The reason why I chose to talk about how I met Gary is because one day, I imagined Gary being on E's True Hollywood Story and I was interviewed and asked how I met him. haha. Such imaginations I have and this shows I watch too much TV.
Anyway, it all started way back when we were maybe 5 or 6 years old. Both our sisters were close friends in school and from there, I got to meet my sister's friend's brother - Gary. I am not sure how close our sisters were but I remember them going to art classes together. I also remember following mummy to pick them up from art class and Gary tagged along too. So, from here I would assume that my mummy and their's would take turns to pick them up from art class. I dunno. But the memory still fresh in my head is when Gary and I were in the car with mummy, waiting for the two girls. I brought a Barbie doll with me too. Its vague but its still a memory.
When I entered Standard 1, Gary was in the same class as me. I remember how my parents had to go over to the school on the weekend before school starts to get us registered, buy books and find out which class I was in. When they came come back, they said 'Guess who is in the same class you!!!'. I couldnt think of anyone and was hoping it was one of my close bff (at the time) - Maureen. Turns out, I was wrong because the answer was....Gary. I wasnt excited. Which lil girl gets excited with boys around them? Right?
Gary and I were in the same class until Standard 3. Not only were we in the same class, we also sat on the same bus everyday to school. Trust me, he was such a naughty boy!! He was the reason why I was afraid of naughty boys because they always tease and bully. We used to always play Uno during our free time in class and when someone loses, they will get a literally painful punishment. I always lost and Gary always was the one who would jentik my hands until my eyes would go all wet. He would ask if I was crying and I would macho-ly say no. See? So young also tau macho.
We went separate directions in Standard 4 and I moved away the following year. Through out the years, I never kept in touch with Gary. I only spoke to Steph and she updates me with everything. After 10 years of not speaking or meeting up with Gary, we finally reunited in 2007, thanks to Friendster. When we met up after such a long time, we caught up and kept in touch ever since. Until today, I still remember our reunion. It was at Chillis in Midvalley with Desiree and Steph. That time, he told me how he remembers seeing me wearing headbands and asked if I was still wearing them (I was/am!! LOL). He also remembers the Uno games and how it would make me cry and shockingly, he remembers mummy. His memory is soooo good. Why dont I have one like that?
His memory is sooo good that he also never fails to wish me on my birthday and I try my best to remember his. If I knew last year was the last time I would get birthday wishes from him, I would have thanked him in a different way - by calling him back. I guess this sooo taught me a lesson.
If you ask me about other people I went to primary school with, I would tell you that I dont remember them at all, unless I see their face. Of course, there are a few I remember because of their special characteristics. But somehow, I remember Gary very vividly. Maybe because he was one of the first friends I ever made in my life. Anyway, this has gotta mean something right? It also didnt occur to me that we go waaaaay back when we were kids. Amazing how fast time flies.
I am so impressed at how he was once a naughty kid and changed into a very gentleman. If only I stuck around to see how all these people changed. I know I wasnt as close to him as other people were but I do miss him. I think what I miss more is the fact that I wont be getting anymore birthday wishes from a friend who I thought never bothered but probably actually does.
The end.
Oh, did you know...
- That I almost called Gary last year when I received a birthday wish from him just to thank him? I didnt because I was lazy.
- I was thinking of planning a get together and only invite him when we are closer to the date we had planned? I didnt do it earlier because I was afraid he might forget.
- I wanted to invite him for my 21st birthday celebration? I didnt because Steph and Des couldnt make it and I didnt want him to feel alone and left out.
- I was gonna sell to him the Rihanna tickets we bought? I remember telling him the concert was cancelled and that was the last time we spoke/texted.
- The night before he passed, I was looking at photos I took with him not too long ago, just stared at it for quite some time and told myself 'Hmm...not bad ah'.
Up to this day, I feel so terrible for not calling him back to thank him and not letting him know about our get together because a few days after these occurrence, he left. Sorry!!!
The end.
Happy 23rd birthday, Gary. RIP, brah.
0 says That's So Clair:
Post a Comment