Dear Pipsqueaks,
He had always been a serious one with relationships. Not unless the
girl is of marriage potential, he wouldn't bother at all. So brings me to write
this as I had once been that girl for him.
It had been years since we had gone our separate paths – seven years to
be exact (wow, it had been that long!?) – and that was how long I had not seen
or heard from him. He had insisted it was best that we remove ourselves from
each other’s lives completely to make the process easier. Of course, I
completely disagreed with him because, at least, we were best friends for six
years. It would be difficult to lose a best friend, and true enough, those
times were tough. I would stare at my finished texts only to delete them right
after as I had also promised to try his ways. I guess after breaking up –
possibly breaking his heart – the least I could do was allow him the distance
he requested.
So years passed, and no news of him from any of my friends. Then again,
he was always good at staying away from people and keeping to his own business.
When we were still together, those times would have been the most that others
had seen him. Otherwise, he was a typical introvert. It was only on my recent
trip visiting home that someone finally had updates of the guy.
He had married – a while ago. To a girl of Chinese nationality.
That definitely took me by surprise, as this whole trip was filled with
discussions of marriage with friends, and no one close had seem to be at that
stage yet. At least not in the next year, and here I’m sitting, trying hard to
digest the news that he had already married. Now that I think back, it could
very well have been that girl I had randomly saw him with years ago. I was in a
rush to pick up a shirt from Artizia in Richmond Center, and as I sped across
the food court, I distinctly remembered seeing a familiar face among the
crowds. It was not until I literally brushed past the table that confirmation
was made. He was sharing the seats with a girl that I could still remember very
well to this day. She looked very simple – in a ponytail dressed in plain
t-shirt and jeans with a nerdy backpack. My first afterthought was, “Wow, she
looked so much like me back in grade 8 – when we first met!” No kidding, she
could have passed for my twin. Though, of course, I would have stood out more
than she did because I can’t for the life of me remember her face despite my
ridiculously amazing memory of faces I’ve seen. In my heart, I do wish it were
her. Her simplicity would have been a good fit for him.
Combing through all the emotions I’ve been having since the news, the
only thing that truly bothered me was the fact that he had not even thought of
telling me himself. I mean, I would have. Even a text or what not to say, “Hey,
just wanted to let you know, I’m getting married. You had been a very important
part of my life, so I would prefer to be the one to tell you. You will receive
an official invitation, but if you decide not to attend, I understand. Thanks
for being who you were to me.” That’s a super rough draft, but I would love to
have received something along those lines. After all, I had been the girlfriend
for six years. Even though we don’t have feelings for one another now, at least
pay respect to those years together. They weren't all bad – in my memory
anyway.
It’s okay. Knowing him, I can figure my way through his reasoning. It
would just be easier to disappear. I get it. Well, you didn't give me the
chance to bless you, so here it is:
Dear Lee Guen,
How are you? It had been years
since we last spoke, but hopefully everything is good with you and your family.
I’m now based in Malaysia with the BWF, and really, I wouldn't even be in this
sport if it weren't for you. So, thank you. Thank you for inviting me to watch
your match against Point Grey in grade 9 – I remember because that was when you
introduced me to Alice, and she’s still a close friend. You had been an
invaluable milestone turn in my life, and I thank you for that.
It was rather a shock for me to
hear that you’re married. Congratulations – though I really would have
preferred to hear it from you. Regardless, I’m happy for you. I wish you two a
peaceful life together.
Just know that we don’t have to
be strangers.
All the best,
Suika
We all move on. I've found my happiness and I’m glad he did too. I just
hope that we’ll be able to catch up the missing years. After all, we should be
adult enough – by now anyway – to be friends again. I know I’m ready.