Last Wednesday was one of those days that felt like a warm hug from the past. A rare and much-needed catch-up with my best friend Najihah. We’ve been inseparable since high school, macam kacang dalam pod. But as we grew older, life decided to do its thing and take us on different paths. Work, responsibilities, adulting in general, all busy stuff. Tapi somehow, we always make sure to meet at least once a month. Our little promise to pause the chaos and just hang out together.

Whenever we meet, it’s like dumping a whole month of tea, problems, funny stories, and random updates all at once. Nothing is off-limits. It’s raw, real, and full of laughter, and sometimes, okay fine, even a few tears slip in. That’s the beauty of our friendship, honestly.

For this month’s meet-up, we kept things super simple and dekat rumah je. We went to Kulim Central, which honestly is just around the corner from where we live. But honestly, it’s not always about the destination. The company is what really matters, and I swear, good company can make even the tiniest mamak feel like a five-star experience.

We kicked off our little date with lunch at Myeondong Tteokbokki. Najihah was craving their Seondubu Jjigae like crazy and of course I had to be the supportive best friend. Honestly, I’m not really a huge fan of Korean food. It’s just not my thing. But seeing Najihah so excited made it all worth it. I ended up with a simple chicken porridge and we sat down to eat, spilling all the stories from the past few weeks. The laughter, the side glances, the "remember that one time" moments, it honestly felt like high school all over again.

After lunch, we went to Llaollao because apparently, froyo is more important than solving world problems. I got pistachio yogurt with white granola and Chips Ahoy, and I swear, I felt something magical in my mouth. We shared a medium tube because sharing is caring, or maybe because I didn’t want to be judged for eating it all alone. Every bite was like, “Yes, life is good. Stop asking questions.”

But the highlight of the day? Definitely watching Blood Brother at the cinema. Let me just say this,  it was worth every cent. I initially bought the tickets because, well… Syafiq Kyle. Enough said, right? But the movie turned out to be more than just good looks on screen. The plot twist had us gasping and clutching our seats, it was that intense. I haven’t felt that invested in a movie in a long time. It brought back memories of the last time we watched a movie together, Highland Tower, back in our high school days. Crazy how time flies.

Before heading home, we made a quick stop at CU Mart to grab some snacks because why not? We weren’t done talking, obviously. More stories, more emotional unloading, more laughter. As our little hangout came to an end, we grabbed some Ai Cha for our families, a small gesture that wrapped up the day on a sweet note.

Spending time with Najihah is always grounding. In the middle of our busy lives, it's moments like these that remind me of the importance of friendship, the kind that stays strong no matter how many years pass or how many things change. Just two best friends, a simple day out, and hearts a little lighter by the end of it.

Here’s to many more spontaneous meet-ups, deep conversations, and of course, more pistachio Llaollao.

Lots of love, 
Nadiera Hashim
1:15 p.m.
Kedah, Malaysia.