Chapter 2

I looked at him in shock, trying to understand what he had said.

"What?" I asked him again.

"We had tried our best, but he is no more," the doctor replied and went out of the room.

I knelt down on my knees, crying hard.

[End of flashback]

After having lunch, I was working on my laptop. After Dad passed, I left my job. I was an assistant at an advertisement company, but I lost interest in going outside. I used to stay at home, not wanting to meet anyone except my friends Lena and Jasmine. They both helped me a lot during my hard times when there was no one to understand or listen to me.

After working for some hours, I went downstairs to the kitchen to grab a coffee for myself when I heard the door opening. It was already evening. I looked towards the door and saw Mom coming home with shopping bags in her hand. She placed them on the floor before closing the door behind.

"Amanda, you should have come with me. We had a lot of fun today," she said, coming towards me.

"No, Mom, I don't want to," I replied, trying to evade her questions.

"Amanda, I bought this for you. Take it," she said, giving me a shopping bag from her hand.

"It's okay, Mom, I'm good," I replied.

But she insisted that I take it.

I took it from her hand, and after making coffee, I went to my room. I placed the shopping bag on my side table and sat on my bed. I took my phone from the bed and called Lena. She picked up my call after a few rings.

"Hello, Amanda, how are you, girl?" she asked me.

"I'm good. How are you, Lena?" I asked her.

"I'm very bad and very angry because of you," she replied dramatically.

"Really? What did I do?" I asked her, surprised.

"You promised me last week that we would meet this week, but I know you already forgot. I know," she said, pouting.

"Yes, I remember, but I just don't feel like going. I'm sorry. Can we make it for next week?" I asked her, already knowing her answer.

"My Amanda, you better come tomorrow for lunch. I will not hear any excuses again. Do you understand?" she asked me in a strict tone.

I laughed at her stubborn behavior and replied, "Okay, I will think about it, Lena."

"Amanda, please be my old Amanda. I really miss you," she suddenly said in a genuine voice.

"Lena, I am already your old Amanda, your best friend," I replied to her.

"No, Amanda, I am talking about the childish, joyful Amanda who lives every minute of her life happily and cheerfully," she said.

"I don't know, Lena. Okay, enough of your lecture. We will meet tomorrow at lunch, okay?" I replied, trying to change the topic.

"Really? Okay, then I am telling Jasmine too. She will be there too. It will be fun. Okay, bye!" she replied excitingly.

"Okay," I replied, and we hung up the call.

The next day, I was getting ready for lunch with Lena and Jasmine. After taking a shower, I wore a light pink frock top with white pants and white sneakers. I did light makeup. I was getting ready when my phone rang. I saw the caller ID; it was Jasmine's call.

I picked up her call and answered, "Yes, Jasmine?"

"Are you ready, Amanda? I am coming to pick you up," she asked.

"Yes, I am ready. You can come. I am waiting," I replied.

"Okay, I will be there in two minutes," she replied, and we hung up the call.

After some time, Jasmine arrived to pick me up. I went to her car and sat beside her in the passenger seat. She drove off to the restaurant.

After entering, I saw Lena sitting at the third table. She waved her hand, looking at me. We saw her and went to her.

She stood up from her chair and came towards me, pulling me into a hug. "How are you, Amanda?" she asked, breaking the hug.

"I am good. How are you?" I asked her politely.

"You know how happy I am seeing you here. We are meeting after 6 months. I am very happy for you," she replied, smiling.

I could see the happiness in her eyes.

After sitting at our table, Jasmine said,

"Amanda, you have to often meet us, okay?" Jasmine asked me in a strict tone.

I had missed her this tone. She's always like that, while Lena is like my sister. We call Jasmine our grandma because she always gives us orders and advice.

"Sure, my grandma," I replied to her with a bright smile.

She smiled back at me.

"Jack is having a party tomorrow. It would be great if you both also came there," Jasmine suggested. I looked at Lena, finding her looking at me, waiting for my answer.

"Jasmine, I don't think so I would be able to come," I replied to her, knowing her reply.

"You have to come, Amanda, or else we both are not going also," she replied, making a pout.

"Yes, Amanda, I would also not go if you will not be there," Lena said while looking at me.

"Why is he giving a party? Tomorrow is not his birthday," I asked Jasmine.

"Yes, he got a big contract, that's why he is so happy," Jasmine replied.

"Okay, I will think about that," I replied, finding both their faces happy.

"When Amanda said she would think about that, it means yes," Lena said to Jasmine with a high five, laughing.

"Okay, I will text you the details," Jasmine replied.

"Now, can we order something? I am starving," I replied to them.

After having lunch, I went home with a cab. After going inside, I was going to my room when I heard noise from the living room. I went there, and when I opened the door, I saw Mom sitting with her friends. They all looked at me suddenly.