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| Bui's Squad |
I never imagined being part of this group. We didn't start as friends. Most of us were nurses, and worked at the same station, that was actually its greatest advantage. Being in the same place allowed us to understand one another more deeply. We simply knew when someone needed help, a break, or just a quiet moment of understanding. What began as a shared workplace slowly became a shared bond, turning colleagues into friends, and the station into a place of connection, not just duty.
We came from different backgrounds, carried different stories, and walked into each other's lives for different reasons. Yet somehow, without forcing it, we became a circle.
Our friendship didn't just happen overnight. It grew slowly - in shared laughter, in awkward silences, in late conversations that stretch longer than intended. And I started to realize that these people around me are becoming my safe place. Because they are the ones who show up not because they have to, but because they want to.
Now let me introduce each of them as I came to know them.
First up: Marvin, a.k.a. Bui.
Bui is that rare kind of human who is a guy by gender but a girl at heart, and honestly, the world is better because of it. He is kind, genuine, and so pure-hearted that trying to think of something negative about him feels illegal. Seriously, my brain refuses.
I got to know him when he was my Head Nurse, and wow… this is where his magic really shows. He has this rare gift of making people laugh even in the toughest situations, when everything feels heavy and overwhelming. I remember countless times during busy shifts when tensions were high, and somehow Bui would crack a joke, flash his trademark smile, and the whole team would breathe easier. His humor isn’t just funny, it’s healing. His presence alone could lift the room.
But what really sets Bui apart is his heart. He notices the small things whether it’s checking on someone who looks exhausted, offering advice when you’re struggling, or quietly staying back to help without being asked. He has this amazing ability to make people feel seen, valued, and appreciated, and that’s a rare gift.
Leadership came naturally to him. Not the bossy kind, not the “do this, do that” kind, but the I’ve-got-your-back kind. He’s the type of leader who won’t leave you hanging, won’t walk away when things get hard, and will stay with you until the very end.
Let’s talk about Kristal, a.k.a. Taltal.
First of all, this girl is pretty. No debates. No objections. Case closed.
I first met Kristal when she became my mentor while I was still new at the hospital. Right away, we found our common ground: we were both nurses who had previously worked in Saudi Arabia. So yes, she knows how to speak Arabic and yes, that little connection pretty much kick-started our friendship.
Kristal is the kind of person who speaks with zero filter. Like… none. Brutally honest? That’s her brand. Sometimes what she says might sting especially if you actually did something wrong. But the truth is, she never says anything just to hurt you. She says what needs to be said, whether you’re ready for it or not.
She gets angry. She calls you out. She tells you the things you might not want to hear but absolutely need to hear. And yet, here’s the best part. She will never leave you behind. No matter what.
That’s what I love about her. Kristal may scold you, lecture you, or emotionally slap you with the truth… but when things get hard, she stands beside you. She won’t let you fight alone. Ever. And honestly? That kind of loyalty hits different. Oh, and by the way, she is still single. :)
Now let’s talk about Jean
I didn’t get to know Jean right away, mostly because I was too shy to talk to her. My first impression? I thought she was snob, strict, and probably not the easiest person to approach. Clearly… I was very wrong.
As it turns out, Jean is the complete opposite of that first impression. She is warm, chatty, lively, and full of stories. The kind of person you can listen to over and over again and never get bored because everything she shares comes straight from the heart, full of passion and sincerity.
And when she smiles - ahhh - those dimples. I honestly wish I had them. One smile from Jean and the whole room just feels lighter.
She’s a simple girl living a simple life, yet somehow she carries the most extraordinary love story of her own. The kind that doesn’t need to be loud or flashy. Just real, beautiful, and quietly inspiring.
And now, it’s Nikka’s turn.
I actually already knew Nikka before, because she attended Lee’s baptism. But let me be honest, I completely forgot about it… to the point that she had to remind me. Oops. Memory fail aside, I’m very glad we found our way back to each other.
What do I loooove most about this woman? Easy. Her food.
Cookies? Yes.
Spaghetti? Absolutely.
Mango float? Say less.
And that’s just the beginning. Anything Nikka prepares comes with love and probably disappears very fast.
She’s the kind of person who is incredibly easy to love because she is, quite simply, lovable. Everything she says comes straight from the heart. No pretenses, no drama, just sincerity.
And when Nikka gets angry? Oh, you’ll know. Not because she shouts or explodes but because she goes completely quiet. Silent. Peaceful-looking… yet deadly serious. She can stay that way for an entire shift, no words wasted.
But here’s what makes Nikka truly special: she is deeply trustworthy. If you are her friend, she will never allow anyone to talk negatively about you behind your back. She will defend you, stand up for you, and fight for you when you’re not around.
That loyalty, that heart, that’s Nikka. And that’s exactly why we love her.
