Kate dressed up all looking baked and gorgeous as if she was going for a party or something. But I didn't bother asking. A set of guys walked into the compound but I wasn't sure of who they are. 

"I'll be right back huh!" Kate blue a kiss at me as she grabbed her handbag and walked out. 

"Don't forget to get the drugs." I muttered, not sure if she heard me or not.

'Well, Kate shouldn't forget something so important.' I thought.

***

Later that day, I managed to walk into the kitchen. I prepared noodles and egg. Kate came home around 12, midnight. She was drunk and wasted. Only God knows how she managed to get home safe during that time. I took her to bed and took off her heals. She was bothering me about how she miss Lee and how he keeps annoying her without calling at all. I felt so much pain, staying in the room that night. I had no where else to go, I would have to sleep outside.

"Are you stupid! I don't think you're dump."

I handed her a cup of water mixed with lemonade. 

"What's this?" She asked almost pouring it away.

"It's just water. Drink it." It would help you regain consciousness. 

She drank it and I went back to check my phone.

"What pictures are you taking? Who do you think you are to me! My mother?" She cried again.

"Its enough Kate. Its late already, I need to sleep."

"Okay! I get it. So you've been sleeping with my Lee!" She giggled stupidly.

"Kate! Please," I warned.

Finally, she lied on her bed and slept off. With her usual Buzz-like-snoring.

***

Early in the morning, mums calls woke me from sleep. Although, I've wanted to call her to tell her about my health condition, I didn't because I don't want to cause her more worries and troubles. I wouldn't tell her, I'm an adult now. I should be able to care for myself without any body's help.' I thought as I picked up the call.

"Hello darling, how are you."

"Good morning mum. I'm fine."

There was a silence. I couldn't understand why. Maybe she noticed something from my voice.

"What's wrong? You're sounding odd."

"I'm fine mummy."

"You don't sound fine, Alexia. Tell me.  Are you sick?"

"No mum, its just cold… And fever."

"What? And you didn't tell me? What should I call you! A fool or a chicken! Are you a baby for crying out loud! Why can't you go to the hospital?

"I'm not able to mum. I have little one me and…"

"What about Kate! Isn't she there to accompany you?"

"She's always buys with one with or another mum. I don't understand her. She hardly stays home and I'm just alone." I felt emotional saying this. It was as if my heart was sinking into the ocean like titanic. Tears gathered my eyes as I explained.

"Don't worry, Alexia! Where's Kate now, give her the phone!"

"She isn't at home mum. She went out."

"Okay, don't worry, I'll call her mum."

"No but-" she didn't even let me complete the statement before she cut the call.

Late that evening, Kate entered with a pack of Ice cream, popcorn and yogurt. She took it alone and went to bed. 

What about the drugs. Did you get them?" I reminded her.

"Oh! Sorry. I had to buy these. Maybe tomorrow, ehn?" She joked stupidly and laid on the bed.

"Sorry, its been a long day, Alex. I promise to get the drugs for you tomorrow."

***

The sky was drifting slowly and gradually. Like the calmness of the sea, it was morning. Again, another bright day rules over the place like it usually does. The naughty birds outside where chirping as if they were trying to convey to me a message. But their noise wasn't what woke me up that morning, it was the vibration of Kate's phone.

Nervous and agitated, Mrs. Kapoor called her daughter.

"Hello mum."

Don't hello me, you fool. I heard what you did

"What did I do, mummy?" She rose from her bed, staring as me confusedly.

"You've been exposed. How many times would I tell you that your laziness would betray you someday. Imagine Alex. Poor girl. She would do all the house chores and you would be sleeping like a princess. Princess of where?

"No Mummy, its not like that…" She tried to explain but Mrs. Kapoor interrupted.

"Just shut up, idiot. Imagine, Alex had been sick for almost a week now and you can't do anything about it. I thought you were happy to have a sister, but you know what? You really disgust me!

You have nothing meaningful to say. All you bring upon this family is nothing but shame and disgrace. Who would marry a lazy pig like you?"

"I can explain things to you, mum. I'll never treat Kate in such way mum, we do all the work together! Perhaps, she didn't tell me she was sick, I didn't even know she was sick. She's just normal mummy, I swear!!" Kate begged with tears clouding in her eyes.

