Kaira managed to escape questioning about the bus stop incident on the first day, likely because her mother hadn't mentioned it to her father over the phone or she had forgotten about it.
On the second day, after returning from school, Kaira had been sleeping more than usual in the afternoons, making her mother to complain so much about her laziness and how she was leaving all the household chores for her siblings.
When her mother came home from work that day and was informed that Kaira was sleeping in her room, she said nothing and headed to the kitchen to start cooking. Until she finished all the cooking, she didn't wake up. Her siblings had to take her share of the food to her bedroom. She ate the food and left the plate there for her siblings to take to the kitchen.
And that was how she did for almost two weeks. With no other choice, her mother, who had been complaining about her laziness, called her father and explained everything. As expected, he called her a few minutes later.
"So, because you're back from school, you think you can do anything? Or is there something bothering you?" he roared. "Nothing, sir," she answered, almost in tears.
"Next time you're reported to me, you'll be in trouble," he warned.
"Okay, sir," she replied, barely finishing her statement before he hung up.
Kaira dragged herself to do just the sweeping of the rooms every day. She couldn't explain what was wrong with her; she just felt persistently weak. It dawned on her that she should have heeded Alisha's warning and taken more rest. But if she did, she wouldn't be able to pass her exams as her father expected.
It would be another week in a few days when her two siblings would resume school and her mother would return to her shop. She's a chemist, while her father is a soldier who rarely comes home. Her two siblings, both girls, were Savvy, 15, and Martindale, 9. With no one else home except her, she would finally have the freedom to get some rest.
The resumption date arrived sooner than expected, and Kaira was overjoyed. She woke up early to sweep the entire house and even made breakfast. By 9:00 a.m., she was finally alone. She took a long, much-needed nap, only to be woken up by her ringing phone. Initially, she ignored the call, murmuring and checking the screen sleepily before rolling over and dozing off again. The phone rang a second time, and then a third, forcing her to pick up angrily.
"Am I in your debt? Courtesy demands you call twice, and if I'm not picking, it means I'm busy," she shouted without mincing words.
"Oh, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you. I'm Jerome," the voice replied calmly, a stark contrast to Kaira's tone.
"How can I help you? And how did you get my contact?"
"Guess you've forgotten so fast. We met at the bus stop."
"So, what is it? Why are you calling me? I didn't talk to you that day. Shouldn't it be clear that I don't want to talk to you?" Kaira barked.
"Girl! Calm down! I don't even know your name."
"You don't have to, do you? Just get your fuck outta here and let me sleep," she barked and hung up, threw the phone on the bed, and slept off. She had hardly started sleeping again when she heard a consistent knock on the door.
She checked the time on her phone, and it wasn't even time yet for anybody in the house to come back. She stood up angrily and went to the door with an angry look. However, the angry face melted when she saw who was at the door. It was Alisha. She just stood by the door, staring at her.
"And who got our dear psychopath angry?" she said, entering the house and leaving Kaira with the door still open. Kaira shut the door and joined her.
"It isn't his fault anyway. You caused it."
"Caused what? What are you insinuating?" Alisha asked, looking confused. "Before anything, please get me a cup of chilled juice," she added.
"You know your way around the house, so go get it," Kaira answered, switching on the TV to her favorite program.
"Be nice to me. I'm the only one for you," Alisha teased.
"You might as well go," she murmured as she prepared to stand up.
"What did you just say?" Alisha asked in a threatening voice.
She wanted to talk back but froze on the spot, her hand on her head as she seemed to be losing balance. Alisha quickly stood up and helped her back to the chair. She removed her blouse, leaving behind her underwear.
"Kaira, can you hear me?" She wasn't quite unconscious. Her eyes were open but squeezed as if almost blinded by rays of light. Panic ran through Alisha's spine as she continued calling her name and tapping her gently. She suddenly came alive, and immediately she did, Alisha sprang up, drenched in her own sweat.
"Hey! What's wrong with you?" she asked.
"I've been a little weak recently," Kaira answered, trying to stand up, but Alisha held her down.
"Then tell your parents!" Alisha stressed.
"I'm on antimalarial drugs," she answered weakly, gesturing to Alisha to lower her voice.
Alisha was silent for some seconds, staring at Kaira with a mixed expression of pity and annoyance.
"Do you want to go to the hospital?" Alisha asked.
"I'm fine, trust me." She had barely finished her statement when they heard the horn of a car.
"Who's that?" Kaira stood up, whispering, her eyes fixed on the window. Alisha peeped through the window, gave Kaira a ghostly gaze, and nodded slowly.
"Mum!" she exclaimed, and Alisha nodded to confirm it. Kaira, without knowing where the strength came from, felt a surge of adrenaline and quickly dragged Alisha to her room upstairs. They both sat on the bed with a book, pretending as if they were reading.
The door to her room opened, and they still pretended not to notice until her mother called her name.
"Oh... Mum... welcome!" Her mother gave a look as if suspecting something was up.
"Good afternoon, ma," Alisha said.
"Good afternoon, dear," she answered with a smile that didn't seem sincere.
"And the cup of juice downstairs?"
"It was for Alisha, Mum."
"Are you sure it wasn't for a guy? You didn't bring a guy into my house?"
Kaira was about to talk when she started coughing non-stop.