I Never Left You

5. Encounter

5:30 am and am awake, moreover, on a Sunday morning, this is a miracle I didn't think that for once, in my life I could ever wake up this early, was it because I talked to mum that made me sleep well that I had to wake up early, no no no!! Maybe Trevis must have put something in my drink and since he invited me to his tryouts this evening, he would have to tell me what it was, or else we shall fight. I have never been a morning person. I look over at Leah's side and surely she did come back late from the way she's snoring. I try to close my eyes and get back some sleep but an alert brain is something else, it won't cooperate. My phone at this time would be disappointing with no chats. I reply to the texts I have then use up all my life in candy crush and throw it away, all my assignments are done to perfection, am not hungry yet so what do I do! Suddenly an idea brightens up in my head and I immediately wake up and go for it.
2 hours later...
when I woke up this Sunday morning clad in my black jeggings, pink vest, and my glittering sneakers to go jogging,  I expected to come back tired, sweaty, healthy, and refreshed but not haggard looking, regretful and eyes red and puffed from crying on my way back. My best friend couldn't help me but pull me in a tight hug when she saw what a mess I was.
Having cried it all out, I start narrating to Leah how on my way jogging I came across the last people l expected to see on campus and later in my life. I met Ray, my lost Raymond Fisher the guy who has been MIA for the last two years. Ray was with Kevin and a Blondie who was not familiar in my life. Not only were they jogging happily but they didn't notice the girl who had stopped close to them and couldn't help looking at them with eyes and mouth agape. It was only after Kevin bumped into me and was about to haul insults at me for standing in their way but his tongue was cut off. It was as if he encountered a ghost
"Azra is that you" Ray calls out after regaining his shock too. "Ray!" I also call out to make sure my mind was not playing games with me. "Yes it is" I finally manage to reply and this time angrily. "Nice to meet you again Az, "Kevin puts out his hand for me to shake and also to lighten the tense mood that's around us. " Nice to meet you too again Kevin," I reply shyly. "This is Penelope, " Ray says introducing her cute friend to me," and Penelope that's Azra". "You can just call me Pen," she says giving me the left hand to shake while the other right hand tightens around Ray's waist. "Ooooh " is all I manage to say not even bothering to shake her hand. I wish them a nice day and quickly excuse myself claiming to be late so that I disappear from their faces before I can embarrass myself. As I dash off at Usain Bolt's speed I hear Ray calling my name but I rather flee away from him as fast as my tiny legs can carry me. His girlfriend has already marked him out of bounds so why doesn't he pay attention to her and forget I didn't see him. As am running back to the dorms, the only question I can think of is "why now? Why nooooow!!!!!!" I scream amidst the tears forming in my eyes.
Leah's jaw dropped to her pillow after narrating my encounter with Ray a few minutes back. Poor thing, I had to wake her from her sweet sleep, I needed someone I could share with immediately and Leah always has the best shoulder to lean on. "But he has been missing in action for more than two years now," Leah says. "I know right, and he was equally shocked to see me but I surely believe he's moved on with his blonde girlfriend.
"But 2 years and how many months, that's a long time, he probably thought he would never see you again " Leah reasons.
"You are also not helping Leah," I say as I get up to grab some juice from the fridge, now feeling calmer.
"Did you bother to ask him where he's been all this long? " Leah adds on. I sit back on my bed and take a long sip before replying " I was too scared to ask"." so meaning he's on the same campus with us, didn't you say you were jogging on campus grounds?" Leah reasons. That's something I had not realized myself. I just nod my head in agreement, now even more worn out to even say something.
"What do we do now? oooh poor you." Leah pulls me into a tighter hug.
"We avoid him," I say still in the hug, I love the comforting feeling I get from hugs. "and he surely cannot know about Christa."
" You read my mind " Leah assures me. "How about we go make breakfast", I say to Leah.
"You read my mind once again," she says laughing.
We make those egg pancakes that Leah knows I adore so much, later we settle for those hallmark romantic movies that my bestie is so much obsessed with, and soon enough, the Ray issue is swept under the carpet, by lunchtime my eyes are tired from staring at the screen and my earlier crying. I leave Leah to watch alone as I take a short nap but remembering to make a mental note to go see Trevis at his tryouts.