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5 I The Best Online Education System in the world
MY BEST FRIEND
Ream Odetallah
Class of 2003, University of Jordan
MA English Language and Literature
Linda and I were best friends. We had a lot of things in common and shared our deepest secrets with each
other. We also had stood next to one another at hard times that no one on earth could have ever done for
one’s sake. She wasn’t just a friend to me; she was my soul mate and my only sister that my parents couldn’t
get. I was more than happy to have her in my life, and she as well, but when circumstances roam over, no
human can defeat the nature of life. So, I lost her forever.
It was a beautiful winter day, the rain was dropping softly and the air was encouraging us to run and play
outdoors as if knowing it would be our last winter together. Also, our exchange of words implied that we might
never see each other ever again.
Linda was holding her darkest secret behind, which I had never known of until it was too late. I felt her
awkwardness on that day, but she knew how to act in a way to stop me from suspecting her of any
abnormalities happening within her and her attitude. After the rain stopped dropping, we went inside to
change our clothes and to drink hot chocolate with marshmallows. She went in first as I was preparing the hot
drinks and talking to mum, then I followed in. As I was changing and washing up, I was expecting her to be
sitting with mum and drinking the chocolate. I went to the kitchen counter and grabbed the two mugs and
asked mum about Linda as I sat next to her. She didn’t see her coming from the inside rooms. I took it normally
and continued chatting with mum for around twenty minutes when I decided to look for her. I called her name
and searched the rooms, but she was nowhere inside the house and even not outside our house.
I thought she was fooling around or having a private talk, but I couldn’t hear the ring of her cell phone as I
buzzed her several times. I felt bad and angry until her mum called us at 8 pm asking about her. I was surprised!
Then freaking out! I asked dad to go looking for her as did her parents. After 9 pm, we called the police and we
had a long night of search until I collapsed and my parents had to send me to the hospital.
The search went on for months and then to two years. Everybody gave up. The police had anticipated that she
ran away since she was in my house safe and sound. Her parents blamed mine and we lost contact with Linda
and her family.
She was never out of my mind, and I was always hoping she returns to me and justifies her sudden
disappearance, but years have passed and now I am married with three kids. Nothing.
One day a man in the public park, where I usually take my kids to play, asked me if I were Sally, Linda’s best
friend. I did not know how and what to reply at first, but I said ‘Yes’ almost subconsciously. He sat next to me
and told me the story of her disappearance. I might have stayed glaring at him for five minutes with tears
rolling down my cheeks and told him before walking away: “May you burn in hell!”
Questions:
1. What is your definition of a ‘best friend’?
2. How do you make friends?
3. Are most of your closest friends online or offline? Why?
4. What do you think has happened to Linda?
5. Do you think Linda is a good friend? Explain your choices.