Before You Say Goodbye

CHP 42: HELP ME OH LORD!

As days passed, Cheryl was all pumped up and excited to go for her internship program abroad. She was so delighted that at times, she couldn't even find words to express her emotions. She used to stay in a jovial mood at all times, her excitement had touched the sky.
While on the other hand, Oliver had to urgently go over to his mom's place since she was sick and lived alone, after her separation from his dad. He wanted to tell Cheryl that he loved her but, he received a call from their family doctor the same evening as the internship results were announced and he rushed to his mom's place to take care of her. After all, she meant the world to him. The only person he cared about so much apart from Cheryl was his mom. He stayed there for almost a week. Although his mom asked him several times to go back and get ready for his placement and that she was fine, he refused to leave and said that he'll go only after the doctor said she was alright. Oliver could have most definitely called Cheryl and told her, but he didn't want to say all this over the phone. And also, he hadn't decided what to say to her yet. He had been procrastinating and trying to gather courage for this. He didn't know where to begin or what to do. After two days, the doctor said that Olivia (his mom) was all recovered. Coincidentally, he received a call that very morning.
"Umm, Oliver?" spoke an unmistakable voice on the phone.
"Yes?'
"It's Cheryl." Oliver had recognized her voice right from the 'umm'. As she spoke, Oliver felt all of his memories with her flashing in front of his eyes. A few memorable moments, while a few, quite unwanted. And then, even though he wanted to speak his heart out, tell her how much he loved her, he couldn't. It's like his voice refused to come out of his throat; and then, there was a silence, a silence which was capable of making a huge noise if only it was broken.
"...Hey" spoke Oliver after a long moment.
"Actually..umm..I'm going abroad for my internship."
"Oh yes..yes. I know. Sorry I didn't get time to congratulate you, was a little busy with some personal unavoidable work." He said with tears in his eyes but trying hard to not make a single sound. His Cheryl had called him after so long!...but what was the use? She was leaving anyways...
"No...it's not about that. I mean, I'm throwing a sorta farewell party for all my friends and well-wishers. A small party to thank them for all that they've done for me and also to meet them before I leave. And so umm...since you're a friend too...I..uh.. I thought of inviting you to the party."
"Oh...oh! ye- yeah. Su..sure sure" said Oliver repeating his words because of all the anxiety and mixed emotions he was going through since Cheryl called him.
"So..you would be there, right? I'll text you the location and time..works?"
"Um, yeah..maybe, yes. I mean I'm a bit busy, but..uh..okay.. yeah maybe," said Oliver stammering again.
"Alright then.. I'll see you soon, goodbye." Cheryl hung up the phone, all nervous and anxious.
"Oh god! That was so difficult. Why was it so tough for me to ask him? But, after all.." said Cheryl to herself, sighing heavily.
Meanwhile, Oliver was in a colossal dilemma.
"I shouldn't go. I really shouldn't. I might ruin her mood and all the party fun she's gonna have. I might say something to upset her or maybe something that'll upset me...She is finally so close to achieving her dreams, I shouldn't go and mess everything up.....But then again, if I don't go, would I ever be able to tell her what I feel for her, what I've felt throughout, what I've wanted to say, but never could? I don't wanna regret NOT telling her for the rest of my life..AAAH! I don't know what to do!"
Oliver thought for a while, but then made up his mind of going to the party since Cheryl herself had called him and given the invite. Had she not wanted him there, she wouldn't have bothered to call. He wasn't sure of what would happen there or how things were going to be and how Cheryl would react on seeing him after so long. Despite all this, he prepared himself, saying that he can handle it.
He bought a few farewell gifts for Cheryl, some were high-class expensive pens, a novel narrating a story of two people who were meant to be together but never could be, a bouquet of flowers with a goodbye card, and good rare Psychology books which Cheryl might not have read.
With all the courage left in his heart, Oliver, with his set of gifts, preferred to drive himself instead of asking the driver to take him there. He took the keys for his car and left. As the car started, he saw beautiful clouds in the sky, clouds which were slowly disappearing due to the rays of the setting sun.
Nighttime was nearing as the moon gradually started to become visible. A beautiful sky with different constellations could be seen. He passed the church on his way, stopped his car, and prayed to Jesus so that everything goes well. There, he met the Father of the church.
"Going somewhere important, son?" asked the Father.
"Yes, Father. To bid farewell to my very close friend who is going abroad for her intership" Oliver replied.
"Then why do you look so upset? Isn't it a good thing? Your dear friend is progressing in her life, you should happily, let her go."
"But father-"
"I know son. I know what you are going to say. This dear friend of yours, your bond with her is different, isn't it? You liked her and she might have broken your heart many times, right? But always remember this child, in this world full of peace and destruction, you don't get to choose who hurts you. But you definitely get to choose whom to love, whom to care for. In life, you don't always get what you desire, but this is a part of the journey. It's okay to want them, and it's absolutely alright to tell them the truth. Remember, Jesus Christ once said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free".
After saying this, the Father left Oliver alone with his thoughts, his thoughts of what he should do and what he shouldn't. The Father's words were echoing in Oliver's head, again and again. He wanted answers; he wanted to know the outcome of his reactions. He wanted to find out what would happen if he told Cheryl everything he was withholding for so long.
But alas, he didn't know anything. All he could do was pray, pray for things to go well. He closed his eyes and prayed to Jesus. He then left the Church for the party. As he left, he felt a different energy in himself. He felt optimistic, positive, and extremely energized.
Was he convinced to finally let Cheryl go? Or Was he ready to tell her the truth?
At this point, only the almighty and Oliver knew what was about to unfold...