Next day
"Alina." "Present ma'am."
"Deepa." "Present ma'am."
"Emilia." .......
"Emilia."........
"I guess she is absent today."
(Lily "Is it because of yesterday that she didnot come to school today?")
A week later,
"She didnot come to school today either. Did something happen to her," Lily then rushed towards the staff room,
"Maam do you know why Emilia is absent today."
" Yes, her father had called and said that she had tripped from the ladder so she is resting at home."
"Could you please give me her address. I want to visit her."
"Oh! okay."
After the school ended Lily ran towards Emilia's home. "I guess this is her house." As she rings the doorbell nobody answers. She again rings the doorbell. The door opens slightly, "Who are you looking for?" a week voice appears. "Emilia , it's me Lily." She grabs the door, "Can I come in? I want to talk with you"
As the door opens, the image of Emilia shocks Lily. Two big scars on her left cheek, a cut on her forehead. "Hey, what happened to you?" as Lily grabs her hand, "Ouch! Don't touch my hand." Lily looks at her hand and saw dark bluished discolouration of her hand and many cuts. Lily's eye gets filled with tears and she slowly touches her fingers, "Please tell me, what's wrong Emilia. Please." Looking at her, Emilia also starts to tear up. They lock their fingers and Emilia says, " I am sorry I can't tell you." Both of them cry loudly holding each other hands.
After a while
"By the way, why did you come at my home?"
"It's because you left without saying anything. I was worried about you."
Emilia grabs the kettle and starts preparing tea.
"Where is your mom?"
"She is not here. She had died when I was 10 years old."
"Huh, what ..aunt is dead. So, that time when I was talking on and on about my mom...I am so sorry Emilia...Please forgive me."
"It's okay. I don't mind. "
Emilia starts stirring the sugar in the tea.
"And what about your dad, where is he?"
Emilia stops stirring for a moment and says, "Oh, dad.....uhmm..uhmm... he is at work. So, what about class, how is the class running?"
Looks at her frightened expression when she mentioned about her dad Lily becomes suspicious.
"I guess I will be going now. Take care."
Emilia grabs Lily's tshirt.
"Uhmm, about the other day, when I told that I didnot considered you as my friend....."
"Oh! about that , forget it.. but why did you say so?"
"Aren't friend supposed to be the one to share about yourself, your problem, difficulties and support each other.....I can't say about my situation to anyone and I also cannot provide any support to you.. Instead I will only be a bother..."
"You fool, I don't think of you as a bother. Even if you aren't able to speak of yourself, just remember that I will always be by your side. I will always support you. Okay."
"Uhmm..... yes" Emilia said and smiled so brightly that her even her scars looked dim.
"Did you know, you look very beautiful when you smile. So, always smile", Lily said and then she bid farewell and went her home.