Imane

Story of Imane

Imane Harper, a 23 year old woman, sat by the grave of one of her best friends. They died two weeks ago, but Imane just couldn't get over their death. She couldn't get over the fact that they passed through her life so quickly. They were here with her, loving her, being her best friend, and now they are dead from a sudden illness. She sat by the grave, thinking of life from then on. The soft summer wind blew her hair, and the trees swayed along with her strands of brown hair. She realized she was alone with someone she felt safe with. She looked at the grave and smiled. She remembered the last thing they asked Imane to do before they died.

"You wanted me to clean up my apartment before you caught your illness! You were always such a neat freak." Imane chuckled softly, "I will go do it now... maybe I will bring you back a nice flower or something. Stay here. Well, its not like your going anywhere anyways. I will be back." Imane got up, and walked slowly back to her apartment. She passed by a few children and a teenager, a man walking his dog, an elderly woman with what must be her grandchild, and a mother with a baby in a stroller. Everyone waved as Imane went. Imane smiled back, but she was still hurting really bad from her friend's grave in the cemetery. 

It's true. Her best friend and Imane had started a cohabitation, or living together without being married, since they graduated college. They both had been on the search for jobs and they kept each other in check. They had a healthy relationship, and they couldn't have asked for better.

It was a year later that the roommate had feel sick. It was unknown what caused it, but they refused treatment. They just took some medicine and stayed in the apartment. They got worse and worse, and eventually caught onto another disease. Imane knew they were a sickly person, but this was crazy. They had died after the sickness had gotten worse and worse. They never had a strong immune system, but this was completely unexpected.

The funeral went by so fast, and they were buried in a near by cemetery

Her apartment was not that far from the cemetery, so she could visit everyday if she wanted to. She thought about it, but her job at a local cafe would get in the way. She sighed at the thought as she reached her apartment. Her job at the cafe was stressful. People were always crabby in the mornings, and sarcastic in the afternoon. She felt like kicking her door down thinking about it.

She opened her apartment with the small silver key intrusted with her. She hung up her hat and stared at her small apartment. It was a complete mess. She just wanted to flop down on the couch and not worry about it for a month. She knew she had to clean it up a some point, so she took a garbage bag and picked up empty noodle bowls and cups from a previous night with a friend of hers. She vacuumed the carpet in the small living space, and washed the coffee table. She stretched after leaning over vacuuming and cleaning for a while. She looked down and noticed she missed a cup. She went to pick it up, and saw a small box righ next to her couch.

"Where did this come from? I guess I didn't finish unpacking. I've only been here for a month. Has that much time really passed? It feels like I spent my entire life here. oh well- What's this?" Imane looked through the box and found a small brown book with a flower on it. She slowly opened the book and read:

"Property of Imane Harper. If found, return to the second grade classroom," Imane looked down and found a list of grades and homerooms. These were her elementary and high school classes. This was her diary of her young self.
"
Then that means they are in it." She whispered. She looked at her door.

"I promised that I would bring them back a small present.. maybe everyday after work I can come and read this book to them. Maybe the memories will reach them in heaven! I hope so.." Imane smiled and put the book on her table.

"Starting tomorrow, little book, your going to be the best present I have ever given to anyone..." Imane kissed the book softly, and went to bed. While she tried to fall asleep, she looked up at her white ceiling. It was peeling a bit. She tried sleeping on her side, but her arm was so sore she couldn't even shut her eyes. She roled her eyes, going back on her back. She couldn't fool around. Not now, not at night. She had work tomorrow.

The thought of work stressed her out again. She turned on her small lamp, and sat up. She looked at her nightstand, and saw the small leather book sitting there. The property of Imane Harper. The diary of her elementary self. She picked up the book, and started reading.

The next morning was a nighmare. She was late, and she was tired. She ran into the cafe, practically panting and looking like she had just woke up.

The rest of the day was even worse. Everywhere she heard;

"Imane! Hurry up with that coffee over there! You've been asleep since you got here!"

"Imane! Don't fall asleep on the job! You have a customer waiting!"

"Imane! You're giving her too much change!"

"Imane! Get that donut over here!"

The next day was rough for Imane. She could barely sleep last night. She read her entire diary three times to make sure it was a good present. She laughed at the memories with her best friends Sebestian Price and Veronica Collins. One of them was dead, but Imane was going to go cheer them up with a fun story about their lives

She usually was a great worker, but today she was getting scolded left and right. That's what she got for staying up all night, or that is atleast what she thought. Imane believed there was always a consequence for any action good or bad, so she tried her best to be a good person.

Imane didn't think so that day. She was told to take the rest of the day to relax at home. Her co-workers sensed that she was ill, and they could not have an ill worker ruining someone else's coffee or food. Imane desperately tried to convince them she was fine, but she got worse and worse as the day went by. Eventually, she was told to go home. 

Imane tried to argue, but they told her that if she argued anymore then she would be forced to take off for a week

They told her to go straight home and rest.

Imane didn't listen though. She went straight to the cemetery with her old leather diary and the dead flower in her arms. She ran as fast as she could to the cemetery, hoping she could get a few days from the diary in for this visit. Imane was not the best runner, so she was very tired from the run. She gasped for air as she approached the grave of her best friend.

I made it, and I brought a special gift like I said. I will visit you everyday starting today. You are going to relive the story of your childhood, the story of our friendship, and the story of our lives."

Imane sat down on the ground and began reading the first few pages of the book.

——————

This was going to be a short chapter on purpose.
They will be much longer soon

           -Cherri