4. Farewell

Everyone helped to clean the place up and I insisted I give them a hand. Then it dawned on me....... tomorrow, one last day! The removalists would be coming tomorrow to uplift everything and take it to a container bound for Singapore!

David lived in a house with a huge garden both back and front. In the back garden, there was a rotunda with beautiful different colored roses growing all around it. After cleaning up, we all decided to go into the garden. As we walked towards it, I tried not to be sad. The sky was dotted with only a few stars and the moon looked down on me with a sad smile. Everyone was chatting away merrily and I felt it was done to make me feel better.

There was a slight slope going down towards the rotunda. Everyone was running down the slope, happy and laughing. I just stood there momentarily, thinking how much I would miss all these fantastic times together with all my friends. A tear or two ran down my cheek. Then I realized Lionel was next to me. Sensing I needed some comforting, he put his arms around me and drew me close to him. My emotions were so intense. I tried so hard not to cry but alas without success. Lionel was so understanding and such a warm person and he's one guy I knew I would miss terribly.

With arms around me, he led me to a seat in the rotunda. We sat down and I put my arms around him and started to sob uncontrollably. Lionel just held me close to him. Suddenly, I was overpowered by his warmth and I felt a sensation which I would not realize until years later.

We just sat there talking. I felt much better so we went to join the others. Suddenly the moon re-appeared after being covered by the clouds. I stopped and looked up. It seemed to be shining brighter. The stars looked so beautiful, twinkling in the sky. Lionel took my hand. I turned to him and smiled. The others were sitting under the palm trees and Lionel and I joined them. Everyone was joking and laughing. I knew they were trying their best not to make me feel sad and think of the departure day. I was getting very frustrated and blamed myself for all these pretences. To everyone's dismay, I shouted for them to be quiet. I then told everyone to please go on as normal and to forget about my feelings. I also told them that being the last day, I would like to remember them the way they are, and to really make the last day a truly happy, memorable one.

Suddenly, everyone sat in silence.......... the fronds of the palm trees rustled as they swayed gently in the breeze. The moon still shone brightly while thousands of glittering stars littered the sky. As I lay back in Lionel's arm, looking towards the horizon, I felt that warm, overwhelming sensation again. A sensation, that later changed my life!

We talked, joked, laughed and we reminisced. Before we knew, it was 2 am. Being the last day, Lionel suggested we all should spend this day together starting from now. Of course everyone agreed. We walked back to the house. Lionel had his arm around me. He sensed my silence. We stopped. He turned and put his arms around me. He held me close. He said that just because I was leaving, it did not mean all our friendships would end here. We would still be in contact and one day along the way we would meet again. How true! I felt so much better. I put my arms around him and thanked him for being such a great friend.

Finally, we all decided it was time we all headed back to my home. When we arrived, we saw that Mum and Dad were still doing some last minute packing. Suddenly, everyone was helping. Before long, everything was done and Mum and Dad went to bed. Everyone stayed on and we went outside. We sat on the rugs at the side of the house. We just wanted to spend time together. It felt so good to just sit and relax in each other's company. We sat in silence with a cool breeze blowing amid the croaking frogs.

The night sky now turned to vibrant colors of yellow and orange as the sun began to rise over the horizon. Then the sky turned to blue. What a glorious sight! As usual, I was day dreaming while some of my friends had a snooze. Then I heard my name called twice. I looked up and saw Joseph standing there. I was so happy to see him. I got up straightaway, went to him and put my arms around him. He did the same, too. I started to cry as I knew this would be the last time I would ever see him1

Joseph and I went back a very long way. Everything I know about plants and gardens, I learned from him. He spent hours explaining and teaching me the planting procedures, and the care taken, always wearing gloves while gardening and handling soil. I will always remember those wonderful times I spent helping him each day after school. School finished at 1.00 pm. Lai Ho would pick us up and we arrived home within a few minutes. Mum would always have lunch ready for us on the table. While Mum and my brother would take their time, I would always rush mine so I could have more time in the garden helping Joseph. Sometimes I would also bring my lunch outside and sit there eating while he did the gardening and we would talk for ages. He would also help me in my school project in botany. He was like part of our family.

I can still remember the first time Joseph came to be interviewed with six others. I was playing in the garden. I looked up as he was cycling in. I waved to him and he waved back. He came and talked briefly to me, then excused himself and went to see Dad. Secretly, I hoped Dad would pick him.

That night at dinner, Dad told us he had decided on Joseph to be our gardener. I was so happy. Dad and I walked to Joseph's house after dinner to tell him the good news.

Now after 10 wonderful years of life in a very small, remote town, we had to say farewell. The truck came about nine o'clock to uplift our things. As the removalists packed the truck, it suddenly dawned on me, that this was it! There was no turning back.

Finally, it was time for the truck to leave. Standing at the side of the house and with tears in my eyes, I watched the truck drive off until it was out of sight. Lionel was next to me. He put his arms around me. I turned and clung to him tightly. We sat down and suddenly all was quiet. Everyone must have realized, too, there were only few hours left before we would be going our separate ways. I just sat in silence in Lionel's arms, almost frozen and wishing this was only a dream. But alas............ it was not a dream!

At 5.30pm, Mum and Dad's friends started to arrive for the final farewell dinner. They were all laden with gifts and food. By 6.30 pm, our house Maxwell Villa was packed. There were people everywhere.

We decided to stay outside. Joseph and Lai Ho brought a table out. Then, just as suddenly as the table appeared, there was food everywhere. Joseph and Lai Ho joined us.

Although it was very difficult, everyone tried to be happy. Dad came out to see if everything was okay. He could see I was sad and he came over and put his arms around me. I tried to be brave but being a very emotional person, I found it extremely difficult. But nevertheless, I made sure I was going to have a great time with all my friends. And I did!

Everyone stayed until very late and helped to clean the house after the party. It was way after 1.00 am when all was quiet again. All my friends stayed on as they wanted to spend with me whatever hours were left of our stay. Joseph and Lai Ho decided to join in which I was very happy about. Suddenly I felt like I was going to the gallows! With everyone there for me for the last time.......... and a voice could be heard to say "Any last request". Oh yes, I have. My last request would be to stay on.......... yes...... "If only".............. just like what Rod Stewart would say in his song!

With my heart as heavy as rock, I sat on the garden bench, at the side of Maxwell Villa, watching the sunrise on the horizon for the last time in Kuching! As I looked, I saw this tremendous array of glorious colors of yellow and orange covering the whole sky as a brand new day burst open. I felt this fantastic and awesome display was done especially for me........... something not to be forgotten! Lionel, sitting next to me, held my hand as I stared in this wonder of beauty! Wow........ what a sight to remember!