ago she sounded more serious? I greet her with a hug. Did we hug last time when we met? I just could not help from thinking that she was a bit different this time around.
It was lunch time and I asked if she had her lunch. She told me that she had her lunch at the hotel where she was staying. She told me that she just want to have a chat with me. To catch up with an old friend. Yup. We met at IIUM Matriculation centre in 1996. We had many classes together since we both majored in psychology.
We decided to have light munchies and hot drinks at McD. After we took our seat while waiting for our order, she had a quick look at me. I was wearing a black jubah and shawl with flowery design. Of course, she noticed my Ikea red plastic bag. “Dij, you are still you. You can afford to buy more expensive bag than that! But, hey we are the same! We don’t care about the brand as long as it is practical“. She laughed after saying this. Looking at myself, I laughed at own self too. “I don’t have that typical image of a lecturer, huh?” I asked her. She said “No. Don’t get me wrong. I am glad that you are still like this. You don’t change much, don’t you?” I just laughed. I have changed a lot, but there are some parts of me that still the same. I told her that at this age, there are so many things have changed. I told her that I start to have grey hair and I also have nearsightedness. I am old. Age is catching up. Both of us laughed again. We have a good time to tease each other this time around. I feel somehow our friendship has matured to different level.
We asked each other about the latest development in our life and suddenly she told me this “Dij, I am on medical leave because I have depression.” I was shocked. I was in the similar situation and I know it is not easy without intervention and professional help. I asked her “Do you have to take any medication?” She told me that a psychiatrist gives her some medication to take. I didn’t know how to react. She is a dear friend. I know her family and siblings. I have met her mom and dad. Her mom still remembers me. Gosh, it is not easy to share this news. Looking at how quiet I was, she assured me that she is ok. She is in a better situation than before. Then, she laughed. “Dij, I am really ok. I am glad that you still want to meet me even though I know that you are busy. You know, there are some of our friends who don’t want to meet me when I ask them out to hang out”. She updated me about her family and both of her parents are retired. Alhamdulillah, both of them are well.
Then she suggested that we should take a picture. “I want to meet Dee on my way back to KL tonight and I want to show her our picture“, she told me. “Tonight? When are you planning to meet her?” I asked her. “Around 7 or 8pm?” she replied. Dee is our friend. A Mary Kay advocate. She converts most of our friends to become MK users. She is a business-minded type.
“Did Dee approach you to use MK product?” I asked. “You?” she asked me back. We looked at each other and laughed. That’s the answer! We don’t have to say anything to know the answer. Old friends can read each other’s mind quite well. Indeed.
The lunch time was almost finished and she wanted to meet another friend before she went back to KL. We had to say Goodbye now. She sent me back to UTM at 2pm just in time for me to go for another meeting. I told her that I didn’t have the opportunity yet to show her my office and faculty. She told me “I guess we have to think about another meeting. Perhaps you will show me around more“. In sha Allah.
DD, thanks for your time! I never thought that McD hot choc is quite delicious.