I was 15 mins early. She was 10 mins late.

She walked in, in her Topshop dress, henna black hair pinned back. I was in my Roberto Cavalli zebra print dress and blonde hair. We were both wearing Birkenstock.

Our eyes met. She recognised my grey lenses as she walked cautiously towards me. I smiled, and she eased up.

“I’m sorry I’m late, I was afraid to come because… I thought you wouldn’t exist”.

I replied, “Well, I’m here, you made it”.

She teared up and asked, “Can I hug you?”.

I didn’t hesitate, “All these years, I’ve been waiting to hug you” – and we gave each other the biggest hug we’ve ever given anyone. She cried into my chest while I tried my best to hold back tears.

We sat down. She ordered a Vanilla Milkshake. I ordered a Himalayan Tea.

She saw my ring and asked, “You got married?”. I nodded. She continued, “To him?”… “No,” I cut her before she could say more. She looked down, embarrassed to ask further.

I took her hand while she pursed her lips, as she anticipated the answer, and I said, “You’ll meet more people once you get out of there.”

Confused, she asked, “How? Won’t he find out?”. I smiled cheekily at her. “Omg…”, she gasped, scared but smiling at the same time.

We both took a sip of our drinks.

“Then, do you have… kids?”, she asked with hope.

I paused for a bit and cautiously shook my head. The hope in her expression washed away as she covered her face and sobbed.

“It’s ok darling, I don’t want children anymore,” reassuring her, “you’ll see the world, and it’s as beautiful as the stories you’ve read.” She exclaimed in between sobs, “Endometriosis ruined my life.” I replied, “No, endometriosis saved your life, you will know in a few months.” Confusion and worry took over her expression.

“And my friends? They’re still there right?”, she asked.

I paused again and shook my head. She started sobbing again, but this time, I had to reach over to hug her to keep her from falling.

“What happened?”, she asked, sobbing into my shoulders. “Nothing, we just all grew up and grew apart”, I replied while she continued sobbing uncontrollably.

I stroked her hair and told her gently, “You leaned on them so hard, darling.” I paused and thought if I should just tell her as she quivered in my arms. I figured she needed to hear it…

“I know you’re afraid to lose them because you think you have nothing else left. You think you won’t make it alone, but you have no idea how strong you are until you let go and try. You won’t lose them completely. They‘ll be some of your most treasured memories.“

I could tell she was drained as she leaned on my shoulders drenched in her tears.

We looked at the clock. It’s time to leave before he finds her here. As she hurriedly packed her tissue and Blackberry into her fairly new LV Petite Noe, that one that now still sits in my closet with signs of distress from the times she had to move from shelter to shelter, she said, “I’m sorry, I wish I had more time with you”.

She walked towards the exit. I had the urge to tell her something…

“Watie,” I called. She turned around. She was so skinny and broken.

“I miss you”, I said. This time, I was holding back my tears. “Thank you for not giving up. Meet me again soon, ok, fairy?”.

She ran back to hug me tight. We just held each other while the world around us passed. Then, she whispered, “I really have to go now.” She let go of my hand and ran off. I know her, she’d never make promises she think can’t keep.

But she’ll be back, stronger than ever.