Miki and I have been friends for as long as I can remember, though 5th September 1996 is when we first met. I don’t know when exactly we changed our relationship status from “good friends” to “best friends”. We never officially set a date – we are not that lame.
I remember having cycled through the granny Long Bien bridge, with Miki on the back and the blowing wind on the side. It might be then. Or perhaps when she put so much effort on helping me prepare a perfect Xmas card for a boy I liked. I think we put baby powder or perfume or both on it. We wanted it to smell nicely. It could have even been the first day we met. She still laughs at how naive I was then. I didn’t know a thing about her but I took her to the class next door and pointed out the handsome boy I had dreamt of during year 5th. It might have been that I was naive, but my gut feeling of trusting her was so right. And for that alone, I count me lucky.
So much has changed since. We have moved to different countries, done various jobs. We changed dreams and went through break-ups. Miki has always been there for me when I needed. I try to do the same. We are not two little girls at school anymore. Life has not been easy but it has been much nicer because we have each other.
So happy birthday to you, my best friend. This can be a big scary milestone. This can also be just another number. If it’s up to me, I would take you to eat snails and make you watch an American comedy show. You probably rather eat bake cheese cake and listen to South Korea talent shows. Or you can compromise, have “nộm” and think about me. It is all up to you, my dear. It is your day. Make it or break it, it’s all yours. I don’t know how I would feel a week from now. But I “no” I will still love you in my 30s, 40s, and 50s… Or if I live to 100s, I promise I will still remember the story of the two little girls.
nightcactus 