“It’s the friends we meet along the way that help us appreciate the journey."
When an unexpected company has come along the way to make time, listen and talk to you. Time when your mind was unrested and your words were cluttered (gym is a nice place to go); she’s there to help you put the clutters in order. Learned to say thank you (now) was a lesson I learnt from this meeting. Thank you for being here!
“Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber” – it’s Saturday! Who would want to wake up early to fetch you to go jogging and play badminton? She could choose to go to gym or jog in the evening yet she’s here, never a scheduled Saturday was postponed. The laughters, “serious” talks, questions posted were the best part of the meeting especially when you’re left hanging and just agreed for there’re no more words to say.
Sleepover – I invited myself at first (a bit shy…) followed by couple of sleepovers in her house and mine too. Movies, cooking, storytelling, devotions, prayers, more talk and more question and answer about anything under the sun - these were all but memorable time spent together. Invited our sisters, because “the more the merrier.” As they say.
From a question, “Are you hungry?” to an unplanned “road trip” around the city. These were moments of more laughters and thoughts to ponder while enjoying the cool breeze at night or even late nights. As if tomorrow’s holiday, just felt like it was. Riding motorcycle around with her, back home in the Philippines I won’t be doing this. I will surely miss this time this company!
“Let’s have a talk.” A statement that she told me to be what she feared the most; of course before it was spoken a deep sigh was unconstrained. Before the time of talk, a walk around, a talk not of the reason of meeting, photos and videos were taken to keep. Time to say what has to be uttered. (I didn’t know how to start, but of course she felt it.) Deep down, how ‘lucky’ I am to have someone that makes saying goodbye so hard. Well, it’s not really good-bye; it’s just see yah later. Amongst all our meetings it was the time that I wished it didn’t happen. But I couldn’t oppose the truth that “there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven."
It wasn’t the departure yet. Less than two weeks more in the place (too short ‘coz it’s unplanned). Schedule was that tight – piles of school requirements were in my plate, deadlines were impending. Good thing, everything was in proper place on time. The less than two-week stay was as if long enough to carry out tasks and make time for people who matter in someone’s heart. With her, walk in the Independence Monument, Brooklyn foodies (pork spare ribs, cheese cake and mash potato), more road trips and more fun together. Opps. There’s more, sleepover and one more for the last time.
It was time to go (for real?); sending to bus station wasn’t the end. There was a surprise trip for two to Vietnam. I was so heartened, it was really a surprise (Even if I said, I knew she’ll do it.). As if the sun stopped for a while as we travelled and spent our time there, ‘coz it wasn’t a rush (smart Somlanh). As we nearly approached the airport, I tried so hard to conceal my tears with ‘smile’ and pauses. Now, the for real is at hand. The hand wave of see you later made my lacrimal gland give up containing the impeded tears. As the tears rolled down my checks, my heart was filled with gratefulness for the countless memories and time we have spent.
From the Philippines to Cambodia – Cambodia to the Philippines separated by the South China Sea but in heart and in language we are always connected. A Cambodian (Khmer), Bong/Somlanh Puthy Sorng whom I considered to be so close to my heart, a person who fits into the puzzle, an important character in the story of this life.
In our journey, we meet diverse individuals – may in terms of age, language, nationality, gender… We don’t expect to be tightly connected to all, yet we’ll never know how far our ‘simple’ words and acts of kindness will take them. They said, “There are people (friends) in our lives for a reason, for a season and for a lifetime.” Regardless of which is which, our allotted time for them is worth it to be spent well ‘coz it won’t be taken back or even replayed.
Thank you for reading!