Without thinking, Alice put several medicinal tablets into her mouth and then took a quick gulp of water, raising questions in the minds of the three friends who saw her action. They exchanged glances and silently watched Alice's busyness which attracted attention and was able to keep them quiet until Alice slept on her bed.
When Alice entered the room, she immediately looked for the items on the shelves until they were messy. The three friends who were talking casually were disturbed by her actions. Look for items on shelves, bags, under pillows and other areas that belong to Alice. Not to mention Alice's voice that sounded annoyed because she had not found the item she was looking for. Several times Jessy asked what the object was looking for but Alice didn't answer. It was unusual if Alice not answer their questions.
While taking the medicine, Alice had taken the wrong medicine and immediately vomited it in the toilet located outside the room because the toilet was a shared toilet belonging to two rooms. Go back to the room quickly and take the actual medicine with a dose that is arguably too much for that one time.
"Ashhh...." Alice groaned while clutching her stomach.
The thing she hates the most in her life is when she has her period. In addition to making herself more emotional, she had to feel pain in her stomach and head that sometimes felt like it was splitting in two. Feeling nauseous and lazy to do activities. Plus there's something quite personal going on during that time. The blood that comes out is not like most women. Her blood flows fast in no time.
It doesn't feel like twenty minutes had passed and Alice was still busy by herself. Whether it's selecting the medicine, groaning in pain, or something else. Without realizing it, her tears had fallen and stayed on both cheeks. Her sobs were able to make the three people there completely silent.
Still in a hurry, Alice ended up sleeping on the bed. She noticed her friend's gaze as she walk over to the bed. Avoiding questions that could reveal a hated secret, she prefer to avoid their gazes and went straight to sleep as soon as she arrived on the bed. Hope those who witnessed it earlier can understand what's going on.
Hoover whisper to Britney. "Why do you think she is?"
"I don't know. She must have a stomach problem." reply Britney who immediately ignored Alice. "Forget it, we have a lot of task to do."
"Alice," Jessy call.
At first Alice don't intend to answer but when Jessy call again, she turn her head without speaking. Hoover is back listening.
"Have you done your homework?" asked Jessy who Alice shook her head.
"So how? Can you do it if your stomach hurts like this?" she ask again.
"I don't know." Alice replied weakly. "I want to sleep for a bit." se continued with the hope that those in the room would not interact with him again until sleep was over.
"Heol, what's your real problem? Can't you tell us?" said Hoover in an annoyed tone.
Alice shook her head weakly. "I'm fine."
"Well then don't call us if you need help because you're fine."
Jessy stared in surprise at Hoover who was ignored.
While Alice swallowed hard, thinking about Hoover's words pierced her heart a little. Moreover, her tone of voice was very different from the first time they met.
"I'm going for a walk outside. Does anyone want to come?" Hoover walk to the room door, putting on her slippers.
"Yes."
"I'll follow."
And of course there was no answer from Alice. Hoover don't really expect it either.
"Okay, let's go Britney!"
***
The vibration of the phone startled the owner so that she woke up with a pounding heart. The cell phone placed next to her was shocking. Seeing the caller's name on the phone screen, she immediately sat down and checked the room to see if anyone else was there.
There was no one but her — even the room lights are turned off, Alice answered the call.
"Hello, dad."
"Hello Alice, why don't you call me? Dad often waits for a call from you." said her father in a tone that touched Alice's feelings. "Do you have time? Maybe there's something you want to talk about?"
Yeah, it's there. A phrase that weighed heavily on Alice's mind. A phrase that has been felt since the morning because of something that weighed on her. All of that is contained in one sentence, 'I miss you dad.'
"Nothing, father." the lie.
It's not that she doesn't want to say that but she can't. Even now she is holding back tears so her father wont worry. She try her best to control her voice to sound normal.
"Well, I'd like to hear a story from you, though."
"I've done it on chat. This school's music room is great."
"Ah that's right. You must be happy when you enter the room right? Unexpectedly the school provides such facilities."
"Hmm, right."
"Oh yes aunt wants to talk to you for a moment. Can we change it to a video call?" her father ask hopefully.
Instantly Alice's doubts arose. One side wants to do it but the other side doesn't want to either.
"I'm with a friend. Maybe next time."
"It's okay, we also want to see your friends."
