Episode4
1292 Words
THE UNEXPECTED BOND
As Sophia and Jasper’s bond grew stronger, love and romance crept in. Although both of them were miles away from each other, the midnight chats and calls continued, making their feelings for each other grow even stronger.
It was already midnight, and Sophia and Jasper were texting as usual. They were having an interesting conversation that night about health.
Sophia mentioned to Jasper that she had undergone appendix surgery and how she had nearly died before discovering it was appendicitis. She took a picture of the scar and sent it to him.
“Oh, this looks fresh. I’m sure it doesn’t hurt anymore,” Jasper said.
“Sometimes it hurts, but trust me, I’m totally fine now,” Sophia replied.
The surgery had been done a few months before university resumed, so she had to stop doing strenuous work to allow the inner wound to heal.
Jasper hesitated for a moment before typing.
“I’ve actually had this health condition since I was little. I hate talking about it, but I just have to let you know that I’m asthmatic.”
Sophia gasped.
“Oh my goodness! That’s the most unexpected thing I thought you’d say. Since when did it start?”
“Since I was ten. I think it came from the shock of losing my dad. It hasn’t stopped since then,” Jasper replied.
“How do you cope with it? Does it happen regularly, or do you manage it well?” Sophia asked.
“I thank God for life. I take medications that help me manage it.”
Jasper’s health challenges started immediately after he lost his father. Unlike many asthmatic patients, he didn’t use an inhaler.
Instead, he managed the condition with medication. Whenever he had an asthma attack, he usually stayed offline for days while recovering. Cold weather, dust, and extreme heat often triggered his attacks, so he avoided anything that could make him sick.
“I’m so sorry about that,” Sophia said sympathetically.
“Thank you, my love. I don’t like how this conversation has gone from lively to dull. Enough about me. What did you eat?” Jasper asked.
“Just the remaining jollof rice in the pot. I think I’m still hungry, but I’ll eat in the morning,” Sophia replied.
“Alright, you should get some sleep. You’ve stayed up talking to me. I would’ve loved to kiss you right now, but you’re so far away. That would be the first thing I’d do whenever I see you.”
Sophia smiled.
“I’d love that too. You have tempting lips. I should sleep now. Goodnight. Don’t stay up all night; get some sleep too.”
Jasper grinned as another thought crossed his mind.
“What if my hands were to slide into your dress and touch those boobs while we kiss?”
“Jasper!” Sophia exclaimed. “Don’t put me in a mood, you won’t be able to get me out of it!”
Jasper laughed hard before typing,
“Goodnight, damsel.”
“Goodnight to you,” she replied.
Both of them eventually went to bed. However, after opening up about his health, Jasper couldn’t stop thinking about it. He wondered whether telling Sophia had been the right decision. At one point, he almost regretted revealing it, but deep down, he knew honesty was the best foundation for whatever they were building. They weren’t dating yet, but they had already agreed to be open and truthful with each other.
The next morning, Jennifer—the K-drama freak—was busy watching another series while Sophia wandered around the room, trying to figure out how to tell her what Jasper had shared. She already knew how Jennifer would react.
“Why are you pacing around, girl?” Jennifer asked. “Sit down or find something to do with your life. It’s still early. Or is there a problem?”
“There’s something I need to tell you. Promise me you’re not going to judge me or laugh,” Sophia said as she sat beside her on the bed.
“I just hope it’s not about that boy,” Jennifer replied.
“Can you stop? I’m being serious.”
“Okay, I’m all ears. Go on.”
Sophia took a deep breath.
“Jasper is asthmatic.”
Jennifer burst into laughter.
“What’s funny?” Sophia asked.
“The last time I checked, you two aren’t dating. And if you’re planning to, just abort that mission because I was never in support of it, and I’m still not.”
“What do you mean?” Sophia asked. “Asthma isn’t a death sentence, and it’s not contagious. People manage it so well that if they didn’t tell you, you probably wouldn’t even know.”
“Girl, you must be joking,” Jennifer replied. “Do you realize that people die every day because of asthma?”
“You’re educated. Why do you sound like this?” Sophia asked.
“Don’t get me pissed, please. You haven’t dated all the guys in the world, and now you want to date an asthmatic? Not under my watch!”
“Enough!” Sophia shouted. “It’s okay. You’ve said enough nonsense. I didn’t expect to hear this from you. I regret telling you.”
“Exactly. You shouldn’t have,” Jennifer replied.
Sophia stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind her. She was deeply hurt by Jennifer’s insensitive comments.
That day was unusually cold between the two friends. Neither of them spoke to the other until the following morning. They both had a quiz and needed to leave for school early.
“Girl,” Jennifer began, “I know I sounded insensitive yesterday. Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. Besides, I would never knowingly ruin something that could make you happy.”
Sophia remained silent for a few moments.
“Aren’t you going to say anything?” Jennifer asked.
“Everything you said yesterday, you meant it. So what’s the point of apologizing? I don’t even know why you’re hating on an innocent boy.”
“It’s just my first impression,” Jennifer replied. “Remember you told me he was rude to you at first? I just don’t like guys like that. You know how I feel about nonchalant men.”
“I’ve heard you,” Sophia said quietly. “I just don’t have much to say.”
“So we’re really going to keep giving each other the silent treatment? I’m sorry, na.”
“Look, Jennifer, we’re good. I’m not talking about this Jasper matter again, please.”
“It’s fine. We should get ready so we don’t miss the quiz.”
“That’s true. I don’t even know what to wear,” Jennifer said as she walked toward the wardrobe.
That was how the two girls finally broke the silence between them.
They went to school, returned home later that day, and talked about how difficult the quiz had been.
“That man is just too wicked to be a lecturer,” Jennifer complained.
“You’re talking as if you don’t know him,” Sophia replied. “I heard a final-year student who was supposed to graduate about four years ago is still coming back to write his paper because of carryovers.”
“At this point, I think he’s doing it intentionally,” Jennifer said. “That’s really bad. I just pray he doesn’t see us.”
“Exactly. That’s the point. I’m famished. We should get something to eat.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll do the cooking. Consider it another way of apologizing.”
Sophia laughed.
“You’re not serious.”
Jennifer smiled and headed into the kitchen to prepare their meal.
- Writer
