S T R E A M

Some people often like to compare friends to the stars, or perhaps to fire, passion, rainbow, and everything nice that lies around them. If I were to compare you, you're probably a gentle flow of stream that slowly cascades into my life.

It started off as a gentle trickle of water that built into a puddle. Hot, summer afternoon, with the damp and wispy Malaysian humidity, and a messy head filled with strange characters of my ancestry. Looking out of the window at passing cars pondering why I actually decided on sitting here, when out of a sudden I was called to answer questions and I had to send you a pleading look. Giving off a small smile, there you were, pointing at the part of the page that had the answer the teacher was requesting.

We hadn't hit it off at one go. Albeit being really noisy and talkative as a thirteen-year-old, classes were mostly me talking to fill up the boredom while you consistently studied. From musical instruments to pets, we barely converse. On and off, I tend to get bored with the lack of response I'd get from you, but at the same time, you were my main source of reference when I couldn't answer any questions. Of course, putting it bluntly, my answer-provider for questions in class.

You are slow in warming up to people, especially those who display themselves too blatantly (like the thirteen-year-old me), but oh, how glad I am you actually sustained my noise consistently for the next three years. Chinese classes were informative and fun, if only it hadn't had to be allocated to the slot after recesses, where I'd feel heavy and drained. Thankfully, another source of fun popped up for us as we grew closer through prefect duties.

----- the only viewable one out of all the photos in our younger secondary school days -----

As I'm writing this, I certainly hope no juniors / strict seniors / fussy humans are going to report on my past wrongdoings (inserts laughter). Standing in front of the room as "door-deities" would probably be boring, if you hadn't been the one with me. Good times, singing good songs from the past, turning off the mic but pretending the whole school can hear us, DJ-ing our way as we fool about in the room; and occasionally, blundering when we forgot to mute the mic before gossiping. That was once in a blue moon.

That was also our very own escapades and private secrets, how we got close to each other thereafter. From that forty-minutes deskmate session thrice weekly, to standing next to each other daily for duties, and hiding from the heat (and standing - good lord what example am I setting here) in the room with doors closed, there were more. Sharing the same love for the same bunch of boys (I mean EXO, don't get me wrong), looking at the the whole fuzzy entertainment circle with much curiosity and brimming gossip (girls, sigh). High school was full of unexpected stories, but it was amazing and calming that you actually became one of the expected desire come true.

And, my dear bestfriend, as I write this for the past ten minutes, the words flow like how our stories did. You're the gentle stream that continuously flow in my Gaia, consistent and strong. You bend at my dark sides, understanding how growing up is difficult, but willingly providing me space to fly and make mistakes. When my wings were injured by the thistles and thorns as I fly too low, you don't rush to fix them, but remind me that scars are there for reasons they should. That the world is harsh, but as a comrade, you will go through all of these with me.

Past graduation into adulthood, there were countless moments I wished we had the opportunity to continue being pals in the same environment, but deep down, I know every arrangement has its reason. Till today, I guess I appreciate having us in different environment more than anything else, because as we fly and grow our separate paths and strive for different dreams, there are times when we can willingly grow back to one another. It's the words from a familiar that strung through my mind right now, that we will shine and strive for continuity to make a friendship work.

And, dear best friend, as you turn twenty-one, I just wish you would always remember, that because you're the stream of gentleness and warmth in my life, because you're you, and because I'm me, you're always shining. The world would never take that away from you, because as you persevere in the line that you chose and aim for, time would remind you how unending a person's effort can be. Time would tell, and so would I, as we continue exploring and traversing the world. There would be times we would not stand hand-in-hand, but I will tend your wings as we fly through the thickets and thorns in whatsoever journey time has left for us.

----- happy 21st, dear best friend <3

- x -