Turning a new leaf

(Current day Sunday, Lisa's side)

Lisa and Ayanda were so reluctant to wake up and that is why she didn't see my text message earlier. The previous day they had slept late watching, movies and playing games. They woke up around 1 pm and after tidying the house and freshening up, they made some brunch and the table was so full with small portions of different dishes.

"How about if I stay here with you?" She said sitting down and preparing to serve herself some food.

"Lisa do you know amongst your shortcomings which one is the worst?"

(Pouring juice in her glass) "Am I going to receive another lecture?"

"Why not? Blame yourself for being so hasty in everything you do and say. Anyway, I wonder why you are always in a rush. You want to move into my house, have you gotten the answer to the question that I asked you yesterday? You have some unfinished business, are going to pretend as if nothing happened?"

(Putting the glass that was in her hand down) "Well, I guess rushing is a habit that I cannot change now. Moreover, I think pretending as if nothing happened is the best because it helps me forget everything easily and quickly.''

(Pointing at Lisa with a folk) "You are wrong again, avoiding everything doesn't mean you will be able to forget. Also, there is one thing that you are not going to be able to avoid and that is hating Tasha. I have a feeling that once you choose to avoid facing the situation head-on, she is going to be your enemy until you decide to talk everything out or settle the scores."

(Smirking) "This time around it's you who is wrong, some people you have to love them but from a distance for the sake of peace of mind and respect."

(Smiling) "Heh, I guess you now sound more like me, I should teach you more. However, only people who do not have true love and those who just try to convince themselves that they do not hate someone say that. Finish your business first then we will take it from there.''

"Whatever madam know it all,'' she said wiping her mouth with a table napkin.

"It's not like I know it all but I am talking from experience. Life is the greatest teacher and I have learned that if you are about to leave a place, make sure your heart is not heavy and the people you left are in good books with you because you do not know what tomorrow brings…''

(Can't bear it anymore) "You should stop talking, you sound like an old woman lecturing her granddaughter, don't you get tired? Besides, do you have any idea of what I have been through?''

"This is life, you have to go through something of course, also in each situation try to be the bigger person and you should stop running your mouth every time you talk too much.''

"Hehe, this is like the pot calling the kettle black, by the way, Yanda whose side are you on?"

"Seriously, yours of course who else should I be voting for? Lisa, I want you to make everything right so that you won't regret it in the future.''

"Don't you think those words are suitable to tell Tasha?"

"Have you ever heard the story behind pointing a finger? Let me tell you, you will be pointing one finger at Tasha but the remaining four are pointing back at you. This means before you play the blame game reflect on yourself first."

(Rubbing the center of her forehead with two fingers and both her eyes closed) "Yanda, why is it talking to you is so hard? Seems like you don't want to put yourself into my shoes and on the other hand, it feels like I'm talking to a wall. Honestly, I am beginning to have a headache."

"Oh, should I get you some painkillers?"

(Rolling her eyes and shoving a piece of meat into Ayanda's mouth) "What an idiot…"

After the conversation, they ate quietly and did the dishes afterward. It was almost past time for Lisa to return home, so she took a quick shower as she was getting dressed, she then remembered to check her phone and that's when she noticed the message on her phone. She was kind of stunned and didn't know how to react or whether she should, call back and give a piece of her mind. She then decided to ask Ayanda what she can do before saying her goodbyes. After getting dressed, she proceeded to the lounge where her friend was sitting on the floor watching the tv.

"You are smelling good, I guess you are ready to go and put your house in order, right?" She said with her eyes glued on the tv without moving an inch.

(Sitting on the couch that was close to Ayanda) "Yeah, something like that…"

(Without letting her finish) "Good, I have something to tell you…"

(Aware of what is about to come and trying to avoid it) "Oh God, can you please spare me, I am running late and Tasha cannot skip her meds."

(Looking at Lisa's direction showing how serious she was) "This will not take long, anyways without wasting much of your time listen and listen attentively. They say time heals but then not all wounds are healed by time. Whether physical or non-physical every wound needs proper care. When care is involved so is love and loving someone means accepting who they are, and that includes both the good and the bad. The same love will help you understand the third party better and also be able to be there in every situation, I am not saying you should lose yourself or let Tasha trample on you or treat you like a piece of trash. I know you have been disrespected and you do deserve better but before you make any hasty decisions, let me ask you something, is there nothing good that Tasha has done for you? Nobody is perfect I am sure you know that and nobody has to take advantage of that fact, but on this issue, this is the last time I will tell you this, get onto the common ground with Tasha and then take everything from there. Even if you want to move out of her house make peace, that way you won't be burdened in the future. This is the end of my lecture."

