MARI'S POV
"Girl, what's going on?" Asantewaa's voice reached my ears from a distance, further than her presence was. Her face stayed close to mine, her hands on my shoulders. She had already turned off the shower. I bottled every sob I had left in me, refusing them from coming out. I felt cold and willing for death. I was shivering both from the coldness of the water and my life that has gone cold. She whispered into my ears asking to know if I was alright. But I didn't want her there, so close to me. I hated her presence; it felt like a burden to me. I just muttered an "I am fine", even though I was clearly not.
She soon left me and that gave me a relief. I felt free and alone for the next few seconds until Asantewaa returned with a towel. She took off my wet clothes and helped me up, acting like an elder sister, one I never had. My heart ached a bit as she wrapped my body with the towel she had brought. Then she supported me, holding my body close to hers as we walked out of the bathroom. Asantewaa made me sit in front of the vanity mirror, there she dried my body using the towel she had initially used to wrap me. I noticed as she helped me dry my body that her clothes were kind of wet. They must have gotten wet while she was trying to turn off the shower. I felt bad having such a selfless person do something for me.
My biggest surprise visited me when Kelly came with an hair dryer to fix my wet hair. If being uncomfortable was a person, then I was that. I already felt guilty that Asantewaa was helping me, but Kelly? Kelly was definitely faking it. She'd never help me do nothing. She's not the type to do anything for anyone unless it benefits her. If being selfish was a person, her name would be Kelly.
I don't know how slow Kelly was, but Asantewaa urged her to hurry. That was when I realised that they were supposed to be on their way to the departmental conference hall where they'd be defending their projects. I doubt Kelly would still be here helping me if it was not for Asantewaa.
"Will you be able to stay by yourself?" Asantewaa asked me. Her voice was as soft as the cool breeze that meets with your skin at dawn. But I could not say anything. That question should have been, "do you want to be left alone?" I'd have gladly said yes. But if I would be able to stay by myself, I had no idea. Maybe I'd collapse three times and die a hundred times over before Kelly returns. So instead of replying I kept mum.
Kelly suddenly dropped the hair dryer on my hand. It was hot and almost hurt my skin.
"Do it yourself," she said as she walked away from us. She sounded like she had been possessed and only just now got back herself. I was almost getting convinced that Kelly was a nice person. I wanted to wear a smirk, but it was only possible in my head.
Meanwhile, Asantewaa stood there probably staring at Kelly in awe. She must be shocked at her suddenly she switched personalities. But it's not something that I should ever be surprised at. I could sense Asantewaa's confusion. She opened her mouth probably wanting to say something after much silence in the room, but Kelly beats her to it.
"Mari, can't you say something?" she half yelled. It was annoying how Kelly was trying so hard to act like she cares. I felt so annoy to the core, but the best look I could give her was that of disgust that quickly switched to nonchalance. Nonchalance towards her actions. I considered her unworthy of my reaction. She's the reason why I started crying over my situation again. It was her reminding me of my situation and almost suggesting that I give in to the professor that made me fall back into sorrow that I had once abandoned.
I was expecting Kelly to just go ahead and prepare herself for her presentation. I was hoping she sprints out of the room without opening her mouth to talk to me again. But she did anyway, saying it was okay if I didn't want to say anything. She sounded like a clown to me. She is the worst when it comes to not responding to anyone once her mental disorder has come to stay with her. How difficult can it be to stay with someone who would choose not to communicate with you and treat you like a stranger for no just cause? So yes, I do have grudges against Kelly.
I ignored her and thanked Asantewaa instead as I move away from the vanity mirror. My body tried to betray me, my legs feeling too heavy to carry. But I forced myself across the room, finding my way to my personal belongings because I hate sharing my personal stuffs.
I picked up my comb and got busy with my hair. I casually paused to scoff at the fact that she said she was worried. The word had not reached me when she said it. But upon realisation, I think she is trying too hard to be nice. It does not suit her.
I heard Asantewaa telling her that she should be fast so they don't miss out on their presentation. From her last words, saying she don't want to give her family and unworthy explanation for not graduating, you could tell Asantewaa was completely different from me. She's the opposite. She strives so hard to please her family by doing well. While all I have ever done is bring shame to mine. But I was no longer going to dwell on this matter. I'll leave it be. I'll forget about school. I'll tell my family I dropped out. Or better still, I won't go back. I'll hide until I've been able to fix my life.
I opened my box and grabbed one of my oversized sweaters. I stared at it for a blink moment. It belongs to my ex boyfriend. The colour is just as his attitude, grey. I put it on anyway. He's not the only ex whose stuff I still have.
"Take care of yourself Ma," Asantewaa said as she walked out the door. I turned to look wanting to wave at her while wishing her good luck, but I could not bring myself to. Instead, I stared blankly at them as Kelly joined her. I soon find myself staring at the door instead with no other thing in sight. Now I was the only one left in the room. My heart dropped. I don't want to be alone anymore.