A Tale of a Russian Friend

I remember, it was during the orientation week, that I first saw; my new found friends were going to Russia. I remember me being a chicken who was going to marry a worm, “ I believe I can fly “ says the bird who destined to walk on two feet on the ground, his wife, we actually went against nature; she was made by God to be my food, but in this case it was not as expected.

What came after that? The Malaysian Idol epic… “ you got to have the Matrix card”. It ended the cheerleading and kungfu stunts. I remember borrowing the cap from the UiTM guard and my Russian Friend returned it for me. A sweet memory, coming in second best for our efforts together.. row, row, row your boat gently down the stream; gently, gently, gently, gently, life is like a dream.

Who can forget our ATU friends, Chee Yong included, but it was already the end of the orientation.

The first date was in Mc Donald’s, many things we talked about: our blessed hometown, our schools , to name a few. We talked and talked and we ate and ate, all six of us, and then we left – I was the last to finish eating.

Our next trip together was to the Chinese stall, then from there it diverted to Midvalley Megamall. I was a ‘T’ shirt model, and I accompanied my dear Russian Friends, exploring the place, in their eyes - the eyes of a girl. They taught me true window shopping and… hehe I bought the Sushi for my sister.

When class started all was busy and vague. The Russians were earnestly learning their language and I was killing time finishing all sorts of projects. Lesser and lesser we saw each other.

The only other time, beside the canteen, was tennis. I was a bad coach, but playing with both of them was fun. The Malay Dilemma was a book I read, a book she borrowed. The same ‘she’ lent me the piano grade 8 book. I was overjoyed, at the same time overwhelmed (exaggeration) with classical music.

Time and again, in church and in Campus Alive meetings, we observed the atom; manage a nice warm hit on the Russian wall, eating chicken rice, enjoying the company of each other.

But time seemed to be short, the factor was time. The last of everything came eventually. My mid-semester holidays was the entrance, a gate to departure from sight. The last time seeing her in church, the last time seeing her in CA, the last time I held the music book, the last time our pictures were taken for remembrance, the last bus which we used together.

The last date was also in Mc Donald’s, this time there were two instead of six – the sweet person who had this last meal. I managed to keep my promise to her. She obliged me with gentle courtesy.
Before I was going to the bus I saw the Russian and French. I came up to the Russian, she came up to me. She shook my hand, I shook hers. Even though we did not exchange many words, it was enough to give the tremendous feeling and thought, communicated silently, “ I will remember you, I will miss you dearly, hope that fate will bring us together again… goodbye.”

On Friday morning, I received a SMS during my class period. It was my Russian friend asking what time my class ended. I told her and she would not reply. I knew something was amiss, and I inquired to investigated further. She was in the college itself about to go after having done the clearance in INTEC UiTM. Her bus was about to leave for Ipoh at 11.30a.m. Thus I had the honour of carrying her bags to he bus station, nearby, and the last moment of sight, the honour of seeing her off, the honour of the last wave goodbye – she had gone back to Ipoh, and will be off to Russia a week later.

IMPORTANT QUOTES

Bina Negara Camp
4 sessions of talks, 2 hours each. 6 meals per day. Sleeping time around 12 to 5. I nearly doze foo just now, during the last session.

Starting from tomorrow the programmes will be different. So maybe not so boring… We have to sit for a test on Friday . They said must pass, if not cannot fly . So have to study. The physical activities r also part of the test.

Wednesday’s activities are better than the day before, at least not so boring. Thursday we debated about “ Can men marry more than one?” The camp’s not so badlah, after all. I quite enjoyed some of the activities, actually. How’s CF? Is it fun? Ok wanna study a bit now… then sleep… goodnight.

Received ur message during the test, but didn’t read lah. I didn’t marahlah… just saying… I heard u all ALM got many test lately. So kesian ah… not enough time.. Our’s ok still can tembak. But they say they’ll let us pass. Anyway ended arounnd 12. Oh the way back to Shah Alam now.

Other quotes
My camp is in ulu klang. After thes week 2 weeks can’t go back. Have to go camping on weekends. 1st flight 12 sept. 2nd 27 Sept. Last day here 30/8 or 17/9.

Ya, have camps for two weekends. Dunno can go SFX or not, depend on the camps. 1st camp 3 days so maybe can’t. 2nd camp 2 days, but dunno it is Fri Sat or Sun. So good ah u all got holiday, for so long some more. Bird flu getting serious now u some more want to belanja me chicken rice :-P 

Then u should hace pity on me and belanja something nicer since u know that I won’t have chance to eat good food there.

What if I asked my friends along? Then u have to pay a lot who?!

Hmm.. Although it seems that I don’t have a single day free now (lots of things to do), I will try to find a way and give u a chance to belanja me.. Hehe … 


I won’t say Remember Me Always cos I like 2 keep my feelings. The words r in my heart, not my lips. That’s the problem, cos u can’t hear them. But I know u’ll always remember me cos I’ll always send mail 2u, make sure that u won’t even have a chance 2 forget me  But my friend, where’s ur email address?

Lucky you gave me your email address the third time I ask you or not I won’t be talking to you.

Wah so cruel.. thought there’s no telephone signal there or what. How did they know that u brought along ur handphone? They selongkar ur things or what

RSMU stand for Russian State Medical University. It is also called M2. I got friends in the same u, not very close yet but ok. My roommate Xiao Tian got Moscow Medical Academy (M1), in Moscow too. Li Jie also got M1. Will I be meeting U Later. I’ll tell u more then. So u straight away holiday until 1/9 loh.

Dunno, just don’t want to think about it now. It’s a bit too fast, really. But even if I don’t want to go now, I’ll still have to, right? So I guess quite ok ol

Hehe..  busy packing n repacking. Too may things to bring but can’t fit in cause overweight. U?

Going to church now, there’a a prayer service of rosary to commemerate St. Mary’s Birthday.


I am still calm… ;) Just some last minute packing, shoppin, mettin frens.. so, it’s been nice knowin u n best of luck. Neway do u have an e-mail add?


ENDING
To my four Russian Friends of the same orientation group, all the best in Russia. Going to miss all of you. I am bless knowing you, very honoured to be your friend… remember me and see you become a doctor in 6 years time…. Sobs …

With Love and Care,
Goodbye,
Johnathan Chong Yee Onn.

Email add: johnachyeon@yahoo.co.uk