After those words, Ayanda proceeded with watching tv as for Lisa she couldn't resist getting sunk in deep thoughts. What Ayanda had said could be just a few words but they carried a very huge volume.

"How long are you going to be zoning out, didn't you say that you are almost late." She said shaking her back to reality.

"Oh, yeah, I…I had almost forgotten about that, I will be in touch, bye."

Lisa didn't ask about what to do with the text message, from all that Ayanda had said it occurred to her that it was possible to talk everything out as grown-ups and matured humans without a fight since the other party was willing.

(Current day Sunday, Tasha's side)

After waiting for two more hours without any reply from Lisa I became restless. My mind was so messed up, I was trying to figure out if anything was wrong with the message or if it didn't reach the right recipient, or if she was still very mad at me. Just those thoughts made me lose my appetite, I didn't have the energy to go to my room or tidy the house. I went ahead and slept on the couch, around 3 pm I felt a hand tapping my shoulder, it was Lisa and she was holding a pill and a glass of water.

(Rubbing my eyes) "Hey."

"What's up, I am so sorry I couldn't make it in time for your medication, did you eat something?"

I wagged my head, showing that I didn't have anything. She went to the kitchen and came back with a bowl in her hands.

"Here, have some cereal, for now, this is not good for your health but you cannot drink meds on an empty stomach. I will order some food for you after an hour."

I received the bowl, ate the cereal, and then took the meds. Since my sleep was disturbed, I just put the bowl and cup on the lounge table and went back to sleep. Lisa came to the lounge to remind me about the food and found me sleeping, she stood for some minutes staring at me, and all that Ayanda had told her began to ring over and over again in her head. She didn't want to disturb me so she left for her room. By the time she opened the door, she found a card on the floor. She picked it up, opened it, and began to read it.

(Thinking out loud, pacing in her room) 'Tasha, Tasha, Tasha, what exactly am I going to do with you? Maybe I should do just as Ayanda said and this is going to be the last time, if you mess up that will be the end of us.'

Around 4 pm Lisa then woke me up and gave me another meal, after eating I then headed into my room to freshen up. After that I then sat on my bed, thinking if I should ask Lisa about the message and the card. However, I had no idea where to begin and I finally decided to let the issue slide. Whilst my mind was wandering around, I was then brought back to reality by a knock on my door.

"Come in," I said looking at the door.

Lisa opened it, got in, and sat on the small sofa that was behind the door.

"Are you feeling drowsy?" She said trying to break the ice.

"No, not at all, thanks," I said moving close to the headboard so that I could support my back.

"That's good then, I… ah…I read your text message and your card as well, so I am here to talk." She said looking at me.

(Forcing a smile) "Oh, eh, tha…that's okay you…you go first."

"I also don't know where to start, will try to say what I can and be as calm as possible. First I am sorry for blaming you for my stay here, that was so wrong of me since we never discussed me leaving before. Second, I will try by all means to stay out of your business as much as I can and not do anything that will make you angry again. Third, I know when people are angry that's when they say everything that is deep down their heart, but would you try by all means to make your words less harsh? Last but not least, I respect you and so should you, violence doesn't solve anything. I think that's all I have to say for now."

I was dumbfounded, I couldn't believe that's all she had to say after everything that had just happened earlier, I was wondering what would have made someone with a bad temper like hers change or if it was a trap.

"Tasha are you okay?" She said sounding a bit worried.

All this while I had my head lowered trying to figure out if I was dreaming or not. My hands were even sweating, I couldn't believe what had just happened.

(Scratching the back of my mind) "Huh, yeah.. ye…yes, of course, I'm fine. Honestly, (forcing a smile) I thought you were going to make things hard for me or even shout at me. I am very sorry for everything that I have done and said. Truth is I am still learning a lot, as much as I want to move on I'm still caught in the past, although, it might look like the seasons are becoming favorable in my life, it's pouring Lisa. I know it's been long and by now I should have moved on but sometimes it feels like I'm sinking, and sometimes I wish not to wake up so that I can escape all this misery I just…"

I couldn't continue anymore, I broke down and that is one of my weaknesses. I cannot express myself most of the time which is why I resort to fighting or crying. Lisa came and sat on my bed and began to comfort me.

"Shshshshsh, it's okay let's just turn a new leaf and we will have to take things slowly. Let's just avoid crossing each other's lines for now."

(Feeling more emotional and hugging Lisa) "Thank you very much."

After airing out our dirty laundry, things became good between Lisa and me. I no longer had to be hiding or covering my trail whenever I skipped my sessions. Though we would have misunderstandings we would disagree to agree. However, I wonder when I would keep on avoiding my past and hiding my wounds…