Let’s talk about Darl, also known as Quinn.
What can I say about the long-lost twin of Sarah Lahbati? Because honestly she is a spitting image. I even sent her a photo of Sarah Lahbati once and told her, “Quinn, kamukha mo.” And of course, being the humble soul that she is, she brushed it off and replied, “She’s too beautiful, ate.”
Well… there you go. Probably one of the most humble people I’ve ever met.
Quinn isn’t just pretty on the outside. She’s even more beautiful on the inside. In our group, the moment she cracks a joke, it’s game over. Laughter everywhere. Non-stop. She’s bubbly, cute, kind, and effortlessly funny, the kind of person whose energy instantly lifts the mood.
And here’s something I truly admire about her: Quinn is a one-man woman. When she loves, she loves only one. No confusion, no distractions. Even if a hundred men lined up begging for her attention, her heart already knows where it belongs.
That’s something we both share. We stand on the same ground. One-man women, through and through. And that loyalty, that sincerity, that beautiful heart? That’s exactly what I love about her.
Her name is Esther Sundae, but we all call her Kimmy.
Another pretty lady in the group, but not just pretty. She’s the kind of pretty that could easily walk into a pageant and come out wearing a crown. Miss Universe vibes, honestly. And just when you think that’s enough, surprise! She’s also very smart.
Kimmy is the type who understands things with just one simple instruction. One. Meanwhile the rest of us are still processing. Like… how does that even work? Hahaha. She already has everything. Pretty, smart, kind, simple. Come on, Kimmy. Leave some blessings for the rest of us.
But what I admire most about her is how unpretentious she is. No airs, no drama, just genuine goodness. She’s one of the most accommodating people I’ve ever known.
She has helped me in so many ways, especially when I was still working as a clinical instructor. There were times I needed books, and without a single question, she let me borrow all of hers. And do you know what she said?
“Take your time, ate. You can give them back when you’re done.”
That simple line says everything about her heart. I am truly blessed to have someone like Kimmy in my life, and I can’t thank God enough for placing her in it.
We’re down to the last two, and now let’s talk about Mevee, a.k.a. Love.
Another literally pretty woman in the group, inside and out. Her real name is Mevee Love, and most people call her Mev or Mevee. But once we got closer, I earned the privilege of calling her by her real nickname: Love.
And honestly? The name fits her perfectly.
Love is exactly what she is. Pure love wrapped in kindness and simplicity. She’s the type of girl who loves to hug, the kind of hug that feels safe, warm, and real. The kind you didn’t know you needed until you got one.
She is also fiercely loyal. This is the kind of person who will never betray you, never drop names, and never talk behind your back no matter how difficult the situation gets. If you could read her mind, it would probably say: “You can say whatever you want, but you will never hear it from my mouth.” And she means that, even if it costs her something.
That’s why she’s a keeper.
She hates attention, and if she ever gets angry, don’t panic. Give her a few hours and she’ll be okay. But fair warning: if you hurt her deeply, don’t expect things to go back exactly the same. She forgives, but she remembers. And that’s just honesty, not bitterness.
I love this person deeply. She is one of the reasons my life feels beautiful and I am so grateful she’s part of it.
Last, but definitely not the least, Jhulia.
Her name alone already says so much: Jolly, Honest, Understanding, Lovable, Important, and Admirable. Every letter fits her perfectly.
Jhulia is an integral part of the group, very much like Bui. She’s responsible, dependable, and a natural leader. The kind people naturally trust and feel safe with. But what makes her even more admirable is her humor. Every word that comes out of her mouth carries joy. You don’t just hear her. You feel her.
Honestly, the group would never be complete without her. She is that missing piece that quietly holds everything together.
Even though there’s more than a decade between our ages, the maturity she carries in everything she does deserves nothing but respect. It’s the kind of maturity that isn’t forced, it’s earned, lived, and deeply rooted.
Jhulia brings so much joy, authenticity, pure love, and honesty into my life. I truly can’t thank the Lord enough for blessing me with a person like her.
And with her, the circle feels whole. 💛
Looking back, I feel so blessed to have crossed paths with all of these incredible people. Bui, Kristal, Jean, Nikka, Quinn, Kimmy, Love, and Jhulia. Each one of them is unique, yet together, they create a circle full of laughter, loyalty, love, and unforgettable memories. They are more than friends; they are family by choice. Every story, every joke, every shared moment reminds me how lucky I am to know them. Honestly, life is brighter, sweeter, and just… better because they are in it. And for that, I can only be grateful. I love you everyone. See you, when I see you.
P.S
Sorry, I think I forgot 1 more person. Sir Oppa.
Well, as everyone knows, he is my husband. And the Love of my Life. Nothing more to say. :D
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