#JUST_BEST_FRIENDS

Author: Sam Freddy

CHAPTER 40: MEMORIES.

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HIV?

Yomi still couldn't fathom it even after leaving the hospital with anger about three hours ago. He'd abandoned Candice there, and instead of going home directly, he went to a bar to have a couple of drinks, and now he was seated in his car, somewhat tipsy, battling with his worries again.

How on Earth could he be HIV positive? How did he let this happen? He still had a long way to go in life and he didn't need this at all. Thinking about the impact it would have on his health in a couple of years to come scared him to the bone. He couldn't imagine the virus metamorphosing into AIDS and wrecking his system down, bit by bit, until he was skinny enough to be compared to a skeleton, or probably die from its drastic effect on his health.

Thinking back now, Yomi cursed the day he met Candice. He remembered how gentle and adorable she was at first - when they started dating to be precise - not knowing that she was a chameleon and a devil's incarnate in disguise. Moreover, some things about her seemed off a lot of times, but he was blind to them, and even when his friends warned him about her, he paid deaf ears to everyone because he thought that he knew better, but he'd seen the outcome of his foolishness, alas.

Banging his steering wheel with fury, Yomi shut his eyes tightly and remembered Idara's numerous advice to him. He recalled her persistence on the negative motives of Candice towards him; how she always tried to open his eyes to no avail. He'd thought that Idara just didn't like Candice for no reason but now everything made perfect sense to him. He'd finally seen Candice for the snake that she was, but it was rather too late now.

Perspiring, Yomi recalled Idara's baby face, her captivating smile and her good vibes. He remembered almost all the good times they shared since their childhood and how tight their bond was before he ruined everything. How did he let one snake come between such rare friendship? How did he throw everything away for one wolf in sheep's clothing, just because of her deceitful tongue and splendor?

He should've listened to people's advice when he could. He should've been more observant of Candice's trifling ways when he had the chance, but now his life was on the line, and there was absolutely nothing he could do to reverse it.

But maybe there was something he could do to tame his guilt over Idara's absence from his life. So, quickly, Yomi grabbed a note and a pen from his glove compartment and scribbled his thoughts on it for a moment, and then he returned them and took his phone to text Idara, despite how hard his mind was telling him not to.

Honestly, what he was about to do would be the hardest thing he would ever do in his life, but he was determined regardless. It was time to make amends, once and for all.

__________

It was already dark by the time Tayo dropped Idara off at home. Happily, she waved him off and went inside with a big smile on her face, and with two big packages in her hands.

Barely had she stepped in when Isioma embraced her and snatched one nylon from her hand. Laughing, Idara dropped the second nylon on the reading table and took her tote bag off her shoulder, looking around for Anastasia.

Isioma noticed. "She's not around," she opened the nylon and saw tons of fruits inside. "Damn!"

"I can see that you like what you see," Idara's smile broadened, "but what you're about to see will blow your mind!"

"In the other nylon?" Isioma asked, curiously.

"No, silly. That only contains my wet beach wears." Idara raised her hand and started wagging her fingers in the air. "I'm talking about this!"

Instantly, Isioma's jaw dropped. "Is that what I'm thinking?"

"Yes, baby." Idara twirled and struck a splendid dramatic pose for fun. "Guess who just got engaged in town?"

"Wait, wait, wait, what?!" Isioma tossed the nylon she held to the bed and grabbed Idara's hand to examine the ring. "Are you serious? What?"

Idara burst out laughing. "You can see for yourself. I ain't kidding!"

"But how come?" Isioma was full of surprise and excitement as she scrutinized the ring. "First, Jordan denounced his toxic sexuality today and now you're engaged? What is going on here?"

"Wait, Jordan did what?" Idara's laughter ceased at once, but before Isioma could respond, her phone beeped in her bag, indicating a text message. "Um, hold on, let me check that first."

She unlocked her phone and the first thing she saw was a pop-up message from Yomi that read, "Please tune in to Suave FM, 120.5, I want to tell you something."

"Isioma, Yomi just texted me." Idara announced, surprised, as she showed Isioma. "See this."

"Ahn ahn, what does he mean by he wants to tell you something? On air for that matter." Isioma grimaced. "Why can't he just call you?"

"Me I don't know o," Idara shrugged, swiping to her radio app. "Let's hear what he has to say sha."

