IMADE AND JAMAL

JAMAL.

"You're leaving?" Imade asks as tears slowly start to stream down from her eyes.

"Don't cry Imade, you'll make me cry." Jamal whispers quietly, placing a hand on her cheek to wipe the tears. "I honestly wish I could stay here, with you like we've always planned but my parents are refusing to listen to me and my hands are tied. I'm so sorry." He tries to explain but Imade wasn't having it.

"We promised to always be there for each other. You know you're my best friend and besides you I have no one else. What am I supposed to do now?" She replies in frustration, still trying to understand why his parents suddenly want him to study abroad even after he has already started schooling in one of the best private universities in Nigeria.

"You'll be fine my little boo boo, you're a big girl now. Let me make you a promise, I'll make sure to call you and text you almost everyday if not everyday so you don't miss me too much, okay? I won't ever forget you as long as you never forget me too. You promise?" Jamal tells her and he could feel her relaxing a bit more. He knew it would take a while for her to get used to not seeing him everyday, coming over to his place, sleeping over and everything they'd do as their daily routine and he couldn't deny he'd miss her terribly.

Himself and Imade had always been inseparable and even if he was trying so hard not to break down in tears for her sake, his heart broke. He was leaving his best friend, sister, companion and the person that understood him the most. No one could ever replace her.

Imade's heart hurt. She knew she was being selfish but she couldn't help it. Jamal was her life, her best friend and her love and he was leaving before she even got a chance to tell him how she really felt. "Will you come back?" She asks.

"Surely, I'll come back and when I do, I'll make us official." He replies with a smile that melted Imade's heart. Her eyes lit up immediately after hearing his words. 'Us' the word made her heart jump for joy. She didn't want to ask further questions to stop her heart from exploding. It still hurt that he was leaving but at least now she had something to hold on to. He loved her just as much as she loved him and that was enough to reason to be patient with him.

"Promise me you'll never forget me Jamal. You'll call as promised, text me goodnight before you sleep even if it's morning here, I don't mind. You must text me good morning and tell me you're safe and you're happy and most importantly, don't let any oyinbo girl take my place. You promise?" She asks, with a childish pout and Jamal couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips.

"I promise baby girl and you should do the same o. Don't replace me, ever!" He pouts and she giggles.

"I love you Immy, never forget that." He adds, planting a quick kiss on her lips.

"I love you too Jam Jam." She replies with a smile, engulfing him in a tight hug. She held on to him like her life depended on it but he didn't mind as he inhaled her flowery scent, hoping he'd never forget her alluring lavender scent. He was definitely going to come back for her, he loved her and nothing would ever change that.

Two years later...

"He forgot me. He finally forgot me!" Imade yelled in frustration. He hadn't called or texted her in over a month. She tried calling him several times but he never answered. She was frustrated and afraid. She hoped nothing had happened to him and she also hoped he hadn't forgotten about her completely.

For the last two years, he'd kept his promise. He called, texted, video called and even sent emails. He was determined to make sure she didn't feel his absence and although it wasn't the same, she still appreciated his effort and was happy he still loved her.

What exactly could have gone wrong? She knew her Jamal would never leave her hanging for no reason.

It was times like this that made her wish her family was affluent enough to travel abroad so she could at the very least visit Jamal once in a while. She didn't care if he forgot her at this point, all she wanted to know was if he was alive and well and she sincerely hoped and prayed that he was.

Jamal was furious with himself and with life. The sudden news of his parent's death was definitely not his idea of a birthday present. He twentieth birthday was officially his last birthday. He hated that day and he blamed himself for his parent's death.

If only they hadn't decided surprise him on his birthday by flying back to the States, they would have never fallen victim to a plane crash.

He curses himself and his birthday, cried himself to sleep and at a point couldn't sleep without using pills.

He became a wreck. He couldn't concentrate on anything or anyone. The memories of his last conversation with his dear mother replayed in his head a thousand times and the guilt ate him up each and everyday. He missed her, he missed his mom so much. She was his mini god, she never failed to support him and she always encouraged him and he killed her. He killed her.

His father was strict but he still loved him because at the end of the day, he knew his father loved him and only wanted the best for him and yet, he caused their death, simply because of his stupid birthday. No matter how many times he's told not to blame himself, he'll never stop living in guilt. He was never going to forgive himself.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