Friends

Friends of over 2 decades have much to share and everything under the sun unashamedly revealed in conversation.

Being the only thorn, Mr. Gan took the initiative to invite and gather. We, the roses agreed instantly as we have not seen one another for quite a while. Old friends especially when you have been colleagues for a good part of your life will want to catch up with the latest and hoping the best for one another.

Guess what our conversation was about?

Yes, first it was about our Alma Mater and we pondered over the changes that have occurred over the years. People come and go but feelings stay quite a while. We, the roses truly love our Alma Mater and long to be back except things may not be the same anymore. What did we learn? That we have to let go but inevitably hope too that we will always be welcome. At the end of it, we wish her the best that can be and that more children will leave the gates with accolades that reflect a good learning curve.

Then we inadvertently drew one another to the well-being of our children. The thorn is still the junior and so his children are parked in colleges and universities for learning. Ours are all of marriageable age and so we relentlessly insisted that we share about their boyfriends and girlfriends. When is the bell ringing? Many reasons were then piled in; it was not easy to book a dinner place; the children have just started work and oh that they were not exactly ready. Of course I was the champion as I had both my girls married off albeit another one still tarrying.

Then there was this opinion; must there be a dinner? Why can't things be quiet and the couple undisturbed? Oh no ! The Chinese cannot hear of this ! How can a daughter be married off without the whole world being notified? It is unheard of!

So, there was this need to hunt for a decent dinner place and the frustration intensifies as there was hardly any available unless booked a year ahead. Make a good guess whose son or daughter is next in line?

We had stitches in our stomach when a sharing on the types of practices that were requested from one party for a wedding was told. Apparently, Chinese cultural practices are plenty and often times superstitious.  Sometimes you wonder if they are religious or cultural.

You have been told to provide 2 birds (cockerels) on fetching the bride and the couple were to be led by them ! Whatever for?
Then the groom has to look for a little lad to jump on the wedding bed on the wedding day ! Why is it so?
Of course, the best suggestion is to have the groom to provide a piglet when the bride is picked up. Believe me, when roasted well, it is truly a delight.
This one had an additional request; to provide another piglet during cocktail !
I look forward to being invited. The cocktail will surely be unforgettable.

What about the dowry? How much? What is the present going rate? We were informed that it was RM 8k! Only that? Surely it is more than that? And oh yes another impending question. How much to give for the tea ceremony? A house perhaps? So, we talked and talked and in between advised one another. Mr Thorn observed us and occasionally smiled at our idiosyncrasy. That's the best part about him. Understanding and not a busy body.

Next, how about food catering? Want to do food business? How do we tap on the market? You see, teachers are surely versatile. When they dump their teaching professions, they can be tailors, cooks, interior designers, transport providers and just name them. Maybe an uber driver too. You can bet many have turned into uber drivers drawing pays unheard of.

So, we had fun as we shared unreservedly. You are truly comrades and care for one another. You are not afraid of being ridiculed as we learn from our mistakes. When you hear of one being unwell, you also reach out in pain and keep them in your prayers. That is friendship.

We met at 3 pm; forgot ourselves and when we realised it was already 6 pm and time to depart. We will meet again perhaps in trips, for coffee breaks and definitely in weddings. We had a most wonderful time.

Looking forward to the next meet.