It took her a week in the hospital before she could recuperate well. She was taken back home, and even at that, Alisha refused to go back to school without her.
She stayed just a week at home before going back to school since the new semester had already started. She had concealed all her symptoms while at home so that she wouldn't have to wait another week. She was placed on medication before she left for school. Even though the pains had subsided, she had been enduring the side effects of those drugs.
The first day at school was really strenuous. She had to write many assignments she had missed and attend the lectures she had missed. It was really draining.
"Kaira, I think you should rest at home while I go to school. I'll be doing everything on your behalf," Alisha suggested after they came back from school.
"I just hope you won't later say you want to take me to the bathroom to bathe me," she said tiredly.
"C'mon! Don't try to change the topic. What I was saying was that you stay at home while I go to lectures."
"What if my parents call?" she asked, stealing a glance at her.
"Do you have to pick their calls? Kaira, we are talking about you here!" Alisha snapped.
"You know not picking their call is another problem entirely," Kaira stressed.
Alisha was about to bite her with words when Kaira's phone rang. They both froze as if dreading to pick the call. Kaira, however, stretched her hand to reach the phone. She hissed and dropped it back, and the phone stopped ringing.
"Who's it?" Alisha asked curiously.
"Your friend," she answered sharply.
"You're the only one for me," Alisha said, jumping on her.
"Stop nah. You know I'm not in for this child's play. It's Jerome," Kaira answered.
"I told you to be nice," Alisha hit her back. The phone rang again, and Alisha quickly picked it up.
"Hi," she said, her voice sweet as honey.
"Yeah, it's Jerome!" The masculine voice rang through her ears.
"Oh, Jerome! How have you been?" she asked brightly.
Throughout their conversation, Kaira only smirked from her bed, visibly irritated. The sound of their laughter irritated her the most. It sounded like a mock of her situation.By the time they finished talking, Kaira had already fallen asleep.
Alisha didn't bother waking her. She sat quietly for a few minutes, her back against the wall, watching her friend's pale face rise and fall with each fragile breath before she got up to cook.
Later, she stepped outside to buy some fruits. Something she had forgotten on their way back to the hostel. The evening air was cool and the sky seems cloudy. More of a reason why she couldn't get the fruits. The traders might have thought it would soon be rain Just as she turned to head back, a familiar voice called out.
"Alisha!"
She turned quickly, surprised. Jerome was standing near a roadside shop, a paper bag in his hand. He smiled, his eyes glinting with excitement
"Hey! You live nearby?" he asked.
"Sure. Came out to get some fruits," Alisha replied.
"Wow! That's nice. I also live nearby. How about Kaira?" he asked casually, though his diction carried something unpredictable.
"Of course, she's in the hostel. We just called each other a few minutes ago, and we didn't even know we stayed close," Alisha said with a small laugh.
But as Jerome nodded, the smile on his lips didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Do you mind if I go get you the fruits?" he asked as Alisha made to leave.
"It would be nice if we go together," Alisha answered.
He took her to where they bought the fruits, and they came back later to find Kaira already awake.
"Hey, baby girl," Alisha said, holding the door open for Jerome to come inside.
"Who is there?" Kaira asked expectantly. Just then, Jerome stepped in.
"Hi, Kaira," he greeted, waving slightly.
Kaira gave him a scornful look and hissed loudly before walking out on them.
"You can have your seat. You don't have to mind her," Alisha said, offering Jerome a chair.
"It's fine. She might just not like me," Jerome replied, sitting down.
"No. Kaira is actually very nice if you get to know her," Alisha responded.
They were still talking when Kaira stormed back into the room. Whether it was intense fire of jealousy eating her up or just hatred, Alisha couldn't fathom it. She went straight to the bed and lay down, facing the other side.
"I think it's time I leave," Jerome said, already standing.
Alisha didn't even know what to say. She knew quite well that it was because of how Kaira had acted that made him want to leave. All she could do was escort Jerome out.
Immediately she returned, she barged into the room angrily.
"What the hell is the meaning of that shit you just pulled?"
Kaira gave no response, even though she knew Alisha was expecting something-her apology.
"Are you not the one I'm talking to?" Alisha barked.
Kaira stood up and glared back angrily at Alisha.
"What if I decide not to answer, what will you do?"
"You know what you did was really wrong, Kaira. If you want to be a psychopath, then be one. I'll let you be!" she snapped angrily.
"Since you are a lone wolf, how about you die as one? I've been condoning all your nonsense, but one mistake from me, and you can't condone anything!" she spilled without even taking a breath.
"I do everything possible to make you happy every second, but all you do is sit there and watch me. You think I'm not suffering too? You think you're better than me? Really?"
Her eyes were clouded with tears. It was as if she finally got the opportunity to say what she had been holding in for so long. Kaira stood there dumbfounded. Her heavy heart seemed lighter as she poured down the rain of words on her. Alisha was the last person she expected to hear such words from.
Alisha took her jacket and went out, banging the door angrily. Kaira sat down slowly on the bed as if she had lost her mind. Her thoughts drifted far away as tears rolled down her cheeks. She held onto her pillow, crying bitterly into it till night.
She knew she had never been a good child to her parents, but she didn't realize she had failed as a friend too. It was late at night, and she hadn't seen Alisha. She was quite worried that she hadn't returned. Of course, the room had been boring without the parrot that made it lively.
She called her number, but it was switched off. Fear began to creep in, and she quickly wore her clothes and started walking around the street, looking for her , but all to no avail.