The world is a lie – 5

The next day, Johnny's entire body was wrapped in bandages, yet he was somehow still able to walk. His mind was deeply occupied, constantly thinking about Noor. Just then, a boy walked past him.
Johnny called out, "Sabbir, listen here."
Sabbir stepped forward and said, "What happened? Go inside and just lie down for now. I'm taking care of the outside matters."
Johnny replied, "There is a job to do."
Sabbir teased him, "A job? Well, you know the rules."
Johnny frowned slightly, "Fine, you'll get your share. Too much greed for money isn't good." He then shoved his hand into his pocket, pulled something out, and said, "Take this. This money needs to be delivered to a certain boy."
Sabbir asked, "Does it have to be given today?"
Johnny said sharply, "Don't overthink it."
Sabbir understood his tone immediately and said, "You have to give me your word first."
Johnny sighed, "I will take you there."
Sabbir nodded, "Alright, fine."
They both began walking. As they walked, Johnny added, "If that boy asks anything, tell him I couldn't make it. And if he asks anything beyond that, you already know what to say. You're not some kindergarten kid that I have to spoon-feed everything to."
Meanwhile, Noor abruptly woke up from his sleep. He hurriedly checked the time on his phone, and his eyes widened in pure shock. Springing out of bed, he quickly threw on the clothes kept beside him, grabbed his bicycle, and began pedaling at full speed down the road.
A little further down the street, he spotted a couple. A girl standing on the other side of the road complained, "Babu, why are you so late? I've been waiting for so long!"
The boy replied apologetically, "There was some work at home, I'm sorry."
As they were talking, they blindly stepped into the middle of the road. Noor, who could hear their conversation from his speeding bicycle, didn't slow down. Still pedaling furiously, he yelled out, "Hey, you lovebirds! Move out of the way!"
The boy quickly pulled the girl back to the side of the road just in time. Both of them stared at Noor with absolute shock and bewilderment as he sped past.
When Noor finally reached the spot from the previous night, he saw a lone boy standing there. Noor cursed himself silently, thinking he had arrived too late. But as he approached and took a closer look, he realized it wasn't Johnny. However, he could intuitively sense that this boy was there because of Noor.
Sabbir, on the other hand, immediately recognized who Johnny had been talking about. This was the exact boy.
Noor broke the silence, "How are you?"
Sabbir replied casually, "I'm good. Here, take this. Johnny sent this money for you."
Noor immediately asked, "Where is Johnny?"
Sabbir said, "He couldn't come. He is unwell."
Noor's eyes filled with concern, "Take me to him. Let me see how bad his condition is."
Sabbir scoffed, "You talk too much. Johnny gave you the money, just take it and leave. I have work to do, and I can't stay here for long."
Noor persisted, "Alright, fine. Just give me his home address."
Sabbir looked at him suspiciously, "Who even are you to him? Why do you care so much?"
Noor looked directly into his eyes and said softly, "He is my friend. My first friend."
Sabbir was stunned. He stared at Noor in disbelief and said, "You are Johnny's friend? I've never seen you around before."
Noor replied calmly, "We just met yesterday."
Sabbir thought to himself for a moment, processing this information, and muttered, "Yesterday? Huh, alright."
Noor asked again, "Where is he? Is he in the hospital?"
Sabbir replied, "No, he's at home. Just take the money and go. Here, take it." With that, he firmly shoved the money into Noor's hands.
Noor then said, "Give me Johnny's phone number."
Sabbir smirked, a thought crossing his mind, and finally handed over the number to Noor. Turning around to leave, Sabbir walked away and called back, "Alright then, take care. I'm off. And by the way, he is sleeping right now, so call him later."
Sabbir then disappeared into a narrow alleyway.
As soon as Sabbir entered the alley, Johnny suddenly grabbed him from the shadows.
"Did I send you there to have a chat?" Johnny demanded, his voice sharp and impatient. "Why did you take so long? What on earth were you two talking about?"
Sabbir shrugged, trying to shake off Johnny's grip. "Man, that guy talks way too much."
Johnny let go of him and immediately started walking away. Watching him leave, Sabbir called out from behind, "Who even is that guy, Johnny?"
Johnny didn't stop. He simply replied over his shoulder, "None of your business. Let's go."
Sabbir fell silent, walking right beside him. In the back of his mind, he couldn't help but wonder what exactly had happened yesterday evening. He knew something huge must have gone down for Johnny to be wrapped in bandages and giving money to a stranger. Yet, Sabbir kept his face completely blank, acting as if he didn't care at all.
Breaking the silence, Sabbir turned to Johnny and said, "Come on, let's go grab a cup of tea."
Johnny paused for a moment, thinking to himself. He realized that a hot cup of tea might actually help clear his head and shake off his exhaustion.
He looked at Sabbir and said, "If you're buying, then sure, I'll have some. I don't have any cash on me right now."
Sabbir smirked, "Fine, I can pay. But only if you take it as a loan."
Johnny let out a slight, wry smile. He looked at his friend and replied playfully, "Alright, deal. I'll pay you back on the 32nd of this month."
Sabbir scoffed with a laugh, and the two friends continued walking together, heading toward the tea stall.
The scene cuts to Johnny and Sabbir sitting together inside their room. Suddenly, the loud voices of a few boys echoed from outside, calling out for Johnny.
"Johnny! Are you home?"
Sabbir looked toward the door and asked, "Who's there?"
From outside, a voice replied, "It's us. Open the door."
Sabbir walked over and unlocked the door. Four boys stepped inside the room. One of them immediately handed a bag to Sabbir and said, "Here, Sabbir, take these fruits."
Sabbir took the bag, looking at them in surprise. "What brings you guys here all of a sudden?"
One of the boys stepped forward and explained, "We came here to invite you guys. You must come to our place. Rihad and Samsul were incredibly impressed after watching you and Johnny fight. Even though you aren't part of our team, you risked your own lives to fight out there. If you guys come, we will be truly happy."
Johnny, listening from his spot, replied calmly, "Alright. We will be there."
Sabbir then asked curiously, "Are you guys going to everyone's house to invite them?"
Another boy from the group answered, "Well, you already know our rules. We never forget those who do us a favor. We have split ourselves into two teams for this. One team is visiting those who got injured, and the other team is going to the ones who escaped unhurt."
Johnny nodded and said, "Alright, then make sure to come tonight at 7 PM. But for now, we'll take our leave."