Sometimes the loudest battles are fought in silence, where no one can see the storm brewing inside.
It took her a week in the hospital to recuperate. When she was finally discharged, Alisha refused to return to school without her.
Kaira stayed home only a week before going back, the new semester had already begun. At home, she had hidden all her symptoms, refusing to wait another week. She left with medication, still feeling the lingering side effects.
The first day back was exhausting. She had missed assignments to catch up on, lectures to attend, and the strain weighed heavily on her.
"Kaira, I think you should rest at home while I go to school. I'll handle everything for you," Alisha suggested after they returned from classes.
"I just hope you won't later say you want to take me to the bathroom… to bathe me," Kaira said tiredly.
"C'mon! Don't dodge the point. I said stay home while I go to lectures."
"What if my parents call?" Kaira asked, stealing a glance at her.
"Do you have to answer them? Kaira, we're talking about you!" Alisha snapped.
"You know not picking up is another problem entirely," Kaira stressed.
Alisha was about to snap back when Kaira's phone rang. Both froze, dreading it. Kaira reached for it, hissed, and dropped it back—silence returned.
"Who's it?" Alisha asked, curious.
"Your friend," Kaira answered sharply.
"You're the only one for me," Alisha teased, jumping on her.
"Stop. I'm not in for this child's play. It's Jerome," Kaira said.
"I told you to be nice," Alisha hit her playfully.
The phone rang again, and Alisha picked it up.
"Hi," she said, voice sweet.
"Yeah, it's Jerome!" The masculine voice came through.
"Oh, Jerome! How have you been?" she asked brightly.
Kaira smirked from her bed, irritated by the laughter and cheer. By the time they finished talking, she had fallen asleep.
Alisha didn't wake her. She sat quietly for a moment, watching Kaira's pale face rise and fall with fragile breaths, before getting up to cook.
Later, Alisha stepped outside to grab some snacks and some fruits for Kaira they had forgotten on the way back. The evening air was cool, and the sky heavy with clouds,the streets were quiet, and a light drizzle seemed possible. As she turned to leave, a familiar voice called:
"Alisha!"
She spun around. Jerome stood nearby, a small paper bag in hand, smiling with glinting eyes.
"Hey! You live close?" he asked.
"Yeah. Just came out for some snacks," she replied.
"Wow, that's nice. I live nearby too. How about Kaira?" he asked, his tone casual but carrying something unreadable.
"She's in the hostel. We just called a few minutes ago .Didn't even know we lived close," Alisha said with a small laugh.
Jerome nodded, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Do you mind if I join you for a bit?" he asked as she moved to leave.
"Let's go together," she answered.
They returned with the snacks to find Kaira awake.
"Hey, baby girl," Alisha said, holding the door for Jerome.
"Who's there?" Kaira asked, expectantly. Jerome stepped inside.
"Hi, Kaira," he greeted, waving slightly.
Kaira's scornful glare and loud hiss sent him straight back out.
"You don't have to mind her," Alisha said, offering him a seat.
"It's fine. She might just not like me," Jerome replied.
"No, Kaira's actually nice once you get to know her," Alisha said.
They continued talking until Kaira stormed back, silent fire in her eyes. She went straight to her bed, facing away.
"I think it's time I leave," Jerome said, standing.
Alisha didn't argue. She escorted him out, knowing Kaira's behavior had driven him away.
When she returned, she found Kaira waiting, anger and hurt written across her face.
"What the hell was that?" Alisha barked.
Kaira said nothing.
"Are you not listening?" Alisha snapped.
Kaira stood, glaring.
"What if I decide not to answer? What will you do?"
"You know what you did was wrong, Kaira. If you want to be a psychopath, be one. Fine!" Alisha shot back.
"Since you are a lone wolf, how about you die as one? I've condoned your nonsense, but one mistake from me and you can't condone anything!"
"I do everything to make you happy every second, and all you do is sit there. You think you're better than me? Really?"
Her eyes clouded with tears, pouring out the words she had held in for so long. Kaira stood dumbfounded. Her heavy heart felt lighter as Alisha vented. An honesty she never expected.
Alisha took her jacket and left, slamming the door. Kaira sank onto the bed, thoughts spinning, tears rolling down her cheeks. She clutched her pillow, crying bitterly into the night.
She hadn't been a perfect child to her parents, but she hadn't realized she'd failed as a friend too.
Late at night, worried by Alisha's absence, she called her but the phone was off. Panic rose. Kaira hurriedly dressed and searched the streets, but Alisha was nowhere to be found.
Even love can hurt when silence speaks louder than words.