The Love Series: Precious Gift

Hello, my reader! A very happy Valentine's day to you all! Hope you all have been enjoying the love series. Love comes in all forms. Never forget this. Enjoy this day with your loved one and this includes your friends and family. Again, happy Valentines day! =)

Lily sat on the floor in her bedroom, in front of the cabinet. She slowly turned the key and opened the cabinet. It was filled with all kinds of things inside. She took them out one by one slowly and let the memories flow. All the things were given by her best friend, Ethan. The first thing she took out was a seashell.

Ethan and Lily were running around at the beach. They were only 4 years old. Their parents were sitting under the tree, talking. Suddenly, Ethan bent down and picked up something. It was a seashell. Lily came over. "Here, Lily. I want you to have it." "What's this for?" "For you to remember our friendship!" "Okay! Let me find something for you too!" Lily started looking around. She picked up a dried coral. "I think this is nice, Ethan. Here you go!" "Thank you!"

Lily smiled. That was the first time they exchanged gifts as a token of their friendship. A seashell and a coral. She took out another item. It was a bag full of dried dirt.

"Ethan!" Lily ran after him. They were 7 years old. School was over. The day before, Lily went out with her parents and saw something that reminded Lily of Ethan. It was a Power Rangers pencil case. She bought it for him with her pocket money and she wanted to give it to Ethan. She hadn't been able to find Ethan in school. Ethan turned around. "Hey, Lily!" "I saw this yesterday. I thought you might like it." "Oh, wow. Thanks! I will definitely give you something tomorrow. Gotta go now! See ya!" Lily smiled and waved goodbye. The next day, Ethan came to her classroom with a bag full of dirt. Lily's smile turned into a frown. "What is that?" "It's a mud pie! I perfected it after hours of hard work, you know! Do you like it?" "Uh... Ya. Thanks." Ethan smiled happily and left. Lily's girlfriends laughed and teased for quite some time later on.

A mud pie as a gift for a girl. Typical boy. Lily shook her head as she thought about that dreadful day. Then, she took out a doll made of dried lemongrass leaves.

Someone knocked softly on the door. Lily opened her eyes. Ethan came into her bedroom. They were 10 years old. Lily was sick and Ethan came over to visit her. "Hey, Lily. How are you doing?" "Okay, I guess. I am just sleeping all day and all night." "Here. I made you something. I know you get a little bored in here sometimes. Thought this might keep you company." He handed her the doll made of dried lemongrass leaves. "Thank you, Ethan. You are so kind." "Get well soon. I sort of miss you in school. No one to bully." "How nice to hear that Ethan. I think I won't get well anytime soon so that I won't be bullied by you." They both laughed. Lily took out an origami swan from her bedside table's drawer. "When I wasn't sleeping, I was folding this. Here." "Thanks. It's nice."

That boy can be so sweet yet so clueless sometimes, Lily thought. After they graduated from primary school, Ethan's family moved away. But they still communicated through letters and later on, emails. There were still quite a number of small little things that they give each other over the years. Keychains, magnets, different kinds of origamis and handmade bookmarks. Then, she took out a teddy bear.

It was school holiday. They were 16 years old. Ethan's family came back for a visit. Ethan and Lily met up at a cafe near their house. "Long time no see, little girl." "What do you mean by "little girl"?! I am 16, you know." "Right, right. All grown up and wouldn't want this little gift already, I suppose." "What?! No! Give me that!" Lily snatched that paper bag away from Ethan. That familiar teasing grin that she loved so much appeared on his face. "Still that same tomboy I left behind. Never changed." "Oh, shut up." Lily peeked into the bag and squealed. "Oh, this is so cute! A teddy bear!" "Little girls like teddy bears. So, I bought a teddy bear for you." "Who says only little girls like teddy bears? All girls, no matter what age, like cute things. Such as this teddy bear here." "So, where's mine?" "Where's yours what? Teddy bear? I thought boys don't play teddy bears." "What? No, not teddy bear. My gift!" "What gift? Since when I said I will give you a gift?" "Come on... It's tradition!" Lily laughed. She took out a package for Ethan. Ethan eagerly tore open the package. "A pair of socks?" "Why? It's nice and can be used for years to come." "Oh, fine, fine." They both laughed again.

