Sunday, August 14, 2005
Please Remember
Dear friend,
I remembered the way we met. We were still minors in a neighbourhood playground. We were the new kids on the block. I guessed that it must have been loneliness that drew us close that time. How ironic. Do you not remember?
Dear friend,
I remembered that we hopelessly clung together since the other was the only person we knew. We went to school together. We sat through classes together. In short, we were inseparable. How I laugh remembering those times. The time literally flew by. I remember the time we spent by the little stream we used to have in the neighbourhood. I remember spending hours there searching for worms and you, picking those pretty flowers. Do you remember?
Dear friend,
I remember the time when you became interested in the other gender. You grew closer to that group of gossipy girls that we used to label as “Yak Pack”. They were like vicious predators looking for a subject to talk and once they did, they would talk themselves hoarse. I remember being hurt and wondered why you started drifting away from me. It seemed as though you were ashamed of me and my unladylike manners that very moment. I remember crying hard till my eyes were a pair of puffy reds before turning to bed for solace and dreaming of the moments we used to share. Do you remember?
Dear friend,
I remember fighting that young hot-blooded male who tried to take advantage of you. I forgot that he was the captain of our school’s rugby team. I remember how you cried and plea with him as he beat me up. I just smiled and made light of the situation by laughing. That earned me a black eye. Of course, I learnt to keep my mouth shut by then. I concentrated on defeating that guy. When you returned with the discipline master, I turned out to be the victor and the discipline master hauled me off to his room for detention. I knew that you tried to explain the situation but it did not help. That guy I had beaten up was a star player, the pride of the school. It would not look too good if their star player has a black mark on his record wouldn’t it? It would spoil his chances at getting the scholarship. Do you remember?
Dear friend,
I remember the time you stood up for me for that mere moment when the gossipy clan of yours began spreading wild rumours about me. I knew that it took a lot of courage. They could have “disowned” you which they threatened to do so when you uttered your opinions. I silenced you with my smile and sent you a silent message saying that it did not matter. I never knew if you received but I do know that you smiled sympathetically to me after that. Do you remember?
Dear friend,
I remember being jealous of that group of friends you had around you. They had you with them. I wanted so much to be with you once more just like before. I did all I could to join that clique of yours. I remember dressing up like them for a whole week. They still would not accept me. I gave up and I saw you giving that sympathetic smile once more. But I sympathised with you even more. That clique you belong to is keeping you away from what you loved. You may deny it but deep down, you know it’s true. Do you remember?
Dear friend,
I remember us sitting next to each other in class and not saying a word to each other. They have forbidden you to say a word to me and they were constantly watching. You were after all a member of their clique. But they did not forbid you to pass messages to me. I remember those messages you sent me. I knew that you took great pains to wake up early in order to slip it into my locker without them watching. Do you remember?
Dear friend,
Remember that no matter how hurtful or insensitive your actions were to me, I understand and forgive you. You had a reputation to keep. It was important to you at that time. I understand. Friend, remember all those joys we derived from the moments we shared together. Please remember. I love you and I always will.
I hope to see you in heaven.
That was something I wrote for language arts. No wonder it got 24/40.
