Friends

I am certainly feeling much better now. Or rather I finally regained my calmness. Perhaps I was recovering slightly from my cough and running nose too.

In fact, I didn't quite finish my story that day. I was grateful that I had friends around me when I needed them most that day. They accompanied me at different point in time of the day to console me. Although their methods of consolation vary, I really appreciate the little effort and time they put in for me.

Ms. S sat down with me, and listened to me as I started crying again. She was probably the second person that day to see me breaking down. Occasionally, she would give me a pat on the back to give me encouragement. I am sure if I have allowed her, she would have given me a hug too. I guess a hug can mean a lot to a friend, and nothing can be more realistic than such interaction between friends.

That day I didn't want to venture out for lunch with the rest, as I was still recovering from my illness. I briefly told Mr. T what happened in the morning. I guess he was concern so he came to check on me during lunch after finding out that I was eating in. We ate at L9 together. As I repeat the story to him over my lunch, my tears uncontrollably welled up in my eyes, and they began to stream down my face. He was totally stunned that I actually started crying. I quickly wiped off my tears. Luckily, I did it fast enough before Ms. C came along, and then the rest also discovered that I was at L9 too. I really didn't want to let too many people know that I broke down in front of Ms. K, the HR personnel that morning, but I believed Mr. T has somehow let Ms. C know about it, and that's why she came to look for me at L9.

I think I worked till 7pm that day, then Mr. L who kept me occupy with the to and fro emails asked me to go dinner together. We left for dinner at Amoy. He did not probe into the matter until he made sure we have our food in front of us, and after I started eating. Ultimately, I was quite prepared to tell him the storey, as he has always been giving me advices like a big brother. As usual, he gave me his words of encouragement too.

I must say it's quite an "achievement" by itself to tear in front of three different people at different point in time of a single day. That is so unlike the recent me, who appears so assertive and to possess very strong characters. Quoting the words of one of them, "everyone has their weakest points life." At the end of the day, I had no idea why I was so overwhelmed by the emotions. I was still feeling the tears coming into my eyes when I reached home. However, I am still grateful for three friends who have accompanied me when I needed them.

Now how I wish I could do the same thing for them (or rather all my friends) too...like Mr. T.

I know he is devastated with everything from the company to the first posting that he might choose to leave the company. As a guy, he certainly won't tear in front of others. However, crying is considered an avenue to let out all feelings. It's better than bottoming up till your body cannot cope. Though what I did may seem a little dumb too.

At this present moment, I have no idea how to encourage him. I could only offer him a listening ear, but ultimately there's very little I can do. He probably will choose to keep everything to himself. That's his character. Yet, everyone could tell that he has been rather moody these days. As a friend, I really like to do something to give him some encouragement, and hope he will stay on at least for half a year before moving on. I learnt my lesson the hard way. I guess having worked at least a year in a company before transiting to another environment would be better, or risk having to explain to the prospective employer(s).

How I wish I could do something for him now...