Graduated from her tertiary education a year ago, she longed for a call or even a short text from one of her close friends that she believed, had lost him from the national service battle.

As she recounted those fond memories of spending long hours together after class till they got rushed out by the security guard, doing assignments to prepare for the upcoming tests, and discussing concepts learned in class, those moments significantly dampened her mood.

With many similarities in their family background where their relatives would compare the grades of their children during family gatherings, they will stay and hide in their study rooms to avoid those confrontations. She did not like the feeling of comparing to see who is more intelligent.

To her, she believed that regardless of how long the journey of success took, as long as they are able to get to the destination that they desired. It is sufficient.

She thought that they were alike and their friendships would last for eternity. Nonetheless, never had she known that it would transform into something beyond what friendships were.

Their journey started way back when it was during the Freshmen Orientation Camp when they cliqued and get to know each other. When they exchanged contacts, the way she combined her contact number in the form of double digits was what he found her special.

Despite being in the same class for the first semester throughout the years spent, he frequents her class during break time and they will go for lunch together. “Wait for my class to end, we go for lunch together.” This short text from him always appeared on her chat on WhatsApp.

In times when she is rushing to complete her submissions, she usually received this text - “What do you want for lunch? I am at the food court now”. Afraid that she will skip meals, he volunteered to become her delivery rider to buy her lunch.

There were several hobbies that he enjoyed working on, and he will persuade her to sign up with him and participate in those events. It is a common sight for their classmates to see both of them appearing in the same frame. To them, they looked like love birds.

Vaguely remembered that on one occasion when the school once held a Singapore Airline fair, she received a text coming from him, “Do accompany me to the fair later during lunch. I will wait for your lesson to end. Meet you later. ” Awed by the knowledge that he had on the different types of airplanes, ranking of the stewards and stewardess, and plating of the meals, it was all these that she admired. Till today, she still kept the photo of them with two air stewardesses that they took together.

Both of them resembled a cat and mouse, where either party running and the other chasing after. It was through those interactions that they soon develop a sense of chemistry.

Despite being in two different environments, she knew his personality well. He stays loyal to friends, softspoken and determined, which is what she believed made him stand out from the rest.

Knowing his past and that his co-curricular activities during his secondary school days was a band member cum librarian, she tried her best to know what military life and regiment were about. Though she wasn’t there physically to accompany him, the mental support was what she could give him during the Basic Military Training on another island located away from the mainland.

Merely, it was just fate. She realized that her internship friend, Mason, was also in the same platoon as him. Worried that he could not adapt to the drastic lifestyle change from civilian to military, she extended her help to ask Mason to keep a lookout and help out for each other while they are in camp.

As she recalled back when they were in Year 1, his actions can be overboard at times when he fought with one of their classmates. Feared for his safety that he might do something impulsive and that no one will be able to lend him a listening ear, she checked on him on the first night to see if he is able to cope in the drastic environmental change. She then sent texts of encouragement along the way and affirmed his ability that all will be well.

No matter how much effort she put in, it turns out to be quarrels even on the most trivial issues. She had a tough time trying to maintain such long-distance relationships, attempting to explain and seek his understanding of the things she placed effort, just for him.