The Void Between Hearts ~~ongoing~~

42. Chinny

ᵀᴴᴵˢ ᶜᴴᴬᴾᵀᴱᴿ  ᴵˢ ᴰᴱᴰᴵᶜᴬᵀᴱᴰ ᵀᴼ Tritty_pet
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"Put me down, Buns!" The sound of our laughter drowns my plea.

"Oh. My. God. Chinny!" She drops me. Her smile is refreshing, just as I planned. "I can't believe you're here!" She drags me into another hug. We're both laughing like best friends reuniting after decades of being apart.

"Well surprise. " I sit on her bed, and try to catch my breath. She joins me and we both lay down at the same time. "289. That's straight up merit list. Buns, please tell me I'm dreaming. "

"God forbid that this is a dream, if it is, I'm making sure you don't wake up." She states it unromantically.

"Hmmm." I scoff. "You do know that when people don't wake up from dreams, it means they die. Right?"

"Wrong. It's more cooked up than fact."

"Whatever, it still feels dreamish."

"Nope. I always knew you were going to smash it." Her blue eyes sparkle when she wears that familiar expression of imagination.

"Imagine this, Chin." She draws an invisible banner. It's a little too long and I lose my imaginary skills for a while.  "On your matriculation, I'm wearing a sash: My bestie is now a law undergraduate. She's hot and I'll sue your ass up if you mess with me. "

I'm nodding in unison to the intense flow of blood muddled up in my cheeks. "You're going to make me cry." I say.

She laughs. "You. Chinenye. Cry?" She snickers, "not in this life."

I curl up into her, wrapping myself in her embrace. "Thanks for believing in me." I whisper.

"Are you 'effing' kidding me right now?" She sits up. "Who else would I believe in?" Her eyes are agape and twinkling.

You know that thing people say about finding one good best friend, and living the rest of your life in bliss, I think they meant Boma and me/Me and Boma. It doesn't go any other way round.

I stretch my hand above and she pulls me up. "Well nobody." I reply.

"Exactly. Now take this as a warning. Never thank me for being proud of you."

Never thank Boma for being proud of you. I repeat in my mind. "Noted. Now about all the drama in your life. What's up?" I fold my legs on the bed, "tell me everything. "

"First. Take your shoes off. I can't have Calabar soil on my bed."

I burst out hard, wiping my eyes as humorous tears fill them.

"Fine." I slide off my trainers and adjust comfortably.

"I have new aunties."

"Okay. That gist sounds interesting, but tell me about Ivan."

She draws a breath and lets it out. I'm holding mine. "He's fine; we got to him in time."

I exhale. "Wow. I sort of can't really believe he tried to. . ."

"But you can be an angel sometimes you know, when you want to."

My eyes fly around my face and I pout, "Meaning?"

"If you hadn't told me, it would have been too late."

"Oh. You guys owe me then."

"I'm going to visit him tomorrow. You can come along and give him your bills. I'm sure he can pay anything."