My dearest friend's wish

Andrea broke away from Ingrid's embrace to have a good look at her. She realized Ingrid has changed from her bratty character, into a lively warm girl.

Back in college, Ingrid's awful character was the topic of the entire college, which made her a loner and prey to all bullies. They picked on her despite her wealthy background. It also didn't help that, she joined the college in the middle of the semester, due to some reasons Ingrid never wanted to talk about. A topic she always avoided, whenever it mistakenly came up, so it created a misunderstanding about Ingrid's admission into Rexford college, a very prestigious college for the rich and powerful.

Rumors spread about her admission into the school, was only through her Dad's strong connections.

But they didn't know that even having connections was a trait in one's ability, if it was that easy, why wouldn't they all use their connections to rusticate her from college? Well, they simply couldn't, because if their connections were many, her Dad's connections were countless. This was the answer a confident girl like Ingrid, always answered back, whenever Bullies tried to mess up or rob her unruly admission into Rexford College, to her face.

Ingrid could care less about everything they thought of her. How was it one's habit to poke their noses into things that simply weren't any of their business, it was just so shocking!

However, rumors were like pollution thrown into the air, it simply can't be controlled, and everybody must smell it whether they liked it or not, as long as they wanted to live. The same went for Ingrid's connection rumors, no matter how much she tried to control them, through her bitchy response or ignored them, they simply wouldn't stop, and she had no choice but to hear them since everyone was talking about it. So it resulted from her being a subject of bully and mockery amongst other rich heirs.

She wouldn't want to appear weak or taken advantage of, so she puts up a fierce face and simply ignore all their advances.

But like them, they have forgotten she was also a rich brat, and a spoiled one as well. Yet, they kept pushing her towards the wall, with their foul comments until she had enough and reacted. She fought all her bullies on her own until none was left to mock or bully her anymore.

On the other hand, Andrea was also an object of bullying, so she paid no attention to Ingrid's rumors until she saw it, first-hand, how Ingrid defended herself from her bullies and was very impressed. Ever since then, Andrea had always been a fan of Ingrid and dreamily admired her, for her resolve to stand up for herself, from afar. Something she couldn't do for herself against her bullies, so she was bullied all the time.

Andrea's admission into Rexford college, was only through a scholarship because she was from a poor home.

One day, an incident brought Andrea and Ingrid's destinies to test, when some of their mutual bullies, wanted to secretly disgrace Ingrid, so they used an instant glue, mixed with a red color, to make it look like blood, once Ingrid sat on it, and painted Ingrid's seat with it, a seat she normally sat on.

Andrea mistakenly saw through their devious plan from afar and couldn't risk her fangirl on Ingrid ending soon, so she decided to take that seat instead, to save Ingrid and sabotaged the bullies evil plans.

Ingrid walked to nearly sitting on her stained chair, but Andrea rushed passed her and took the seat instead, which left Ingrid confused until she noticed a few girls murmuring about how Andrea saved her from humiliation.

Ingrid wondered why Andrea would risk staining her clothes to save her honor and was filled with gratitude toward her as well.

As for Andrea, saving Ingrid at that time was the best thing she ever did. This was because, Ingrid made sure she paid the mean girls back, for all their plots. She dealt with them with the hardest blow, then thanked Andrea for saving her. That was when they became friends and always hang out together.

Since that day, Amy Sanders, the mean bully's leader hated Andrea's guts as well as Ingrid's, but she could never bully Andrea again. Ingrid was always there to save her, which she was most grateful for.

One faithful day, for reasons unknown to everyone but Ingrid, Amy Sanders transferred to another college and that was the last time Andrea became a prey of any bully. Guessed her Dad's connections also worked in that aspect as well, poor Amy.

All thanks to her dearest friend...Ingrid Patels, whom she loved until today, Andrea had peaceful college days ever since!

Back to the present.....

"I missed you so much, Andy". Ingrid uttered as if she hadn't seen her friend for a long time instead of just a week.

"I missed you too Grid...I wanted to surprise you with an unexpected visit! You know my mom's condition wouldn't allow me to come earlier, even though I desperately wanted to come, a week ago." Was Andrea's excited but guilty reply.

[Andy and Grid were nicknames they usually call each other since college. It was a short form of their names, and they used those names most of the time.]

"How is she now?" Ingrid asked Andy about her Mom's health, worry written all over her face.

Ingrid really shared her friend's pain...it's really been hard for Andrea, and Her dad wasn't the kind of person she could rely on. He only brought misery into the lives of his wife and daughter. Thank God! he was currently in jail, serving time for attempted murder, and domestic violence against his wife, which nearly killed her, but sent her into Coma instead.

Ingrid had always hoped for Andrea's dad to rot in jail for good, and never hurt her dear friend....ever again!!.

"Still the same but I am always hopeful that things will change for the better. The caregiver will be with her this week. So you can have me all to yourself until your wedding day." Andrea informed Ingrid excitedly.

Ingrid immediately jumped for joy and hugged her friend tightly in gratitude. Andrea was the only one she could count on, who tolerated her bratty and spoilt attitude. She always wanted Andrea around her, especially on these stressful days, preparing for the wedding. Andrea had changed her over the years, her awful attitude seemed more tolerable now than before.

Having Andrea as her friend was the best decision she ever took, which she was still proud of, to this day. She could even exchange her luxurious lifestyle for Andrea, anytime!

"It's your wedding in a few days, so I want you to stay positive with happy thoughts. I wish you all the happiness in the world Grid." Andrea heartily wished her bestie.

Ingrid thanked her best friend for her kind words with a hug. Actually, she needed Andrea's help with something, but she couldn't tell Andrea directly, without hurting her, so she decided to get it from her, another way, without Andrea's knowledge.

"I am yet to receive my wedding gift from you." Ingrid reminded Andrea about her wedding present before she could forget.

"Well, what will you want for a present? you seem to have everything, and I can't think of anything to give you." Andrea replied, on second thought.

Ingrid was the kind of girl who never asked anything from her. She was rather the kind of friend, willing to do everything for Andrea, despite Andrea's continuous insistence to stop her.

Ingrid's willingness to do everything for her friend was one of her uniquely hidden charms, that made her stand out, so it amazed Andrea when for the first time, her friend asked her for something...a wedding present. Although it was understandable but very surprising for her, who knew Ingrid to her bones! Weddings only happened once in a lifetime, unless it was not meant to be.

Knowing Ingrid, it seemed odd and out of her character to request a present from her, when it's a long week before the wedding, that was suspicious. Ingrid was definitely up to something.

Nevertheless, Ingrid was pleased by Andrea's answer, to make her choose the kind of gift she would want for her wedding, so she grinned in excitement. It was exactly as she expected Andrea to react, so she could request anything and Andrea won't refuse her, or find excuses to avoid it....her friend was now trapped!

"Well, If you put it that way, then the only thing I can think of is, what money cannot buy. I want you to grant me a wish on my wedding day. Just promise me you will do anything I ask, no matter what.....okay?" Ingrid informed Andrea, seeming pleased with herself.

"Of course! I will...gladly!. Anything for you Ingrid, and that's a promise." Andrea gave her word, intending to live by it truthfully, for her bestie.

Even though Andrea suspected Ingrid had something up her sleeves, she was willing to accept that, whatever it was, it seemed her friend wasn't willing to disclose anything to her right now, and she was quite okay with it. But her only prayer was to hope that, whatever Ingrid wanted from her, she would indulge her happily, with no regrets.

Both friends took a pinky promise with their fingers interlocked and sealed the deal. Something they usually do whenever they agreed on something together.