Kind of Joy that Money Just Can't Buy

It started with an innocent Whatsapp message saying "Someone is bearing fruit tonight". And I was like "Buah rojak ke, cempedak ke, durian ke...."


Then I realize the REAL meaning behind that. I AM bearing fruit. I'm becoming a TREE now. Whooooshhhh


I replied saying "Drinks on me tonight!!" with much "applause" from the chat room.


Fast forward to the night where we all gather at the poolside of the condo. We are all chatting away whilst waiting for the BIG moment. Then, she appeared from the lift. Let's call her "Sister" to remain anonymous.


She walked gingerly towards the pool area. I've been told she had fasted for the past 24 hours. I was like "How can one go even 4 hours without food? =p". We started off with a round of sharing from everyone. One by one they all shared a little about her. Then, it's my turn.


I gulped. I gulped again. I was actually nervous. I am rarely nervous. Just last week, I literally blew away a crowd of approximately 200+ people with my smooth emceeing skills. Or so I think. Anyway, I was really nervous for her (or myself?). I shared about how I met her while in university. I shared how I get to know her better through the years and how much she have grown to who she is today. Being a introvert person by nature but, slowly but surely coming out of her cocoon into a beautiful butterfly. Oh wait, I think I didn't say that...


Then, we took a picture together to commemorate the occasion. I held her to my side and I could feel her shaking a little. She's a nervous wreck, I thought.


The time has come. I composed myself. It started with "Sister, are you ready? I have 2 questions for you today...."


She paused for a moment and nodded her head slowly. In what seemed to be like 1 minute procedure felt like an eternity to me as I was not used to this kind of "pressure". I read the procedure prepared earlier from my iPod and managed to pull through swiftly.


Then, we proceed to the poolside where she slowly lowered herself. I was again put in the hot seat in charge of slowly "lowering" her. I duly did as told. I could not help but notice she is trembling quite a bit. Perhaps due to the coldness of the water. Perhaps due to her nervousness. Perhaps a combination of both.


Slowly, I counted to three and lowered her down but she emerged halfway. It's a failed first attempt. All of us there encouraged her again and said she can do this. I whispered something like "Sister, this is easy. Just bend your knees and count to two once you are fully submerged into the water. Relax..." Everyone can tell I was nervous for her as well.The second attempt went underway. I counted to three again. This time, it was successful. I actually counted to four before I let go of my hand just to make sure I fulfill the quota of 2 seconds. =p


It was an amazing feeling. We took a group photograph and proceeded to the mamak nearby where I insisted to pay more than the drinks much to everyone's joy and amazement. It didn't matter to me. Deep inside me, it's truly a joy to witness myself becoming a TREE that very night.


It's That Kind Of Joy Money Just Can't Buy.


-- Shared by Chin Je Mein