"How do you expect me to believe this lie again, Kate! Innocent girl, she took all the blame even when you're at fault. How many sisters treat themselves with so much love? You're so lucky to have Alex as your roommate. Don't blame her for all your wrong doings! Be bold enough to take the blame for once in your life! For the past 20 years of our friendship, Kate. I've never heard Benny so broken except today! You've disappointed me, Kate. And trust me, your father must know about this! I'm not keeping any stupid secret or hiding any bullshit  lies for a daughter that is not even ready yo learn. I'm not a foolish mother, Kate!" Mrs. Kapoor's voice shaking over the call. It seems she was close to tears or something. Kate had really broken her heart this time. She paused for a while and continued.

 "I've tried my best. I've played my part as a responsible mother, its time for you to play yours. Beg Alex and mend your ways, you'll get your final judgment from your father. You know who he is!"

"Mum, please, don't tell him. I promise to change for the better, remember?" But the phone was quite. Hello, hello! Mummy!!" Kate begged over the phone, already in tears.

Then, she notice her mum must have hung up the call. Kate threw her phone on the bed out of frustration staring at me with so much hatred. Like an hungry lioness.  

I looked at her anxiously. My eyes asking if everything was alright. 

I've never seen Kate so angry, ever since I knew her. She's been so cook and witty but now, Kate is someone else.

"What do you tell you mother!" Her voice shivered, another series of tears gathering in her eyes.

"Get up bitch! And stop the presence because I know nothing is wrong with you!"

I stood up gently, my head still aching as hell. But I managed to lift myself alone, still holding my heavy head. 

What's wrong, Kate. Why are you being so agitated over nothing?"

"I hate liers! I hate pretenders! I hate people like you, Alex! Do you even consider me your friend at all. Because no true friend would betray another the way you do."

"What are you talking about, Kate. I'm your friend  and you're my friend too."

"What a blabbermouth you are! After I told you to keep it a secret between us about the chores stuff. But no! You went to tell your mum! What are you exactly? A good friend! No, a good sister!  Congratulations! You're good daughter while I'm the bad one, right?"

She walked up to me, our faces meeting one on one. Hers strong and mind weak. Hers with anger and mine, with fear. I shivered to every single word she blared out of her mouth as if it were spear of an energy but Kate wasn't an energy. She was my best friend and we are like sisters. Both of us, in were already in tears. But she wiped hers immediately with the back of her hands, I just left mine to flow because I was weak. She was strong. 

I don't know what happened, Kate but I'm sorry. I'm so sorry if I've don't anything wrong. Stop saying those hurtful words.

"I hate you Alex! And this is the end of our friendship, trust me!" She rolled her eyes at me in betrayer and hissed. She pushed me away, violently as I staggered, almost falling on my butt. You haven't seen anything! This is just the beginning!!" She spat at me and rushed out of the room. 

"But I told you earlier." I muttered, too shock to speak.

I carried myself up from the bare, cold floor, gently lying  on the bed still in so much pain and tears

Later that evening, Luna came to knock on our door. I asked her in. 

Immediately, she rushed to my bed, placing her hands on my forehead to feel my temperature.

What? You're so hot. Where's Kate?

"She went out."

"Where did she go?"

"I don't have any idea. She left since morning.

"What? Have you eaten?"

"No, not yet."

"Your mum called me and narrate things to me. She asked me to take care if you. But don't worry, I'm her now. Come on, get up let's go to my room." She said, gently pulling me up.

"Thanks a lot, Luna." I muttered weakly.

"You're so off colour and your looking so pale. Why wouldn't Kate never care for you of all people?" I just smiled as she held me up. 

Luna took me to her bed placing my head gently over her soft pillow.

"Just lay back a bit. I'll get something refreshing from the kitchen." She muttered as I nodded.

 Feeling free and loved. Luna is such a nice person. It seemed mum collected her number and had called her that morning to tell her about things. 

Again, I began to feel a sharp claws of fear tearing at my stomach. My body was suddenly soaked in fearful perspiration. It seemed I was becoming weaker by the day.

