1 Year Later, Alfam Vista, Eastern Mediterranean University.
LAYAL:
"Are you sure about this? it's not too late to back out."
"It's fine Hira, I might ferment in this room if I stay any longer." I assured her while slightly loosening the band on my ponytail. The strain on my forehead was unbearable.
She sighed in defeat and reluctantly agreed.
"Fine, but expect my calls every thirty minutes."
"Hir...
"That's final." She affirmed, leaving no room for argument.
"Alright, see you then." I bid her goodbye and grabbed a doughnut off the table before leaving.
"Layal, no sugar for breakfast!" She yelled but I was already out the door.
"okayyy!" I laughed.
Luckily for me someone was already in the elevator so I rushed in before the doors shut because if I had to wait for it to come back up it'll take three businesses days, and living on the last floor didn't help the situation.
My anxiety skyrocketed everytime we moved a floor down. For a moment I wished I'd listened to my roommate and stayed, for I wasn't in anyway prepared to face outside, knowing the harsh reality that awaited me.
I visibly tensed as the words "Entrance, the door is opening" resonated off the walls of the elevator. The same words that usually had me bubbling with excitement to attend school, now drowned me in terror.
Gathering courage, I stepped outside and took a deep breath, the fresh scent of the lobby wafting through my nostrils. My eyes drifted to the automatic double doors, the sound of their opening and closing triggering the trauma switches in my head.
This is it. There's no going back. It's all or nothing. With those words, a new wave of determination washed over me, and without looking back, I took my first step outdoors, after a whole year.
The intense gazes of the public pierced daggers through my soul as I walked on the pavement. With trembling hands, I nervously adjusted the straps of my bag and hastened my pace, keeping my head down. It's best to avoid eye contact in situations like this. A car honked behind me but I ignored it, and instead spurted out strings of apologies, thinking I was in it's way, until a familiar voice spoke.
"Need a ride, Dora?"
Dora? why does that name sound familiar?
"Dora? Dor... oh! Ahmed!" I exclaimed.
At last, someone I know.
Ahmed and I grew up together. We're practically siblings, just not blood related.
Without a second thought, I hopped into the passenger's seat and fastened the belt.
"Drive." I commanded in a low but authoritative tone.
"Oh wow, is this anyway to treat someone who just saved you 15 minutes of walking under this scorching heat?" He exclaimed in disbelieve. Dramatic much.
"Fine. Sorry."
"That doesn't sound sincere."
"Because it isn't, can we go now?"
"Bitch." He whispered. Despite being constantly at each other's throats, I love Ahmed and I couldn't be more grateful to him for coming to my rescue, but ofcourse, I couldn't dare show that. I'd never hear the end of it.
He changed so much, physically. He got buffer, and his brown, curly hair hung loosely over his forehead. I also noticed he was wearing coloured clothing as opposed to his usual "all black" style. How drastic.
"Like what you see?" He teased, lips morphed into a proud grin.
I averted my gaze from him, scoffing in annoyance. His fashion sense may have changed but the narcissism didn't falter a bit. Old habits indeed die hard.
"No grim reaper outfit today?"
"Layal, It doesn't hurt to be nice, you know."
"It does, Ahmed, it does."
"It's too early to be dealing with you. Get out of my car, we're here."
"Thank you, my love." I blew him a kiss to taunt him.
"Heck no, take that back." He grimaced, covering his face.
We were about to enter Central Lecture hall (CL) when I spotted Salma walking towards us. Why is she outside during lecture hours? did she skip? no, that's unlike her.
Like Ahmed, Salma is a very close friend of mine, except, we met in freshman year.
"Take a U-turn, class is cancelled." She informed.
"What do you mean it's cancelled?" I blurted.
Why did I ask such a dumb question? you may wonder. I don't know either.
She gave me a condescending once over before responding.
"Did coma make you retarded or something?"
Forever unhinged, and blunt. That's Salma.
"I can't believe I'm getting bullied on my first day in uni after a year."
"it's all love." Ahmed gave my shoulder a rather tight squeeze in the name of offering comfort.
"So, what now? or better yet, where to?" She asked.
"um..home?" I mean....where else.
"Girl, you just came from home!" She exclaimed, while Ahmed just gave me a blank stare. Oh well.
"Should we go to LOCAL?"
He swiftly nodded at her suggestion, both exchanging knowing smirks.
"what's that?" To say I was in absolute oblivion would be the biggest understatement of the century.
"A place, duh." She scoffed, linking our arms.
Fortunately, LOCAL was only a five-minute walk from CL, and it had such an alluring vibe to it. Student friendly and aesthetically pleasing. I instantly fell in love with the indoor lounging area at first glance. The drinks looked appetizing, but does the look match the taste? we'll find out.
"It's awesome, isn't it?" Salma beamed.
"umhh". I nodded in agreement, still amazed at the decor.
"What do you guys wanna drink?" Ahmed inquired.
"I'll have the oreo milkshake."
"Aren't you on a diet?" Ahmed and I voiced out in unison.
"I'll start tomorrow." She dismissed, totally unbothered.
"You've been saying that for three years now." Ahmed retorted.
"I'm for real this time." She mused, knowing damn well that she's lying to herself. That diet is starting in the grave.
I ordered a caramel latte, and Ahmed, a banana smoothie. Salma ended up paying for our drinks after losing to Ahmed in rock, paper and scissors. I was exempted from playing since it's apparently a "mini welcome party" for me so I didn't have to pay.
However, my thrill in LOCAL was short-lived, as the stares from the other students grew more intense now that I am in a closed confinement. Any direction I turned, I ended up locking eyes with someone.
"Are you okay?" Salma asked, concerned. Ahmed as well bore a worried look on his face. They must've detected my fidgeting. Honestly, it's hard to not break character in the unwavering gazes of almost a hundred pairs of eyes.
"Why are they staring too much?" My voice was barely above a whisper.
"I can't even imagine what you must be going through right now." Ahmed sighed.
"I know right, but I guess it's because you were the sole survivor of the...you know....expl..explosion..that night." Salma stuttered, as though the words were burning her tongue.
I momentarily closed my eyes, trying not to relive that tragic incident.
"They probably feel sorry and are struggling to find ways to empathize with you." Ahmed reasoned.
"Empathize? but I wasn't the one who died."
Now that Ahmed mentioned it, I couldn't help but notice most of the stares were that of.....pity? how atrocious!
"Well, nobody could care less about the "one" who died." Salma shrugged, nonchalantly sipping her drink.
Pain surged through my heart upon hearing those words.
"What do you mean nobody could care less? She gave her life to save me. You both know that."
"The world is a cruel place, Layal. A very cruel one." Ahmed murmured, staring into space.
"Was the culprit caught?" At least that much should've been done for Kiarra.
Both their faces fell upon hearing my question, and my heart sank. I already knew the answer. Their reaction was a dead giveaway. I raked my fingers through my hair, at a complete loss for words.
"The case wa....
"Don't!" Ahmed shrieked, interrupting Salma.
"It was what?" I pressed.
"It was...it wa....
"Salma don't." He desperately pleaded, beads of sweat covering his forehead.
"Salma, Imagine dying in the most tragic way known to mankind, only for the world to turn a blind eye and still blame you for attempted murder. Imagine being in Kiarra's shoes, Salma. Imagine."
That was all it took for her to make the biggest revelation that covered my entire body in chills.
"The case was ruled as suicide."