They did not use to be close, but now BFFs Shakila and Aisha are as close as sisters.

Shakila tells STOMP about her best friend Aisha:

"Quraisha (Aisha) and I were in the same primary school. We never spoke to each other because we were in different classes and I always thought she was proud.

"Coincidentally, we happened to be in the same Secondary School (Commonwealth Secondary) and in the same class.

"In sec one, I was still not very close to her. I spoke to her only when I needed to like if I needed to ask something or needed a favour.

"She was close to the other Malay girls in class and I was close to this Chinese girl.

"Later in Sec 2, things started changing. We started talking and I started becoming close to Aisha and the other girls.

"We had our little arguments over petty matters. During our second half of the year in Sec 2, Aisha started becoming very close to another Malay girl and I was initially jealous.

"But later I thought to myself that Aisha and that girl had almost everything in common.

"Like their thoughts met, they used to buy the same stuff and claimed to be best friends. Sec 3 came around and my school was shifted to Teban.

"Here, my relation with Aisha took a complete turn. We became closer than ever and sometimes went to school together with the other girls. She was to me my best friend.

"I shared everything with Aisha and the rest. We'd stay back in school just sitting down and chatting.

"We would leave school only when it was about 5pm and make our way home. Aisha stays 3 bus stops away from me.

"In Sec 4, without any doubt, we became very very close and would share everything with each other.

"I decided that she was an ideal best friend. She was always ready to help any of us in trouble, even if it means she got herself into trouble. She'd be the one ready to fool around and wouldn't mind being the laughing stock just so we would smile.

"We were separated after our N level examinations because she and 2 other Malay girls took up a retail course in ITE Simei while I and one of the girls took up Tourism in ITE Clementi.

"This was for a year. And yet, we would take out time to catch up over lunch or dinner in IMM. Time went by, and once again, we all parted.

"This was after we completed our certs in ITE. One started working, the other 2 were doing a Nitec course again, and Aisha did her Higher Nitec.

"I was working for a year before I decided to take up my Diploma in PSB Academy and even then she'd sometimes surprise me by waiting outside my working place and we'll go for dinner.

"When I was doing my Diploma, Aisha was in her second year in H Nitec. Yet, we were always meeting each other to catch up. Now, Aisha is also pursuing her Diploma in PSB Academy.

"There were 5 of us in our clique, but only Aisha and myself managed to keep our bond going. Bond with the rest of the girls were on and off. It was during this period that we shared everything and anything with each other.

"It was very sweet of her to call the other 3 girls to plan a birthday surprise for me in January this year.

"She came to my house and surprised me in front of my door and I started crying. Really really a pleasant surprise.

"I treat her just like my baby sister because I don't have a younger sister. Our meetings would be very random.

"Like she would be at work and she'll just text me saying, 'B***h,I miss youuuu...meet me after work?'

"Whenever I was feeling down or school was too much to handle, I'll text her and her words of encouragement would instantly make me smile and get my confidence back.

"Sometimes we'll just meet up and do silly stuff and crack jokes or do things that makes both of us happy.

"My older siblings treat her also like their youngest sister because she gets along very well with them and sometimes stays late at my house and just watch tv with them.

"I am very blessed to have known an angel like her, who never fails to make me smile or never fails to push me to reach my goal.

"I appreciate her presence in my life and I would do anything to just see a smile on her face. I LOVE YOU BABYGIRL!!!!!"

Click here for more details on STOMP's BFF Contest

Check out the other BFFs here!

Here are the prizes, sponsored by fitness company FreeFite and the Lil Papa's Wieners Beestro, awaiting the winners of this contest:

1st prize -- One $300 Vivere cross-training programme for two from fitness trainers FreeFite, which includes a 15-minute nutrition and wellness consultation + $157 set meal at Lil Papa's Wieners Beerstro.

2nd prize -- $150 shopping vouchers + Lil Papa's Wieners Beerstro set meal worth over $120

3rd prize -- $100 shopping vouchers + Lil Papa's Wieners Beerstro set meal worth over $120.

3x consolation prizes -- $50 shopping vouchers + $100 set meal from Lil Papa's Wieners Beerstro.