Good friend is hard to find. A good friend like Caroline who is always supportive and understanding and who always stays with me through good times and bad times is even more difficult to find. I'll always cherish what we've shared all these years.

Caroline came over to Seattle to visit me recently. It was good to have her here with me. Ever since I have been transferred to Seattle, I always miss the time that we have spent together. The long conversations over the phone, the shopping outings, the lunch/dinner get-together, the heart-touching chats in our rooms etc. All the wonderful time that we have shared are just beyond descriptions.

It was winter and we snuggled closely near the fireplace.

We talked, joked, laughed, cried and hugged each other etc. things that we have not done together for a while. I felt warm and comfortable. It was a sense of security, a sense of reassurance that I was never alone in this world.

We discussed about men. She was trying her best to get over with the wedding news of her ex-boyfriend. It was silly of her to pretend that she didn't care. I knew it would be a struggle but I knew she was tough and strong too. Time and patience were what she needed.

We talked about soulmate and the topic diverted to him eventually. A topic I dreaded to talk about at times. Not many people knew about him especially my family. I intended to keep it as a secret from them especially from my parents. It would never work out between us and that was why I didn't want them to know. The nightmare was still haunting me.

I knew what my parents' responses and reactions would be if they found out the truth.

"You are a grown-up but you're still acting like a child!"

"How can you love someone whom you don't even know well?"

"This is silly and foolish of you!"

All these remarks were hurtful and I didn't want them to come from my family.

"Yeah, better bandage your mouth tightly even when you are asleep!" Caroline joked and I started to burst into laughter.

Caroline would be handling a new project soon when she returned home. A new project that would need input from Damon's company. Life was unpredictable, wasn't it? She would make initial contacts with him and hopefully it would turn out to be a good partnership between her company and his.

When I told her about the email on soulmate that I had sent to Damon, Caroline was thrilled and excited.

"Don't worry, I will interrogate him about you when I see him the next time!"

"Don't you dare!" I gave her a push on her shoulder.

She started laughing and reassured me that it would be alright. They would talk about business and then slowly she would divert the topic to me - a friend whom they both knew. What a joker she was!

I didn't tell Damon about my trip home to visit my grandfather. It was a hectic and tensed moment that I did not want to burden him with. But it did cross my mind that I would call him out for a get-together when I go home for holiday in future. However I was afraid that he would reject my invitation.

"Come on girl, don't be afraid! Just give him a call when you are back and I'm sure he will say yes," Caroline reassured me.

"You know I'm Runaway soul and I like to runaway from complicated matters.."

She held my hands firmly. "You need to go forward and conquer. Not running away all the time!"

I felt a wave of warmth washed over my heart. It was very touching to have such a supportive friend, wasn't it?

We hugged each other and I felt like crying again.

That night I was lying wide awake in bed. Lying beside me was Caroline who was peacefully asleep. Her presence made me feel calm. I whispered the words thank you softly and she stirred slightly before drifting back to sleep. This was Caroline. She made things sound so simple and easy.

If things were that simple in life...

Or maybe did I make things complicated in life?