HARD TO SAY 'GOODBYE'

IMAGE SOURCE: Meta AI Assistant

"I can't do it alone, Clara."
"You can, you can. Sophie."
Clara was trying to control herself. She couldn't help it as the two friends hold each other crying profusely.

"I promise to call you everyday,"
Sophia nodded in response to her.
Sophia and Clara have been friends for the past five years. Having known each other for that long, they seem like twin sisters whose bond seem impossible to break.

Sophia moved to Clara's neighborhood when his father who was an army official was transferred to that location. Raised by a single father, Sophie found it difficult adapting to that neighborhood. She joined Clara's school shortly after and they happen to be in the same class. Sophie was surprised to see Clara who was her neighbor back after home.

"Hi" Clara approached her. She had gone around telling everyone that the new student is their neighbor so it was time for her to take action.
"Sophia right?

"How did you know my name?
"I heard that name every day, you know," "your dad." She whispered.
" Oh! He shouts a lot right? They both laughed at Sophia's statement.
"Have you gone to the class teacher's office?

"Yeah."

"Let's go home together. Okay?
Sophia smiled at her. She was scared of approaching her for the first because she was not sure what type of person she would be but it turns out she happens to be a friendly person.

"Mummy, mummy, guess what? Clara speaks to her mother who was busy making dinner at the kitchen.
"Are you done with your homework?
"No mummy but I want to tell you something."
"Okay, what is it?
"Our new neighbor is in my class."
"Really?
"Yes. We came back home together."
Her mother dropped the laddle to face Clara from the kitchen.
"Clara."
"Yes mum."
"You just met her today. Isn't it?
"Yes."
"You have to be careful with her."
"Mummy why do you say that?"
"Her dad is an army officer and she stays alone with him. I don't want rumors flying around. You know I can't handle it alone when your father is not around."
"Mummy, don't worry."

Clara sometimes behave more matured than her age. She handles situation like an adult would. She did not allow the circumstances around to affect Sophia. Clara helped her to get acquainted with school and the neighborhood. Her father seemed strict but he later allowed Sophia to visit Clara at their house. Early the morning, Clara would wait for Sophia to come out of their compound so they could walk to school together.
"Sophia, you got a lovely hair bun."
"It's lovely, isn't it?
"Yeah...."
"My daddy got it for me from his traveling yesterday."
"Really? It's nice."
"Clara, tell your daddy to buy you one too. We would both have it." Clara remained silent for a while.
"Well, I can't ask my dad to buy me anything for now."
"Why?

"My mum was sick during the weekend, he spent a lot on her treatment."

"I'm so sorry about that."
"It's fine."

"Can you stay still for a moment?
Sophia removed her hair bun and put it on Clara's hair.

"Don't worry, I will tell my dad I lost mine. He will get me another one."

In few years, Sophia and Clara's friendship grew. They stayed being friends till they finished high school. It was time for them to go to College. They often sleep over at each other's house. The whole neighborhood are aware of the fact that they are always together.
On a fateful night, Sophia knocked on Clara's bedroom door.

"Clara, Clara. Open the door."
"Sophia, how did you get inside?
"Your mum opened the door for me."

Sophie hurriedly enters Clara's room and climb the bed.

"Come inside, I have something to show you."

"Did you tell your dad that you are coming to my place?

"He's not back from work yet."
"Would you call him or something?
"No, don't worry, he knows I will definitely be here."

She opens her laptop to show Clara what brought her to her place that night.

"Dad sent this to me this morning, it's a scholarship program to study abroad."

"Where? Clara suddenly asked.
"Canada."

"That's far."

"Clara! I know what you are thinking about. It's a scholarship program. We just need to pass the exam. They will cover every expenses include traveling over there."

"This is a good opportunity. I will talk to my parents about it."

"The registration closes in a week. Okay?

"We will talk it about it tomorrow."
In a few days, Clara and Sophia registered for the scholarship program. Sophie was happy she would travel away from home where she was bond with her single father all these years. She was assured she will be fine as long as she will be with her friend, Clara.

In few months, the list of students granted the scholarship program was uploaded. Sophia could only access the list because Clara does not have a laptop. Eventually, Sophia's name appeared while Clara's name was not on the list. Sophia begins to question what went wrong. She could not bear to tell her friend that she was the only one traveling to study abroad. She begged her father that she does not want to leave again but her father declined. The two friends have the next months to spend with together. No one knows when next they will see each other.

At the airport, Sophia's father drove together with Clara and her parents to bid farewell to Sophia. Sophia cried bitterly, she was anxious about going to a strange land on her own and the pain of bidding farewell to her family and friends. Sophia waved to her family and friend as she walks away.