The alarm went off and Evy still feeling a little drowsy picked up her phone to snooze the alarm by thirty more minutes, she needed a little sleep time as she was up till late night studying and working remotely. She knew an extra thirty minutes of sleep will mean her missing her first lecture for the day but she was willing to take the risk and damn all other consequences. Before she could get into the sleep proper, her phone rang. At 5:00am? who could be this unfortunate? Evy cursed.
She managed to peep and saw it was Sheila her childhood besty, there was a brief tussle as to why would Sheila be calling at such odd hour. Evy knew responding to the call will mean kissing her sleep bye bye but then what if it's an emergency and Sheila needs help.
With her eyes still half closed to prevent the sleep from going off, she picked up the phone and grudgingly said Hello?
Hey babe guess what? Sheila anxiously said feeling all hyper and excited.
Evy rolled her eyes and responded: You know guessing is not my strong suit so out with it already.
Something big is coming to town Sheila said with a tone of mischievousness.
If you are not going to talk, I will end this call because I will not beg for any details of whatever you have going on. Evy responded in a harsh tone as the the sleep she was trying to preserve has gone off already.
Ok wait Sheila pleaded, I will tell you but why so angry?
What do you mean why so angry? did you check the time before calling me? did it not occur to you it's odd to call at this time when its not an emergency? Evy fired back almost yelling at Sheila.
But this is an emergency Sheila said in a sad tone. I don't like the tone of your voice and I'm going to go off now.
The line beeped and the call went off.
Evy let out a deep hiss and said I don't blame you, I blame myself for even responding to your call knowing how unserious you can be.
The alarm went off for the thirty minutes it was snoozed for and Evy had no choice than to prepare for lectures, she didn't even get to sleep and was even more angry at Sheila for interrupting her sleep without stating her business. She picked up her toiletries and headed straight to the bathroom to freshen up.
By few minutes past 7:00am, Evy was ready for a lecture slated for 9:00am. Luckily Evy was able to meet up with the first lecture and just before the lecturer got into class, she overheard her coursemates talking about an interesting competition that is coming up and the mouth watering prize. Evy's mind immediately went to Sheila's call, could it be what Sheila was trying to tell me? well let me make further enquiry she thought to herself. But as she turned to call the attention of her coursemate sharing the information, the lecturer walked in and that was the end of the discussion.
Usually after lectures Evy would stop by at the school library to get abreast with one or two books in her field of study but on this particular day, she was anxious to know what's going on as she seem to be the odd one out. She tried reaching out to Sheila but there was no response and she knew Sheila was still angry over their little quarrel so she stopped by the fruit market and got Sheila a fruit tray to apologize. She knew how much Sheila loves exotic and mixed fruit and she made sure to include in the tray all the fruits that Sheila loves.
She got to Sheila's house and was ushered in by the security guard. Sheila is an only child left with a mansion by the beach and a thriving business after the untimely demise of her parents at sea.
Is she in? Evy asked the security guard as he made attempt to help her with her excess baggages.
Oh no don't worry about that I can manage Evy continued. Is your madam in Evy asked again.
Yes, she's upstairs in her study should I inform her you are around?
No don't worry, I can find my way Evy said as she made her way upstairs to Sheila's study.
The door opened slowly and the creeking got Sheila's attention, she wondered who that could be as she stood up to find out, she saw Evy struggling with the fruit tray and her bag, as well as the door handle.
Oh you came bearing gift yay! Sheila said void of emotions.
Can you at least help a damsel in distress? Evy said flashing a weak smile as she was already tired from carrying all that load.
She walked over to help her and they both went to her study.
Sheila was about to start devouring the fruits when Evy rushed her and said so out with it already what's the big thing coming to town everyone is talking about.
I knew it! Sheila said in disappointment, you needed something that's the only reason you went through all this trouble to visit and got me a fruit tray and here I was thinking you were sorry for how you spoke to me earlier.
Ok fine you are right and I am sorry for being such a meany can you spill now? Evy said as she was in a haste to hear that big competition coming to town.
Well its an extreme swimming contest and the winner goes home with a fulfilment of whatever desire they have.
What do you mean by that? Evy queried.
Well there is no certain price tag, the website just states whatever desire you have no matter how expensive it is will be fulfilled if you win.
So you mean they can help my mom with her condition? if I win? Evy asked with utmost concern.
Sure that's the idea, Sheila responded in confidence.
