Value

Evolution never seems to take a rest does it? It always seems to be there in some form or the other. Humans evolve and so do their relationships. And whatever the stage of evolution there always seems to be a very strong bond between other members in the sapiens society. Yes genius, I’m talking about friendship alright. Every one of us gives a certain value for this bond.

Sometimes we define it. But most of the time it is life’s twists and turns that shows its actual value. You might realize it when you see your buddy hovering over you when a bully is close by. Or, when they go to great extents to keep you on the right path. Every little thing can tell its value. But life had her own twists for me.

We were best friends. From the very day in middle school, when I spent the best detention of my life with him. And that is something, considering the countless detentions I have had.

We hung around at each other’s house, fooling around with anything and everything under the sun. Every weekend we’d do some out of the world stuff. He was game for anything I suggested, be it trekking and roaming the city by train or illegally doing graffiti (I painted as he kept a look out, cause he would't even know how to hold the spray can right way up). And I'd do anything for him. Anything.

Time went on.

Didn’t I tell you life gave a twist?? Well now I’ll tell you how big. I received a call from him. Or so I thought. His brother told me to come immediately.

When our eyes met, everything broke. The hospital blurred out of my view as I saw my other half on the stretcher. Everything just snapped. I learnt that the doctors had lost hope. This was not possible. This just cannot be. Not him. The sight of his mangled body caused more pain in me than in his. How would I be alive without him?? The very thought started killing me.

My friend saw me suffering. I knew him enough to see it. I tried to compose myself. And he knew me enough to see through my lame attempt. He tried to talk. Seeing him straining I placed a finger on his lips to silence him. Brushing it aside he beckoned me closer.

I bent over to him, careful of all the wires that were keeping him alive. His voice was low and almost inaudible when he spoke.

"Hey, hh -how are you feeling?".He asked. I could hardly speak.

"I should be asking that you know." I mumbled back.

He smiled. "No. Of course not. My pain would end but would yours?"

"Never."

I saw that single, lonely word tear him up. I immediately regretted saying it, but I was not used to lying to him.

He grimaced. Where his face all scrunched up adorably. Somewhere in the distance, I could hear the sound of my heart shattering.

"Remember the times we played hopscotch?", he asked. I nodded. "And how I would push you and tell you that it was my turn first?" I nodded again.

"See, it is the same here. We played with life together. I love you so much, more than anyone else.", and his emotions taking the better of him he had to choke out his last words,

"but now it is my turn first..".

With that the machines he was hooked to lost their use. I wiped the drop of blood tickling down his lips but forgot to wipe my tears as they fell unchecked on his soulless body. The pain of losing him and our friendship told me its true value.

Our friendship slipped through him, taking me with it.

Picture credits for those it's due.