I woke up to someone’s incessant shaking. 

“Ji wake up. What happened?” I thought I heard Dara say.

“Let me sleep.” I replied, thinking I was dreaming.

“What’s wrong Ji?” I heard her say again.

I opened my eyes and saw her standing over me, looking very worried than I have ever seen her.

Events of the previous night flashed before me like a bad replay.

“Last night, Kiko rejected me and broke up with me.” I said.

She looked appalled with what I said.  “I’m sorry Ji. I really am” she said just before her dam of tears broke.

Ah! Nothing’s changed. “Are you crying? Aisht! Such a crybaby. I was the one dumped and you’re the one crying”

“Because you’re my friend and I feel for you. And because she’s stupid not to realize what you’re worth.” she said.

It felt good to hear her say that. “Thanks, Dara” I said as I smiled at her, thinking how she knows exactly what to make me feel better. If only she’ll realize what she’s worth to me.

Once in our lives, we find that someone who means everything we have ever dreamed of and more. Someone we would want to share our life with. Someone who knows us inside and out; Someone who knows what we’re thinking even before we say it, who knows what we’re feeling just by looking into our eyes. Someone we could never grow tired of talking to and listening, who’ll be the last person we would see before we sleep and the first person we’d see when we wake up. Someone who would celebrate with us in our triumphs and be the shoulder we could lean on when we’re down, who would keep us on course when we get lost, who would stay when everyone has gone.

“Come. I need to start my support system. You’re not planning on breaking down or becoming a drunk are you?” she asked, looking concerned of my state.

Of course I wasn’t. As of the moment my mind’s already cooking up a plan.

You already have someone. You just have to ask the right girl.

“I got a better idea. Let’s run away together”

Just for the day

Let’s run away

Won’t you play with me?

Down by the sea,

I’ll show you how happy we can be

Let’s just drift away

On our runaway day

                                                               -Runaway Day, Alice Peacock