It was a super challenging year last year with the strike of global pandemic and economy crisis which followed thereafter. Everyone was not spared. New norm. New life. Hardships. Shops closed down. Tourism line badly affected.

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Susanne (not a real name) was not exceptional. She, was a former drug addict but had become clean for many years for now. What meant to be meaningful life turned downward spiral when she lost her job as stewardess. She had no one to turn to except her best friend, Aliza (not a real name).

Self-drawn according to prompt

Aliza was her former lifesaver. She found her at the street unconscious, and brought her to ER immediately. To cut the story short, Susanne was drug overdose. Lucky her, she was sent in on time to be saved. Aliza also had been by her side through ups and downs during her rehabilitation times. Although challenging, Susanne made it, with alot of Aliza's prayers and encouragements. They became the bestest friend. And Susanne also happily became Aliza's bridesmaid during her wedding and she knew one day she would be in great condition in terms of health and mental state for a good life too. Susanne really looked up to Aliza as her best friend as well as mentor of life.

During the hardships last year, not only she lost her job, she couldn't find a replacement job. Gradually, she lost her confidence and almost resort to smoking to get her sanity.

Aliza couldn't help but to empathise with her. She offered her a shelter with the reason Susanne might be of help around the house since Aliza was pregnant and feeling quite fatigue. Susaane was so happy at the same felt embarrassed to trouble Aliza, but she had no money left to pay rental bill, electric and water bill. Landlord was chasing after her as well.

Susanne's shifting in had been a great help at the house. At least, she was a good helper to clean the house and some mini cooking for Aliza and her husband. Little did Aliza knew, Susanne was a great help to her husband too.

But in a wrong way...

Self-drawn according to prompt

Secretly, Susanne fell in love with the man and had been sending signals to him. Nobody was sure what happened in between but both the man and woman had an affair. The man was lusting over Susaane after few months not having sexual relationship with his wife due to the pregnancy.

This year, Aliza found out and was greatly dismayed. But she wouldn't fight for it anymore. The man had decided to shift out to another place with Susanne.

No tears could amount to the agony in Aliza. But she vowed to be strong, to move on, for baby's sake.

She gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. But the baby boy's father had run away with another woman. Thank God, Aliza was a woman of security and wholesomeness. She knew how to stand up again. And be even stronger this year.

True story from my friend's friend's friend. Not sure of the details though. I pray for the best for Aliza. She is alright now. At least, mentally good enough to be a mother to the child. When I saw the prompt on writing about friendship, I immediately thought of this real story I just heard from a marriage page I followed at Facebook.

This is another 5-minute freewrite using daily prompt by @mariannewest. You can check her out. I love freewrite because anything goes, no right or wrong, but having fun writing your thoughts or story. If you want to know more about 5-minute freewrite, click here.. Join us as at the @freewritehouse

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