My Ideal Friend

MY IDEAL FRIEND

I was walking home from school. I was carrying my books and tonnes of homework home. I walked with a heavy stride with my head hanging down, unaware of the chatter and socialising going on around me. Spirits were low and I took my usual route home which usually takes me about 20 minutes.

“What next? I have no idea what to do,” I told myself.

Abruptly, I knocked into something and all my books and papers fell to the sidewalk. I lost my footing and went down on my knees together with the rest of my worthless papers which I planned to discard at home. I looked up. I didn’t knock into something; I knocked someone. He was tall, smartly dressed in his uniform and looked at me with the most charming smile.

“I’m sorry,” he said with an almost assuring manner. “I didn’t see you. I was looking the other way,”

“It’s not your fault. I wasn’t looking at where I was going either.” I told him with my usual soft stuttering manner.

“Here, let me help you with this. You’re new here right? I saw your mother and you unloading the car just 1 week ago. I live not too far from here, I can walk you home too if you don’t mind.” He said.

“Huh? Erm... I... I think...” I tried to say something before he interrupted.

“Don’t worry. I insist. Come on; let’s pick these things up first.” He helped me pick up all the things, carried more than half of the weight I was bearing and started strolling happily alongside till we reached home. Frank was his name and I couldn’t help but be pulled into his beaming sense of optimism in life and his brilliant sense of humour.

Before you knew it, Frank and I started hanging out 24 hours a day. Wherever he went, he made sure I was there and since I was new around that area, he helped me a lot in getting to know new people. Believe it or not, socializing was not my forte and 13 year old teenagers in secondary school can be awfully mean to new faces. I had my fair share of hazing and ragging but Frank who was the bulkier of the two of us made sure I was always safe in school. I remember one time when 3 boys tried to extort money from me. Frank came rushing with 5 prefects and managed to get them off my back. He was not into fighting fire with fire but he would have given them a knuckle sandwich if they hadn’t walked away.

Our 5 years of secondary school passed by so quickly. Having Frank as my best friend really brought out the best in me. I never really knew how he did it, but just by being with him changed me, or more accurately – improved me. He was head prefect and in turn I aspired to be the head librarian. He was active in track and field and I ventured too into the swim team. We were in the best class and his constant encouragement made an average student like me, turn out to be one of the best students in school. By the end of our form 5 year, I was named the Best Student for the SPM examinations with 13 A+. He was not too shabby either with 12 A+ and 1 A. He was always a bit weaker in Biology. We were both given great scholarships and pursued our lifelong dream of being lawyers – our constant bickering and friendly arguments led to that choice.

Our alma matter SMK Bukit Gula 3 invited both of us to school to retrieve our awards for our fine achievements in our SPM exams. Being the best student, of course I was invited to give a speech about how I managed to get such good results and become successful.

“5 years ago, I transferred to Bukit Gula from Johor because my dad passed away and my mother, devastated, decided to move here to start things fresh. My dad was my best friend and I never got over his death as he was my confidant and my only source of solace when I hit rock bottom. When I first arrived here, my first week was horrendous. I had no friends, I had no will to open up to new friends, and I was constantly ignored and avoided by everyone. At the end of that torrid first week, I cleaned up my desk, and walked home to commit suicide.” I looked at Frank and saw his eyes wider than saucers. I continued,

“However, I met a boy named Frank. I bumped into him that day I decided to end my life; meeting him and befriending him turned my life around and I stand in front of you all today, proud, confident and successful. That small moment of kindness and sincerity he showed me on that day changed my life forever and Frank, my good friend; you will always be in my heart as the one who took me out from the gutter. I will always remember that day so vividly and I will never be able to repay your kindness enough. My success today will always be because of Frank and I will always cherish you as my friend till the last breath I take. I love you and will always be there for you.” Frank was already tearing up while the audience just listened in awe and gave Frank and I a standing ovation fit for that of royalty.

I ran down to the crowd and gave Frank a big hug with tears rolling down my eyes and said, “You have been my friend and more. Thank you.” Frank and I never looked back since, and we remain ideal friends for each other; for the rest of our lives.

(984 words)