Reoww!!

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Thank You

The phone rings. I smile as I see the name. The first smile in days.

"Hey, when is your admission again ar?" "February 15 lor."

"Hmm. Eh. Can I come?"

He didn't even wait for me to ask. It was as if he knew how unsure I was of anything anymore.

"Are you serious?" "Ya. Can I come or not?"

Asking for my OK to let him take a plane down to attend my admission ceremony. When I know he isn't exactly rolling in terms of cash and amount of leave right now.

A long pause as I come to terms with it. And I smile again, this time brighter.

"Yes, Reg, you can come."

---

New Year's Day comes and passes swiftly. The one nearest and dearest to me here is no more. The ache is almost physical.

Another phone call from an old friend. The voice at the other end rants for me when I can't speak. Lashes out for me when I kept it within.

"Girl, I can't believe that this is happening to you now, and I'm not there with you."

"It's ok la, woman. You just came down mar. "

"Hmm - eh, your admission. Who's gonna go?"

"Reggie's flying down." "... Wah :)" "Yeah :)"

Some further questions to check things are ok, then... "Girl. Can I come too?"

"...Huh? You just flew off like 3 days ago! You wanna come here to visit twice in the space of one month?... Wei, no need la. I have no space to offer you this time wor."

Short silence, and then she laughs: "Woman. It's ok. I want to be there. I want to see you."

Speechless. Only the familiarity borne from a 10-year friendship could have kept us attuned to what was being said in that wealth of silence.

Then: "Thanks, Steph."

----

Events transpired. The unimaginable happened to him.

Another phone call. "Babe, I don't think I can make it leh... I'm sorry."

I knew it already and I didn't want the apology. It was enough that both had reached out when I kept mute. When I didn't dare to ask.

"It's alright. Just keep me posted on you. I wanna know."

---

She arrives earlier, and whiles the days with me, content to laze and idle. Ensconced in a luxury suite, lacking none but sound-proof balcony doors (as we were to find out ;) ) Stays by my side as I grow silent and withdraw... then joins in the laughter (hers ladylike, mine raucous) as the cheer returns.

Unshakeable in her loyalty.

---

February 15 arrives. She is with me. Fusses over me, clucks over my clothes/ironing, stresses over how far we are from being ready as the minutes tick by.

Misdirections (brought on by yours truly - the one supposedly familiar with Melbourne after so many years, guiding the 'tourist'). More minutes tick by. Footsteps grow quicker.

Then I see him. A solitary figure outside the courthouse. Donned in his colourful jacket, incongruous amongst the throng of people swarthed in black and white. Luggage at his feet. Slight frown on his face as he looks at his watch, then at me (a far too common sight for me :P).

Frown softening, then a reluctant grin as I stop in front of him. Smile.

"You're late."

"You came."

...

"Of course I did. Now get in there."

---

No words. Just... thank you.

. o O declared Lid at 4:15:00 AM