Chapter 36
I pursed my lips, sitting in our regular coffee shop, watching my best friend, without the usual glow in her eyes. "Thank you for coming."

She was dressed in a trendy above the knee red dress and flats. Imade's nose flared. "I didn't have a choice. Tife made me. That mean little thing." I chuckled. Her lips curled up slightly, before she quickly wore a tiny frown. "So what now?"

"I'm here to apologize. I really messed up. I broke your trust and I didn't have faith in you. You deserved much better than that. I was just afraid." I muttered whole heartedly.

Imade pressed her lips tightly. "I'm not mad at you. Not since I got home and laid on my bed to think. I'm mad at myself, and I've been too ashamed to meet you and say this."

I felt relief wash all over me. I hastily took her hand. "Why would you be mad at yourself or ashamed?"

"I should be old enough to deal with my problems, but I still mess things up. I've been holding on to a lie that's keeping my whole family on the edge because of me. I caused this and it's embarrassing. That's why I decided to tell my parents the whole truth yesterday."

Wow. That was huge. Tife hadn't had the chance to tell me that. "How was their reaction? "

"Mom was crying. Dad was pissed. Nothing I didn't expect, but I felt lighter. Like a whole weight has been shifted off me."

I beamed. "That's amazing, Imade."

Her lips twitched. "I hope so. I just want to make things right. Undo my mistakes. I didn't want to disappoint my parents with the truth, but I didn't realize the long lasting effect on me. I cut, out of guilt. I know it's reckless and stupid, but when I hurt myself, I feel like I'm getting what I deserve for tricking my parents."

My heart sunk. "Don't say that."

"No, it's fine. It's been okay to let it out. That's what my new therapist says. I need to admit to myself, whether it hurts or not. I don't completely blame you for hiding everything, I just wish you told me."

I nodded. "I have learnt my lesson. I am sorry. I hope we can start afresh. Trust each other. Be each other's rock. Tell each other the truth."

When I saw the grin on her face, I felt another surge in me. Our friendship was going to be okay. I could feel it. "We're going to be fine. I'm not going to throw all these years of your support and love away, just because of this. You've been there through my weight gain, the everyone-thought-it-was-a-suicide incidents, bad relationships, weight loss, and the rest. And I've been there through your break ups and make ups, through your past failed business and through your eventual business success. We've stuck by each other, I'm not going to let this determine us. Besides, I love you and you're my best friend. Why would I let you go?"

I grinned back. "I love you too, Immy bunny."

She stuck out her tongue. "Yuck. I hate that nickname."

"Too bad, the nickname loves you."

She twirled her spoon in her coffee mug slowly. "Speaking of love, tell me, how are things going with you and Tife. That little thing doesn't tell me anything. I was hoping to get the details from you." My lips parted slightly, Imade caught my hesitant look. "No need to be hesitant to talk about love, around me. I've sworn off relationships for a while. I'm on a new medication, with a new diagnosis and I'm taking care of me first. Nothing else matters. So don't worry, I'm not going to break. I'm stronger than you think."

I caught something in her sentence, she may have tried to roll over. "What's your new diagnosis."

Tears stung in her eyes. "BPD. Borderline personality disorder. Can you believe it?"

My eyes squeezed, holding back my tears. I looked at her face. Despite the pain all over, I knew she was stronger. "I don't know what that is, but I'll do my research. You're not alone, you know that. You have me."

She nodded, wiping whatever tears dared to spill out. "I know that. I haven't told Tife yet. I'll tell him today, so can you refrain from telling your boyfriend, for the time being?"

My cheeks tinged. I was still getting used to calling that sexy hunk of a man my boyfriend and it really felt good knowing he's all mine. "Well I'm proud of you, either way."

Imade grinned. "Dad had Victor thrown in jail. He wasn't having any of it. You know how much dad didn't like him, so he found so much joy having him locked up."

I threw my head back, laughing. "Your family's crazy."

"So crazy. Too bad, we're still so messed up."

She took a sip of her coffee. I knew I needed to comfort her. "Give it time. It'll get better. You all have made the first step. Admitting to each other. Everything else would fall into place, but it would take time."

Imade smiled. Her old beautiful radiant smile. I'd never been happier to see it. "I know. I have time. I'll hold on to that."

.....
With our hands interlaced, Tife and I walked side by side to the headstone before us. My eyes trailed to the name.
                    Boluwatife Johnson Jnr.
                              2014 - 2018
               Loving son with a heart of gold.

Both of us had been here before. Tife properly let himself mourn the loss of his son. The son he hid from the world out of fear. Only this time, both of us weren't here alone. We had his whole family here with him. We were all dressed in black and the sadness glued to our faces, like a second skin. His mom held onto his dad's arm wailing loudly while his dad, the ever composed millionaire, wept softly. I had never seen him cry before, but this broke the whole family's heart.

Imade spoke, with tears brimming her eyes. "I guess it was his time."

Tife mumbled. "I guess it was."

I squeezed his hand gently. "Are you okay?"

He pecked my forehead lovingly. "I've never felt better. I'm relieved to have everyone I love here with me. I never thought I could be bold enough to come here. Twice. I know he's in a better place and I'm happy to share this moment with my family. Thank you for being there through my whole family's drama. Thank you for helping whenever you could. Thank you for loving me, despite it all."

I looked up at his handsome face. He had no idea how much HE'D done in my life. "I'll do everything all over again in a heartbeat, because you have been a rock and my friend through it all. I'm glad I could be there for you."

His dad mumbled. "Okay, guys. Come on, let's go home."

I whispered to Tife, watching the others go. "Do you think they'll be okay?"

"We're a work in progress, so we'll figure ourselves out. I know we will."

He turned his head to give final farewell to his son. My heart glowed for the man he had become. The man I loved. We both grew from who we used to be, and now, like he said, were a work in progress, and we still had a lot to do to become better. Imade believed in that too. We needed to evolve. We didn't mind. In fact, we were looking forward to it. All three of us.

THE END

*****
Oh wow. The journey is finally over. "Pulling your heartstrings" is complete. I sincerely love this book and how much of my heart it tugs. Tife and Nara are a true OTP and I love how they challenge one another.
Thanks to all my readers out there.
Xoxo
Jasmine