Joyce’s Photoblog

Alex, pretending to be okay.

“Don’t let anyone hold you back.” Jin Young said. He gave Alex a pat, and they started tearing.

I’ve been to a lot of funerals, farewell gatherings or parties, and some heartwarming events with mass-crying-session on agenda. I’ve seen my grandfather’s body (he died of liver cancer four years ago) being pushed into the cremation chamber. I carried my friend into a stranger’s car so he could be sent to the nearest hospital after a freak accident, and I was told he didn’t survived the drive.

My point is, you don’t see me cry anymore on these sad occasion because I’ve been to so many of them I got used to the depressing atmosphere already. I do feel sad, but it’s not enough to obstruct my first instinct: to witness and to preserve the moments. Here in this post, I’ll post photos I took and guide you through the story in between.

We were at Alex’s place about 1.45pm, preparing for the long drive to KLIA. Moments before we leave, Alex told us there’s not enough space in his father’s car for all his luggages, so he need to put one of them in Jonathan’s car. “That’s the least we can do for you now,” said Jonathan, before putting the luggage into the back of his car.

Getting the luggage into the car. It fitted nicely.

And off we went. Jonathan and Jin Young were talking about cars during the ride, while Bernard sat quietly beside me at backseat. Me? Taking photos, as usual.

The talkative bunch. The car ahead belongs to Alex’s father.

It wasn’t long before we reached the airport. I expected the trip to be longer, but hey reaching earlier means we get to spend more time with Alex there.

Alex’s father, Alex’s sister, and Alex. Loading the luggage demonstrated how well the teamwork is between family members.

After having all the procedures before boarding the plane done, it’s photo-ing time. With family first, of course, but I used their camera instead of mine. It’s their family informal portrait, after all. My camera gets to do its job later anyway.

From left: Jonathan, Alex, Jin Young, and Bernard.

We talked and laughed. Mostly about our futures when Alex’s father joined the conversation. Mostly about what Alex will become over there after his father left the conversation.

Didn’t take long before everyone gets emotional as they realize Alex is leaving for real, soon. It was heart wrenching. Okay, maybe not that extreme. But everyone had tears in their eyes. Only a few willingly let them out.

This is the part I stop taking photos and be a friend for one last time. “Bye Alex!” I said while waving, with a forced smile, after he went into the boarding zone we’re not allowed to enter. And after he went through the counters, we sent him a goodbye-sms for one last time.

Saying I’m a veteran with lots of experience under my belt in such events doesn’t really sound appropriate in a way, but I learned leaving is not the saddest part. It’s knowing there’s a chance he won’t return as the same person, or won’t be returning at all.

Hopefully their bond of friendships can survive the hardships awaiting them.