Diviya was being in so much denial back then, convincing herself—who knows it can very well be her mind playing tricks on her, all those times when little things would happen that she couldn't quite explain. Like the fact that she bleeds every three months when the norm for menstrual is monthly.
Sometimes she swears she can hear people thoughts, but she can never confirm that suspicion. Her blood glows a shimmering bright red, she heals quickly, she never got sick, not even the menstrual pains that her friend complains about.
The fact that her eyes changed colors on the morning after her eighteenth birthday.
On the day after her eighteenth birthday Diviya was mortified when she woke up with green eyes. Her eyes were a hazel brown with tiny green flecks. Then sometime during that night it changed from that shade to a hazel forest green.
She had dressed quickly and adorned a pair of shades before she darted out the house heading straight to Courts Optical.
A little over a year before Courts Optical had launched a new brand of lenses that can be worn on for four months before taking out. It attaches seamlessly.
All you had to do when taken out after four months was let it sit in the expensive solution provided for twenty four hours before putting it back in.
She knew of this because on her seventeenth birthday she was feeling for a change. So she had bought a pair of sky blue and dyed her hair blonde.
But she just didn't know what she was. She never came across any of 'the different kind' not even by accident.
She also wondered if the information online was even accurate, because they went back into their world over fifty years ago. Chances are most of it maybe speculations.
The little information given in history classes didn't give her much to go on and in all her research with the little info that she had she didn't know if she really was one of 'the different kind' and she kept this to herself. Maybe it was just a human defect she tried so hard to convince herself.
Diviya didn't want to burden her parents she always wondered what if they found out that she was different and didn't want her anymore out of fear. Diviya was not taking any chances with the parents that loved her and that she loved as well.
Lifting her head off the head rest Diviya looks out the window and she did so for a long while so she saw when suddenly a city, Velia Gizem was upon them, then they made a left and drove for a few more miles into a nice community.
Diviya continues to stare out the window and absorbs her surroundings, the place was active, some interesting looking people. Different store fronts, cars were passing by now and people were out and about.
As they continue on she saw a beautiful park, nice homes, …Lost in her thoughts Diviya couldn't believe it when Carlton told her they were about five minutes away.
She tense, this was where they would be dropping her off, till god knows when. She would be alone and suddenly Diviya realizes she didn't want to be alone.
They pull up by a duplex and Diviya relaxes slightly at the thought of having a neighbor, someone close by. She wonders who lives there and if it was another witness, but by the guard she now observes at the door confirms her thought. It was indeed another witness.
Carlton switches off and Michael got out. Diviya saw two men at the front sitting on the porch. They look so huge and frightening.
Michael opens the door for Diviya which prompted her that it was time to get out of the vehicle. She slung her bag strap across her shoulders and took Michael's hand allowing him to pull her out the vehicle.
Introductions were then made with the men on the porch. They are her guards for the first twelve hours. Another two would take their place after and they would keep rotating.
Michael quickly showed her around, where things were and he told her they put together a few things for her that she might need until she was able to go into town and shop for a few more things.
This was just to get her through the next twenty four hours or so. Sit tight he told her giving her a small hug and quickly made it out. Stopping at the door Diviya looks on as Michael sternly observes the two guards carefully.
Then he told them sternly to guard her with their life, no one is to enter this apartment until further notice. With that Michael storms off.
Upstairs had her room, a toilet and bath next to her room. There was also a smaller room but it was empty.
A sense of loneliness washes over Diviya, she was alone in the world as she made her way upstairs where her room was and decided to take a long shower. She was alone in this house, this empty house with just her in it.
Alone!
Staring at herself in the mirror Diviya finally exhales and got busy taking out her contact lens, she told herself that this may be the last time she wear these, she no longer needed to hide the pair of her unique shade of green eyes.
Diviya also realizes that she can let the dye wash out completely from her hair and finally let the true color shine through.
After her long shower she dried with the towel she found in the cupboard next to the sink. She waltzes to the wardrobe and saw she had two tops and two jeans with some toiletries and a pair of underwear with a nightgown.
It was around 1pm and she had no plans to leave here for the rest of the day so she grabs the night gown and decided on no underwear as she was already limited in those.
Weary and sad Diviya was ready to veg out in bed and watch some tv. She turns on the ac, pick up the remote, turn on the tv and then slips under the cover relaxing into a comfortable position as she starts flicking from channel to channel when suddenly her stomach growls hangrily.
While she lay there contemplating on getting up and making herself something to eat, she heard what sound like her door bell.
Diviya was startled at the subtle noise that echoed throughout the quiet duplex.
Climbing out of bed she made her way downstairs and to the front door. She peeks through the hole in door and saw a pretty young girl. Short brown hair, hazel brown eyes, slim built. She looks like she had something in her hand.
She then says after a moment, "it's just me, your neighbor, another fellow witness under protection, I am here with a welcome basket," lifting what was in her hands closer to the peep hole.
Diviya exhales and opens the door, "hello, can I help you?"
Extending her free hand "hi I am Vanessa Hart and I am your next door neighbor."
Diviya took her hand and answers,"hi Vanessa, it's nice to meet you. Diviya Mason."
Silence…
When Vanessa realize Diviya was not rushing to invite her in she says, "well I just thought I'd bring you a warm meal."
Oh food Diviya thought immediately, remembering her hunger, "sure come in, so nice of you." Diviya moves out of the way.
Vanessa slips through and Diviya peeks outside and saw the guards, each doing there own thing. She closes the door and Vanessa says as Diviya takes the basket from her and made her way to the kitchen area.
"I just thought you might like some company not wanting to be alone," she pause before continuing as she wonders how to phrase what she wanted to say next and looks around the room nervously.
"When I first came here and was left in this Duplex I felt an immediate rush of loneliness, it was hard and I just thought I'd come keep you company, just for a little while on your first day."
As Diviya was busying herself with the basket and it's contents she listened to Vanessa and she knew the truth in Vanessa's words as she just experienced that loneliness and was still feeling it's effects.
Diviya looks at Vanessa appreciatively "thanks Vanessa for this meal and coming over to keep me company…"
Thinking Diviya was going to turn down her offer she rushed on "we can simply sit in silence and watch some tv." Vanessa herself had been here for a month now and she was lonely as ever. Desperate to make a friend, a friend who can relate.
Diviya blinks but she inclines, "sure that sounds lovely."
Diviya thought at least she will have some company as she ate her meal and she doesn't have to talk if she doesn't want too. Seems like Vanessa truly knew exactly what she needed right now.