Helpless

A figure ran through the field at a steady, focused on the track as if it was the only thing that mattered then. The poised exterior did not reflect the turmoil that was bubbling through her mind. She turned at a corner for the second last lap subconsciously while her mind replayed the events of the previous evening. The vicious face and unapologetic smirk were plastered in her memory. It had replaced the innocent yet reclusive expression she was accustomed to for the past two and a half months. It was a face devoid of motion, tired but not resigned, tired enough to fight back-to the death. The bullying that started as one of her escapades had grown into a vicious habit that recreated her roommate. She wondered whether she had gone overboard. Most of the time, her bullying nature was short-lived. She lost interest in her target easily. Yet this time, Nasike had become the exception to the general rule. After the events that occurred that night, she could no longer dismiss it as a kind of compatibility.

She admired her resilience and ability to rise from the worst situation. However, she was not accustomed to her abrupt change. Once she thought that she could have created a monster out of her roommate, Khalayi increased her pace. At this moment in time, it felt like the demons that she could control wanted to devour her, so she had to run away from them. The abyss was becoming overwhelming and its queen was being swallowed by it. Every increased pace pushed her body towards self-destruction. Pain coursed through her limps as her chest burnt through as if tiny pins were being juggled through her lungs and her throat burnt through with hot air that was difficult to expel. Her pace kept increase despite the pain, since it was only physical pain that could get her through the emotional turmoil.

An arm grabbed her and forced her to slow down to a jog.

'Are you trying to die,' a soft voice muttered beside her.

'Am the only one who can kill you, because you deserve it', the voice added.

The face that uttered this words became clearer as the hand accompanying the voice wiped her face. She encountered a shallow detached smile that she had grown accustomed to for the past one month since her huge provocation. However, this time it was different. It was a smile accompanied by concern and care may be. The smile disappeared and was replaced by a poker face. May be she read too much into it. The poker face revealed an innocent and aloof countenance. After slowing down and catching their breath, the two young ladies headed towards the bathroom for a cold shower. Nasike pinched her colleagues ear mercilessly.

'That is today's punishment. The punishment will increase if you ever try to harm yourself', she said sternly after they had picked up their towels and walked ahead of Khalayi.

Nasike sighed as she walked on. Regardless of the torture that her roommate put her through, she till considered her a good friend. She realized that Khalayi had few friends who stuck around and that she made friends out of convenience. Yet, for once, she had approached her to be her best friend and friend for life. As much as she disagreed verbally, her actions stated otherwise. She did not understand her actions either, may be it was just pity. Pity that Khalayi could be a lonely lone ranger who never realized the fact that she was vulnerable. She had watched her guard go down during some nights when she was not scheming. She had also watched her eyes light up when eating her favorite carrot cake. She is human after all. Nasike sighed as she thought through about the folly of her frenemy. How helpless.