“It has been a while,” I said to Tom. “Been a few years since we’ve seen each other. How are you doing? How has your life been?”

Tom took some time to answer. We were good friends when we parted ways. Now we are just not sure if things are still the same or whether time has indeed shifted our relationship. I understood his hesitation. “Good, I guess. Not much going on these past few years, to be honest. I’m just doing the same things I have done since the last time we met. How about you?”

Too cliché an answer, I thought. Anne told me that some things have happened to Tom. I guess that I should not push him about it, though. There are several things I would like to keep to myself too. “Not much either. I finished my degree, and now it is time to look for an occupation.”

“Is that why you came back?” Asked Tom. “I mean – you wouldn’t come back otherwise, would you? You said yourself that you do not intend to return.”

Busted. “Yea,” I answered, barely letting the word out. “Actually, I got called by my family. I still have permission to stay there for some months – they’re giving me some time to look for a job – but I really hope that everything can get wrapped up soon here.”

Tom nodded. It looked like he understood what was going on. There have been many of our friends who studied abroad and had no choice but to come back because they couldn’t find a job or other reason to prolong their stay. Some don’t seem to be bothered, and try to get by. It seems like Tom knows how hard it would be for me to stay here for the long-term. 

“The old fried-chicken place is still there, if you happen to miss it. That place was your favourite, wasn’t it?” My old friend tried to break the ice. It has been awkward between us since we met after all those years. “Wanna go there? It’s already lunch-time, anyway.”

Like in the old days, I just nodded. Then we went to the street across our university, where all the food stalls are. 

The person taking care of the Mighty Chicken hasn’t changed. It was still the auntie who recognized me like I was family to her. And now it seems like she still does. “My, my, you look so grown-up now,” she exclaimed. 

I smiled. “Is it just me, or did you get younger since the last time we met?” 

The old women laughed out loud. “So what would it be? We have some new things on the menu since the last time you came,” she handed me a menu. 

It was not the dirty old one anymore, the one that was designed by someone who enjoys using word editor features a little bit too much. The menu card looks more professional, and one could see the effort taken to make the dishes look good in the photos. 

She began to list all the new things to me. My old Super Mighty Chicken dish is now improved to a Super Gold Mighty Chicken. Well, the contents are still the same, but they made a cheaper version without the tofu and salad. Guess kids nowadays only want to eat meat.

Doing sales in my hometown is very interesting, compared to the place I intend to stay in: You make small talk while doing business. Hence, as she showed everything on the menu, we also caught up a little: I told her where I have been, and she told me about her son who just graduated High School. 

Tom knew well that I always talk with the salespeople, so he went to the auntie’s employee and ordered some food ahead of me. We always did that back in the days,  too. Unlike me, he is not someone who likes to do such small talk. I call it business talk, and it’s always good to have some business people know you.

I took my seat across Tom after I finished talking with the lovely lady. His food already got served while I still have to wait.

“So… 4 years?” Tom started the conversation.

I nodded. “Well, now it’s your turn. How was your life?”

He sighed. “As I said, nothing big.” But he noticed that I’m still expecting something, so he kept going. “I got to work in a start-up. The salary has been okay. And am also doing some sales for extra cash. With Mike and Tim, do you still remember them?”

“Of course! How are they?”

“Good, they have a small business running. I help out sometimes for some extra cash.”

“Hmm, that’s nice,” I smiled.

But both of us fell silent. We didn’t know what to say to each other afterwards. Luckily, the food gave us something to talk about, and we ended up reminiscing the old times.

It was nice to meet an old friend. Sadly, time decided to drift us apart. The thing with my family resolved quickly, and I went back soon after everyone in the family said we’re done. 

I never really talked to Tom again since then. If time decides to drift two people apart, what can you do? The best is to hope that it will get them together again.