The Friend from Malacca
Shounak Reza
The most random things can lead to fulfillment. That is what Josh Fernandez taught me. I met Josh, my friend from Malacca, when I was in Penang.
A few years ago I visited Malaysia and after spending a few days on Langkawi, I went to Penang. I checked into my hotel, kept my bags in my room, and went out for a walk. I walked from one street to another, looking with awe at the colonial buildings that lined both sides of the streets. I was about to take a selfie in front of a beautiful building when I heard someone say, Let me join you! That is how I first met Josh Fernandez. He stepped into my life by walking into my selfie.
Then we took a walk together. I kept thinking about how different the two of us were. He danced as he walked, greeting random strangers, while I kept my normal pace. His carefree behaviour amused me. As we walked through the lovely streets of Penang, we discovered that we shared a passion for books. We started talking about books, and I found myself getting livelier every second. I no longer had the calm composure that I always tried to retain; I was literally shouting while walking, my emotions being reflected in my gestures, and I did not care what the other pedestrians thought of me. Who is your favourite author? I asked.
Tolstoy, he replied.
I hadnt read anything yet by the great Russian writer. I plan to read War and Peace soon, though, I told him.
You must read it, he said.
We sat down on the pavement. The streetlights were dim, it was already 9 pm, and the street was almost deserted. The moment felt surreal. Having always been an introvert, I had never imagined doing something as wild as roaming the streets of a foreign country with a stranger, and literally jumping on the streets while discussing my hobbies. We talked for hours, sitting on that very pavement, about books and hobbies and life in general. I was happy, truly happy. The most interesting thing was that those lively hours did not feel strange and unusual to me; I realised it was exactly the kind of person I was; I had never bothered to really express myself before.
Hunger then led us to a street food stall. After dinner, he walked me to my hotel. I am staying there, he pointed at the hotel next to mine. Ill be leaving for Langkawi tomorrow.
Tomorrow? I asked, shocked. I had been expecting to spend more time with my new friend.
But... I can meet you before you go, right?
I will have to go to Penang port at 4 am. The ship will leave at 5 in the morning.
Ill be there, at the port.
You dont have to.
I want to, I replied firmly.
I returned to my hotel room. I wondered if I had ever had a friend with whom I had talked so openly about everything. I decided to start reading War and Peace right after returning to Dhaka. I would remember and cherish my friend through that book. I fell asleep with a heavy heart.
I woke up to discover that it was already 4:25 am. Furious with myself, I rushed out of the hotel, hailed a taxi, and it took me 25 minutes to reach the port. I rushed to the ship heading to Langkawi; there were already lots of people on the deck. Instead of his name, I called out, Tolstoy! Tolstoy!
And there he appeared, with amazement in his eyes, my new friend, my Tolstoy, who had, within a few hours, taught me that there were so many things to cherish in life.
I said goodbye to him with tears in my eyes.
I never saw him again, and we rarely sent each other emails. But it was Josh who taught me to value myself and my life.
Photos: Internet
