IMADE AND JAMAL

Chapter 1: Prologue.

JAMAL.

"You're leaving?" Imade asks as tears slowly start to stream down from her eyes.

"Don't cry Imade, you'll make me cry." Jamal whispers quietly, placing a hand on her cheek to wipe the

tears. "I honestly wish I could stay here, with you like we've always planned but my parents are

refusing to listen to me and my hands are tied. I'm so sorry." He tries to explain but Imade wasn't

having it.

"We promised to always be there for each other. You know you're my best friend and besides you I

have no one else. What am I supposed to do now?" She replies in frustration, still trying to understand

why his parents suddenly want him to study abroad even after he has already started schooling in one

of the best private universities in Nigeria.

"You'll be fine my little boo boo, you're a big girl now. Let me make you a promise, I'll make sure to call

you and text you almost everyday if not everyday so you don't miss me too much, okay? I won't ever

forget you as long as you never forget me too. You promise?" Jamal tells her and he could feel her Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

relaxing a bit more. He knew it would take a while for her to get used to not seeing him everyday,

coming over to his place, sleeping over and everything they'd do as their daily routine and he couldn't

deny he'd miss her terribly.

Himself and Imade had always been inseparable and even if he was trying so hard not to break down

in tears for her sake, his heart broke. He was leaving his best friend, sister, companion and the person

that understood him the most. No one could ever replace her.

Imade's heart hurt. She knew she was being selfish but she couldn't help it. Jamal was her life, her

best friend and her love and he was leaving before she even got a chance to tell him how she really

felt.

"Will you come back?" She asks.

"Surely, I'll come back and when I do, I'll make us official." He replies with a smile that melted Imade's

heart. Her eyes lit up immediately after hearing his words. 'Us' the word made her heart jump for joy.

She didn't want to ask further questions to stop her heart from exploding. It still hurt that he was leaving

but at least now she had something to hold on to. He loved her just as much as she loved him and that

was enough to reason to be patient with him.

"Promise me you'll never forget me Jamal. You'll call as promised, text me goodnight before you sleep

even if it's morning here, I don't mind. You must text me good morning and tell me you're safe and

you're happy and most importantly, don't let any oyinbo girl take my place. You promise?" She asks,

with a childish pout and Jamal couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips.

"I promise baby girl and you should do the same o. Don't replace me, ever!" He pouts and she giggles.

"I love you Immy, never forget that." He adds, planting a quick kiss on her lips.

"I love you too Jam Jam." She replies with a smile, engulfing him in a tight hug. She held on to him like

her life depended on it but he didn't mind as he inhaled her flowery scent, hoping he'd never forget her

alluring lavender scent. He was definitely going to come back for her, he loved her and nothing would

ever change that.

Two years later...

"He forgot me. He finally forgot me!" Imade yelled in frustration. He hadn't called or texted her in over

a month. She tried calling him several times but he never answered. She was frustrated and afraid.

She hoped nothing had happened to him and she also hoped he hadn't forgotten about her completely.

For the last two years, he'd kept his promise. He called, texted, video called and even sent emails. He

was determined to make sure she didn't feel his absence and although it wasn't the same, she still

appreciated his effort and was happy he still loved her.

What exactly could have gone wrong? She knew her Jamal would never leave her hanging for no

reason.

It was times like this that made her wish her family was affluent enough to travel abroad so she could

at the very least visit Jamal once in a while. She didn't care if he forgot her at this point, all she wanted

to know was if he was alive and well and she sincerely hoped and prayed that he was.

Jamal was furious with himself and with life. The sudden news of his parent's death was definitely not

his idea of a birthday present. He twentieth birthday was officially his last birthday. He hated that day

and he blamed himself for his parent's death.

If only they hadn't decided surprise him on his birthday by flying back to the States, they would have

never fallen victim to a plane crash.

He curses himself and his birthday, cried himself to sleep and at a point couldn't sleep without using

pills.

He became a wreck. He couldn't concentrate on anything or anyone. The memories of his last

conversation with his dear mother replayed in his head a thousand times and the guilt ate him up each

and everyday. He missed her, he missed his mom so much. She was his mini god, she never failed to

support him and she always encouraged him and he killed her. He killed her.

His father was strict but he still loved him because at the end of the day, he knew his father loved him

and only wanted the best for him and yet, he caused their death, simply because of his stupid birthday.

No matter how many times he's told not to blame himself, he'll never stop living in guilt. He was never

going to forgive himself.