That said, both ladies settled on the bed as Idara found the radio station and put the volume to the highest, and she recognized the OAP's voice immediately she heard it. It was Sherry speaking, one of the hosts of a certain Request Show who had attended to her when she called to profess her love to Yomi on air about a month ago.

Recalling the event of that day made her cringe, but she discarded the thought and focused on the radio instead.

SHERRY: Okay, guys, this is eight thirty-two PM, and this is Heart to Heart with Sherry. It's a show where you call in to share what's on your mind; whatsoever is bothering you or eating you up so much that you can't enjoy the goodness of life, this is the place to let it go. Consider me as your personal therapist tonight, and together, by God's grace, we shall crack that burden on your shoulders. I mean, it might not disappear completely, but two heads are better than one, right? (breathes in sharply) Anyway, before the commercial break, I had a call from Arike who shared her tragic story, but before I tackle that, let me take this incoming call. Hello!

"That should be Yomi." Isioma predicted, anxiously.

CALLER: Hello, good evening.

"Oops. I was wrong."

SHERRY: Good evening. How are you?

Silence.

SHERRY: Hello? Are you there?

Call ends.

SHERRY: Oh, sorry, I lost that call. Must've been the network. Please, do call back, ma. And here's another caller. Hello!

CALLER: Hello.

Idara glanced at Isioma on hearing the caller's voice. "This is definitely Yomi."

SHERRY: Well, hello there, the man with the golden voice. (giggles) This is Yomi on the line, right?

YOMI: Yes, Sherry. Good evening.

SHERRY: Good evening, Yomi. I'm quite surprised to have you on this show. You only contribute to the Request Show, as far as I know. It's a pleasure to have you here tonight.

YOMI: Thank you.

SHERRY: You're welcome, but, wait, what's up, man? You sound quite different tonight. Is everything okay?

YOMI: (sighs) No, Sherry, I am messed up right now. I'm so upset. I need your help.

SHERRY: Oh, wow. Um, okay, speak to me. I'm all ears. What can I do to help you?

YOMI: Sherry, don't take this the wrong way, but I need total silence from you. I don't really know how to explain this, but I wronged someone dear to me and I lack the courage to call her and apologize directly, so I texted her to tune in here so that she can hear everything I wish to tell her. Is that okay with you?

SHERRY: (hesitates briefly) Well, technically, that's what this show is for, so I'm cool with it. Carry on, please. Hopefully, she's listening to you right now wherever she is.

"This guy is crazy!" Isioma glanced at Idara, astonished. "What the hell is he doing?"

YOMI: (draws a deep breath) Idara, I really do hope you're listening to this, because I have a lot to tell you if time permits me. So, first and foremost, I'd like you to know that your opinion about Candice was indeed correct. She's not the angel I thought she was. I've finally seen her for the demon that she is...

Isioma scoffed. "Took you long enough."

YOMI: ...and I regret the day I met her. I really do. If I could erase that day, I would. I never knew how much of a bad influence she was on me until recently, and today I just got the most shocking news of my life which I can't share on radio for personal reasons, but I swear to God, this is something that is seriously breaking my heart because I know I could've avoided it if only I had listened to you, Idara, and for that I am sorry. I'm sorry I misunderstood you. I'm sorry for taking you for granted, for not placing enough value on our friendship, Idara, and I know that sorry doesn't fix anything in this case, but I hope that you'll forgive me for everything I did. I truly hope so.

Idara's eyelids fluttered as tears began to form in her eyes, and the more she batted her eyelashes to restrain her eyes from welling up, the more they did. And the fact that Yomi wasn't even near her but his voice carried so much passion and sincerity that broke the barriers of distance between them was outstanding.

She could sense his troubles from here, but she just didn't know what exactly he was dealing with apart from his guilt over their separation, and maybe the heartbreak from Candice like he stated earlier.

YOMI: Idara, I wish we could start all over, but it's too late, because this will be the last you'll ever hear from me. I'm about to do something stupid, and I pray that you find a place in your heart to forgive me for it, too. Whatever happens, just know that you are always in my heart, and that I will cherish all the moments we had forever, even when I'm six feet under. So I guess that is all I have to say for now. Hmm. I will never forget you, Idara. I promise, I won't.

Alas, Idara's tears broke free and gushed down her cheeks like a waterfall. She'd thought that she could hold it in, but apparently, it was beyond her control.

YOMI: Goodbye, Idara. I love you so much. So, so, so much than you think, and may we meet again, by God's sufficient grace. Amen.