ADZ

 We all have friends. Friends who you hang out with. Friends who get into trouble with you. Friends who are there with you when you are happy. But do you have a friend who makes you feel very special, someone whom you can share all your darkest secrets with?

I do.

 The funny thing is, I never thought I’d be friends with him. AT ALL. The earliest memory of him was in 2011. I was being a busybody, visiting each class instead of studying. Then I heard someone calling my name. “Ash!” I was surprised to see him. He looked like what I call a gangster. Honestly speaking, he scared me. He wanted me to have a look at his story. He was soft-spoken, which took me aback. It was about Nazis and war and that mushy thing called ‘romance’. It was nice.

 And just like that, we clicked. I don’t remember how we got close, but Alhamdulillah, I’m glad we did. He was with me through the ups and downs of my school life. He was the reason I cried. He was the reason I laughed. We have loads of things in common; we’re both the eldest, we have similar names. He’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, he’s down-to-earth, and he’s wonderful. He is my confidant, my advisor, my John Watson, my shoulder to cry on whenever I’m down in the dumps. I would do anything for him, and he’d do the same for me.

He’s my best friend. And he is the best thing that has ever come into my life.

This year's present: a sucky-but-from-the-heart painting.

 To Ashraaf Danial Zakaria, if you’re reading this, I just want you to know that you are one of my closest friends. I consider you part of my family already. You will always be my best friend. I hope it’ll last forever (I’ll make sure of that.) I'm sorry if I have ever hurt your feelings. And I didn't buy you anything. :( But hey, the painting is sentimental. :) I hope you cry reading this, hahaha; it’s very hard to put this into words. And always remember that I have your back as well. I wish you all the best in life.

Ash and Ash. (I'm obviously the hotter Ash.) (The one at the left.)