Isla sat, tearing her roti canai* before dipping each piece into the dhal* absentmindedly. Ellie knew something was on her mind as she nudged her while slurping on her indo mee* with sunny side up egg.

  Isla groaned in agitation.”What’s up?” Ellie asked after swallowing a mouthful of noodles.

  “Nothing… Same old. You?” Isla shrugged.

  “I have been thinking of pushing more in the gym.” Ellie nodded with conviction and managed to get Isla laughing.

  “Why the sudden need? Don’t push yourself unnecessarily.” Isla asked when she finally could control her laughter.

  “You remember when we climbed the wooden stairs to Jazz’s window?” Ellie asked as Isla nodded.

  “I recalled it was bliss for me long ago. That day, if I were faster, I wouldn’t have slowed everyone…” Ellie pouted as Isla sighed silently.

  “That’s why I always tell you to control your eating. But you’re right. You should increase your intensity… But again, it wasn’t your fault that day, Ellie. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself…” Isla said while finishing up her last piece of roti canai*.

  “It used to be the three of us…” Ellie lamented as Isla smiled.

  “Well, I remembered someone pulled an outsider here the last time we were here.” Isla teased before standing up to wash her hands while Ellie was squinting at Isla.

  This woman and her grudge. She can never let it go, can she? What is it so bad about Luna that she dislikes her so much… Ellie sighed, watching Isla walk back before sipping her ice lemon tea.

  “If you want to stop missing Jazz, maybe start finding a boyfriend yourself?” Isla suggested while giggling.

  “And leave you alone… No… Why don’t you find one too? Haven’t you thought of remarrying? You’re still so young…” Ellie asked while sipping her teh tarik*.

  Isla shook her head. “Nope… Never will I do it ever again with anyone else. I already had my time, Ellie. Don’t do the same as Jazz did just for me. I’m not a saint who would bless you with millions. I’m just… me. Isla… An ordinary English tuition teacher. I don’t even teach in schools. So, you should work on improving your health cause it’s your wealth. You can be wealthy in so many ways other than just with money. With money, it’s just a matter of time for you to accumulate your wealth.” Isla advised as Ellie smiled.

  “Let’s hope things go as you said… Who would like an ugly, fat woman like me?” Ellie laughed.

  “Ellie! Don’t say that! Everyone sees beauty differently. Stop having such low self-esteem!” Isla reprimanded as Ellie gently patted her shoulder.

  “Yes, Ma’am!” Ellie tried to calm Isla.

  “As punishment, there wouldn’t be any ice cream later after we get my table!” Isla sulked and folded her arms as Ellie laughed.

  “But really… doesn’t it get lonely sometimes? Or perhaps too quiet that you should have someone closer than me or Jazz to be with?” Ellie questioned as Isla thought back to such times.

  “Not really… I would look at his things and pictures. Recall the times we had at each holiday destination. When I miss his voice or him, I would turn on a handful of videos I had of him and rewatch them. I would naturally talk to the air as though I was talking to him again… If you think I am crazy, I don’t think so. It’s just part of grieving. I had let go, but to restart again with someone else all over again, I don’t think I need to. I love my freedom, Ellie. I only realised after a while, when he left, that I had not relied on him very much when he was around. In fact, he was a great company like you and Jazz were. That’s exactly how a partner should be, in my opinion.” Isla smiled.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  “And I am very thankful for that. Cause that’s where I know I have spent life to the fullest with him. I hope he had too.” Isla was smiling all the way, but what she said moved Ellie to tears.

  “Hey, silly…” Isla passed her a tissue.

  “I didn’t mean to bring down the mood… Alright, stop crying. Come, I'll let you have your ice cream back. Let’s pay for the bill and head to get my table…” Isla coaxed as Ellie laughed before following Isla’s lead.

  Isla had gotten used to her solitary life since young. Having been left by her parents at a young age taught her to appreciate every relationship she had with others. When Lex left, she felt fulfilled to teach children. That was her way of redemption, not having children with Lex.

