And when she smiles…

February 5, 2006 Leave a comment

For the past 5 days, I have been back-tracking with my friend, Kalinda, in Malaysia. At 26, she is still the "sex-goddess" in my clique. I bet some of my friends are envious about my solo trip with her. At least, I bet Sam will call me soon to query about my trip (again) with girls (other than my own wife). And certainly, Gareth, Jimmy, Sam & gang will be looking forward for those sun-bathing pix of Kalinda. Haa…sorry pals, hard luck, we were in the mountains this time, so no sun-tanning.
 
This is indeed an unusual trip. Nothing "wahbiang" or "caffeine" – simply just Kalinda and me. She is clearing her annual leaves and wanted to travel up north to Kuala Lumpur. She has never been to KL and most of our brothers felt unsafe for her to travel up north alone. At the final minute, I decided to accompany her – as none of our other friends are able to hit the road with her. So, for the next 60 hours, I am her sole escort and travel-photographer.
 
This trip brought Kalinda ane me closer (at least a few inches). Both Kal and I have been friends for almost 10 years. However, we kinda drifted away over the past 2-3 years. Our friendship is like the roller-coaster – there are plenty of ups and downs.
 
In fact, I have told Kalinda many times that our friendship is unusual. I didn’t really got acquainted with her; if not of a malay friend of mine back in Feb, 20th 1997. We were exhibiting our works in the school hall when my friend pointed to me that "Kal" was looking my way. He told me that Kal was pretty but I didn’t really care. It was only when Kal and Stephen fell in love after a video project – she kinda entered my circle.
 
Since then, I have respected Kal as my buddy’s girlfriend. Later, when Kal broke off with Stephen, she became my capable and trust-worthly art director at VOXmedia. For the next 4 years, she has helped me so much in my previous job. She was also the sole art director when we started Caffeine Media. And the day when Feli left for Perth, Kal was the emotional pillar back then. She accompanied me the entire day (from the airport to my house). For various reasons, Kal has been in and out my life – I have loved and respected her as schoolmate, buddy’s girl, colleague and good friend.  
 
My wife always say "Colleagues can be good friends. But good friends may not be good colleagues." How true it is – Somehow, Kal and I got drifted away during our working days in VOX and Caffeine. Eventually, she left me in Sept 2004. Over the next 2 years, we tried to stay in contact – however, we have own lives and it wasn’t like before.

 
This trip did a few wonders for me. I had a good 1 to 1, 60-hour session with Kal. For once, she has no choice but to face me, live me, endure me and dine me. Knowing she has a few major problems on her mind, I tried my best to make her smile everyday. However, my jokes were often nasty and rude, she pout her lips and ignored me for almost 80% of the trip. And when I asked her "why the slience", she would replied "PMS lah". (I just wish she be more responsive to me…)
 
I dun know if she enjoy this trip (I would certainly hope so)…I want to see that lost shine on her. Her job and personal life has taken such a heavy toll on her. As a friend, I really care a lot and hope she finds back the same "little carefree happy girl" spirit. (Girl, smile please…)
 
Over the past 4 days, we have went from ground zero to 3,500 feet above sea level, from France to Japan to Malaysia. There were moments when I captured the true essence of her beauty. Girl, she never knew how beautiful she looks when she smiles.. And I am glad to been through all these with her. (The sight-seeing, the heart-to-heart chat, the shopping, the roller-coaster rides and the fights etc)
 
For Kal, I guess she found the break she wanted. For me, I found back a close friend I’ve lost.
 
 
p/s (For Gareth – thanks for "teaching" me a trick to tickle Kal. Thanks for sending us back to Singapore. It is so good to have you around too. At least I got more replies from Kal in the final 12 hours of the trip. I hope Kal read this blog.. Man, it is a indeed a good trip.
 
For those guys who envy me, please call Kalinda for her next trip to Shanghai/Beijing in March… Haaa..)
 

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