There was no answer from Alice. She silently contemplated.
Her father who had waited a long time, finally laugh softly. "Yeah, that's fine. But at least say hello to your aunt. Dad give dad's cell phone to her, okay?"
Alice wait for her aunt's voice to be heard.
"Hello Alice! How are you there?" ask her aunt as she clutched her father's cell phone.
"Okay, aunty. Don't worry about me."
There is laughter from the other side. "Aunty is relieve to hear your answer and voice. You must be happy there, right? The environment there is very comfortable."
Her aunt went to school there too, though only for one year, namely the first year. After that her aunt transferred to a boarding school in another country.
"Yes aunty."
"We'll be there sometime. If you have time please tell us."
"Yes aunty."
Alice lowered her head, her voice slowly turning hoarse. Her attempts to hold back tears and control her voice had failed. Immediately she wiped away the tears and took a deep breath.
"Auntie, we have to go back to our room. My roommate and I have to do group work."
"Oh well, aunty give it back to your father."
"Yes."
"Gosh why the rush?" her father ask. "When you sleep, don't think too much, okay?"
"Yes father."
"Good night, dad hang up the phone, tomorrow--."
"Wait a minute dad!" Alice interrupted father's conversation and immediately continued, "If you want to make a call, please chat first."
"Oh hahaha ok, dad doesn't know you were busy. I'm sorry."
The sound of the bedroom door opened and Jessy entered the room. Alice immediately ended long-distance communication with her father.
"It's okay. I'll close it." Alice turned off the phone unilaterally.
"Your father?" ask Jessy who has overhear their conversation.
"Yes."
"Why don't you continue? I don't mind."
Alice shook her head. "We're done talking."
"I see...." Jessy climbed into her bed and stretched. "How's your stomach? Are you feeling better?"
"It's not as bad as before." Alice answer.
Jessie smiled in relief. "Good,"
Silence ensued after that. Alice doesn't want know what to say and Jessy is busy folding her clothes.
Remembering something while holding her stomach, Alice speak again to Jessy.
"Jessy, for tomorrow's study group, may I have permission? My stomach still hurts."
Jessie shook her head vigorously. "Don't ask me, ask Britney. I'm fine because you're serious."
"Britney? Do you think she is allowed me?"
Jessie shrugged. "There she comes." she said as Britney and Hoover walk in together.
"Why?" ask Britney who realize that she was the one Jessy meant.
"Alice has permission to join the study group tomorrow. Her stomach still hurts."
Hoover approached. "Gosh it looks bad huh? Can you walk?"
"It's okay. Just a regular stomach ache during menstruation." Alice answer.
"I see. Yes, I know how it feels." Hoover turned to Britney. "How?"
"Should not. If you want to join us, tomorrow you have to come whatever your reasons." Britney said so that Alice gasped in surprise.
"But my stomach--"
"You said it's okay right? A stomach ache won't be a hindrance in the study group." said Britney still on her decision. "If you don't come tomorrow morning, you can't join again because you didn't participate in the main task."
Alice lowered her head, Britney's words had a point. There was no way he wouldn't participate in the group's task let alone that it was the main task.
"Don't be weak, the stomach ache can be overcome."
Seeing Alice looking down and silent, Hoover pull Alice's blanket and hand it to her. "Don't worry about it. You better sleep, maybe tomorrow your stomach will be normal again."
Alice refuse. "It's okay, I want to go out for a while."
"What? The teachers will be checking on us soon." tell Jessy.
"I'm just a moment." Alice remain standing and walk slowly out of the room.
She could faintly hear Britney say, "See? She can walk just fine. Does it make sense that stomach pains keep her from joining the study group?"
Alice sigh softly. Her hand clutched her stomach, the pain was still rising and falling. Actually not only because of the stomach, but she really isn't in the mood when she was in this condition. Her back hurts too but she keeps this a secret because shee doesn't want to give the impression of being 'weak' from her friends even though it has been stated by Britney.
She sit in an elongated chair. Her face was covered with both hands. The silence made her stay in that position for quite a while. Let all thoughts come to she until the anxiety is gone.
Thinking about her illness made het even more hesitant to open up to friends. If one day they found out, how will they react? Will Alice be a bad topic? Or will they get closer to Alice in order to protect her? Alice was curious to death about it.
***