Part 1: Pen Pals

Part 1: Pen Pals

by Diar Adhihafsari

It's 11 at night in Indonesia, yet Lia still cannot sleep. She
re-reads the letter she received this morning.

She gets up and moves toward a huge world map hung on her
yellow bedroom wall. She traces the continent of Europe with her
finger, then moves north to Denmark. She has put a pink pushpin
at the country's map. It means a country to remember -- always.

"Hi, Christina!" she says to the map, as she does every time
she receives a letter from Christina, her pen pal in Denmark.

She met the Danish girl four years ago, when both of them were
still in their freshman year at senior high school.

Lia registered as a member of an international pen pal club,
then, three weeks later, she received an exciting letter from
someone of her age who lived in Copenhagen, Denmark.

She had never expected to hear from anyone in Denmark, as she
had always dreamed about having some friends from the United
States or Canada. She had never even thought that a European
could also be a good friend to talk to. Just like Christina
Stentoft, the Danish girl.

***

Dearest Lia,

I finally finished my research report yesterday. I'm so
relieved! Oh, by the way, we were asked to add a thank-you list
on the first page of our paper.

Guess whose name I put there? Yours! No kidding! Okay, you
didn't donate any material, but you did support me, and that's
the important thing.

Remember when you sent me a gorgeous postcard? And you wrote,
"Dear Chris. Just relax, think about anything beautiful (like me
-- haha -- just kidding. I mean like ice cream, chocolate, your
favorite professor, or me. (Again, just kidding!)"

Well, the card sounded a bit ridiculous (haha). Nevertheless I
did what you told me. You were right, Lia. The technique worked!
I could reduce some stress while working on the complicated
paper.

Thanks a lot,
Your Friend.

***

Lia is so touched by the first part of the letter that she begins
to cry. She wrote my name in her thank-you list, she thought. Oh,
it's so sweet!

From the very first time she received a letter from Christina,
she couldn't figure out why her heart always trembled every time
she read and learned all about Denmark.

Sometimes she felt that it was a kind of sign, that their
friendship was meant to be.

Denmark

It has been almost four years since Lia and Christina made
friends through snail-mail, but they have only sent their
photographs to each other once. Moreover, neither care about what
their pen pal looks like, as long as they love each other.

***

Dear Chris,

I have bad news for you. Okay, let me take a inhale and exhale
first. Well, actually, I don't want to tell you this, but I
really need someone to talk to about this problem. Hm -- I -- I
had some problems with my health a few days ago and, well, the
bottom line is that I've got leukemia.

No, please don't cry, Chris! I'm doing just fine, don't worry.
I keep going to the hospital every week for a routine check up.
Your Friend.

***

Christina cannot stand it anymore. She cries almost all night
long. Leukemia is a terrifying word for her as a medical student.
She keeps thinking about her pen pal, wondering what she can do
for Lia.

She just wishes that she could be there next to her best
friend, hug her, kiss her forehead, and say, "Don't worry, I'm
here for you, Lia," but she can't. Denmark is way too far from
Indonesia.

Until she recalls something.

She could phone Lia.

***

Indonesia

"Chris? Dear God! Isn't it terribly expensive to make an
international call?" Lia screams. She is amazed and deeply
touched by Christina's call.

"So what? I can't just stay quietly in my room and not do
anything for you."

Then the two cry together.

"I didn't mean to make you worry about my health," Lia
protests.

Christina can only whisper, "I know, I know. But I'm calling
to let you know that I'm never going to leave you alone, whatever
happens."

Lia's mother was surprised when her daughter hugged her
tightly and cried after reading Christina's latest letter. She
didn't ask why, as she understood how her daughter was moved by
her friendship with the Danish girl.

Friendship is a very meaningful thing for Lia. Once she finds
a good friend, she'll do anything to maintain the friendship. Lia
has never told her mother that, but her mother instinctively
understands.

***

Dearest Lia,

I decided to change my major from dermatology to internal
medicine so that I can learn more about leukemia. I did that for
you, Lia. Please don't get mad or protest.

I did this because I wanted to, because I love you. I know I
can't cure your disease personally. But, at least I can do
something. I would feel guilty if I did nothing, and this is what
I want to do.

Love, Chris

***

She always does such nice things for me, Lia murmured to
herself.

She wondered how her pen pal would adjust to her new major.
And wasn't this a bit much to do for a friend?

But she'd always believed this was what friendship should be
all about.

Postcards keep coming regularly to Lia's house, offering best
wishes for her in fighting the disease. Yes, they are from
Christina.

Unfortunately, Lia has no time to answer these postcards, as
she is in chemotherapy.

***

My Dear Lia,

I begin to learn more about your disease although, of course,
I know you don't want it to be yours. Your leukemia is still in
the early stages, don't be too worried.

It's good for you to keep up with the chemo regularly. I'm
sure in one or two months you will see some improvement.

I wonder whether your hair is falling out. Even if is, I'm
sure you'd still look pretty, Honey! Hang in there, Friend.
You're going to be just fine!
Love, Chris.

***

Lia reads this letter from Christina that evening in the
hospital. She has been there for almost two months for advanced
chemotherapy.

Chris was right about the hair part. Lia sees how her hair is
getting thinner and thinner day by day,

Yes, I have to be strong. The leukemia stands, but the show
must still go on.

Denmark: Two and a half months later

Dearest Christina,

You were right. Finally, I've overcome this awful disease. Oh,
I feel so relieved! By the way, thanks so much for all your
support. Your letters, your postcards and your prayers. They have
all helped to keep me strong.

You know, staying in the hospital was horribly boring. I
prayed you were my doctor, but that's just impossible.
Love, Lia.

***

The letter makes Christina jump for joy.

The writer is a student of English Education at Tanjungpura
University in Pontianak. This short story first appeared on
www.tintota.com as Long Distance Friendship.