Chapter 7 - Page 83 - Jim's Promise

   That evening, after his visit to the hospital, Jim went to the dining hall to eat with his other guests. When he finished eating, he went home.

   Jim had a hard time getting to sleep. He missed Rhasha very much. He thought about her until his eyelids finally dropped shut and he fell into an uncomfortable sleep. At about eleven o’clock, Jim was abruptly awakened by hands shaking him.

   “Jim, wake up,” someone cried.

   Jim forced his eyes open. “OK, I’m awake, what’s wrong?”

   As his eyes focused in the dark, he could see Rhasha’s parents standing beside his bed. They were both crying.

    “Jim,” Thamish said, “please come to our house.”

   Thasha, beside him, pulled on Jim’s wrist.

   Jim wasn’t completely awake yet. “What’s wrong, Thamish? Is something wrong with Rhasha?”

   “Rhasha’s crying,” Thamish said. “Her pillow is soaked with tears and she’s shaking all over. She’s scared, Jim. She doesn’t understand why you didn’t come to see her tonight. We tried to explain it to her, but she wouldn’t stop crying.”

   All Jim could think about was how fast he could get to Rhasha. He jumped out of bed and ran out the front door in his pajamas, not taking the time to change his clothes or put on his shoes. He ran across the pavement, heedless of the rough surface that bruised and cut his feet. When Jim got to Thamish’s house, he flung open the front door and dashed to Rhasha’s bedside. He sat on the edge of her bed and, putting his arms around her, he hugged Rhasha tightly. Without thinking, Jim kissed her on the lips. Tears ran down his cheeks as he held her in his arms. They both cried as if a close relative had died.