You're not alone!

I looked at his face as he held my hand. He was as white as a ghost and his tiny little hand was shivering against mine. He looked up at me with eyes full of tears. I knelt down beside him and wiped his tears. He had been through too much for a seven year old.

“Don’t worry Nathan! It’s going to be ok,” I managed to say. He nodded, speechless. I stood up and turned back to face the room full of crowded people. Everyone’s eyes were glued on the little boy standing beside me. I sighed. Can’t these people just stop staring? Didn’t they know that they are freaking him out?

“Come on Nathan,” I said as I walked towards the front of the court room, Nathan following beside me. We took our seats in the second row, facing the judge. I could feel everyone’s gaze fixed on us. On Nathan...! The little boy who got stuck in between his parent’s divorce! This is far too much pressure for a seven year old. But he was handling it well, I thought. He was a strong kid.

I closed my eyes and pictured the first day I looked at the little boy sitting next to me. His mother, Jessie, was one of my best friends. I had known her since first grade. I was by Jessie’s side when she had delivered. Jessie’s husband, Matt, was mostly away; out of the country on business matters. He had not been around when Jessie had given birth to their son. He had been too busy to even come down when he heard his son’s name. Jessie had named me Nathan’s God mother, and right now I was doing exactly what a good God mother should do. I was looking after Nathan, guarding him, loving him, supporting him throughout his parent’s divorce. But there was one problem... Jessie and Matt could divide anything between them, but how could they divide Nathan?

“Rianna,” Nathan said, as he held on to my hand tightly. I looked at him. “Will this end everything?” he asked innocently. “Will mom and dad stop fighting after today?” I felt my heart burn with affection for the little boy. I nodded, forcing a smile on myself.
“And they would be together? Is that what the judge is going to do? Ask mom and dad to stop fighting?” I didn’t answer, but smiled at him. Nathan seemed happier after that, but only for a little while.

I watched Nathan cry silently as the case began. Lawyers spoke in and out about Matt and Jessie, and about all the bad things they have done to each other. Matt and Jessie were there, but both of them seemed to be more interested in thrashing words at each other, rather than giving one loving look at their son. I put my hand around Nathan’s shoulder. He cried harder and harder. In few minutes, the decision was made. Jessie and Matt were legally separated! But then, the hard part arrived. Who will have Nathan?

Jessie’s lawyer argued by saying how Jessie had always looked after Nathan whenever Matt was away. She had given birth without her husband by her side! Matt’s lawyer argued by saying Jessie couldn’t have afforded a good hospital to give birth if Matt hadn’t worked so hard. Also whenever Matt came home after long trips he used to bring a separate luggage full of gifts for his son.

“Being rich is not everything!” Jessie’s lawyer said. “A child wants his father to be there!”
“Matt has been a good father!” Matt’s lawyer said. “Why don’t we ask Nathan who loves him most!” The crowd turned to look at the judge, who was thoughtful for a moment.
“That’s it!” The judge said. “We shall ask the child! Nathan, could you please walk up to me, son?” He was looking directly at Nathan.

I couldn’t believe what was happening. I stood up to escort Nathan towards the judge. Nathan stood up, tears still rolling down his tiny little cheeks.

“You can tell the judge exactly what you want ok?” I whispered to him as we walked towards the judge.
“Nathan,” the judge said loud and clear. Everyone looked up, eager to hear what was coming next. “Who do you love the most in this world?”
“My mom and dad!” The innocent little voice answered.
“If I asked, who do you love the most out of your mom and dad, who would you chose? You can chose only one of them,” The judge asked. I felt Nathan’s heartbeat rising. “Answer me Nathan.” The judge’s voice was kind, but steady.
“I love both of them!” Nathan answered. I looked at Jessie and Matt from the corner of my eye. Jessie was crying, and Matt looked crushed. At least they loved their son even a little bit.
“I love both of them, and I want both of them!” he screamed. “Please don’t separate my parents!” Nathan started crying until he couldn’t speak.
“Your honour! This is too much for a little boy to take!” I told the judge, as I carried Nathan back to our seats. He didn’t argue.

Finally the decision was made. The decision shocked all of us. Until Matt and Jessie came to an agreement on who took Nathan, he was to stay under custody! They would find a foster care home for him. I didn’t like it. I thought for a moment, and before I realised what I was doing, I stood up.

“I’ll take care of him!” I said. I felt the crowd watch me with oooh’s and aaah’s from the last row. “He doesn’t have to stay with a bunch of people he doesn’t know! I’ve looked after him for as long as I can remember! I can do this!”

There was a moment of silence. The judge and the lawyers of both parties engaged themselves in a silent conversation. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the lawyers moved back and the judge cleared his throat.

