Friend through thick and thin

I HAVE met and come to know many people throughout my life – during my primary and secondary schooldays, in university, at the places where I worked, and at events I attended.

The most precious friendship I’ve found is in my current workplace, where I met M in 2004.

She joined my school as an English teacher. From that day onwards, our friendship blossomed. I have never met a more wonderful person than M.

Together, we shared good and bad moments, laughter and sadness, achievements and shortcomings. There were also days we would just sit and pour our hearts out to each other. We confided in each other about almost anything and everything. We motivated and advised each other.

We travelled to many countries together on vacations and for work. She was my research buddy and we collaborated very well as we found the most pleasant company in each other.

At the beginning of this year, she became very sick due to a spine condition that made her unable to walk normally. She had thought it was due to an injury she had suffered in 2018. M, who used to be a jovial person, suddenly became so ill that her movements were limited, she lost her appetite, and became overly emotional at times.

I could deeply feel her devastation. I saw the drastic changes in her, not only physically but also emotionally.

After some months, she decided to get help from a well-known specialist. To our horror, she was diagnosed with breast cancer!

She couldn’t believe it because she had always maintained a healthy lifestyle. She thought it was the end for her.

Her whole world was shattered. She started imagining her kids growing up without her. She felt for her husband who dearly loves her.

Everyone who knows her for her friendly and jovial character loves her very much. When we learnt about her disease, we were shocked and devastated for her and her family.

Being her best friend, I knew she needed my support at this time, and I was there for her. I could understand her situation very well because I went through a similar phase when my husband was diagnosed with leukaemia a few years ago. M was there for me throughout, with encouraging words, prayers and motivation. Now it was my turn to be there for her and her family.

Thankfully, M is on the road to recovery and I hope she’ll return to work soon. I sit next to her in the office. I miss her every day – her morning greetings, jokes and laughter. I miss our annual vacations, doing research together, and our chats over breaks. But I know she’ll return soon as she promised. She is my best friend forever!