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INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY.

It wasn’t hard to get close to Orkid. She was the person who spread sparkles wherever she went. She could make a room livelier and lift up everyone’s mood with her witty jokes and relentless energy. She would talk to almost everyone in her class, even the most introverted couldn’t get rid of her!

Most people believe “opposites attract”. It rang true in Orkid’s situation. Among the hundreds of contacts she had in her phone, it was always the quirky, mysterious, and zipped-mouth ones who were closest to her. And she was Shu.

They were always seen together in morning assembly, recess, tuition classes, club meetings, outings, you name it. Inseparable, like two peas in a pod!

To outsiders, Shu was seen as quiet and weird, but with Orkid, she behaved otherwise. She talked non-stop and laughed so hard. She made peculiar jokes, and only both of them would find them funny. With Orkid, Shu could be herself.

After finishing school, they went to different colleges. Shu was far in the northern states while Orkid’s college was just in the city located in their home state.

***

College and growing up made them unable to spend time together as much as they did when they were teenagers. They only met during Eid holiday, and spend a day to catch up with each other’s stories. They would plan their day to meet, exchange gifts and money pockets, even wear the same colour outfit! The gathering was something both of them anticipated eagerly.

But, last Eid was different. Shu was different. Orkid noticed that. It wasn’t something new to Orkid because she was well aware of it.

“What happened?”, asked Orkid.

“What do you mean?”, replied Shu.

“Your hand.” Orkid said, swiftly.

“Nothing. It was just rash. I…” Shu broke down as she answered.

Orkid hugged her best friend tightly and said nothing. That day just flew by in the blink of an eye.

***

Orkid and Shu, like chalk and cheese. They were two poles apart. Black and white. Yin and Yang. But, there was one thing they shared in common — the illnesses that they suffered, which also played a huge part of their unbreakable bond.

The incident on the Eid night left a huge impact on Orkid. She hadn’t had enough sleep for days. The “rash” that Shu talked about was a lie. Both of them knew that. What was on Shu’s hand was a cut. A sign that someone would usually make when he or she was in emotional distress. A sign that calls for help.

Orkid knew Shu had suffered depression ever since secondary school. Orkid witnessed the cruelty of the illness upon Shu. To Shu, Orkid was her therapist, the safest person on earth she could rely on, and the only shoulder Shu found comfort to cry on.

Orkid thought she knew every tiny detail and secrets about Shu. Moreover, Shu always convinced her she was the only person who understood her deeply — not even her parents or siblings.

Little did she know, Shu lied about one thing; that she had quit her studies and taken multiple gig jobs to pay off her family’s debt. It was only after the incident that night, that Shu finally told Orkid, though she refused and hesitated to let Orkid know.

Money wasn’t a big deal for Orkid. She was the only heir of her family’s lucrative business. Because of that, she intentionally kept it hidden from Orkid. She knew Orkid would willingly spend thousands for her. Out of shame, respect and love, Shu was reluctant to ask for Orkid’s help.

Though Orkid insisted on helping Shu out of the debt problem, Shu declined, over and over again.

***

One night, Orkid received a call from Shu.

“I want to meet you.” whispered Shu, with her trembling voice.

“To… tonight? Where?” Orkid replied, mixed with emotions.

“At the bus stand.” Shu replied before she hung up.

Under the dim light from the streetlight and crescent moon, Shu stood with her backpack and luggage. From afar, she could see Orkid coming towards her.

“Shu!” shouted Orkid, running frantically to Shu. Slightly panting, she bombarded Shu with questions, “Why are you here with your backpack? And luggage? Where are you going in the middle of the night like this?”

“I’m leaving, Orkid. I’m leaving Malaysia” answered Shu, her voice breaking.

“Are you joking? Or lost your mind?!” panted Orkid.

“No, I’m not, Orkid. I got a better job and pay out here. I can use it to pay my parent’s loan, and help my other siblings. I don’t want them to end up like me. I want them to pursue higher education and change our family’s fate. And to change that, it is me, who has to start first. I’m willing to sacrifice. I hope you understand.” said Shu, faltered, as she struggled to hold back the tears streaming down her cheeks.

Orkid gave a quiet nod.

She said “Shu, you know right, I could help you settle the loan? But I know, no matter how much I try to convince and persuade you, you would never accept it. I feel disappointed, to be honest…”

“I’m sorry, Orkid.” said Shu, cutting Orkid off before she could finish her sentence.

“No, you don’t have to. If that’s how it must be, I respect your decision. It’s just one more thing I want you to remember, whatever you decide to do, may it be the best for you, in this world and the hereafter.” Orkid continued.

“I promise I’ll always call you, Orkid.” uttered Shu, sobbing with tears.

They both hugged and cried, as if it were the last time they would see and meet each other.

***

One and a half days after, Orkid received a call from Shu. Orkid was told that she had arrived safely in the new country and would not be using the same phone number anymore. She promised to call Orkid once everything was settled.

***

Day after day, week after week, month after month. Orkid was still waiting day and night to receive a call from her best friend. Orkid did ask her family but none of them knew about her whereabouts, though they still received the money from Shu each month .

There were times where Orkid felt depressed and deep longing for Shu. However, as time went by, the longing she once felt, slowly faded. Caught between hope and doubt, Orkid continued to live her life.

“Whatever you decide to do, may it be the best for you, in this world and the hereafter.”

Whenever she felt an ache, she would always be reminded of her last words to Shu.

Whenever she felt she was losing hope, it was those words that gave Orkid strength and somehow, a little relief.

Even if she died today, she believed she would die with a smile, knowing that she prayed the best in both worlds to her one and only best friend, Shu.