"Are you okay?" Luna muttered, reading the worries on my face.

"No, I'm not. My head is spinning, my vision too is blurry... And my tommy."

"Okay, just wait here a second. I need to take you to the hospital right now but first, I need to prepare." She implied with a bit distress. 

She ran into her room, searching through her scattered wardrobe for a more simple and cleaner outfit. Luna jumped into a ragged jean and a pink top.

She gently helped me up as we walked outside. Luna stopped a taxi outside our house and took me to the hospital. It was her own hospital she took me to.

***

When we got there, everyone was as busy as a bee. Patients were being treated and other medical practitioners were treating their patients. After minutes of sitting, we were finally asked in.

Doctor Valerie Dixon, a slim woman of forty-five 

with a short blonde hair, took my temperature that evening. She squibbed something down into a large brown file and handed it over to a nurse. 

"She's having a serious fever and flu. She needs to be treated immediately and she needs a lot of rest as well. Follow this nurse, she'll lead you to the pharmacist. They knows what drugs to prescribe.

"Okay, thank you doctor."

"You're welcome." She replied back.

Luna stood up and helped me up one sided till we walked out of the consulting room.

Minutes later, Luna went to collect the prescribed drugs from the pharmacy. We took another taxi back home. Luna has been like a sister to me all through. I guess she must be about 21 years of age or so. The same age with Isabella, my elder sister. I took some chloroquine, ibuprofen and cold and flu relief tablets immediately after dinner that evening and immediately went to bed.

***

There can't be something more pleasant to the sight than the early morning sunrise. The golden rays of the sun gave a bright colour to the burning bright sky, that was burning orange like that of fire. 
 

I woke up to the sound of her small sized television that morning. She was listening to the 6:00 a.m. news on BBC. I turned to her with a bit of ease and gentleness. I was feeling so much better. As if an heavyweight was lifted from me. 

I stretched like a kitten from its drafty barn, with a bright smile.

 
"Good morning Alex. How are you feeling?" She spoke calmly.

 
"I'm fine. Thanks a lot for yesterday." A wave of smile blew through my lips. "Should I go back to my apartment now?"

"No. Not yet." She rushed to me. "You'll have to stay me for at least, a week. I told your mum about what the doctor said yesterday and she asked me to take care for you for a week. Please stay here? Aren't you comfortable with me? Why do you want to leave? Is it because of Kate? Do you miss her?" She asked with puppy eyes.

"No… I don't miss her. I just wanted to settle issues with her. Don't worry, I stay here with you for a week." I said promisingly. 
 

She gently placed her palms on my forehead. And the my chin and neck. 

"Thank goodness your temporary is low. You were almost burning up last night. I kept on praying throughout the night for you."

A feeling of amusement went through her, just that moment.

"Lay back for a moment. Its a bit cold… I'll prepare you custard and milk."

I watched her for a bit. Even Bella, my elder sister never treated me this way. Well, we grew up a bit distant from each other so we don't share that close sisterly bond. But we were sisters anyway. And now, Luna…

"Thanks a lot Luna. You're so kind."

She wore a frown as if she was trying to deny the fact. "Just do as I say, don't be stubborn."

"Okay, fine." I jerked up again. "I need to brush my teeth and take my bath. I'll be back in a moment."

I finally stood up, on my own feet. I felt my head floating for a bit. I grabbed it with a little difficultly.

"Are you sure you can go alone?" A small smile formed at the corners of my lips.

"Yes. I'm fine." I muttered with relieve as I walked towards the door 

"Wait! Where are you going."

"I need to get my stuff from my apartment."

"Don't worry, I'll get them for you."

I chuckled at her a bit. Wondering why she was treating me like a royal princess all of a sudden.

"You wouldn't know where I kept my stuff. I'll be right back." I blathered.

"Okay, I'll follow you." She suggested.

"Okay, whatever.. "

****

ᴛʜᴀɴᴋs ғᴏʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ. ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ғᴏʀɢᴇᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴠᴏᴛᴇ, ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴀɴᴅ sʜᴀʀᴇ. ʟᴏᴠᴇ ʏᴀ!❤️❤️❤️