The rays sprayed by the scorching golden sun penetrated my curtains unimpeded. I snapped open my eyes and drew the curtains aside. I inhaled the fresh, warm air deeply and saw the bustling world running restlessly for something.

It had been a week since all our projects and final exams were over. And as I feared, the dreadful day came today when Jas had to leave us. I have strengthened myself for this day for the past two months. But it's more heartbreaking than I imagined.

Abruptly, I felt numb. I clutched my mobile and read the message Jas sent me last night. I'd already read it over many times, yet I couldn't hold back myself.

El! Please don't be late tomorrow. Try to be on time for the airport. I will be waiting for you there. Cheers to my last night in California! Goodnight!

I threw my mobile on my spongy little bed and got ready for the day. Once I was all done, I called Joe to pick me up. But he didn't answer. He must be driving. I surmised.

Within a flash, Joe's cardinal red Ford Fusion landed rhythmically in front of my house. He had already dumped Clara and our Romeo into his lofty, luminous sedan. Again, it's me who's the last one.

"Hey baby!" Clara gave me a high-five as I caught my seat. "So why didn't Juliet show up?" I razzed Larry, for which he blushed.

"She's sort of busy with her girls crew and outings, blah blah blah." He said in low spirits and turned the music on.

It's Morgan Wallen's Chasin' You.

Chasing you like those goodbye taillights
Headed west to anywhere out of this nowhere town.
Chasing that freedom, chasing that feeling that got gone too soon
Chasing that you and me, I only see in my rear view...

Gee whiz, what a song it is! No matter how many times I hear it, it'll always stir my heart with its strong dosage of lyrics. By echoing its tune, I let myself immerge in its pool of melancholy.

Riding at breakneck pace, Joe landed us at our destination like blazes. Los Angeles International Airport is always famous for its busy air and bevy of active people swarming around with spring in their feet.

Joe parked the car handily as we all headed forward, looking for Jas. He was waiting with all his baggage and stuff in the front area. "So finally you all decided to show up this early, huh?" Jas said it in a sarcastic tone. "Oh well! I'm not the cause of it today." I laughed. And apparently I need to justify myself since, for the first time in history, I got ready earlier.

Jas chortled and grasped his mobile to call someone. "Where are you?" He popped the question. I speculated it was Susan since I could hear her voice over the phone from the other side. "Your guess is right, El." Jas clarified as he hung up the phone. I was shell-shocked.

What man! When did he learn to read minds?

"You're really a jerk!" I smirked at him. "Okay, stop your stupid talks. I have something for you, Jas." Larry grabbed something from his bag. It was a square-shaped box compactly wrapped in a flower-printed gift sheet. It might be a watch. I guessed.

"You're right again." Jas raised his eyebrows as he unwrapped it and found a watch lying safely in it, like a nucleus resting in the middle of an atom.

Jeez, he can't do that again!

"Stop doing this, Jas." I punched him in the arm. "Ouch! When did you begin being so rude?" He feigned a look of pain. He looks so cute when he makes up his face like a little child.

"Hey guys!" It was Susan. She greeted us as she walked towards us. She still looks young and alluring, even in her thirties. Her enticing face and fit physique can make anyone fall head over heels for her. How come she was left alone as a single? I wondered.

"She's a divorcee, El. They split up just about a year ago." Jas said pitifully.

Oh! It's sad. Poor Susan. Wait, but what? He again caught my thoughts as if I were throwing them to him linearly.

"Jas, did you seriously learn some black magic, witchcraft, or something?" Everyone laughed as I asked him that. But I actually asked him in an immensely serious manner. Come on, dude! How can one do that?

"How are you all doing?" Susan laid her hand over my shoulder. She is such a motherly figure who always pampers us like her doll-like babies. "Super fine, Ms. Susan. We are happy that you came here." Clara grinned, showing all her white, polished teeth.

"So, Jas! All set to leave this town, huh?" She hugged him as he wagged his head up and down. While they were all nattering about nothing in particular, I was in total confusion about whether I should hand him that or not. I wanted it to be personal, and I didn't want him to open it up to everyone.

"You should give me that, Ms. Elena Davis. No second thoughts, please." Jas shrugged. My head spun around in a minute, and I almost fainted. "You okay?" Susan caught my back. "Um. Yeah fine." I managed to stand on my legs. "You made me so embarrassed, Jas!" I cursed him with no mean intention.

