Friends were a bizarre, volatile, contradictory, yet sticky phenomenon. They were made, crafted, shaped, molded, created by focused effort and intent. And yet, true friendship, once recognized, in its essence was effortless. She and Sam had been friends for as long as she could remember. He was sticky and whereas she preferred solitude. She was stingy with her words and on the other hand, he talked too much. But if she needed a shoulder to lean on, he would be the first one to offer apart from her family. That was their friendship: equal parts irritation and cooperation.

“Why are you here, Sam? I mean in Beijing.” She asked him.

“Why I can’t be here my dear best friend?”He retorted.

“Last I heard someone was whining not to return here again, ” She replied.

“Says the woman who swore to never marry.”He fired back.

Ouch! The idiot still knew how to press her sore point.

” You know yèyè, wishes to see me married and whatever he wishes he gets.” She could say no to her father but could never refuse her grandfather for anything.

He stared at her face for a long period before saying ” you don’t have to marry Long Jie against your wish. If he wants to see married, you can simply marry me and his wish will be fulfilled”.

“If you marry me then what about Cao Feng?” I questioned him.

“What about him?” He answered his question with another question. A few moments later, he realized what she meant and his eyes widened.

“You think I’m interested in Cao Feng? Your Assistant and most importantly, A man?”

“Aren’t you Sammy boy? ” She asked him. Fan Bingbing had liked Sam for years but he never responded to her feelings. She proposed to him many times, but was badly rejected. Heck, he even said that he would rather prefer Cao Feng than her. Since then Bingbing told everyone that he was gay but she still drooled after him.

“I really want to punch your pretty face now” he warned me.” You are not focussing on the subject of the conversation. Zhenyi, are you listening to me? Cancel the marriage the damm contract or you can elope with me”

” Damm you, Sam. Can’t you see I don’t love you romantically and don’t wish to marry you either”

” But I love you zhenyi if not romantically but at least as a best friend. I promised godmother that I will always look after you”

His godmother, Her mother. Unfortunately, she was dead and those who were dead, their words held no weight.

“I am not a child Sam. I know what’s right and what’s wrong for me. She is dead, Sam. She died years ago and stop quoting her everywhere”

“Zhen-“

” Now Sam you hear me loud and clear. I’m going to marry Long Jie and no one can stop me not even you.”

He left the room after a while. She knew he was concerned about her but he couldn’t stop her. She checked the time, it was ten-fifteen, and sleep was the last thought on her mind. However, She lied on the bed and slowly drifted to deep slumber.