Day 1, day 2, day 3 passed by…. I was walking alone to the campus canteen. She was standing there alone near the theatre hall, as if like she is waiting for some one. She smiled at me. I was so happy and…I smiled back at her…! Then we introduced ourselves to each other. She said, “Hi, I’m Sal”… we shook our hands. This is first time I was standing so near to her. She is so fair, her skin texture color is unique, not like Punjabi or Chinese…! She wore dark brown lipstick, her eyebrow was well trimmed and slightly shaved at the edge, she have mole in between her nose and mouth…. She looks like Simran. A tamil film actress..! While walking to the canteen, we have talked abt ourselves. She was an aerospace engineering student from UPM, due to gone though some struggles in her studies, she is unable to continue and quitted from there and joined here. She was 1 and ½ years elder than me. She did her schooling in Sabah. And....yes she is mixed race…Ceylonese + Malay…!
2 weeks later…we had a big “click” now…6 of us…Yen Ling, Prema, Sal, Risma, Vani and ofcourse me..! Its actually a group formed for assignment and thesis purpose. While we were discussing for the assignments in the library…. we also used to chat many things apart from the subjects. At that time, we asked “Sal do you have boyfriend?”. She smiled and said she was married with a kid…a baby gal…named Sally..! I was so shocked. Married??? Oh my god! Why she never ever told me that. She doesn’t even look like a married lady?? So many question marks popped on top of my head! Then I calmed myself. So the name on the bag was her daughter’s name. Vani and I were more curious to know more about her life. But others were so cool and never bothered with the story. After the lectures over, I asked her abt her daughter. She then can’t control herself and burst out into big laugh and said she was lying just now. Hahahaha…. yes it was a true lie…!
Few months later… we talked so many things and topics. We became closer…and become best friends. We had shared our childhood stories, family stories, friends stories, ghost stories, happy stories, sad stories, 18sx stories, admiring stories, love stories and many more…its uncountable…! We gone through so many pains, happiness, laughs and tears…and even a silence in between us had tied our hearts closely to each other. She is the best listener, friend, teaser, joker, storyteller, adviser, guide, philosopher, teacher, motivator, and a great human being that I’ve ever met in my life. She is adored and loved by all...and more by me…. of course my best friend what! She can read my mind and my heart as well. It goes same to me. We understand each other 100%…yes its true! Even our eyes will be talking when we were sitting quite far or at the time our “enemy” is just around…or the best time was when our "favorite one" is passing by us….hahaha..! I really enjoyed my college days with her. It was heaven for me. That 2 years was so memorable for me! We graduated in July 2002 at UPM. I was a bit worried, thinking what if I might lose contact with her after studies! Yes we did...few months only. Because she was busy with her work and I came to another university to continue my degree. I begged her to continue studies with me. But at the same time I can’t force her too…coz I know her situation.
Then a year passed by…I’m happy that we still kept in touch…we do write letters and post cards to each other and share our stories and recent updates through email…and do visits each other on our festival days or in family functions. At my final year of my studies, I couldn’t forget Sal’s help in my life. I failed in finding a place to do my practical job. Indeed, I almost thought to drop the subject, which will make my graduation falls a year later. But when I called her, she immediately gave me her superior’s number and recommended me for their IT department. Woooohoooo…I’m overjoyed with this opportunity, because I’m going to work with her this time…a seat next to her…hahaha…. I had a great time in KIMIA! I felt like I'm living the college life again. She said “Its not a big deal shashi…” but with her help I graduated in the same year. She is the first person who came towards me from the crowd and wished me with a big bouquet of roses. I hugged her…! She looked at me…and smiled…she was wearing sunglasses… It’s a hot Sunday. Then she enjoyed in taking pictures of joyous moments with my family. That night she sms me…she said she cried in a proud when looking at me holding the scroll at that afternoon. That is why she never take off her sunglasses…she said her eyes filled with tears…and she said she was so happy. I’m also waiting for her graduation, which soon will be in JB.
We do still keep in touch. We seldom meet, 1 or 2 sms through mobile in a month, no mails, less phone calls…. but once we meet up..we rocks…! hahaha..back to life of our college days. We used to go for movies, shopping or just sit at a “mamak” restaurant whenever we feel like wanna see each other. We often meet up whenever we wanted to share our secrets. When I talk to her, I can’t hide anything or keep any secrets to her. The same goes to her. I believe her more than myself. She is my perfect DIARY FOREVER...There is a saying, ”Best friends are siblings that God forgot to give us!”
But I want her to be my best friend in my next life too….! The latest..i met her in my house on Deepavali Day 17th October 2009 and our latest movie that we have watched together was "The Ghost of My Girlfriends Pastl". And today.... 6th November.....it’s her birthday.
Wishing you all the best in your life, and hope the wishing stars always pours on you, so that all your wishes and dreams soon come true. Happy birthday…Sally!
With Lots of Love,
Shashi
(ur sash)
p/s:This photo was taken after 8 years.