She's My Sleeping Pill

Losing his father caused him to withdraw from the world. Though he continued to study, he stopped making friends with other students. His free time was spent reading books, playing games and watching anime. He loved to spend time inside his room and be with the fictional characters that other people have created. His mother was never alarmed with his behavior because he seemed normal. He studied and play. He talked when he’s being asked but he was never the type to voluntarily speak his mind. He became an introverted person.

All these years that changes happened, there was one person who stayed with him despite their lack of conversation. It was Philippe. He lent him different kinds of books; be it manga or novels, and bought him some video game discs. He was always supportive of him.

His personality remained the same even when they went to different universities but this time, Philippe couldn’t spend so much time with his best friend. His time with him became less and less until it came to the point that Philippe would visit him twice a month.

In his fourth year, Jackson voluntarily left his room to visit his best friend. He planned to go somewhere with him and thank him for all the things that he did over the years. Then, he was thrown to another abyss of despair.

Philippe told him that he chose civil engineering in college and Jackson believed in him. He thought that his best friend was busy with his studies knowing how difficult Math was which became the reason why he couldn’t visit him frequently like before.

Apparently, he was lying. Philippe was diagnosed with gastric cancer since high school and Jackson never knew it. He wasn’t able to pursue his dream course because his family had to spend their money for his treatment. All this time, while he was wallowing in his imaginative world, his best friend in real life was actually suffering.

Jackson would never forget the day that he visited him in surprise. He looked gaunt and exhausted. His lips were dry and his eyes were deep set, like a skeleton with skin holding up his bones. He couldn’t believe that things turned that way.

“Why did you keep this matter from me?” Jackson asked his best friend that day when he visited him. “Is it because I am not reliable?”

.....

“Jack, you were in pain, too. You lost your father and besides, this wasn’t your problem to begin with. I just wanted to make sure that I won’t be another painful memory to you.”

“So, you lied.”

“I never lied. I just didn’t say anything.”

“Isn’t it the same thing?”

“They’re different.”

Jackson wanted to curse in anger but seeing the faint smile on Philippe’s face, he could only sigh and flicked the man’s head. “I was looking forward to find a girlfriend with you and we’d go on double dates. Now, who would want to date a skeleton. You will scare our targets.”

“Wow! Look who’s talking? You have to stop spending time with your virtual girlfriends first before you can date a real one. Explore the city. Explore the world and I am talking about the real earth we’re standing on. Then, maybe, by then, you’d find yourself a girlfriend.”

“I can’t imagine us going out there to seek for women.”

“Alright, I’ll tell you something else.”

“And that would be?”

Philippe picked up his phone and sent someone a message. Not long after, the window to his room was pushed open and a beautiful woman appeared. “What’s the matter? Are you uncomfortable anywhere? Do you need me to send you to the hospital? Tell me. I am worried.”

Jackson stood there in shock. [Who the heck is this woman?!] He thought because he couldn’t seem to find the courage to open his mouth this time.

The woman noticed that someone else was in the room as well and when she met Jackson’s eyes, she blushed from embarrassment. “Who is this?!” She whispered through gritted teeth but Jackson was still able to hear her.

“This is my best friend, Jackson.” Philippe introduced before shifting his gaze back to the man in front of him. “I want you to meet my girlfriend, Claudia.”

“Girl-girlfriend?! You have a girlfriend? Since when?”

“Since high school and dude, she was our school mate.”

“Jackson?! That Jackson who doesn’t talk with anyone else but you? That Jackson?”

“Yes. That Jackson.”

Claudia could not believe that she was talking to that man whom she often saw with Philippe before. What she remembered was a chubby-looking guy who had a black wavy hair whose bangs covered his eyes. She could not even imagine how he was able to see his way when his eyes were mostly covered and he had a thick round reading glass as well. Compared to how he looked in the past, the Jackson she was talking to right now has become tall and with less fat. His hair was still a little wavy but they no longer cover his eyes. He looked handsome but her heart was still set on her boyfriend. She wasn’t the type to fall for someone’s handsome look.

“It’s nice to finally meet you. Philippe often talks about you.”

“Nice to meet you, too.” Jackson retorted and reached his hand for a handshake. Unlike Claudia, even though they were schoolmates in high school, he has no impression of her. He didn’t even know that she existed. “Thank you for taking care of my best friend.”

“Ah? No, big deal. I am his girlfriend and I am happy to take care of him.”

That day, Jackson was surprised in more ways than one but when he came home, he didn’t feel lonely anymore. He decided that he would visit his best friend as often as he could and offer his help if needed. He just wanted to be there for him just like how he stayed when he felt hopeless in this world.