::: Star Campus :::

Feature

For a very special friend

Shahreen Raihana

I remember that eventful moment even today, when I first laid my eyes on this truly extraordinary girl whose name was Alina Amatullah. At that time I didn't even dream that this girl would become such an intimate friend and soul mate in the days to come. Till I met her I never thought that anyone other than my family members could ever mean so much to me and have so much control over me and my whole being!

It was the morning of 22 February, our first day at European Standard School (ESS). We were together in the same section for our A Level classes. The acquaintance began with the usual hi/hello and asking all the primary information about each other.

'Each friend represents a world within us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.' These words are so true for me, although back then; I was yet to know what the meeting signified.

Gradually I got to know this girl, who at first sight seemed so different from the others. It's not that the spark between us was off right from the beginning. We did take time to know each other. In fact I took more time in reaching the real Alina than I did in making other friends.

Maybe destiny had it in store for us and we slowly got to understand each other. I found her easy going and positive attitude quite approachable. To me, she is just a unique person. She attempts to maintain a cheerful, friendly and candid attitude. Mostly she is confident in whatever she does but sometimes feels the need for someone to show her the right way. Her strong sense of humor and self confidence in being able to express herself is the one great quality in her which impresses me even now. She can make people listen to any kind of advice she has to give. Once anyone gets to know the real Alina for what she really is, they would endlessly keep discovering a helpful and supportive person who never walks away from anyone in need of her or her advice.

Through the course of time at ESS we both taught each other a number of things. She taught me a good lot about life and about handling the tests and trials that we get to face. Once when I was feeling really distressed, she sent me a few simple words in an sms, and I have never been able to forget those words, “Life has got tests and trials for everyone, I just hope we can go through them and not remain trials but come out as joy.” While hanging around with her, I also learnt how to organize my 'things to do' and my thoughts in a note form.

Alongside these grave elements she introduced me to some cool stuff as well. I had attempted to play Table Tennis quite a number of times during school life but could never get the ball to stay on the table! It was Alina who showed me how to start off with the game and now we both can at least put up a good show. We both have a passion for playing Basketball as well. Even though we cannot boast of playing a really cool game but we love playing it.

Friendship took a whole new meaning for me since I got to know this awesome person. Throughout our three years acquaintance we have witnessed ups and downs in each other's lives, but have tried our best to stick together. From my side I have never withdrawn from sharing my sorrows and joys with her. I have heard people say that real friends are the ones you make as children, but in my case these last three years enlightened me to a whole new world of friendship. No one ever had any impact even close to what Alina has in my life.

May be I sound as if Alina is some kind of an angel. In reality, she too has her irresolute and delicate moments, but to me they all get nullified. In fact that's what I am there for. To be with her through the delicate moments of life.

I believe that I would probably not be who I am now, had I not met Alina. One thing is for sure; my A Level results would not have been anything near to what it turned out to be had she not been there by me. She provided me with the motivation and incentive to study. I never had to worry if I faced any predicament regarding my studies, since I knew Alina would figure out a way to get through it and if there was any problem she couldn't disentangle, then I never even bothered to attempt it.

Right now we are both studying Pharmacy in two different universities of Dhaka. I really miss her presence. I miss her during classes, during the free times, during every moment of life at university. But we both figured out that this had to happen anyway. We had to learn to go on with our own lives without having to depend too much on the other. Even then I am lucky that we are not that far apart . Just a phone-call away and I know I will have this one person to turn to whenever I need.

“Alina, I dedicate this article to you on the occasion of your Birthday which was on 22 November. This is just my way of letting you know how special you are to me. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes, and then you would know what a truly special person you are. They say that, one true friend in a lifetime is a fortune, and I am lucky to have you as my fortune. Lastly I just want to remind you the words that I have already told you a number of times 'When it hurts to look back, and you are scared to look ahead, you can always look beside you and I will always be there.' Thank you, Alina and Happy Birthday!”

(2nd semester, Department of Pharmacy
East West University, Dhaka)