Months passed and though we hated it, or hated to admit it, we need to part ways. College – a step we need to take to achieve our dreams. He was going to enter the Navy. It was his dream after all – to serve the country by giving his life for it .Patriotism, Bravery, Courage were his favorite words. So there I was, needed to go to college on my own, without my best friend.
I entered a college in our hometown and took up a degree that J had always wanted for me. He always wanted me to be a doctor – to serve people, help save their lives. That was our dream – to help and serve people.
I struggled hard to live life without him. I was aware that entering the navy meant no communication with the “outside world.” and I have to wait for several years to hear from him again. I had sleepless nights, thinking about him and about his situation in the navy. I thought of him every time I look at the necklace which he had given me, wondered if he was ok, if he’s eating well, if he’s still that ever-charming-best friend I know. I’ve almost hated myself missing him. But I did. I missed him a lot. I hate to miss him coz it hurts. But I’m assured that he’s doing the same. I had to admit it’s hard but I need to move on and live life on my own. After all, J had always encouraged me to be strong and I should be.
I hated it when I remember the time when he left me with a promise – “On my graduation day, 4 years from now, let’s meet again. Promise me that you’ll be there on my graduation and I want you to be prepared my dear…” he said.“What do you mean prepared?”,I asked. “I want you to sing a song for me on my graduation day… A special song. Don’t rush to see me, coz I’ll be waiting with a surprise for you.”, then he slightly giggled. “You’re still the jerkest jerk I know.” He smiled.
Silence.
A minute passed and both of us remained silent. Then, he hugged me. Next thing I know, I was crying. “Why do you have to leave?” (a stupid question) I asked him with tears trickling down from my eyes. Then he faced me and held my chin with his thumb and forefinger. “ Hush, Listen dear, I’m not going to leave you. I’ll still be with you, as always. I know you’ll have me in your heart just as I have you in mine. Don’t cry, I’ll be gone for just a minute.” “Stupid jerk.” I said “… you really don’t know how to count; you’ll be gone for years, not just a minute.” He just smiled at me and dried my tears and smoothed my face with his fingers, just like the sad crying times I spent with him during our high school days. “Smile, ok?”, he said smiling again.“ How could you smile when you’re not happy?” I asked.” It’s because I don’t want you to think of me as a crying little brat before I leave.” He simply answered.” I hate you.” “ Why?” he asked innocently. “Because you never cry.” Then, he left, together with his parents from New York whom I never had the chance to meet. After that, I never heard of him.
Years seemed minutes alright, or so I thought.
