Memory: 3

3

‘ Lunch?’ a text from Hanna. Tasnim sighed. As usual, she left the text unanswered.

They were good friends. They practically grew up together and understood each other.

‘ Like sisters that you never had,’ Hanna winked at Tasnim during one of the many birthday celebrations they had. It was the first time Tasnim was introduced to Khalid, one of Hanna’s classmates.

Despite the time that they spent apart; like the time when Hanna decided to do the working visa job in New Zealand, their friendship remained intact. Either when Tasnim was away or Hanna left Malaysia for travelling or with family, they exchange long emails. Not one but several in a day. They were like soulmates that needed each other.

Both Hanna and Tasnim can share stories as well as silences. That was what Tasnim needed. Unlike Hanna, Tasnim was not very good at expressing herself. She may laugh and smile but God only knows if she was crying inside. Hanna was like the older sister, always taking care of Tasnim. It was a good match as they both complement each other.

Admittedly, Tasnim’s luck in the relationship department was always disappointing. Time and again, Hanna will remind her to ‘save yourself’.

‘ Save yourself while you still can. Because I believe that you could have avoided what I went through.’ Yes, a bad breakup that wrecked Hanna. It has been nearly two years but some scars went too deep.

Sometimes they disagree on stuff. Sometimes they agree to respect each others’ disagreement. Sometimes they fight, Tasnim with the silent treatment but they can never live from each other too long.

That was basically the reason why Tasnim cannot keep things from Hanna and vice versa.

‘ Like Adam,’ Tasnim’s hand flew to her mount, realising that she did it again. A sharp pain can be felt in her chest. It physically hurts to remember about that one person.

‘ He made you happy, you know,’ Khalid said, trying to look non-chalant. Sometimes, Khalid dragged Tasnim along for lunch and such as they happen to work on the same floor.

‘ Operative word ‘made’,’ Tasnim continued to stare at her plate of rice. And Khalid went speechless.

Like a bad tape, the memories continued to flood. Tasnim decided that she will have to ditch Hanna, again. She just needed time for herself.