I Have A Beloved Friend

If to talk about this friend, perhaps more than a thousand words are needed, but one word is also redundant. It sounds like a cliche. But I can only sum it up in one word. IN DEBT. Debt here is not monetary debt but friendship debt. I owe her that; it will be one of those torments I will never forget.

In 2015, she and I entered 10th grade, we were in the same class. I sat one table ahead of her, and without saying hello, we became friends. I like her personality, her innocence, her strength. But most of all, what makes her and me compatible is that we understand each other. And just like that, I had a crush on her, but she didn’t know. I must say that at that time, I was very, very stupid and naive, but not as terrible as now, so I had a crush on someone who knew for sure that she would never like me back or, in other words, never knew how to confess to her. Honestly, I probably can’t remember the memories with her because I thought I wouldn’t say I liked that class very much at that time, so there was nothing to hold on to. It may be the first debt. Then after studying for a semester in 10th grade, I said goodbye to everyone and my family to move to the US to reside. That was my dream. Far away, she sometimes texted me via messenger, asked me questions, and told me about dramas in class or her life. She also checked out my posts on Facebook and Instagram. Those little things made me realize how great the friendship she had for me was. That is the second debt. In 2019, I returned to Vietnam to visit my family for the first time. Because it was a short time, my schedule was full, I needed more time to go to Saigon to meet my friends and meet her. I really wanted to see her pay off the debt, but it turned into my third debt.

This is me and her in Saigon

And then, in 2022, I returned to Vietnam and finally saw her again after seven years. I was very happy. She didn’t change anything. Still beautiful, still innocent, more mature, thinking for everyone around her and her life. She took me out to eat, go shopping, and see every street in Saigon. She and I talked to each other about all kinds of things that we had not had a chance to discuss before. That's right, seven years, a lot to talk about. But it was not the time to hang out a lot because we were adults too. Everyone was busy with their work, and she was no exception. So to have time with me, she also had to arrange a lot to be able to go out with me. Say this, she probably won't believe it. I cried after meeting you for the first time in seven years. I didn’t understand why. It must have been a long time since we last met. Unfortunately, she and I only had that much time because I had other plans with my cousin and friends. I used to think that she and I were not destined to be together for long. I studied for a semester in grade ten in Vietnam, then went to America. After playing for two days, I went to the North. Oh my gosh, that was ironic. But we were equally busy then, so how could I find the time to stay longer with her? By the time I met her, I thought I had paid off the other three debts, but no, there was another debt that I thought I owed. I don't know when I will be able to pay it off. Friendship debt. That time is never enough. Let’s give it away; if we still have the opportunity, we will spend more time together.

Talking about her, more than many words are needed, but one word is redundant. I just wrote it briefly. Ah, yes, she once asked me about giving you a nickname after she knew I used to give it to friends around me. I've figured it out. My Beloved Friend. Because there is no word more worthy than the word beloved. Hope to see her again.