The Story of Fi Fi and La La Revisited

Once upon a time, there were two friends, Fi Fi and La La.

Fi Fi was quiet, peace-loving and simple. La La, on the other hand, was loud, flamboyant and boundless with energy. One could say that they were quite the opposite, yet, complement in a sense.

What one lacked, the other made up for it. For example, whilst La La was often drawn by fancies and frills, Fi Fi was down-to-earth and this helped La La to remain on firm ground. La La, on the other hand, often shielded meek Fi Fi from the cheats.

So despite the vast differences, Fi Fi and La La got along very well. They supported one another through life, and were the best of friends in the world.

For many years, life was quiet, peaceful and filled with love, fun and laughter. It could perhaps have continued to remain so if So So had not come into the picture.

Now, So So was a newbie in town. And in all that sense of the word, 'new', So So was unique and different.

La La, being curious and excited over all things new, was naturally drawn toward So So. La La started spending a lot of time with So So, and this greatly strained the relationship between Fi Fi and La La (for three was always a crowd). Gradually, Fi Fi and La La grew apart.

Although greatly sadden by the drift from the Best Friend, Fi Fi knew that life must still go on, and as long as La La was happy, that was all that mattered.

But things were not all that sweet and spice for La La. After a while, when the novelty wore off with So So, La La started feeling the void left by Fi Fi. La La was missing Fi Fi!

La La started remembering the happy (and troubled) times spent with Fi Fi. La La gradually realised how much both of them have gone through together, and the huge role both played in each other's lives. But when La La tried to think of the times spent with So So, La La only had hazy, faded impressions.

La La started to feel pangs of guilt and regret. Guilt and regret for having neglected and taken Fi Fi for granted. La La badly wanted to make amends, but was afraid that Fi Fi might look upon it negatively.

Meanwhile, Fi Fi was very much aware of the struggle the Best Friend was going through. Fi Fi knew that La La was feeling terribly lost. Fi Fi wanted to help La La. And, Fi Fi wanted La La to be happy. But Fi Fi knew that this time round it had to be from La La's own effort. After all, Fi Fi could not be around all the time to clear up La La's mess.

Sometimes, one has to be cruel in order to be kind.