I'LL SEE YOU WHEN I SEE YOU

Yesterday, I had one of the most memorable Saturdays in my life. Though it was just one humid yet subtle afternoon, a good friend’s visit turn everything into something we will cherish for the days to come.

A friend from college sent me a message that he would come home any time this month. At first, I wasn't that excited since I still won’t believe the idea that he would dropped by my place knowing it was out of his way and for someone who’s been away from home for some quite time it is a prerogative to spend one’s time with family and relatives. But we saw him. He was with us that afternoon. He never failed to make some extra effort reaching our place and being with us. And on that one Saturday afternoon, we relived the past experiences, remembered the great memories and talked about the future.

We started with a lunch in one of our local restaurants with the best native dishes. He shared how it was hard yet fun being away from home and how he surpassed the adjustment period working abroad. He asked how our friends have been doing with their lives in our country. We had a lot of exchanges in a couple of hours. It was like we haven’t seen ourselves for a long time. We recalled what I've dreamed and said in college that how I wish I could graduate; get a good job for me to eat decently three times a day. We laughed hard knowing that after years we made it! I have a job and I eat three times a day. We also went shopping and played the arcade like we were kids. Watching him played with those guns, it was as if nothing had changed.

Despite the corporate success of my friend, he stayed grounded. He have learned and mastered our field well yet he never boasts about it. I remembered when we were in college people find him arrogant but I thought he was confident. Until now, I still believe he is one of those most humble people I have ever met. He just wore a simple shirt without his sophisticated gadgets and I never heard him brag of his achievements.

Before he left he gave me a book and a key chain. I was really surprised since he was not that type of person who gives out gifts without special occasions. More than the book, chain, foods, arcade and a great Saturday afternoon, he left an inspiration that greatness is accompanied by honest and pure humility.

He reminds me again that great things really happen. He inspired me that I could be more than just face in the crowd. He fuels my drive for excellence and perseverance and as what he always does way back in college, he believes I can do it.

The sun sets far from the busy city, he bid his goodbye with the promise that we’ll see each other again some time in the future. I have missed a good study, computer, drinking buddy and to see him again it just reminded me of a promising future we have envisioned for ourselves. And before the day ended, I messaged him my thank you and just like before I ended it not with a goodbye but a simple “I’ll see you when I see you” line.