1991

It was mid 1991 when we met. He joined my Primary 4 class during mid term. He had brownish hair with large rim glasses (think Harry Potter). Soon, I got to know that he had just moved to Hougang from Jurong and he stayed just 3 blocks away from me! We soon became the best of friends since we went to school together, sat together and played together.

Centre Row, 4th from left: Eu Jin @ P5

During weekends, we would play badminton, catching, hide&seek and went on the see saw with our siblings and the neighborhood kids. He excelled in all those games and soon gained much of our respect even as kids. While I always snatch my sisters’ food, he will always give his share to his.

Rebel (me) : “Why are you studying so hard ?”

Him : “Do you know how I can get into Montfort Primary?”

Rebel : ”How?”

Him : ”My mom had to literally beg the principal to let me in. I must really study hard so that I will not disappoint her. And also to prove to the principal ! ”

That was the conversation of two P5 kids. I guess some things never change.

I remembered we came up with ways to make some money one time. Young as we were, I fantasized about how to make it big in order to buy that Tamiya toy car I loved. As for him, he was counting and telling me that, “Wow, if I can make like 1.5 dollars a day, I can ask my mom not to give me pocket money anymore!”

We went to the same Secondary school class and we attended tuition at the same tuition centre “Mavis Tuition Centre”. I tend to be late as I might still be sleeping or playing games. He would always give me a call with his own coins if he does not see me 15 minutes before tuition starts. And mind you, 10cents for the pay phone is a significant amount at that time!

Our distance grew apart, partly because our priorities in life changed. The breaking point came when we had a quarrel over some silly pranks we played on each other. As small sized as our body were, we had huge ego. We stopped talking to each other for years to come.

It was not until university when we finally broke the ice. I am truly glad that you have turn into the fine man you are…

Today, I went to your funeral. I walked past the HDB where we played hide&seek, the void deck for catching, the badminton court and the seesaw. These events just flashed across my mind and I felt a deep sense of grief. I am sorry for taking you for granted back then…

I know you are at a better place now. Thanks for being a true friend and all the happy childhood times. I will remember them. Always.

~Lee Lim