Change.

Things come and go just like what most of us would say. There's no such thing as constant things because nothing is permanent in this world. We cannot avoid changes. And it depends on how people could be able to cope up with the happenings around them. Just like a little boy whom I met way just a couple of years ago.

He lived just in front of my house. His family transferred here in our neighborhood two weeks ago. I first met the boy face-to-face when they invited us for just a small gathering, well, a little welcome party if you say so. My parents said they couldn't come, which is pretty normal for me already, so I decided to go alone since I don't have anything productive to do at home. I'm really not a social-type of a person that's why I prefer to be just at a corner of the room and read. The boy might have noticed because he went close by.

'Hello. Looks like you're bored hm?' I remember him telling me that.

Well, I was really kinda bored because I have no one to talk to. I didn't reply him instead I just stared at him. Next thing he did was he pulled my wrist and led me towards their backyard. There I saw other kids playing with each other. I really didn't like the scenario I saw so I once again secluded myself in one corner. He asked me what's wrong and I just plainly said, 'It's awkward.' Good thing he never asked again after that and left my sight. I just let out a sigh and sat on one of the tables near me. I just looked at the kids happily playing around. 'I should have never came. I don't belong here.' I thought that very moment. Just then I saw the boy from earlier running back carrying a box of boardgame. 'Maybe you could play scrabble with me then?' He said as he flashed that goofy smile of his. Something made me nod my head and agree to play with him. Time passed and I already grew fond of him. I just instantly felt comfortable with his presence. We shared a lot of stories and funny experiences. And it came to the time that I already have to go home. I went home that night with a smile, thinking I met a very special friend.

Since that day, he would always come over and play with me. My life changed after that. I became lively and interactive, which is totally not me in the past. I was always left in the care of my nanny because my parents are always out of the country for business trips. But everytime I could catch them at home, I would always tell them how happy I am with his company and they were happy about it also. Our parents became friends too, so they made us go to the same school. We declared each other as bestfriends then and we became each other's company for the next few years. I thought my happiness would be continuous already. But I was wrong. One day, he didn't come over at our house even just for a minute, which is pretty unsual. He was no where to be found at school too. I thought he just went out of town. Days and weeks passed, there was still no sign of him. I went to their house to visit but there seem to be no one at home. I then started to worry. Those long weeks became months. No matter how hard I would tell myself to think positively, there's something that really makes me worry.

Until the day that I feared most came. We were in the middle of our lecture in English class when I was called out due to urgent matters. I was immediately droved to the hospital just near our village. My heart pumped faster and faster every time I took a step on that hospital floor. We reached a certain room and went inside. Though I was aware his parents were there but all I could focus looking at was him, lying their on the hospital bed, with countless tubes connecting to almost every part of his pale body. I ran to his side and cried. It just slowly dawned on me, this is the reason why he suddenly went missing these past months. His parents tried to calm me down. I can't understand what I felt that time. But what was very clear is that I went on an emotional breakdown. His parents explained to me that he was suffering from a heart cancer which is a very rare case. And that meant less chance in surviving with or without the needed surgery. My brain was having a delay of processing the informations I just heard. I held his hand which I felt him holding back too. I silently cried and prayed. I was hoping there would be a miracle sent from above. I never let go of his hand and held it very tight. He looked at my eyes and gave me that goofy smile, the same smile I saw when we first met, but this time it was a weak one.

'Please fight. Please be strong. You can't leave yet. No. Please fight the best you can, I beg you.' I screamed in my thoughts. He gestured me to come closer. I placed my head near his mouth so he wouldn't exert a lot of effort.

'Smile.'  Was all he managed to say. Of course I granted his wish, not knowing that would be the very last word I would ever hear from him. He gave me a faint smile, his very last smile. I saw him slowly closing his eyes and his grip on my hand loosened.

Teeeeeeeeeeet.

No one moved. I flashed a bittersweet smile. I knew, that moment I lost my bestfriend. I was trying to convince myself that he just went to a better place, where he could never feel pain the he was suffering ever again. But I can't deny the pain I also felt. He was my very first friend. His mother sat beside me and gave me a piece of paper. She said it's from him. I broke into tears once again. She hugged me until I calmed down. I thanked her and said sorry for their big loss. My hands were trembling as I slowly unfolded it. It was a note from him, and maybe he wrote this maybe just recently because of his shaky penmanship.

Hey. I'm sorry I just suddenly disappeared. And I'm very sorry for keeping all of this a secret. I was afraid you might just ignore me like the others. Maybe by the time you read this.. I might be.. away already. I know my condition is that worse. But I just really want to thank you for everything. Thanks for always being there for me. Remeber to always smile 'kay? I'll always watch over you.

-Bestie

-

It has been 5 years since he was gone. I placed a bouquet of fresh flowers at his tomb. I just smiled sadly. I sat down and blankly stared at the blue sky. I couldn't help but reminisce the old, good times we shared. Sigh. If he was still here, we would be graduating together. I then started to tear up. I immediately wiped it away and took one more look at his tomb before leaving. I hope you are happy. You promised to watch over me always right? I miss you.  I chuckled softly. He had been a very special person to me. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be the person I am today. He would always have a big space in my heart, I decided to continue life just as how he thought me to. And I think he's happy about it too. He taught me one thing that I always bear in mind: Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away.

thenameiloved says: Yey. How do you find this story? Please do leave a comment. It will be much appreciated. Subscribe if you want. :)