Andrei's POV...
Today I was so worried about Sophie that the moment the plane landed on the runway, I immediately contacted my brother so we can go directly to the hospital where she is currently confined.
Of all people why she has to be the one who will have to be sick like that. She was full of life, energetic and have so many dreams to fulfill. We arrived at the hospital after an hour. She's eating her favorite cassava dessert. I paid my respects to Auntie first then say my hello to my beloved best friend. After a while, her doctor came in. It was Lance. I feel annoyed about his presence.
He's the reason why until now, Sophie is not taking me seriously. Why does he needs to come back? Did he abandoned her already? I'm fully aware that he knows about her feelings when we were young. He's a coward. Or is he's just playing with her feelings?
Looking back...
I was about to go home after our basketball practice when I came across the person that I am annoyed the most. He was walking along with his girlfriend who was the most beautiful and the most popular girl in school. Well, he was the most popular guy in school too. All the girls including my best friend swoons over him. He stopped walking when he saw me. After a while he decided to approach me as if looking for someone else. "Where's Sophie?" He asked. "She went home, I guess?"I thought you'll accompany her home since you'll bring something to her parents". I answered. "I had a sudden meeting with the rest of the student council. I told her to just go home with you." He reasoned out. "But she did not told me about that, I have basketball practice today." "I guess she just went home on her own." He sighs. . . "By the way Lance, I just want to tell you that I like Sophie." I blurted it out of the blue. He was quite surprised with what I said but responded to me smiling... "Of course she's your best friend." "No, I mean more than a friend." I replied back. "Oh well, you're still young. It might change. Don't take that seriously." He patted my shoulder. "Is that why you're not taking her seriously?" I asked him. "What are you talking about?" He asked me back. "You're not taking Sophie seriously." Then he laughed with amusement. "Sophie is like my younger sister. She's just twelve years old. Alright if you have a crush on her, so be it." He replied still amused. "You know what, if you will not take good care of her, I'll take her away." I warned him. "Ok, tell that to me again 10-20 years from now. I think you're just tired of practice. Go home and rest." He told me and left with his girlfriend.
It's been 15 years. I guess the time has come for me to warn him again? I'm in deep thoughts outside Sophie's room when Lance got out of the room and patted my shoulder. "It's been a while." He said. "Yeah, it's been a while. Almost 15 years." I responded. Then he smiled. "By the way Lance, remember what you told me 15 years ago?" I asked him. "Ah I think I aged too much that I can't remember if there's a very important thing that I said to you?" He asked me back. "I still like Sophie. No, I love her. You said when we were young that my feelings might change. You're right. It changed. It had grown stronger. You also told me to tell you about my feelings again 10-20 years later. So now I'm telling you again. I love Sophie. Now, If you will not cherish her, then I'll take her away." I left him at the hallway dumbfounded after I said those things. I felt so proud of myself. 😉