Perhaps Kaira was never meant to wake this morning.
When Alisha woke, Kaira was already dressed, her uniform neat but her eyes a little dim. Alisha stretched, yawning as she rubbed her face.
"Good morning, little girl," Kaira said softly.
Alisha ignored her and walked into the bathroom without a word.
Kaira's smile faded. She didn't argue. She just sat quietly, hands on her lap, listening to the water running from the sink. She could still feel Alisha's fear from last night. She hated being the reason people worried.
When Alisha came out, towel around her neck, her tone was sharp. "What time did you even sleep last night?" Kaira looked down.
"I guess you didn't," Alisha muttered, buttoning her shirt.
"I'm sorry, Alisha," Kaira said gently. "Let's just forget about it."
Alisha breathed out slowly. "Let me make you a cup of tea. There's still some bread left."
Kaira shook her head. "Let's just go to school. We can eat later."
"You're not serious," Alisha said, frustrated. "You need to take your medication first."
"Okay, ma," Kaira answered with a weak smile.
They shared a quiet breakfast. Kaira swallowed her pills with her last sip of tea, fighting the bitter taste.
Just as they stepped outside, her phone vibrated. Her father's name flashed on the screen.
Her stomach tightened.
"Good morning, Dad."
"How are you?" His deep voice carried no warmth.
"I'm fine," she answered slowly.
"You're on your way to school?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Don't disappoint me, Kaira. I don't waste money for average results."
"Yes, sir."
"Have a nice day," he said flatly, then hung up.
Kaira lowered her phone slowly. Alisha glanced at her but didn't speak. They both felt the unspoken weight.
At school, Kaira could barely keep her eyes open. Her head kept dropping against her desk. By afternoon, her breathing had turned slightly shallow again, but she tried to hide it. She didn't want anyone to drag her back into another emergency. Not again. Not so soon.
When exams approached, everything grew heavier. Kaira stopped napping at school and read deep into the night while Alisha watched her with worried eyes.
"Kaira, you need to rest," Alisha said one night.
"I can't afford to fail," Kaira whispered. She didn't mean the grades as much as she meant her parents. Failure felt like the only thing they believed she could do.
The exams passed in a blur. On the final day, her handwriting shook. She could feel her pulse in her throat.
As they packed their things, she spoke quietly, "Alisha… I'm scared of going home."
Alisha paused. "Scared? Why?"
Kaira shut down. "Never mind."
"Kaira, look at you," Alisha whispered. "You've lost weight. You need help."
"I'm fine."
But she wasn't.
At the bus station, Alisha hummed playfully while Kaira leaned on her shoulder and slept before the bus even started moving. The four hour trip felt like she was sinking slowly into herself.
When they arrived, Alisha nudged her awake. Kaira blinked, dazed and drained. A young man who rode with them smiled and waved. "Hi, girls!"
Alisha waved back. "Hey!"
"I'm Jerome," he introduced.
"I'm Alisha," she said. "And this is" She turned, but Kaira had already looked away.
Jerome chuckled. "Guess she's not in the mood."
"She's just tired," Alisha said lightly.
"Mind if I get your number?" Jerome asked.
Alisha laughed. "Sure. It's a free world." With her phone dead, she asked for Kaira's. "Let me use yours?"
Without looking up, Kaira handed her the phone.
Just then, a familiar blue sedan pulled up.
Kaira's mother stepped out, expression blank. "Get in."
Kaira's hand trembled slightly as she took her phone back.
As the car rolled away, Jerome waved.
Her mother's voice sliced through the air. "And who was that boy?"
"We just met him, Mum," Alisha said with a cheerful tone. "He was only trying to"
Her words froze under the woman's glare.
"A boy wanted to be your friend?" Kaira's mother snapped. "How can a boy and a girl be friends?"
Alisha's smile vanished.
"I am sure Kaira was foolish enough to give him her number," her mother continued. "If your father checks your phone and sees anything… you're done."
"No, ma," Alisha said. "Kaira didn't ..."
"Don't defend her," the woman cut sharply.
"Mum, I didn't even say a word," Kaira murmured quietly.
Her mother turned sharply toward her. "Hey! Don't talk back at me. Is this how you behave in school?"
Silence filled the car like cold air.
When they reached the neighborhood, Alisha got out first. "Bye,Kaira," she whispered, voice soft with worry.
Kaira forced a smile and watched her walk away Free. Untouched. Safe.
Her mother's voice whipped her attention back. "Move."
Kaira stepped out, clutching her bag tighter. The quiet inside her chest spread like ink.
She felt like every breath she took cost her something.
And she knew she wasn't going to survive this house much longer.
Some pain doesn't scream. It just sits inside your chest and waits.