You know how they say you get your best memories with your best friends. Our lives are no wonder full of hardships these days and it is very difficult to take time out for ourselves but it is also important. My buddies and I made a trip to Malaysia back in 2019 which gave me some of the best memories of my life to sit back and reminisce. Every time the trip crosses my mind, I’m left with a surge of happiness and I instantly feel a little lighter.
It was a semi-official trip with a group of
more than 30 people. We all went to Langkawi and then also spent a few days in
Kuala Lumpur. The whole group stayed in the same hotel for a few days. The hotel
had its own vibe and environment which obviously added to our delight.
 |
| All participants of the group tour |
Most of the group left as per the initial
plan but my best friends and I planned to extend our trip. Who knew those five
days would become the best five days of our lives. Six of us stayed back for
longer to explore further, we decided to check out from the hotel and rent a
luxurious apartment in Fahrenheit Suites, Bukit Bintang. All of us moved there
with our Chuadhry Saab leading us because of course, who else would do it
better when he is around?
 |
| Chaudhry Musaddaq Salman (second from left) - Hero of today's story |
He is one of the most composed people I know about but on that trip, we saw a side we never knew existed. One fine night, we woke up to him aggressively barging out of his room, abusing someone real hard. I was the first person to see him like this and I was startled and really worried, as well. I mean it was definitely not something our Chaudhry Saab would do! He is literally known for his kindness and how he never gets a frown on his forehead but I think things were headed in a different direction that night.
All of us gathered around him to figure out
what went wrong. It took us all a few minutes to absorb it was really him doing
all the yelling and abusing but it was confirmed when his anger started
diverting at us. “Are you all really going to stand there and stare at me
instead of actually lending a hand?” he said. It was scary. The look on his
face, the tone, everything was terrifying; but he was also terrified. And guess
what the problem was? Our beloved Chaudhry Saab heard a rat in his room. A RAT
was the reason behind all that yelling and abusing. I still can’t forget the bursts
of laughter we all had after that news. But of course, a friend in need is a
friend indeed so we all headed to our buddy’s room to find out the despicable
rat.
Chaudhry’s room looked like it had been
turned upside down. The window blinds were wide open while the bed sheets were
all taken off and piled up on a corner of the room. All his clothes and luggage
looked like it just took a flying trip all across the room. No wonder our poor
friend was traumatized by the rat. After hours of unsuccessful hunting, we gave
up and curled up on top of the sofas and tables, in case the rat appears and
plans on eating our legs.
The room was completely silent when
Chaudhry suddenly yelled “Hear that! It’s that jerk again!” His red face showed
how much he wanted to kill that rat but we were all still confused because we
missed the sound. It happened again. And then again…
We were about to jump back on the floor and
continue our hunt with our weapons but we heard someone from the washroom
saying: “You guys need to see this”, so we all headed to the washroom, hoping
to see a dead or at least trapped rat.
However, all we saw was an automatic air
freshener that had been making the “rat sound” all along. Yup! There was no
rat. Just an air freshener doing what it’s supposed to do. We stood there in
complete silence for the next ten seconds and then came our fits of laughter.
The apartment echoed with our voices. It was six grown-up men laughing their
hearts out in an apartment washroom. Just imagine the sight! God it was one hell
of a moment and even till this day, it lives rent-free in my heart.
 |
Who knew the mere thought of a rat could
turn six fully grown men into terrified little kids who wanted someone to come
and kill the rat in their house. It was hilarious. That moment was just like
the college days, my boys and I laughing on the most random things with no
worries at all. It was nothing but wholesome.
I know we are all
busy in making the most of our lives and doing the best we can to move ahead
but it’s always a good idea to pause every now and then. It’s equally important
to take out time for yourself, do things that give you joy and contentment. Do
things purely for yourself. There is no point in earning or being the best if
you don’t sit back and enjoy every once in a while. Find your true people and
be grateful for them. For me, my true people are my friends and I couldn’t be
happier to have been able to go out with them again after so long, just like
the old times!
