In a mild Maldivian accent, Yasmine had spoken. The day was like any other and not in a single aspect was anything missing nor different. It was a bolt out of the blue, the words that Nekana held great love for struck her in an anything but pleasant way. Just this once, she wanted it be deemed misheard and untrue. Reality had the final say however and that was final. None say otherwise. It was a scene, you see, one that should be observed. A type of situation that occurs all too often to the brunette.

‘I’m gonna be going back to the Maldives, it’s already decided, final.’ Said Yasmine, her tone grim. The expressions of the group of friends that surrounded Nekana had took great shock to what was spoken and immediately after, their faces as well as the atmosphere sunk. What came after could be easily predicted, questions were bombarded. Most commonly heard was an often said ‘why’ and ‘when’.

Replied she did, Yasmine had her reasons and they were indeed most logical and acceptable. The usually so cheerful Maldivian was now grimacing as she explained and vaguely recalled her current circumstances. Her mother was ill and it weren’t sure as to how long their family could fair like this. Yasmine lived with her mother, brother and a single servant alongside. Her father kept to remaining in Male (one of the islands there) as its income was most reliable. He visited as often he could however.

‘From a younger age,’ Yasmine elaborated her mother’s fair share experiences. ‘My mother had already been very sick. Her uterus had many problems and even when she was pregnant with me she kept having her ‘time of the month’ it was really severe. My brother and I were practically miracles as doctor had initially said she won’t be able to have children. She kept having operations and stuff; even now she keeps on getting admitted into the hospital. We’re going back to Male because she may not be able to take care of us anymore and we have relatives there to do that job whilst my mother rests.’

The group that consisted a number of 5 people including Nekana had listened in silence. The noise that surrounded them in the classroom echoed. Their chattering did not cease its noise as well were the clatters of the chairs and tables. The brunette remained silent like she always did in serious times nonetheless the frown on her face replaced the attentiveness before. It oozed her frustration of the going of a friend and the attempt of empathy for the Maldivian’s mother. A certain shadow lingered in her heart Nekana knew. The other however, she dared not assume; it went against her policies and if possible, the girl would mostly try to avoid being a hypocrite even more than she already knew she was.

Nicole took lead to the silence and a look of unfathomable dismay flashed across her dark brown eyes. ‘When will you be leaving?’ a reminder to the unanswered question.

‘Next month, November probably.’ Replied the answerer. The brunette did not voice any questions. Instead as she did, the teacher had stepped in and classes resumed. Even after that, the time was seemingly inappropriate to ask any further of her friend’s leaving resulting to lingering and a mix of inconsistent feelings. It was ridiculously funny, Yasmine was her best friend and Nekana had not the guts to even ask simple questions. Then again, just what did she want to ask? Why did I want to ask? The brunette realized, earlier she’d assume that the impact on her wasn’t all that that great; yet, her behavior and soundness of mind said otherwise.

Quickly, mercilessly, time pass faster than Nekana could keep up. Unchanging days and ordinary routines clog up the brunette’s source of breath that consequence from an unsaid count down. Day after day, they gradually form weeks, and then a month. The farewell was close. So very close. Turmoil could describe it, and it was unfortunately buried deep into the fleshy depths of Nekana’s mind. Her alternate universe alongside their random storylines and never-ending characters served as a form of distraction. Avoidance of the inevitable.

Nekana had always thought herself stronger than others; what nonsense: the brunette determined as whenever she sought to face it the girl would be unaware of her actions but it’d consisted running away. Her actions resulted from attachment to a precious individual; and the girl really disliked the feeling of complex socializing regarding her relationships with others

Friends, weren’t the term simple?

Noun

Plural noun: friends; plural noun: Friends

1.

A person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations.

Synonyms: companion, soul mate, intimate, confidante, confidant, familiar, alter ego, second self, playmate, playfellow, classmate, schoolmate, workmate; more.

A bond of mutual affection? Nekana could laugh at the unfeasible term because as much the brunette truly valued those close to her; she was greatly distant from them. Unable to relate to the passing conversations and always with a sense of isolation. And on the more joyful moments where she felt she belonged, the girl would always rejoice greatly. Indescribable happiness welling up. And it was the reason she loved and treasured her relationships very much. ‘I wonder how I look; maybe seem to others.’ The curiosity sunk in, but was brushed off as quickly as it came.

Even more wryly, Nekana inwardly smiled as she continued to observe the term and their definitions and synonyms. Alter ego? It is Fraud and Fire we play with.