Secret

I hurried out of the kitchen and they all followed after me. Ms. McCrae is resting her head back on the sofa, eyes closed, but she sat properly when she heard us come.

"You are hurt taté?" Lana approached her.

"Yes baby. But I will be okay," she smiled at her.

"I'm sorry," Lana said, on the verge of tears.

"Oh no baby. It's not your fault."

She caressed Lana's cheek and gave her a kind smile.

"Really taté? I'm sorry. I wish we didn't play," Lana sobbed.

"But it was so fun! Don't worry. I will be okay. Okay?"

She wiped her tears and kissed her in the cheek.

"That is not looking good," Dias said.

Leila came with the first aid kit. She took out the ice pack and handed it to me. I filled it up with the ice.

"Do you have ibuprofen, perhaps, Leila?" Ms. McCrae asked her.

"Yes. Otto sometimes intake them for his arthritis."

"Can I have one please?"

"Okay. I will get you a glass of water too."

"Thank you Leila."

I put the ice bag on her ankle.

"Dias aga, can you please drag the coffee table here? She needs to elevate her foot," Rayana said.

Dias obeyed her without a word.

"Thank you Raya," Ms. McCrae smiled to her.

The rest of the group just stood there not knowing what to say or do.

"You can rest up everyone. Or you can practice for tonight," I told them.

"Oh right," Diana said.

"You will be okay?" she turned to Ms. McCrae.

"Yes. Of course. I had one.. two.. four people taking care of me," she answered, playful.

They all broke into a hesitant smile.

"Okay. See you later Ms. Dionna," Dias aga said.

They all left together and brought Lana with them. Minutes later, the elders started to come. Äke and ana came first.

"What happened dear?" ana exclaimed as she walked briskly towards us.

"It's only a sprained ankle ma'am," Ms. McCrae answered her.

"Oh goodness! That is bruised up bad. You won't be able to walk for days with that."

Worry is all over ana's face. When she finds out it was because of me, I'll have an earful.

"What happened? I heard you were all playing in the pool."

"I.. uhh.. Lana and I couldn't dodge the ball in time so Sir Arystan.. he uhh.. he helped us evade the ball but we made a twirl then fell down. Maybe that twirl sprained my ankle."

Ana looked to me in disbelief.

"It's only a few days since she has been here and she is already injured Arystan."

I couldn't say anything.

"Uhm.. it's not Sir Arystan's entire fault ma'am. My ankle is already prone to this because I sprained it about a month ago and I'm sure what Sir Arystan did was only out of impulse."

"Oh dear. What do we do about this? Should we go to the hospital?"

"I just need to make the swelling go away ma'am. I don't think I've broken a ligament. It will be all good in a few days though I would need crutches for support."

"Crutches? Should I go to the city to buy one?" äke joined.

"If it wouldn't be too imposing to you Sir," Ms. McCrae responded with an apologetic smile.

"But I don't think people would be open for business tomorrow Aldiyar. It's the New Year. You can go the next next day," ana said to him.

"Dionna dear, I heard you had an accident."

We looked to mama and papa who are coming towards us. The aunts and uncles are following them.

"Yes ma'am. But it's not that serious," Ms. McCrae responded to her with a smile.

"What happened?" papa interjected.

"They were playing and Arystan twirled her around to avoid the ball," ana answered him.

"Oh! That looks serious dear," mama said when she saw the bruised ankle.

"An ice pack could do wonders ma'am," Ms. McCrae responded with humor.

"Arys you should take care of Ms. McCrae. We know it's an accident but it's partly because of you," mama turned to me in reprimand.

"I will mama," I answered her.

"I think we should move you to the spare room downstairs Dionna dear. Can you please clean it up Leila? Ms. McCrae will be sleeping there tonight."

"I will go and clean it now Ms. Rakhym."

Ana and Ms. McCrae thanked Leila at the same time.

They stayed until Leila came back to announce that the room is cleaned.

"Please assist Dionna on the other side, Ruslan," ana told Uncle Roman when I tried to lift Ms. McCrae up on her other foot.

Uncle Roman took her right arm and put it around his shoulder. Together, we half- carried her to the spare room which is beside Otto and Leila's room. We laid her down on the bed and Leila found a small table to put her injured ankle on to elevate it.

"Are you comfortable dear?" ana asked her.

"Yes ma'am. Thank you so much."

"Okay dear. Have your rest. Hopefully, the swelling would go down and you will be able to join us for the New Year's Eve celebration."

"I will make sure to join you ma'am."

"Arystan, please stay with her and hold the ice bag."

"Okay ana."

"We will see you later dear," mama said to Ms. McCrae and tapped her arm gently.

They all left finally and we were left in silence.

"I'm not blaming you or anything Sir. It was an accident," Ms. McCrae spoke up, few minutes later.

"No. Mama is right. It's partly my fault. I'm sorry."

We sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Are you not tired? You can just tie the bag around my ankle with a cloth Sir."

"It's okay. I'm not tired."

Rayana came in moments later, carrying a bandage cloth.

"Thankfully I brought the elastic bandage with me. We need to compress it. Compression also helps with the swelling."

"Thank you Raya. It's good to have a doctor around here." Ms. McCrae smiled at her, half teasing. They must have gotten closer now.

Rayana chuckled back.

"No. Not a doctor yet."

When she was done with the bandaging, she excused herself to go back to their practice.

"You should also go Sir. Wash up or take a short rest. I will be fine. Just wrap the ice bag around my ankle please."

"I'll go but after a few minutes."

She bit her lip. It looks like she's holding back a smile.

" I.. don't think you should hold yourself this responsible for me Sir. I appreciate it but I'll be okay. And I don't like seeing that guilty look on your face. I sincerely don't think it's your fault. Things happen you know."

She's amused with me even with the pain.

"Okay. But I'm sincerely sorry. It must be painful."

"The ibuprofen is effective Sir. It's not painful anymore."

"That's good."

"Now you need to go Sir but please wrap the ice bag on my ankle first. I feel like sleeping. The ibuprofen is making me drowsy or maybe I'm just tired."

I found a big handkerchief in one of the cabinets.

"Please make don't tie it too tight Sir. Thank you."

"Get some sleep. It is actually good timing because we are going to stay up till morning tonight," I told her after I was done.

"Thank you Sir. Turn off the light when you go out please."

I switched the light off on my way out then went up to my room. Plopping down on my bed, I stared at the ceiling for a few minutes, mind blank.

I hurt her. She's in pain.

I tried to shake off the thought and stood up. A long shower might help in easing this guilt.

After changing into a set of fresh clothes, I went down. She's sleeping fitfully though her position looks uncomfortable with one foot propped up the small table.

I carried a wooden chair and put it beside the bed. I sat down and looked at her.

She has a beautiful face.

Her eyelashes are long and curly. Her eyebrows are in a perfect arch with moderate thickness. It's not painted nor is it drawn. And her little nose is adorable.

My eyes stayed on her lips for some time. I wonder how it would taste like. It's looks luscious.. inviting.

I drew my face closer as if in a trance. I closed my eyes then I felt her lips on mine. They are very soft and tastes almost sweet.

I drew away, heart pounding in my chest. Her eyes are closed and she's still in deep sleep.

I stood up and turned towards the door.

What in the world did I just do?? I must be mad.

But...

I don't regret it.

I broke into a smile, remembering the taste of her lips.

It's something best kept secret. For now.

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