Rest Well Relin

June 18, 2012

Rest Well Relin

It was the morning of June the 14th. I received a text from Relin's family friend saying that Relin is in critical condition, and is in ICU. I got a shock of my life because the last we spoke, she was all excited about going to London with Kamil, her 9 yr old boy and she told me she would call me once she gets back. I immediately called that friend back and asked for more details and he said that she just got back from London and fell ill, the cancer has spread to her brains from her lungs. She could hear but she could not respond. And, doctors consider her 'gone'.

Tears burst out instantaniously as I couldn't believe what I just heard. He didn't know what to say and he told me not to worry and will keep me updated on her status.

How can this happen? Why her? Why now? So many questions running through my head. I just could not believe it. I just met her right before she flew and she was alright! She looked healthy and we chatted for the longest time. We talked about what to pack, talking about our plans to move there and live there together, get a job there and she will scout around and get back and update me, talking about who would she meet there, talking about writing me mails from London to keep me updated and even talked about meeting up when she gets back, no signs of her being unwell and...going...

I immediately said a prayer for her, for her to be well again, and for God to have mercy and spare her.

I even got my cell group to pray together...

10:38am, I received a call from our ex colleague. The moment I heard her tone when she said "hello", before she could even say anything else, I literally wailed. I shivered and quaked. I didn't know how to react or what to say.

Relin is gone.

Never to hear her laughter again. Never to see her smile again.

My best friend, is gone for good.

I was in disbelief. Reality hasn't sank in. I knew I had to see her one last time before they lay her to rest.

Took the day off and rushed to the mosque where she was brought to and I caught a glimpse of her right before they covered her up. Saw Kamil being a big boy, all steady and taking it well, so proud of him, Relin did well raising him. He was not only saying bye to his Mother, he was bidding goodbye to his Best Friend.

They said some prayers for her and laid her to rest.

Up till this day, I still find it hard to believe that I will never hear her voice again. Her voice and her mere presence used to brighten up any room she enters. I still remember when she would randomly start doing doing the moonwalk (she loved MJ) on her 5 inch heels and start singing Billy Jean. How she would hold up her mobile phone pretending it's a mic singing Jamiroquai's Cosmic Girl while driving.

I remember how even my Unc's pet dog, Ginger loved her too. We went down to Singapore for George Benson's concert in 2010 and stayed at my Uncle's and Ginger would be so happy whenever Relin comes home. Ginger would sneak into our room and lie next to Relin in the mornings before she gets up.

We went down to Singapore again last year just to chill and Ginger remembers her!

She was an incredible soul, someone you will never regret meeting.

She was always positive despite her battling stage 4 lung cancer.

Always energetic despite her having only 1 and a half lungs.

Always smiling despite being a single mom taking care of her lil boy. She never neglects her son despite having to work late almost everyday. She would still pick him up from school, and bring him along, back to the office so that she could finish up her work while having him near.

She was always very giving and forgiving. She doesn't hold grudges.

She was very generous, as long as you like something, and she has it, she would give it to you. Just to make you happy.

She inspired many to live life to its fullest cos you just have no excuse not to! She had stage 4 lung cancer and she lived her life fuller than anybody else I know! She battled it through eventhough doctors told her she only had a few months left. She fought for 6 years.

I have so much to say about her but words just does not suffice.

Relin, you have fought well, it's time to rest now. I hope you are having a great time dancing and singing with the angels right now and telling them your ever entertaining stories!