A visit from an old friend

She was getting ready to humiliate me in the cafeteria by squirting ketchup all over my dress and brown hair but Rick stepped in. Rick was the principals son and he was the most popular boy in our high school. He and his friends came up to Claris and stopped her.
Claris got so angry she vowed to make high school difficult for me. She tried to but anytime she came up with a prank, Rick, who later became my best friend, would intervene and protect me.
When we finished high school, Rick and I applied to the same college and got accepted. Thats where Beth and Rick became friends. While Rick studied Business, I studied Hotel management and took a side course too, catering which I took with Beth.
After colleges graduation, we never set eyes on him. Its been more than 6 years since I lost contact with him.
In the flesh, he replied, flashing his white teeth.
The Richard I was looking at now wasnt anything like the one I saw 6 to 7 years back. He was looking more handsome than before, more brawny, and taller. He was as huge as a bouncer in a discotheque.
He has changed over the years. Not like he wasnt looking good before; he looked better now.He stretched his arms wide open and I walked into his embrace. It was still as soft and warm as before. When we were still in college, I could never get enough of his hugs. It always comforted me.
Oh my. I cant believe my eyes right now. Rick, where the hell have you been all these years? I exclaimed, pulling away from the hug. Can I at least have a seat? he asked, chuckling. Oh please, pardon my manners. Take a seat, Rick, I said.
While he took his seat, I picked up my phone from my working desk. I still couldn't believe Rick was sitting right in front of me. Wait until Beth hears this, I said, dialling her number.
Rick chuckled again. The phone rang for a while and when she finally picked the call, I said breathlessly, Beth, come to my office now. Like right now; its urgent. Then I ended the call.
Do you know that with the way you spoke with her, shed think something bad was happening to you? Calm down boo, he replied with a beautiful smile etched on his face.
He always called me boo. I guess nothing much has changed concerning him. Well, except his physique. He changed a lot in that aspect. Suddenly, someone barged through my door.
Why did you sound so? Beth said, breathlessly. She was interrupted when she saw that I wasnt the only one in the office. She shifted her attention to the other person. Three things happened when she recognized who was sitting on my couch.
Her eyes flew wide open.
Her jaw dropped. She let out a loud ear-piercing scream. Ricky!!! she screamed.
She hurried to where he sat and clutched him in a tight embrace, leaving Rick and I in fits of laughter. Beth has always been a drama queen. There's still much to know about her; trust me.
Rick embraced her as well and they pulled out of the hug. We took a seat on the couches around the centre table. Soon, Beth and I began an interrogation session on Rick.
“Whoa, calm down ladies. One question at a time, please, he said.
I punched him on his left shoulder and he let out a loud shriek. What was that for? he asked me, with a loud voice, that sounded like he was in pain.
But he wasnt. Not with those muscles on his arm. I mean those arent fake muscles, they could take a couple more punches and wouldn't feel any pain. Thats for disappearing without saying a word to any of us, not even a phone call, Rick. That was so wrong of you, I replied.
Im sorry, would you just let me explain myself, he answered. Ok. Go on, runaway friend, Beth said, throwing death glares at him. Ok, first of all, Im sorry for bothering you girls and not calling any of you.
Immediately after our graduation, I had to travel to Russia to see my grandfather. He had been sick since my first year in college. You know about that Jazz.
I nodded.
The doctors said they tried all they could do to save grandpa but grandpa had limited time to live. I went to see him for the last time because he requested my presence and that of everyone in the family.
He wanted to see us together again for the last time before he passed. During the impromptu family gathering, he told us that he had prepared his will and on the day of his funeral, his lawyer would read it out to us.”
That night, my grandpa died after we ate together at his mansion. The whole family was heartbroken. Grandpa Jude was loved by everyone I the family and outside the family. The next day, we held his funeral. After the burial, his lawyer came to the house and read grandpas will to us.
Grandpa willed his companies to me and one of his beach houses in Hawaii, he said. There was a pause before he spoke again. I wanted to call and give you girls keep you informed on things going on but my phone went missing. I guess it was stolen and I didn't even realise it on time.
When I got a new phone, I tried your numbers, both of you, but it kept saying I couldnt reach you both. Believe me when I say for those 6 years, there has been no day that passed that I wouldn't think of you girls, he said.
I felt sorry for him. Beth looked like she was too. We both stood up and sat close to him so we could give him a hug. We stayed that way for a couple of minutes before we pulled away.