A True Friend

by Luke Ellee (5 Setia) 2009 I can still remember that a year ago, I was at the height of my career. Many things were happening at once and it seemed that Lady Luck was shining upon me. I had just released my first studio album entitled Baby Blue Blankets. As it was my first album, I did not expect much. After all, most musicians and song writers were only recognised after their second or third album. It was the complete opposite for me. Critics loved my piano-rock genre. It was simply amazing how they praised my album. I was given five star ratings by almost everyone who reviewed my album. That was the response that I received from the local Malaysian community. Thanks to the positive response, the Universal Music Corporation, who did the recording of my album, held a board meeting. At the end of it, they decided to release my music internationally. Again, I was accepted and soon joined the ranks of many international artists like Yellowcard, Green Day, and Coldplay. A month later, I was nominated for four awards at the International Music Awards, which was held in Cape Town, Africa. I won three of them, including Best New Artist, Best Asian Artist and the prestigious Best Album award. Almost immediately, the media flocked around me, cameras flashed, and I was on the cover of many magazines. Both people and celebrities worshipped me. And not to mention, I was making money, a lot of money. I had almost ten million US dollars in my bank account; most of it was from endorsement contracts. Yes, I was signed by food, clothing, eyewear and watch companies. I was basically being paid to live. Then, I changed. I was no longer me. As strange as it sounded, I could barely recognised myself. Gone was the quiet, media-shy, polite and humble boy who loved music. I had become a loud, selfish, materialistic man who was full of ego. Success had changed me. Success had robbed me of my true self. Success created a monster out of the old me, and I did not even notice. Well, thanks to my fame I was invited to many parties. Not just average house parties, I meant parties where I got to rub shoulders with big names in the music and film industries. I soon got addicted to partying. The music, the noise, the alcohol involved while doing it was fun to me. I would get drunk and wake up the next morning with a hangover. Well, lucky for me I did not have an average nine-to-five job, so I could stay in bed until I felt better. Then, one night, while partying, I got into drugs. I still remember the man who approached me. He was in a black suit and was wearing sunglasses. He pulled out some pills, smiled at me, placed it in my shirt pocket, and went away. In the following months, I spent all I had on drugs. The media soon came to know of it, and the media disowned me, just like all my fans. No one wanted anything to do with me. My contracts were cancelled, and I was left penniless and alone. All this seemed to happen in a split second. Then one Saturday morning, while I was sitting alone at home, wondering how I messed my life up, the doorbell rang. It was the first time it had rung in a week. I walked over, weak and aching, and opened the door while wondering who was behind it. To my surprise, it was Jeremy, an old friend of mine who had moved to the United States years ago. Without saying a word, he gave me a big hug. Immediately, tears came streaming down my face. It was the first hug I had in a month and it was the first sincere hug I received from the time I became famous. Soon, I was in the living room, sitting on a couch, telling him everything that happened. I poured out my heart to him, and as I did, tears of remorse streamed down my face. Only at that moment, with one of my childhood friends beside me, did I realise how much I changed. He then told me he had flown back to see me and get my life back on track. I

told him it was too late, I had blown my chances and there was no turning back. Then, he told me to get into a rehabilitation centre. At first, I refused, but it was the only option. Rehabilitation was hard. Being in a rehabilitation centre was even harder. Fighting my drug addiction was like fighting cancer. It was so hard to let go and I felt like giving up. Some days, I woke up and wished I could just have a small dose of drugs to get high. Jeremy enrolled in the centre as a volunteer. He would help me get through the many days. Together with the rest of the people there, I took part in community activities, talk and counselling sessions. All this went on for three months. Time passed and I was ready to leave the centre and continue my life. As I walked out of my room, I went to the hall to say goodbye to all the people there. Jeremy was there. He brought me over to the stage and there was a piano there. I grinned, sat down and performed a song for everyone there. Half way through the song, my voice cracked and I could not sing, I was crying. That was the last time I played a song or performed. I left behind my past and became a counsellor for former drug addicts. I realised that if Jeremy had not shown up, I would be dead by now. He was a true friend when no one wanted me. It still makes me cry to think of that. Well, all I can say is, a friend in need is a friend indeed.