Renewing Old Ties
Texting SMS to friends on festive occasions has become a norm these days. So I text Cheng Hong to wish her Happy New Year on 31 December 2006. She texted back, “We should meet.” Save for a few, I have not seen the old gang for 25 years!
So I gathered all my old diaries to scour out outdated telephone numbers in a desperate attempt to contact the old gang who worked together way back in 1982. I then texted them on the idea of a dinner meeting. For those who did not respond, I knew they had change hand-phone numbers or shifted houses. I then tapped into the buddy network to trace the missing friends. Except for a lawyer whom I failed to locate and another whom I plain forgot existed, I managed to get the rest.
As usual, expect the absentees. Mrs. Chen fractured her backbone on Christmas Day and could not come. Alex, who is now domiciled in Ipoh sent his regrets while Leana had to attend an inopportune wedding dinner. Then we have Cheng who was indisposed as she had to play ‘transport manager’ for her children’s tuition as the husband has gone outstation. Concerned Amarjit could not make it as she had to accompany a daughter to Kelantan for her National Service stint.
On the afternoon of 7th January 2007, I received 2 text messages. One of the positive responses was now uncertain of coming as he had a sore throat and was on medication while another was definitely not coming because her father suddenly took ill.
At 5pm, Chee, the one with the sore-throat indicated he could now attend. So at 7.30 pm he came by to pick me up and together, pregnant with expectation, we went to the Summer Palace Restaurant in Damansara Utama.
Two persons were already there when we came into the restaurant. Peng Seng and Kooi Meng. Except for a receding hairline, Peng Seng looks hale and hearty. Kooi Meng is really “hocksiong”. Then came Cheng Hong- not married but still as pretty as ever. San Peng soon appeared in with his usual style-a loud booming one. Then came Joyce, a bit thin but as beautiful as before. She is a mother of two;one-13 years old and the other-11 years old. The last ones to come in was Loi-a corporate trainer, See, our CEO buddy and Francis who has just retired from the Postal Service.
After the usual greetings and rediscovery, the smiles and the jokes, the taunts and the compliments, dinner was served. See bought along an XO Brandy and we toasted a round to good health for all our friends. We reminisced on the good old days; about the old bosses - some good and some nasty, wondering where are they now and who had passed on.
At 10 pm, we bade farewell and promised to keep in touch. We agreed in unison to meet up for Chinese New Year. With that, we all drove home, some drunk with 40% alcohol in their blood, desperately seeking the comfort of our pillows.
Quote of the Day:
“Every parting is a form of death, as every reunion is a type of heaven.” Tyron Edwards
Heartsong
Renewing Old Ties
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