tributes to an old friend

Life can be cruel at times. specially when u least expecting it to hit u.

i woke up receiving a sms from an old friend saying that ah bu died. from a bike accident. and they are cremating him today.

Ah bu was a tall, friendly indian guy that i knew him since i was in my teens. i knew him from the movies, (i was working part time in a movie theatre) but i couldn't remember him cause i left shortly after he started work.

few years later, i was introduced to him again during my working days in Boat Quay.he was working in one of the pubs at the front row along the riverside. the very typical beng kind of disco with mirrors to watch yourself dance.

it wasn't then i realised that he shifted to my house opp. as in literally opposite my blk where we can see each other on our own units. (those who came to my house before would understand)

he would hitch a ride with me after work at times since i could claim my fare. oncee he helped me when a lesbian followed me all the way home and stayed till she left. then he would make his way home and waved to me with a smile coz i had promised to blancha him drinks if he got rid of her.

i dun get to see him anymore after i quit from my pub days. occassionally i would bump into him on my way home and he would update me abt his life and our old friends. he would also invite me to his house on when he meets up with our friends during festive seasons.

if u had been to the colour bar at boat quay with me before,u might have remembered him. he was the one behaving very weird and appear drunk. at that point, i was shocked to see how much he has changed.

the last time i had seen him was when i saw him in marriot hotel where i was having a meeting with my boss and some korean clients. i didn't even realised he was working there till he came over with our drinks. he didn't tell me his mum passed away and he has long shifted out. yet i could feel that he was beck to his friendly and cheerful self.

but he has left us. it was so sudden that you dun know what to react. i was sitting in a daze for at least ten minutes before i decided that i didn't want to go to the wake. not that i am heartless but i rather remeber his smile at marriot than to see him lying there with his wounds.i rather type out my last words to keep him in my memories.i believe he would be able to hear me.

goodbye my old friend. i pray that u would be happy and blessed at the other side of the rainbow. sorry for not seeing you to your last journey. u get to scold me when i see u at the other side of the rainbow. my memories of you would be kept in a box and we would share it then. till then, it's goodbye for now.