  She was also prepared to live alone cause she believed in this world, no matter who you come across with, it’s just a matter of time that one of them leaves first. She ensured she was financially independent from her inheritance and helped close ones as much as she could.

  She ensured she made the fullest she could while spending time with all of them, cause she knew some day, all these would remain memories like she had of Lex. She kept many pictures and videos of everyone and had an external hard drive storage to store them, cause she knew some day, she would want to revisit them again, especially when she gets old and her memory might get weak by then.

  As the girls geared up for their reunion weekend in Lahad Datu, they had no idea they would bump into Luna at the airport. Isla especially dreaded the flight. She was thankful that Luna sat in a different row, further away from them.

  Jazzlyn couldn’t stand Isla’s frowns with her disdain against Luna, so she began to turn Isla to face her. Isla gave her a questioning look before Jazzlyn tried to straighten the creases on Isla’s forehead. Jazzlyn then tried to pull up both ends of her lips.

  “Could you please smile? You’re frightening others…” Jazzlyn intentionally pointed to a little boy sitting on the same row near the aisle, staring at them innocently.

  He had no idea he was being used as a scapegoat by Jazzlyn to appease Isla. Ellie, who was by the window seat, laughed as Isla forced a smile before sitting comfortably on her middle seat and folding her arms, pretending to try to sleep. Jazzlyn sighed a little in satisfaction.

  “Don’t you dare throw any tantrum when you speak to her the next time…” Jazzlyn warned Isla.

  “I do not throw tantrums. I’m not a kid.” Isla retaliated with her eyes closed. She was testing Jazzlyn’s patience.

  “What is it with you and her that’s so hard for you to just say hi or act indifferent? Must you always be so cold? She is also a human right?” Ellie tried to reason with Isla.

  “What’s with you two? I didn’t even say a word…” Isla's hands were up in the air, reprimanding them both while they tried to calm her down.

  “Keep it low. You’re disturbing others…” Jazzlyn warned, but in actual fact, she just didn’t want Luna to notice them bickering about her.

  “It’s nothing wrong when you don’t say a word. But you have a face that says, “Miss-get-the-hell-out-of-my-sight”. Or if you want, “don’t-mess-with-me”. Not even a word kind unless you want to die.” Jazzlyn sarcastically pointed it out to Isla.

  Isla knew she could keep quiet, but she could not hide her facial reactions from young. That’s why she was always so blunt and straightforward to others that she rarely had friends. Not many could stand or are open to the way she is.

  “Alright… I know. I will try to keep it under control.” Isla rolled her eyes.

  “Good. Thank you for your cooperation.” Jazzlyn said before leaning onto the back of her chair.

  “If only you two don’t get swayed by her into giving so much money away. Don’t even fall for her traps.” Isla mumbled, but it was loud enough for both of them to hear her.

  “Isla… What’s done is done. Life is too short to dwell on the past. Try to look at this from a different point of view. You’re not heading back for just the reunion. You’re visiting your hometown with your best friends. Reminiscing about the days we were young before sending me off to wed. I mean, alright, you already did so, but this time legally.” Jazzlyn tried to reason with Isla.

  “And maybe find me a boyfie?” Ellie joked, which made the girls erupt in laughter.

  “Good one!” Jazzlyn complimented before giving Ellie a high five.

  “Who knows… You might really find one… It’s a reunion reception after all.” Isla finally smiled as the trio watched the window’s scenery change while the plane took off to their new adventure.

  Glossaries:

  *roti canai - flaky, multi-layered flatbread that is of Indian origin

  *dhal - slow-cooked split pulses like lentils, peas, and beans into a porridge-like dish to be served with the flatbread

  *indo mee - specific version of fried instant noodles

  *teh tarik - milk tea made from strong black tea and condensed milk being repeatedly pouring the mixture into two containers from high range to create a frothy top and richer flavour