"How did it happen to you?", the question came out of his mouth almost as a whisper and he sounded as if he had regretted asking it. Frankly speaking, I didn't know the meaning of the question he asked so I had to ask him to make it clear to my understanding.
"How did what happen? What are you talking about?"
"Oh never mind ", he wanted to change the subject but I wasn't that dumb to let go of it.
"Don't playing jokes with me, what do you want to know?"
"Urhm…what I meant was, how did you get …"
"Raped?", I ended his question after knowing he was curious to know about it." You don't have to be reluctant whenever you feel like talking to me because we are friends ", I added to give him some kind of assurance.
"We are?", he asked sounding astonished.
"If only you are cool with it"
"Sure, it's fine by me", he said and pulled me into his embrace. 'OMG, he's hugging. But why am I not pushing him away? Why am I not hallucinating? Am I really okay now', I thought happily forgetting I was still in his arms.
"You really are okay now since you are not pushing me away", he said letting me go.
"I told you I'm fine", I said and we broke out laughing. "Let me ask you a question first before answering yours", I said getting his full attention.
"All ears ma'am ", he responded sweetly.
"I don't remember telling you I was raped so how did you find out?"
"Don't forget who I am Ash, I get whatever information whenever I want it"
"No doubt about that Mr background checker", I mocked making us bust out laughing again.
"I think it's your turn to answer mine ", he reminded after the laughter.
"Oh yeah. It happened after I was picked up from school…". I narrated everything without leaving any detail out. I sometimes paused mid sentence to catch some air then continue till I was done with it.
"I'm sorry you had to go through such a tough time"
"No need to be sorry about that ", I said tapping his shoulder.
"And I'm sorry for being rude and heartless towards you, please forgive me"
"For that, you have to be very sorry", I said with a smile.
"So what do I have to do to be forgiven?". I was finally getting the chance to voice out my burden to him even though it was about him.
"You promise to do whatever I tell you to do?", I asked him in order to be sure of what he said.
"I promise Ash. I know I really hurt you so give me the chance to heal the wound", he was making me blush with his words.
"You can't back out of this even if you want to. Do you still remember any to accept it?"
"I am a man of my words, I never break my promises that that's why I hardly make them", he said and this time I totally believed his words. Then it was time for me to break out the news to him without hesitating any longer before he changed his mind.
"Okay, let's sit first", I suggested and we sat in the sand to discuss what I had in mind.
"Since you have promised to do whatever I ask of you, I just have one wish that only you can fulfill", I started.
"Only me? What's it about?", he asked looking surprised.
"Yeah, you alone because it's about you"
"Okay so now I'm very curious, what is that wish you have?". I took in three deep breathes before deciding to spit it out.
"Can you please undergo the kidney transplant surg…"
"No", he cut me off before I could finish my last word. Pain was drawn all over his face which he tried to hide but it wasn't possible.
"Who told you about that?", he asked with a fierce voice that made fear run down my spine.
"Ryan. You are scaring me", I told him making him soften his gaze a little.
"I'm sorry. But how did you know about that?"
"That's not the point Ryan, you are dying and I can't watch you die without doing anything", I said and broke down uncontrollably. It always hurt me whenever the thought of him dying crosses my mind.
"Why are you crying Ash? I've not been a good friend to you so you don't have to cry for me"
"No. You have your reasons and I can't watch die without doing anything about it. Please just listen to me"
"It's getting late, we have to go back now", he said and without waiting for me to speak back he was already leaving. I followed him maintaining a distance from him till we got to the car. He started the engine and drove off heading towards my home. The drive was deadly silent till we got to my gate.
"See you at school on Monday ", he said after he had dropped me. I didn't respond and just walked into my house.