Wow! and you are sure they are legit? Evy inquired again.
Hundred percent, Sheila responded with a smile.
So how do I apply? Evy jumped on Sheila with eagerness.
I already did that for the both of us. Sheila cuts in quickly
What do you mean you applied for the both of us? what desires do you have that cannot be fulfilled with your fortune? Evy asked feeling a bit unhappy but trying not to show it.
You'd be amazed Sheila responded in a hushed tone.
Well I am not comfortable we'd be competing against each other. Evy said feeling concerned.
Competing in a game does not make us enemies Evy, where is your spirit of sportsmanship? Sheila asked in a persuasive tone.
Well I don't have one and it doesn't sit well with me that you would want to share in this opportunity. Evy said in a grudging tone she continued, is there a way you can drop out of the competition seeing that I need the reward more for my mother's surgery. You know how difficult it's been trying to come up with the required sum, I am really surprised you would want to be a stumbling block to this opportunity to saving my mom. I wouldn't do this to you Sheila and you know...
Just as she was about to rant some more, Sheila yelled, Oh Evy shut up! You are just so selfish, always thinking about yourself and no one else, not even a simple thank you for my effort to get you in the competition instead you want me to drop out. Well news flash baby girl, the world doesn't revolve around you. I will compete in this game as much as yourself either you are matured enough to handle it or you buzz off!. Sheila ended angrily.
Evy just stood, she wanted to leave but was too shocked to make another move as Sheila has never spoken to her in such manner before. She stared at Sheila a while, while Sheila pretended to be busy with her MacBook. A tear rolled down her cheek but she quickly wiped it off and made her exit.
Evy got home and cried her eyes out, she hated Sheila for being insensitive towards her plight and made up her mind that Sheila is dead to her.
After pulling herself together, she placed a call through to her coursemate who earlier spoke about the competition. She asked to know the name of the organizers and other follow up details. When she got all the necessary information, she swung into action and did some background check on the game which turned out to be 100% legit like Sheila had said. She clicked on the contestants and saw her name as well as Sheila's name. Scrolling through the site, she saw a column where each contestants wrote about their innermost desire they would want fulfilled if they win, she read hers and Sheila captured the words very well.
Evy was single handedly raised by her mother after the abandonment of her father and the mother played both parenting roles to see to it that she doesn't lack, now her mother is battling kidney failure and almost loosing because the required money for transplant isn't there and it breaks Evy's heart that she's trying but her effort isn't enough. Every other details concerning Evy's mother's condition was shared on Evy's utmost desire column for further verification.
Evy felt a rush of tears coming up but she held it as she already zeroed out Sheila. Out of curiosity, she went to Sheila's profile, she wanted to know what could be so pressing that Sheila wants to fulfill. She clicked on Sheila's column of utmost desire then started reading through, she was almost half way into reading then she realized Sheila having battling a long term phobia of water since the demise of her parents is going to engage in the extreme swimming contest to stand a chance to win incase Evy couldn't. She didn't want Evy to completely loose out without her being a back up plan as the competition was their only hope to saving Evy's mother. Sheila is a good diver and that saved her when her family was attacked and killed at sea.
Sheila ended her note with, my friend's mom became my mom and fought for me to be the heiress of my family's business after my parents demise. I was just 15years old and she stood by me to resuscitate the company from dying, I owe a loan of immerse gratitude that I must pay no matter the cost.
On reading Sheila's ending note, the flood gate opened and Evy wept bitterly. She grabbed her bag, put on a jacket on her sweat pant and breast tube and raced to Sheila's house. She got there and saw Sheila already practicing for the competition coming up in six weeks time. Evy entered the water not minding that she's fully clothed, Sheila was just floating looking all confused and wondering if Evy is going insane to get into the water with her clothes on.
Evy swam to where Sheila was and gave her a tight hug and apologized for all the time she's been selfish and mean towards her, she explained how her mother's situation has gotten the best of her and promised to do better. Sheila gave her a tight squeeze and a peck then said, you've always been a meany but I tolerate you and love you regardless, we are not about to break the long line of besties between our families that started from our Grandfathers. They made up, settled their differences and became bestfriends again.
The competition eventually came and both girls gave it their best, they competed in the spirit of sportsmanship and both had a tie, but Evy opted to come in as first runner up with a speech on how Sheila is the true winner as she thought her the true meaning of being selfless.
In the end, Evy's mom was operated upon with Evy donating a kidney and it was a successful operation.