Lily never met Ethan again until they were in university. They continue to send emails to each other. Once in a while, they would chat with each other using Facebook or Whatsapp. They still send small gifts to each other. Notebooks, diaries, stationaries, etc. Lily fingered the necklace around her neck.

It was night time. They were 21 years old. Both Ethan and Lily were on semester break. They met up at a cafe. After dinner, Ethan took out a box. "Open it." Lily smiled. She opened the box and saw this beautiful necklace. She was speechless. "Do you like it?" "This is beautiful. I love it! Thank you!" "Turn around. Let me put it on for you." Ethan lifted the necklace out from the box and put it on for Lily. Ethan took Lily's hand. "Lily, we have known each other since we were kids. I just want to let you know that you are the most important person in my life." Lily held her breath. Is he going to ask me to his girlfriend? Lily thought. "You will always and forever be my number one best friend." Lily exhaled in disappointment. Ethan released her hand and smiled at her. Lily took out a box from her handbag. Ethan smiled. "For me?" "No, for that waiter that I don't know at all. Of course it's for you, doofus!" Ethan laughed and opened the box. In it was a watch. He took it out and flipped it. His name is engraved at the back. "Wow, Lily. This is really awesome. Thanks!" He put on his watch.

"Lily! Are you ready?" Lily's mother called for her. "Coming!" Lily put back all the things into the cabinet carefully and locked it. She looked at herself in the mirror again. She was dressed all in black. Lily walked down the stairs. Her parents gave her a tight hug. They were going to attend Ethan's funeral.

At the cemetery, after the burial, Lily walked up to where Ethan's mother was standing with some other people. She hugged Ethan's mother. "He was just 21 years old. So young. So full of life. Ready to take on the world. But that cancer......" Ethan's mother started sobbing again. "I am so sorry, aunty." "Oh, wait, Lily. He left a letter for you."

Back in her room. Lily held the letter in her hands. She slowly opened it and started to read.

My dearest Lily,
I know I will be gone when you are reading this. I only have months to live. I already know that when we meet at the cafe. You have no idea how much I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. I was ready to ask you to be my girlfriend that night. But when my medical report came back a day before, I knew I couldn't ask you that. No, I cannot be selfish. Life can be quite cruel to us.

I do not allow you to grief for me for long. Move on with your life. Remember all those dreams that you told me? Remember all those places that you wish to visit? Go. Chase your dreams. Visit those places. I wished I could be there with you every step of the way, to travel the journey of Life with you. But I can't now. It seems I have lost the map.

Not everyone can find a true friendship that can last their entire lifetime. We found it. I am really glad that I found this friendship before my life ends. It is one of the most precious gifts that God can give to us - true friendship. A true blessing. The things that you gave me, none of it can top this one amazing gift - you. Nobody understands me better than you. I thank you for this friendship.

Thank you for everything. I am really sorry that I cannot give you happiness anymore. I suppose all good things must come to an end. Don't grief for me any longer. I have no regrets. You shouldn't have any too. Live your life to the fullest. Find another happiness. You must promise me you will do all these. If you don't, I will come back and haunt you and will give you no peace. I can guarantee you this.

Don't cry anymore. At least you and I both know that love is blessing one other and wish each other well and happy.

I love you, little girl. Goodbye.

Love,
Ethan.

Lily wiped away her tears. She folded the letter and put in back into the envelope. She thought of all the good times they had. They would tease each other, complain to each other, share their darkest fear to each other, talk about their hopes and dreams for the future. All those little gifts have a little story behind it. She will treasure those gifts and remember those memories.  

"I promise, Ethan. I love you too. Goodbye."