My Ex is my Bestfriend

"Miss Cass.. " Layla managed to say in her weakening voice. Layla is part of the first batch of cancer patients under the care of the hospital. She is the strongest and most cheerful among them. Seeing her this weak, it took all my courage not to cry in front of her.

"Hey kiddo. Feeling good? " What dumb question was that.

"Of course. I feel so light. I feel like flying. Could you accompany me going down? I'd like to witness the party for the last time."

I choked back tears. I smiled and answered, "Sure baby girl. Do you need help to change clothes?"

Layla laughed, a sweet music to my ears. Someday, we won't be able to hear this. "I'd like to do things alone now, I want to try doing this before I go."

My eyes are burning. Any minute now and I'd be wailing like a pig. "Okay. I'll just be outside. " I immediately turned and got out.

Before going in her room, Mr. Ryan told me that Layla may not live long now. Chemotherapy failed again and her body's at her limit. Layla asked them to just stop because she's sick of being sick. She says she'll be happy in whatever happens to her in the future. She says she'll just have to spend the rest of her life doing things she had never done before.

I stood just outside her door when a voice I never dreamt again to hear shattered my mood.

"Hey Cass! "

I froze. My instincts told me to run, hide or kick him. But pride won. I steeled myself and turned around, meeting his gaze. I thought I won't be seeing him here. I moved far away just to prevent this from happening. And here I found myself, facing him again. Such fate.

"Hey. "

"It's been a long time. How have you been? " Long time my ass. Its just over three months. So happy that you have moved on completely.

"Everything's good. You?" And why am I encouraging the conversation?

"Pretty good too. Why are you here? Did you visit someone here?"

"Uh no. I'm teaching the kids that frequently visit the children here."

"Oh I see. Well that's good. You know, I just moved in here just a couple of weeks ago. You know, I just graduated-" He was interrupted by Layla. Oh very good girl. Thank you so much for saving my face.

"Miss Cass, I'm ready."

"Oh very good. Let's go then." I did not glance back at him. Because I don't know what to say. See you? No I don't want to see you again. Thanks? What am I thanking for? Goodbye? Nah. Just leave him standing there. I don't want to know what emotion he's showing in his face right now. I don't wanna.