She was smiling but crying at the same time. He walked in closing the door, "I missed you more "
Rimuel opened his arms and let her jump into his embrace. Her tears stained his shirt, Vanita sobbed her pain, loneliness, and hurt as he tightly held her.
"You were gone for a week " she hiccuped.
His warm hand rested on her wet head, "I know and am sorry I took too long "
He pulled away leading her to the bed. She was still holding on to him like he would run away anytime.
He smiled leaning closer and placed a kiss on her lips.
"You lost weight, no appetite," he asked.
She nodded, "It's like my taste buds are gone, and am not that hungry anyway"
A knock at the door and Ricky came in holding their food.
"I hope you like it " he smiled handing the tray to Rimuel and left.
"I don't feel like eating " Vanita whined trying to get up but Rimuel stopped her.
"Not even when I feed you," he said.
She sat back down smiling, he dried her tears and started to feed Vanita who finally enjoyed her meal after a long time.
"Am full " she laughed. He moved the tray away and told her to go change.
"Change into something comfortable or you will catch a cold," he said as he left the room.
"Are you going away again?" she asked him.
"Get dressed I will be back soon," he told her.
His father had just arrived. He saw his son come down the stairs holding the empty plates.
"How is she doing?" he asked.
Rimuel sighed, "Not too well, she's only acting to be fine "
"Your school called and said she's been missing classes," his father said.
Ricky frowned, "But even Rimuel has been missing school "
"I have always been missing school but not Vani. Her life changed for the worst when she lost them " Rimuel sat down next to his father.
"Her friends are trying to help her but it is not enough anymore. You should help her now that you back " Cass tapped Rimuel's shoulder.
He got up, "Let me go change and then check on her again "
His father nodded. While Cass and Ricky followed him to the stairs.
"Before you disappear again we need to tell you something "
Rimuel frowned, "What is it?"
Cass moved to his ear and whispered, "Our Angel keeps acting weird, she sometimes breaks down and cries in the night "
Ricky moved closer too, "Then when I ask her what's wrong she gets so furious and tells me to go away. It's so scary sometimes ".
Rimuel brushed off their hands and walked up the stairs in silence.
Vanita was fully dressed now. Rimuel knocked and then walked in.
" Dad just told me you have been missing school," he said.
She nodded.
"Vanita it's our last year before we graduate, you need to go to class," he said.
Vanita nodded again, "I will "
He sighed sitting next to her, "let's go back together then "
The next day Rimuel drove them to school, Vanita hesitated to step out of the car, but he held her hand.
The class fell silent watching them walk in, Rimuel's hand was still holding Vanita whose head was down.
They took their seats, Essie and Eric were the only ones who approached them. She hugged her friend welcoming her back.
The class soon started, Rimuel made sure Vanita didn't get distracted and only paid attention to the teachers.
He left during the break to grab something for her to eat, and Essie kept her company.
One girl came over and welcomed her back, after she left, another and another and another kept coming to her desk. Offered their condolences and welcomed her back.
She was smiling now, "why are you guys in such a hurry we can chat more, " Vanita told them.
One of the girls waved her hands, "We would have come earlier but are afraid of your boyfriend "
"His cold eyes keep telling us to stay away from you," the other said.
Vanita and Essie laughed.
"Don't laugh Vanita, we don't know how you can stay close to him, he might be handsome and smart but also scary "
"That's for the compliment," a cold voice said behind them.
The girls scattered the moment they recognized who it was and waved goodbye to Vanita.
Rimuel placed the snacks in front of Vanita, "Have some you had little during breakfast "
She nodded and he unwrapped one for her to eat.
Essie looked at them and smiled, "Am going back to my seat now".