"Where did it come from? I entirely forgot about Ziya"
Lillie held Ziya's hand and observed her breathing. It was raising second by second. Fine sweats were formed on Ziya's forehead and her hands were as cold as ice cubes and she was shivering lightly.
"Ziya dear, don't panic. Don't look at it. See me" and Lillie turned Ziya towards her and hugged her.
"Don't worry Ziya"
Meanwhile, Evan and Emily heard someone screaming and looked around and found some movements in between the bushes. They went near the bush.
"Who is there?" Evan asked.
"Ziya!" Emily shouted when she heard Lillie saying Ziya's name.
"Ziya?" Evan asked.
'Isn't she Leo's love?'
"Yes, she is my friend. She is more feared of dogs even to the point of fainting" Emily worried for Ziya and stepped towards the bushes. Evan followed her.
When they saw the frightened Ziya, Emily knelt and started rubbing Ziya's hands. Evan looked around but did not see any dogs.
Lillie saw Emily and Evan.
"Water, bring some water Evan brother"
But before Evan could stand, someone gave a water bottle to Lillie. Lillie accepted it and made Ziya drink some water. No one noticed who that person was. He just gave the water bottle to Lillie and stepped away from them.
Even after drinking some water, Ziya's condition did not stabilize instead it worsened further.
"What happened Lillie? Why you two are here?" asked Emily.
'Oho! I am done for! I must not say I am stalking them'
Sensing she could not avoid answering, Lillie said innocently.
"We came here to call you Emily"
"Oh, you think we'll believe you. What is it?" Evan pointed the camera hung on Lillie's neck and resumed, "And, why are you hiding?"
Emily realized why her friends were hiding behind the bushes. But it was not important than Ziya.
"Okay. Say what happened here Lillie?" she asked.
"A real dog stood behind Ziya. First, I did not notice it. But after seeing Ziya's pale face, I noticed it" Lillie explained.
"But I didn't see any dog around Lillie" Evan replied.
"I saw it Evan brother. It's half a meter tall and barking towards Ziya. Even I am scared seeing it" Lillie replied but did not forget to rub Ziya's hand.
"What to do now? Ziya's condition is worsening second by second" Lillie said worriedly.
"Make her forget that she had seen a dog," Someone said to them.
They turned and saw a man. He was the one who gave the water bottle to Lillie.
"How?" Hearing him, Emily asked. But Evan felt a little suspicious of him.
"Does she like sweets? Then try to make her eat this" He passed candy to Lillie and continued, "She can hear you. So, try to console her psychologically. Like, remind her about happy memories or anyone she likes or loves. Do something before she faints"
"Okay" Lillie unwrapped the candy and put it in Ziya's mouth. But Ziya's breathing did not stabilize. So, Emily and Lillie tried to say some happy memories.
"Ziya dear, you remember on your 12th birthday, I forgot to bring you gifts. Because of that, I got punished by our English teacher. She asked me to read the context but when I am reading, you tickled me. So, I laughed out aloud leads to me standing outside the classroom. From then on, I had sworn myself I would never forget your gifts" Lillie described her misery.
"Hahaha… Lillie, you forgot the main story… hahaa" Emily could not help but laugh at Lillie.
"If you can't remember, I'll tell. That day after you received your punishment from the English teacher, we played with water inside the classroom. You got furious as we were playing without and took a water bottle and spray it on us. Just then the English teacher came. When she asked, you responded that you want to drink water since you didn't drink water since morning. As a health concerned teacher, she ordered you to drink the full bottle of water. You agreed and to appease her, you planned to drink it just then. You opened the lid when you felt something amiss and smelled it. Since it was not a transparent bottle, the teacher could not find anything wrong and asked you to drink. You drank a sip. But she asked you to drink the full bottle. Helpless, you drank till the last drop of the bitter guard juice… hahaa… You drank bitter guard juice which you hate the most. that day was your most unlucky day Lillie… Ha-ha… You know something, that bitter guard juice was Ziya's from her grandmother. You drank on behalf of her, Lillie. Ha-ha…" Emily continued Lillie's misery.
Hearing this, the man also laughed. He could imagine how Lillie felt that day.
Ziya's breathing stabilized a little. Her baby pink lips raised a little.
…
Nina stood not far behind them, observing Ziya clearly. Her eyes glowed when she saw the pale Ziya. Her lips contained a jeering simper.
'Did she think she can attend the school reunion party? With me here, you will never come there Ziya'
"Nina, come soon, it's almost time. We should impress the HILL's University Vice-Chairman"
Someone invited Nina. So, she went with her classmate as she was confident enough to get the Vice-Chairman's and Leo's attention.
…
Evan messaged Leo about Ziya's condition. Soon, he arrived at the playground.
When he saw the frightened Ziya, his heart aggrieved a bit. He squatted down beside Ziya and stroked her head.
Ziya smiled when she saw Leo. She was so happy when he came. She forgot everything around her and hugged him tightly.
"You are here," She said, fear was evident when she spoke as it was low and quivering.
"Mm. Don't panic, I am here" Leo said to assure her. They embraced each other for some time. When Leo noticed her constant breathing, he picked her up and moved towards the school. Lillie and Emily followed.
While Evan stayed. The man who offered water to Ziya saw Evan and went near him.
"Someone is plotting against them. Make sure they are out of danger" He said and turned to leave.
"Why do you help them?" Evan asked. He had already doubted this man but could not say whether he was a friend or a foe.
The man turned towards Evan and said nothing.
…
Leo carried Ziya to the sick room. Emily and Lillie who followed Leo and Ziya laughed quietly.
"They are perfect Lillie" Emily could not contain her joy.
"Yeah, my brother is lucky to get Ziya" Lillie chortled.
Leo, when heard their babble, felt happy and his thin lips were slightly raised upwards. He settled Ziya in the bed and poured her some water. Ziya shook her head as no because she had already drunk some water. But he forced her to drink by keeping it near her lips. With no way to deny it, she drank a little.
"Lie down for some time," He said.
"Lillie"
Lillie who was called immediately stopped capturing and went forward near Leo.
"Yes, Mr Brother" She answered amidst hiding her camera.
'It's better if he didn't ask about why we went there. God, please help me' Emily prayed inwardly when standing in front of Leo.