Kay and I were now seated in a café somewhere around eight o’clock, no words spoken between us. He occasionally sipped his coffee but it was forced. We were avoiding each other and the awkwardness was unbearable. I didn’t show my frustration on my face to show that it affected me.

I stared at the scratches on the wooden table, my coffee untouched. I would hear the coming and going of staff and chattering of patrons as the minutes ticked by. I tuned out their conversations, lost in a void of my own. As the days went by, I had no interest in the activities I used to enjoy. What’s the use of living if you are going to die anyway? I chuckled, scratching my ear and staring at another part of the coffee shop.

If I wasn’t sick, I would be attending college lectures and seminars, happily taking notes and spending time in the library enjoying the plethora of knowledge from dusty library books.

Since I had missed four days of college, I was getting calls from professors and administration departments. I ignored them, not having the urge to reply. I spent my days lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling for hours, not knowing how many hours had passed by.

I envied the life of my peers. They didn’t do shameful acts like me! They didn’t fuck hot men in hotels! They used their willpower and skillset in college exams. They didn’t have to sit in their room wonder what was going to happen to their future.

Had I not gathered thoughts of the devil, I would’ve not faced this situation. How pathetic of me! My old self sneered at me from the dark reflection of the coffee in front of me. She was judging me, ridiculing me with her index finger, saying all sorts of profanities. You might as well be a prostitute than be a student!

“I want you to get the treatment.” I was snapped from my daydream, blinking a few times, before sitting up from my slouching position. I looked away from my spot of staring- a potted plant outside the glass door to Kay who was staring at me intently, watching my every action.

“I want to answer my semester exams first and then I’ll start the treatment.” I answered him. “I don’t want to give a re-exam just because of my cancer diagnosis.”

Kay narrowed his eyes slightly. “I know you’re a highly intelligent woman. You know you should never delay cancer treatment, right?”

I nodded. “I am aware of the fact.” I was sure that Kay would persuade me to start the treatment. But now as I think of the treatment and the pain that will accompany it, I’m starting to feel afraid. “I just -”

“You don’t have the finances?” He questioned gently. His silver eyes had a different look now. Sympathy? I couldn’t understand why a man I hardly knew anything about was willing to converse with me on my cancer diagnosis.

“No, that’s not the case.” I lied.

Something in his eyes changed. A muscle in his jaw ticked but his overall reaction was the same. He nodded slowly, taking a huge gulp of his coffee.

“Your coffee is cold.” He said, pointing his chin to my coffee after he set down his mug.

“I honestly, don’t feel like drinking it.” I loved coffee. But the current topic of discussion, has ruined everything I’ve ever loved. I stood up suddenly, my mind shocked at my own actions. I felt it was best I was confined to my university dormitory room. “I’m sorry for bothering you regarding this.” I said, pocketing my phone and removing some notes to pay to the cash counter.

Kay, grabbed my wrist. I gasped at the coldness of it, my wide eyes flicked to his arm and then to his face. “Kay, what the fuck...”

“Ruella sit down... please.” Kay asked in a pleading tone. The guests seated next to us were giving us curious glances. I eyed them as I slowly took a seat.

“Why do you want to help me?” I asked him, my head dipped low.

“Because I want to.” He merely stated.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “That wasn’t the answer I am looking for....”

“There are somethings I can’t tell you.” He replied before I could finish.

There it was again.

Kay must have seen the anger rising in my face that he put a finger to his lip. He pushed the coffee mug closer to me. “You’ll need your strength, Ruella.”

I smothered my anger by grabbing the coffee mug and chugging it down my throat, before setting it down with a thump.

The waitress was back. She eyed me suspiciously before looking at Kay with an uneasy smile on her lips. “Can I get you anything else?” She chirped, a notepad and pencil in her hand.

I wanted to snarl at her, but Kay gripped my hand, rubbing his thumb in my pulse. My eyes were staring the maroon tiled floor, waiting for the waitress to pass by.

“No, that will be all. Thanks.” Kay replied. After she walked away, Kay murmured. “Relax, Ruella. Everything will be revealed with time. I won’t break my promise.”

***

When I was back at the university dorms, I was in for another rude awakening. The warden that since I wasn’t responding to calls about skipping classes, the committee has decides that I’ll have to be removed from college dormitory.

My name was struck off the roll call and I was supposed to pack my things and leave.

My feet buckled under me as I sunk to the floor shocked. I stared at the floor in shock, my mouth agape as tears streamed down my eyes.

After I had finished packing, I was walking aimlessly down the corridor and then out of the exit gate. A black Mercedes was parked outside the gate. The door near the driver opened and a man with a full black attire emerged with an umbrella. He had black sunglasses and an earpiece attached to his ear. He opened the umbrella and opened the passenger side of the car.

A man in a white crisp shirt and black suit stepped out of it. His black hair mused. He had the most stylish black sunglasses I’d ever seen His mouth was pressed to a thin line as he rounded the car and made his way towards me. The man who held the umbrella sheilded him with the umbrella, walking closely behind him.

Goosebumps rose on my skin, as I took a few steps back and then whipping around, I began to run. However, the following words stopped me-

“Ruella, wait!”