Friends Never Go

   "Have you ever seen that I'm not okay?" Jessi asked back still in the same position.

   Cleo looked at Rere who was looking at Jessi. His heart was getting worried seeing how his best friend was now. So far he had never seen Jessi this messed up. Always look perfect and fine. No wonder he wanted to quickly meet Jessi.

    Rere gripped Jessi's hand tighter. Channeling calm so he can tell the truth about everything.

   "I met Disha at the mall earlier," said Jessi suddenly.

   Cleo and Rere frowned in confusion. They didn't know whether to believe it or not, because Jessi said it with a strange face. Like thinking of something else. Cleo and Rere are afraid that Jessi is just hallucinating because of her problem.

   "You don't believe it does you?" Jessi caught the doubt in her two best friends' eyes.

   Cleo immediately returned to focus on his coffee while Rere was still looking at him the same. He was never afraid to face anything, let alone help his friend who was in trouble.

    "I also met Evelyn at the convenience store," said Rere, which this time surprised Jessi.

   "Lyn?"

   "Yes," replied Rere calmly. He wanted to see what Jessi's reaction would be. Not only Jessi but Cleo was also surprised. He thought that his best friend was joking.

   "I also met Vanesha earlier," said Cleo who immediately received a shocking glare from Rere and Jessi.

   "Are you serious about seeing Vanes?" asked Rere unsure. How could he immediately trust one of his friends?

    Cleo was confused about what to answer. Why is the situation so serious now? His intention was only to joke by mentioning one more woman's name that was left behind.

   "You're not joking, are you?" he asked innocently.

   "I'm not joking. I met Disha earlier at the mall with Fauzan," answered Jessi quickly.

   "I also actually met Evelyn earlier with Satria," added Rere afterward.

    "Oh, that means I'm the only one joking. I'm joking Re. After all, I don't know how Vanesha's face it, I don't know," Cleo replied then for fear of seeing Rere's sharp gaze.

   Rere and Jessi sighed at the same time. Then back to their coffee. Leaving Cleo who just silently thought. I don't know what he was thinking either.

    "Jes, what's your heart made of? How come you still look fine after all this?" Rere asked finally saying what his heart wanted to say.

   It felt like Jessi had been too good to everyone and kept her wounds to herself. Don't humans especially women need a friend to pour out all their complaints? It is the best mental therapy for yourself. Do not keep the problem alone and even make yourself stressed.

   Jessi chuckled at Rere's question which sounded funny to her ears. They didn't know what he had done before he met them. What looks fine is not necessarily the case. What looks like he is laughing widely is not necessarily laughing at an artificial joke, he could be laughing at the fate that has happened to him.

    Cleo also looked at Jessi wanting to see how she would react. Honestly, his heart never calmed down when he saw Jessi silent with a flat look. Jessi is not a cheerful person all the time like her, but, Cleo knows and understands the situation when Jessi is not okay.

   "It would be hypocritical to say I'm fine. Because in reality, I'm more devastated than you think."

   Rere and Cleo both gasped when the woman's face was lifted and there was only emptiness in her eyes. It wasn't Jessi's warm gaze that she always showed every day.

   Cleo immediately touched Jessi's shoulder. His heart ached to see how broken he was. This was the umpteenth time Jessi was fragile in front of them.

   "Jess, you need stories. You need support. You need to be heard. And we're ready for that. We're ready to be your ears, your shoulders, your diary. Don't worry we'll mind. Not at all. why Jess," said Cleo slowly. Her lips were smiling even though her eyes were teary.

   Rere joined Jessi's right hand and channeled positive energy and strength through her hand. He tightly gripped the pale white hand that felt cold.

    "Thank you. You've tried so hard to always be there. But, you only need to know the current Jessi. It's not that I don't believe in you, but it would be better if you didn't know," Jessi replied softly. He never wanted to make it difficult for others because his life story was not worth telling.

   Rere and Cleo tried to understand. He didn't want to force Jessi to do what they wanted. It's enough for him to have a lot of burdens, don't add to the problem. It was enough for them to be just a place to go home to for Jessica.

   ***

   "Let's just take you home, Jess!"

    "No, you don't have to. After all, my house is also close to here. You guys should go home first, it's getting late."

   "Okay, okay then. You be careful, okay! When you get home, tell us right away," replied Cleo to which Jessi nodded her head.

   Before entering the car, Rere first hugged his best friend's body tightly. Shifting all the prestige he had. He just realized that Jessi's body was getting thinner and smaller than before.

    "Remember, Jess! There's us. There's me and Cleo, just remember that!"

   Jessi once again nodded her head in exasperation. Because it turns out that God is still kind enough to give him a selfless friend.

   "Thank you again, Re. I'm happy to know you," Jessi replied after letting go of her hug. Then let Rere and Cleo leave alone.

    His family is not as harmonious as other families. His love relationship is not as smooth as others. However, Jessi has enough reasons to remain grateful because she is still given two friends who are very understanding, caring, and always there for her. The thing Jessi feared the most in this world was losing. He always hoped that if he just let them lose himself as long as he didn't lose them.

    Cleo and Rere don't know all the problems that Jessi has and is currently facing. They both never knew how Jessi would survive in this cruel world. But, they were enough to give Jessi a reason to stay and continue to survive.

   A drop of water fell from his eye. Jessi quickly erased it, not wanting anyone to see it. Best friends will never leave, Jessi hopes that. Not only them for him but also himself for them.