Before You Say Goodbye

CHP 23: COMMENT VAS-TU?

Cheryl kept overthinking way too much throughout the lectures while Oliver tried his level best to speak to Catherine. "Look Oliver, I'm not that kind of a person who never accepts and keeps hating someone forever but, I wasn't the one who had to go through all that...it was Cheryl. And until she doesn't forgive or accept Jennifer, there's no bloody way I'm even gonna talk to her!" said Catherine. "Kate, Oliver you guys know what she has done all this while." continued Felix. "It's intolerable, to be honest." completed Michel. "Guys, I understand that, but if someone is ready to change themselves, why can't we accept them and give them a chance?" countered Oliver. "Oliver please think about it....do you feel it is this easy to forgive and accept someone after so much pain and hurt that they've caused? Give Cheryl time and if she agrees to this, we have no problem with Jennifer, though I still don't like her one bit," said Catherine. "I've been called out for my skin tone, names like Blacky have stuck with me always. At first, I was really annoyed and hurt, but after a while, I learned how to deal with it and I use humor to counter the teasing. At this point, I've become so habituated to hearing stuff like this, that I don't even care anymore," said Michel, opening up. "The point here is that Cheryl has had to face this for the first time, and it is very natural for her to react this way. She needs time to think, time to come out of the trauma. Jennifer and YOU Oliver, you two MUST understand that y'all can't force her to forget everything immediately and accept Jen as if nothing ever happened" concluded Felix while giving a knowing nod to Michel. As the bell for the next lecture rang, Oliver inquired about Jennifer, and from the teachers, he found out that she had been bunking/skipping her lectures since she was unwell and had apparently left early for home.Felix though warned by Cheryl to stay away, slid beside her on the bench and started speaking to her. "Hey, Comment vas-tu? ("How are you" in French). You're okay now? It's the last lecture and the professor is absent anyways. So, we have a free lecture and umm...I thought I could help cheer you up.""Thanks, Felix, but you can go.. Je ne vais pas bien évidemment ("I am not fine, obviously" in French)" said Cheryl disappointedly. "Wanna go to the canteen? No one had a meal after all those arguments and maybe, let's say that today's treat is from my side...and that too, especially, only for you," said Felix with a smile. "Okay fine. But, I don't want anyone else there, apart from the two of us" demanded Cheryl. Felix agreed and informed everyone not to interfere in between and specially requested Kate and Oliver to call Jennifer to inquire about her as soon as possible. In all, Felix just wanted everything to be solved and all to be happy and fine. "So, what will you have?" asked Felix while walking downstairs towards the canteen hall. "Some peace in life, love that I deserve, and...and my PARENTS back," said Cheryl with a lot of effort. After her time of introspection alone, she was feeling a little guilty about what she'd done, and talking of her parents always gave her an unbearable pang in the chest that made it difficult to even speak. "Cheryl, you do know about my story, and in a way, we're both similar. And you know what, it's okay to feel what you want to feel." continued Felix "As far as the love and care part is concerned, you will always have me by your side. You have all of us" as Felix completed this sentence, Cheryl suddenly tightly hugged him, feeling really comfortable and protected. Later, holding hands, Felix and Chery walked towards the canteen and had their meal. Cheryl had her all-time favorite alfredo pasta with oreo shake and Felix had some chicken nuggets with Cola. They both spoke a lot about each others' lives. Felix mainly remained quiet so as to let Cheryl speak her heart out and all that she had to say could be heard. After a while of chit-chatting, Felix received a call from his aunt saying that his uncle wasn't well and had to be taken to the doctor. Felix apologized to Cheryl for having to leave so early, gave her a comforting and lovable hug, and he hurried to his home.