It's not a good bye

Broken windows and empty hallways
A pale lit moon in a sky streaked with gray
Human kindness is overflowing
And I think it's gonna rain today...

Remember this song from the movie Beaches? They played it after Hilary died, and it's running through my head on this gloomy, rainy day as I prepare to say farewell to the most jovial and funny chic. No, nobody is dead. Its a farewell for a good friend in the office.Her time to leave the organization has come. She has been praying and praying for a better offer. well, I guess, once the offer fall on her lap, the inevitable can no longer be postponed.

When I think of Effa, I' ll always remember our routines. It has always been Sha, Effa and Me.

Us, sitting in Effa's Super-Savvy (with its funny sound)...bitching about life at works, funny people that we met, how hungry we are and how we look forward for lunch break..and many many more.

Effa just joined us early this year. But her attitude makes us feel that we've known her for years.

She is . . . one of those people who others gravitate towards. She is warm, friendly and there is no doubt that she works in the people field, caring for others because she genuinely cares. Yeah, this is how I came to know Effa. When I needed assistance and help during a couple rough times, she was one of the first person who will always be there, lending her helping hand. When Sha just needed someone she could talk to… about anything… Effa was there to listen, without judging.

At heart, I knew she is a good person despite her crazy personality and her panic attitude which we find very amusing. And I knew she is a good friend and colleague, because Effa is not a selfish person. She is not a type of person who will say no if you needed her help which I think is a rare quality which is not easy to find in a colleague. It makes Effa, a truly unique person and you are very intrigue to have her around you. She knows how to light up a room and makes people feel very much comfortable to just be with her.

We will truly miss her a lot when she no longer in the office. Effa that I know, she can be stupidly funny without her knowing and yet a very honest and helpful person at the same time.

Today, on her last day, she keep on saying "thank you for teaching me a lot about stuff at work"..but what she didn't realized is that I have also learn a lot from her for the last 9 months.

For us (myself and Sha), Effa became our confident, our laughing partner… and man, did we ever share lots of laughs. As I sit here writing about our antics, I am torn between laughing and crying. I remember going out with her – our usual break under the bridge because that is the only "sejuk" place in cyber, the three of us laughing so hard, her funny stories about how a friend of hers who know another friend that knows dozens of Malaysian artists (she is Miss Know-Everybody in the Planet), how she will tell the name of each of everyone that she knows in this world when she is telling us all her stories (which I seriously think that we don't even remember any)..

Yeah. I remember that. Its funny. You will not find another Effa again in this place..and definitely myself and Sha will miss all that..and we never grew tired listening to her stories..My tummy hurt a lot for the last 9 months from laughing.

As we have our last teh tarik session at OldTown Cyber tonite, we then had to say “Good-bye” except I refused to say good-bye. It’s actually “See you next time, Effa.” I will not shed a tear because I know this is not a goodbye, I smiled… gave her a hug and kisses. I am happy for her. I am truly happy for her..

To my dear friend Effa,

We will truly miss your presence. Hope our path will cross again.

Although it is sad to see you go, we are happy to see you being happy and passionate in what you are doing.

Be strong. I know you have the attitude to be BIG and to be what you dream to be.

Just follow your heart.

Insyallah, you will find the best for yourself and please dont forget all of us here.

Do drop by and say hello and we wish you all the best.

Take care. You have been a great colleague and above all you have been a wonderful friend for me and Sha.

Love ya. Hugz.