Life of Problems

last episode

That would be fun, said Kathy to lighten the environment as everybody was sad after hearing the news of Joe's leave. For my current situation, l think it's fine if l skip a week of practice. But please make it by road, l don't have money for air ticket.

Hmm obviously, said Nick. Mr. interesting is leaving. How can I not go.
Joe smiled. Don't blame me for your exam failure later, he said.
In artistic works break is mandatory sometimes, said Nick nodding his head thoughtfully.
And you? asked Jwel to me.
Doctor told me to travel somewhere if l get a chance ,l said smiling. Count me in.
If by road, it will take a long time to reach there. Almost two days. I will book rail tickets on 19th then, said Jwel.
Everyone nodded and he started looking at his phone.
What would you like to have? asked Nick. I mean something as a farewell gift.
The thing l would like to have,Joe smiled playfully, is Jiya.
Jiya cringed. Oh God! Someone kill me, she said.
Everyone was trying hard not to laugh but failed and laughed out together. Joe laughed too but suddenly became serious.
These memories l have with you is my biggest gift, he said heavily. I really don't need any thing as my gift .

*

Seventeen days later, we were on our way to the desert. During that time, all had to work harder to make up for this break. But still we managed some time to spend together. Everyone was trying to act happy but no one really was.

During that train journey ,we talked a lot about ourselves. We came across a lot of facts about each other that we didn't know even after being friends for so long. It was as if everyone was trying to tell everything about them during this journey. Even Jiya was talking a lot.
Joe suddenly said at a point, let's get down in the next stoppage. If l don't reach there, they will leave without me.
Everyone looked at him sadly. If l talk about myself, l wanted that the most. For him to stay. But how could I ask him to kill himself? So we didn't say anything.
Joe laughed out the next moment lowering his gaze. I was kidding, he said.
I am sure he was crying then.

*

After a long journey we finally reached the place Joe has called his fellows to. It was far away from locality. Only one bus passed through there in two days. Joe had chosen the perfect place.

Joe pressed the button of his transmitter and checked something. Then he turned to us and said in a low but clear voice, just some more minutes. A tear escaped his eye and he wiped it quickly. I know that I have troubled you a lot. Forgive me for every mistake l made and...... please remember my friendship. One thing I have never told you before. I really like the name, Mr. interesting l mean.
Everyone of us jumped at him at the same time knocking him on the ground. We didn't even realize that were crying at that time.
Woah! I don't wanna go back with a broken neck, said Joe, his voice breaking with tears.
We started to hear a weird sound at that time. So we let him go and stood up. Joe stood up and brushed dust off him. He looked at the blue light which had suddenly appeared in the sky out of nowhere.
He looked at everyone for the last time and then approached Jiya.
Find someone again, okay ?he said in a low voice. Jiya didn't answered. Don't mind me doing this ,he said when Jiya looked up questioningly.
He placed a quick kiss on Jiya's forehead and picking up the bag which was full of our gifted books on human psychology ran towards the blue light leaving everyone surprised. He stood directly under the blue light and waved at us. We waved back at him when the light sparked and suddenly disappeared with Joe .
We stood there frozen for a long time. I can't explain how l felt. It was as if an important part of my body was suddenly missing. I wanted to cry my heart out but couldn't cry for some unknown reason.
Then finally Jiya said wiping her face, shall we go now? She started walking towards the locality without looking back even for once. We followed her silently. Six Years Later
So can I ask why did you use your own name for this book? Are you claiming that this is your own story? asked a reporter excitedly.
I smiled. I could if there wasn't Joe, l said looking at him. If l claim now that I used to be friend with an alien, won't l be called mad?
Don't say alien please, said a female reporter. It's only Joe. He was my favorite character in your book.
I am pleased to hear that you have read my book mam ,l said. And yeah, he is my favorite character too.
And those other characters? I mean Jiya, Kathy and others?
Those are my friends for sure ,l said. I used our names cause I couldn't find any name at that time.