Finally, I handed him the letter. The one I wrote him last night. I graciously enclosed it in a red envelope with a golden bow tied in the left corner. I gestured for him to read it personally, and he decently tucked it into his jeans pocket.

"Will your aunt be there to pick you up?" Joe asked infinite questions about his travels and his regard for details. I was totally out of that topic, as something drew my attention. There was this little child wailing loudly as his father departed to check in for the flight. He left his mom's hand and ran over to his dad. The security guard got hold of the kid and handed him back to his mom. But his father left without turning around since he didn't have the strength to face his poor son.

I totally don't understand why people always have to leave the one they love the most.

"At certain situations, they have to." Jas again decrypted my inner voice.

"I've confirmed it, Jas. Stay at least one arm's distance away from us." I jumped back, as I was firm in my belief that he was now a complete grown-up wizard.

"Why are you both behaving weird?" Unaware of what was transpiring, Joe pointed it out to me. "Hmm.. Nothing, Joe." I covered it up. "Yeah, I know you're incurably insane." I don't discern why it's me who is always titled The incurable insane. Whatever!

Good afternoon, passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for the flight to New York. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Thank you!

Well, the clock has ticked, and it's time for him to get going. He glanced at us after hearing that. His eyes injected angst into me as they met mine. I pretended to be alright, but I knew that Jas would have sensed my feelings. He hugged us all with a happy beam. He embraced me tenderly in his arms. I'm going to miss this warm hug.

"Will miss you, stupid!" I feebly said it in a hushed tone. He smiled in a half suppressed way and hastily rushed a piece of paper into my hands without anyone spotting it. I clenched it and put it in my pocket. Best friends always have a unique way of conveying things. And those are letters for us.

"Don't miss me, huh?" He tittered and waggled his hand. "Take care, Jas." We bid him bye.

To bid adieu to a best friend was like missing half of myself. It was like missing me. It was like missing being with the person with whom I run every day.

******

As soon as I sprinted into my room, I leapt into my bed. I impatiently took the letter out of my pocket and opened it.

Dear Ms. Incurable insane,

"Wait! Joe uttered those words at the airport, and how come he wrote exactly the same before? Well, anything is a spoonful of milk for a black magician." I convinced myself and resumed reading.

Actually, I ought to be writing a letter to my girlfriend. But, my crap, I'm writing you this. It's crazy, you know.

Jerk! You've got to pay for this.

You never know, El. Everything in my life is all about you, right from my pre-teen years. There were times when I was so crazy for you. Even, I had never allowed anyone who tried to befriend you.

Do you remember Eric, the one with blonde hair? The one with whom you hanged out in the 6th grade. You both used to sometimes hang out in the treehouse without me. And I'm so covetous of him that I beat him hard one day. That's why he stopped going around with you. But now it makes me laugh out loud, thinking how stupid I was.

Omg! That's why Eric freaks out even now when I try to talk with him.

Later, when we had grown up, I realized the stuff and got adapted to it. Even now, I feel jealous when you call someone else your best friend. I know it sounds crazy. But it is what it is. Don't mind it. I'll come up with that.

Btw, I am the most lucky guy in this entire state of California to have a friend like you, El. You never failed to be by my side, even in tougher times. When I thought everything in my life was over, you came there with a streak of light. Like a solitary kid wandering in the dark, I stuck with you. And you never left me. Thanks for that, El. Thanks for being my mitochondrion in return.

I don't know how I'll get through there without you. But I'll try to manage, and I assure you that. Often, I'll write you letters, so don't fail to take care of your mailbox.

P.S.: I don't know any magic or witchcraft. I have been with you for nearly ten years. So I know how you would think or react. Your face can't hide your thoughts, you know. You're such an ingenuous girl. And I love you for being that!

What? But then, how did he know before that he'd predict my thoughts the next day? Well, you're alone enough to make me insane!

And don't show off all your teeth now, as if you're acting in a toothpaste ad.

Who can know me better than him?

I know you've already started missing me. So keep doing that until we meet again. Love you, buddy!

Your only mito,
Jason Bennett.

"What a zestful letter, man!" I began swaying all along my room, holding this mere piece of paper close to my heart. In the hope that he might have read mine by this time, I dozed off.

******

Cheers readers!

Do you all too feel elated after reading this letter?

I too admired their friendship. Hope you all loved this chapter!

Feel free to leave your suggestions and comments! I'd love to receive those.

Stay tuned!

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