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.