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An old friend from secondary school passed away a few days back. We were in the same Malay class for four years and for two of those four years, we were also classmates. To be honest, I was never really close to Huda but the news of her passing really shook me.
When I look back on my memories of Huda, I find that I always smile at the recollection and I think it’s because she truly was the sort of person to make others smile no matter how grumpy the person is and I really mean this because I was such a grouchy fart almost all the time in secondary school.
I remember how Huda used to call me Marli Barley and I would solemnly reply “Yes Huda Buddha?” and it would tickle me to no end that we both have names that rhyme so well.
And during Friendship Day, I would buy ordinary sweets to distribute to the classmates while Huda would painstakingly weave our names using string wound round tiny pieces of straw. I remember how amazed I was to see her fingers move so quickly and I asked her to teach me which she did, but I could never get it.
I remember how she told me that she wanted to do finance in poly not because she loved the subject but because she wants to work in the cool-looking buildings in the CBD.
My best memory of Huda would have to be that particular English lesson where we were practising public speaking and Huda spoke about how her sister worries that someone would rape her if she came home late before adding “no one wants to rape me la.” I laughed so hard till I cried and being the sport that she was, she laughed too.
I am sorry I didn’t know that you’ve been battling cancer these past two years. I am even more sorry that you left us so soon, just weeks before our class reunion. I really hope you’re in a better place now. May Allah bless your soul.
Al-fateha.
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