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“It’s a lovely bathroom,” I mutter.
“Good, so what brings you here?”
“A team project with my classmate. We must all work together” I sound upset. I really would have liked to work alone and not be in a group. By the way, they were treating me. I can’t wait till I graduate.
“Taimani invited you over?”
“Yes”
“How old are you?”
“Sixteen, I turn seventeen on March 1st.” That’s all I do these days, count the days till I can leave for the US.
“Good to know. I promise to remember.”
“You don’t need to remember. It's not important, it’s just another date on the calendar.” I sincerely state. I don’t care about my next birthday without my parents.
“But I will.”
“Okay, suit yourself.” I shrug.
“Any special meaning to your name, Jade?”
“No idea.” I lie, seems weird someone would ask me what my name means.
“Maybe you should ask your mom?”
“A little impossible since she’s dead,” I state succinctly, with a sad chuckle to mask my discomfort.
“Am sorry to hear that. How did she die?”
“They died in a fire accident.”
“They?”
“My mom and dad both died in the fire. Now I live with my aunt and uncle here in Rhanaz. My aunty teaches at Rhanaz International School, and my uncle works somewhere in the business district. Now that I think about it, I don’t know what he does.” I shrug, not caring.
“Sorry about your parents. May they rest in peace.”
“Thank you,” I mutter.
“What happened to you?” I ask, turning the questions to him. Talking about my parents is never a good thing. Still feels like an infected wound for me.
“I was riding too fast on my motorcycle and a car came out of nowhere. I tried to avoid the car, and then I got hit by another car. The hit threw me in the path of the third car, tossing me in the air. I landed on a fourth car., I’m surprised to be alive, and I have no idea how long I’m going to be in this plaster cast. I’m told it’s a miracle I didn’t break my spinal cord. Doctors say I would need intense therapy to walk again. I’ll find out how intense down the road.”
He sounds dejected like something has already crumbled his world. As I look at him, all I wish is to give him hope. Remind him. He’s alive. My parents are gone and buried. They were burned. They died a painful death. He can still breathe; he needs to cherish that simple detail.
“So, they say you can walk again. I think that’s good news. Now, all you need to do is patiently heal your bones and start your intense therapy.
“Patience is a virtue I lack. I doubt I’ll make it that far to walking again.”
“You will. Who knows, maybe I’ll have my first dance in Rhanaz with you. I’ve been told the dance night is a big deal in Rhanaz,” I say, not sure where that came from, but I feel a need to give him hope. After all, don’t we all need hope? Besides, sharing hope is free. He laughs. I recently read how powerful hope is and that’s all I have to give and share.
“You know, making a person with broken ribs laugh isn’t a good thing.”
“Well, I didn’t make you laugh. You laughed on your own, and I’m convinced you’ll walk if you do the therapy, and I’ll look forward to a dance with you.”
“Guess I have my work caught out for me.”
