I looked outside the plane window, entranced by the little buildings and water bodies below. I stole a quick glance at Shenji, who was engrossed in a magazine. Well, I believe he was pretending to be. I knew he was hiding something. I wanted to lighten up the mood with a joke, but nothing popped up in my head.
Shenji had always been different from other teenage boys like myself. He rarely spoke and was always reading books—from romance to horror. I heard rumours that he attended a boarding-system elementary school and was always the top student. I attended a normal, fun elementary school, which rivalled his, though they won most of our competitions.
I was surprised when they told me I wasn't the only one who was hand-picked for a middle-school full scholarship to the Sakura School for Young Minds in Japan. To worsen the case, my scholarship lasted until the end of middle school, while Shenji's lasted all the way through college.
We clicked, to my own surprise, in that school. We travelled to Japan together from New York and even stayed in the same dorm room. He took great interest in my art, and I took great interest in some of the books he read. Though Shenji had some Japanese ancestry, we both struggled to learn the language. In fact, even now, we could only speak in simple phrases.
Surprisingly enough, we crossed middle school with minimal problems. Shenji remained one of the top scorers, with me trailing close behind.
In a flash, we were having our graduation party in a popular restaurant near our school. For me, this was going to be my last week there; I was leaving in a few days for high school back home in New York. I partied like my life was on the line and pulled Shenji with me the whole time. He decided to continue high school in Japan. The party was lit with different activities ranging from video game competitions to indoor table tennis to spin the bottle.
We retired at the bar once we got tired. Shenji killed time debating with one of our classmates about ramen flavours. I gawked at some hot high school chicks who had invaded the party. I smiled, satisfied; I couldn't wait for high school.
A ringing sound interrupted Shenji. After a brief argument, he excused himself to take the call outside. I wondered who was calling him. He had only gotten a few calls from relatives back in New York; but as I said, the calls were only a few.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts and continued to admire nature's gifts.
Shenji soon reappeared through the door, all the colour drained from his face. He slumped down on the seat beside me, ignoring his fellow debater's claims that "Hot Cheese N' Chicken" was the best ramen flavour.
"Shenji? Anything wrong?" I enquired.
"Everything's fine," he said.
"You sur—"
"I'm coming with you. You know—like back to New York."
I tried to understand what he'd said. He was going back with me… to New York.
"Bro, what about your scholarship?" I asked.
"I've already arranged for it to be terminated. The management were kind enough to pay for my plane ticket back. They even added a monthly allowance to the mix. Well, that's it. I'll come back for college."
"But—why go back?"
He shook his arm nervously.
"I just have to… okay."
"I'm still worried, y'know, but it's cool."
He nodded.
"I'm going back to the dorms."
"Let's go then. I'm beat."
I got down from my chair. Shenji was about to retaliate; he probably wanted me to stay there and have fun. I gave him a "shut up" look and walked away.
---
"We're almost at our destination."
I was back home, baby! I got excited chills. I wanted to jump off the plane and kiss the ground, then get a cab and head straight to my older sister's place.
I turned to see how Shenji looked in the seat next to me, and I regretted it instantly. I forgot about New York altogether once I saw Shenji's sullen expression.
"Shenji—tell me what's wrong. Tell me the real reason you decided to come back," I said.
He stared at his boots, trying to hide his face.
"Theo… well, I came back because—as you see—I got a call."
He paused.
"My family. They're dead. All of them."
My heart sank.
"Shenji, this is not the right time to goof off."
"I'm serious!" he almost shouted. "You really think I'd make jokes about this?"
The com rang.
"We have successfully landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. All passengers, please make your way off the plane."
I got up and picked up my backpack.
"No wait! Shenji. I'm sorry, okay!" I said.
A few passengers started to look our way. Shenji shook his head and walked off. He stopped and spoke, his back still towards me.
"Just leave me alone for a bit, okay? I'm going back to my old home to check things out. Send my regards to Edna."
He took the stairs to the exit of the plane, leaving me with mixed feelings: sadness, regret, self-disappointment, and despair.
The truth hit me like a log. Shenji had actually lost everyone in his family at once. He had no one left, and when he decided to confide in me, I took it for a joke.
I grabbed my stuff and dashed outside. I searched everywhere for Shenji.
Boxes. Passengers. Cranes. Suitcases…
No sign of him. I was too late.
I brought out my phone and hovered my thumb over the call button.
"No," my conscience advised, "let's leave him alone for now."
I stuffed my phone in my pocket once more and went to the main airport to retrieve my luggage.
"Don't worry, Theo," I whispered to myself. "Shenji's going to be just fine."