Kaira managed to escape any questioning about what happened at the bus stop on the first day, probably because her mother never mentioned it to her father.
On the second day of returning to school, Kaira slept more than usual again. Her mother complained that she was becoming lazy and leaving all the chores for her younger siblings.
One afternoon when her mom returned from work and heard she was already asleep again, she didn't say anything. She cooked the entire dinner alone without waking her.
Her siblings quietly took her plate to her room. Kaira ate a little and left it there for them to take back. It continued like that for almost two weeks.
Her mother eventually called her father out of frustration and explained everything. As expected, he called immediately.
"So because you're home, you think you can do whatever you want? Or is something wrong?" he roared.
"Nothing, sir," she answered quietly.
"Next time I hear a complaint, you will deal with me."
"Yes sir."
Every day she forced herself to sweep the rooms just to avoid another fight. She couldn't explain why she felt so weak. She wished she had listened to Alisha and taken real rest, but if she did she would fail her exams and disappoint everyone.
Soon, her younger siblings resumed school again and her mom returned to work. Her father was rarely around. The house became quiet. Kaira finally believed she could breathe again.
That morning, she woke early, swept everywhere, made breakfast, then collapsed back into bed. She slept deeply until her phone kept ringing. She ignored it. When it rang again, she snapped and answered without checking the caller ID.
"Why are you calling repeatedly? If I'm not picking up, it means I'm busy."
"Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you. It's Jerome."
She froze.
"How did you even get my number?"
"We met at the bus station.I just wanted to check if you were okay."
"Well don't. I didn't ask you to call me," she snapped, then hung up and fell asleep again.
Not long after that, someone knocked on the door. Too early for anyone to return home. She walked to the door irritated, but the moment she saw who it was, her expression fell. It was Alisha.
"And who got our dear psychopath angry today?" Alisha teased as she walked in.
"It isn't his fault. You caused it," Kaira muttered, turning on the TV.
"What do you mean? Also, get me juice please," Alisha said casually.
"You know where it is. Get it yourself."
"Be nice to me. I am literally the only person who sticks with you."
"You could leave actually," Kaira murmured, standing up slowly.
"What did you just say?" Alisha squinted slightly.
Kaira wanted to reply, but suddenly she held her head like she was losing balance. Alisha grabbed her quickly and helped her sit back down. Kaira wasn't unconscious, but her eyes squeezed shut like light was hurting her.
"Kaira can you hear me?"
She came back after a moment, breathing fast. Alisha stared at her, lost between worry and confusion.
"You need to tell your parents. Something is wrong."
"I'm fine," Kaira whispered faintly.
Before they could speak more, a car horn sounded outside. Kaira looked toward the window, tense.
Alisha checked.
"It's your mom."
Suddenly strength shot into Kaira's body from nowhere. She grabbed Alisha and rushed upstairs. They sat on the bed pretending to be reading.
The door opened.
"Oh… Mom… welcome."
Her mother paused at the doorway, eyes scanning them like she was picking apart every detail.
"Good afternoon," Alisha greeted politely.
"Afternoon," her mother replied with that smile that looked more like she was trying to mask suspicion than actually being warm.
"And that cup downstairs, what was it doing there? Or did you bring someone into this house?"
Kaira opened her mouth to respond but instead, a violent cough ripped out of her chest. She clutched her throat, struggling for air as the cough deepened, harsher than anything she'd ever experienced. Alisha's eyes widened, frozen in shock.
Her mother rushed toward her, calling her name but Kaira's vision was already blurring.For a split second… the world around her flickered.Like a glitch.Like her body wasn't keeping up with whatever was happening inside her.And she felt something she hadn't felt before:like this was only the beginning.