This is a picture of my best friend. I took it when we went out during the semester break. We haven’t seen each other for a while so we decided to go to Gunung Lambak, a recreation spot near our hometown. As it was still quite early in the day, there was only one restaurant opened for business and we were the only customers there. The restaurant was surrounded by trees, giving off an aura of tranquility. We chose a secluded place to sit so we wouldn’t be disturbed. I had earlier realized that she didn’t seem to have spared a thought for her clothes. She had on her black rimmed spectacles, her favourite old red sweater with an old T-shirt underneath. It was as if she just rolled out of bed, grabbed the sweater and tudung, then dash out the door. Turns out, I wasn't far from the truth. She sheepishly told me that the shirt had indeed doubled as her "pajamas". She had an inkling that her mom was about to assign some chores to her, so she quickly sneaked out of the house to avoid them. I was the unwilling accomplice in her “Great Escape”. We spent the time chatting about old times and catching up on the latest news. I was engrossed with the conversation but all the while I was thinking of snapping a candid photo of her to remember the moment. While she was taking the last few sips of her drinks, I took out my phone and got ready. She looked down at her soon to be finished drink, chewing the straw. I called her name, she looked up and I quickly snapped her picture. Her exasperated shouts and threats of not giving me a ride home is well worth it. It may not have been her best moment, but it was her most honest. The picture is a constant reminder of what friendship is all about, giving us the freedom to be confident and comfortable in our own skin.