“Very well!” he said. “I believe you are his God mother?”
“Yes!” I answered.
“Nathan will live with you, until his parents come to an agreement,” The judge said. “You will treat him as your own, and his parents are allowed to visit at any time!” I nodded as I smiled. I looked at Nathan, and I felt happy that he was wiping all his tears. The decision was finalised.

I took Nathan home with me that night. Matt and Jessie never came to an agreement, but kept on fighting. They visited Nathan often, but after couple of years they reduced the number of visits, until they completely stopped coming. Later on I heard they had both re married. But it didn’t bother me! I was happy, and so was Nathan. He loved me as much as he loved his own mother or even more. He never complained once, but was grateful that I had taken him in when he needed someone the most. He was not alone, and neither was I. I had made his life perfect! And today he was a sixteen year old, getting ready for his first date. I watched him dress up. I let him borrow my car.

“I’ll be home soon,” he said, and I smiled.
“Enjoy!” I said, as I kissed him on the cheek, before I watched him disappear out of the door.

A very special gift from God

Facebook… It’s a word that has touched so many young hearts in the modern world. This is the number one way of keeping in touch with all your friends. In the same way, you also get to meet new friends. I was a Facebook addict, and this is how I met my best friend Ryan.

Ryan and I had worked in the same company for more than two years but surprisingly had never met each other. On that day when I had the friend request from him I wondered who he was. After looking at his picture I realized that I had seen him around in office. I accepted the request with doubts in my mind of what sort of a person he was, but soon I realized that the decision I made that day, was hundred percent the right thing to do! It was far more the best thing I’ve ever done, as that simple friend request led into a life time of a beautiful friendship.

Ryan and I started chatting online, and each time we chatted we ended up with lots of laughter. We spoke about our families, work, and even our own separate love lives. My heart and mind felt relaxed with him. Stress just disappeared. I was not worried about anything. I was happier than ever, and I knew that so was he.

However in between the happiness I found out that Ryan, unlike me, had a heart breaking past. He lost both his parents three years back, and had since lived with his mother’s sister. His aunt loved him a lot, but Ryan felt lonely as he had no parents or siblings. He eased his pain by talking to me even more often. By this time Ryan had taken a very special place in my heart, and surprisingly had become one of my best friends.

Then one day Ryan told me something that made my heart stop. Ryan had a very rare heart condition, where one side of his heart was very weak. He had had it since birth, but had found out only couple of years back and had continuously taken medication for it. He was due for an operation in two months time and had to fly overseas for this to be done. I was worried. I prayed for him whenever I thought of him. Ryan always spoke as if that very day was the last day of his life. He believed he was going to die. But I didn’t! I knew God wouldn’t take him away right now. God made us meet in a very unusual way, and ended up making us best friends. God couldn’t take him away from me just like that! I didn’t want him to.

The problem with having a heart disease was the very fact that there was a high risk involved in the operation. I was worried because I knew Ryan was suffering. Every night he suffered from chest pains. A simple cold or cough could make him feel worse. The operation had to be done; the risk had to be taken. I prayed for him over and over, and I asked him to do the same. If there was one person who could make his pain disappear, it was God! I knew it!

Months passed in a flash, and I had to say goodbye to Ryan as he left the country one week prior to the operation. He asked me to be safe, and promised me that he would call me as soon as the operation was done. I was happy that his aunt was going with him, as I knew it would make him stronger. I spent most of my day praying. I did lots of charity work, behalf of Ryan, praying for a cure. I was worried as I had not heard from him since the day he left, but I also knew that God was watching over him for me. And I was confident that he would be cured.

Finally it was the day of the operation. I woke up in the morning and ran to church. I asked Jesus to watch over my best friend, who was now at the operation theatre. I had tears in my eyes as I looked at the clock. Time passed, and I felt eased as I came home. Something about that hour in church made me feel good. I felt that everything was going to be ok. After a long sigh, I smiled. I thought about the way Ryan used to come on Facebook, just to chat with me and bug me. I had enjoyed those conversations so much. I smiled to myself, thinking of the way Ryan used to be there for me whenever I needed a friend. He had once stayed up all night just because I was stuck at work doing overtime, and he could not sleep until I had safely reached home.

There it was… The call I had expected! My mobile was ringing! I ran and answered the call.
“Ryan!” I said. I was breathless, but was full of hope.
“Don’t worry!” he said. “The operation was successful. I’m gonna live forever!”

I smiled in between tears of happiness. God had answered my prayer! My best buddy was alright. Now we could be friends forever. Life was amazing. We get so many ups and downs, but there would always be a happy ending. I waited impatiently for Ryan to come back. Then we could meet again, have a coffee, hang out in the same way we always have. I smiled. This was far most the biggest gift I’ve ever received from God. God had given me my best friend back!