HAZE

CHAPTER 3

FRIENDSHIP

Amara had been waiting for Nana for hours, it was now approaching midnight, and she had yet to show up. To say she was worried was an understatement. A guest without a host is like a sail in a storm. Amara not knowing where Nana was while she was in Nana's house made her super uneasy. She redialed her number, feeling anxious with every beep that sounded in her ears until Nana got on the line.

Amara could tell that she was distressed; the labored puffs she took in between her words were enough of a tell. Despite it, she tried to concentrate; it took her a whole ten minutes to understand what she was saying. Finally, an urge to be there with her hit her, especially since she heard it was Ricks' best friend. Nana told her she didn't have to get an uber alone that late at night, but she insisted.

On the way to the hospital, Amara tried her best to think of good things. White chocolate, dewy daffodils, the ocean, and even perfectly written lines in poetry. Honestly, she wasn't overly worried about Griff; in fact, she hardly knew the man. Her mind was filled with myriads of questions and made-up scenarios. She tried to imagine how exactly she would have reacted if it was Nana instead of Griff. The connection they had formed was one of a kind, and she didn't think that such an incident would change anything, although she was smart enough to acknowledge that there would have been a lull before she'd fully heal. Perhaps she would ask Rick; after all, it would be foolish of her to pass up such an opportunity. Especially considering that it would also get her one step closer to satisfying the curiosity that had been growing inside her when it came to him.

The driver abruptly braked, wrenching her body forward in what could be considered very unladylike. But to be fair, such things didn't exactly warrant a debate on gender pertinence. Her train of thought changed course, and she went into a sort of self-reflection. If an actual accident occurred and she died that night, she was sure her eulogy wouldn't impress her. The awkward void between birth and death called life was something that she doubted she had experienced to the fullest. The stare aimed at her by the driver through the rear mirror brought her back to reality. Her heart skipped a beat, the paranoid her already looking for an exit while she stayed calm on the outside. The mere thought of being kidnapped making her more alert.

Amara had read in some Japanese book on martial arts that the best way to weaken one's enemy was to get him to believe you were on his side. So, Amara feeling very uncertain and edgy decided to start a conversation, the only thing she felt she could do.

"It's okay to brake unexpectedly; it's not always clear while driving at night."

"No, ma'am, it is not. Thank you for understanding." The driver responded.

Amara wasn't sure whether to be impressed or afraid. The driver was polite and appeared a little bit contrite. It was unlike other drivers in the area who would spit insults faster than Eminem raps. However, deep down, a part of her remained stiff. Maybe it had been a lousy idea insisting on coming out that late at night when she could've waited till morning. Her fear made her alert the whole ride; after all, fear was the gift that kept humanity in check.

When she arrived at the hospital, she hurriedly paid and bolted like a scared cat. Next time she would try and use sense instead of impulse, she concluded. The hospital doors were made of thick glass and cool to the touch when her fingers brushed against the handle before taking hold and pulling it open. There was always something about hospitals that creeped her out, but she pushed that feeling back. Since it was late at night, there was little bustle in the way, making it easier for her to spot everyone.

Nana held out her hands, and she did the same, falling into the embrace. She had carried an extra jacket because it was chilly outside and was sure that Nana hadn't been keen on warmth in light of the situation. Nana updated her on Griff's status; she was calmer now when narrating the details. The doctors said Griff needed a blood transfusion due to his low haemoglobin and red blood cell count. They had looked in the hospital's blood bank and nearby blood donation centers, but they couldn't find a match, and none of his friends could donate either. His family was in Ozana, and there was no direct flight to Petrichor at that hour of the night. That made the situation dire evoking hopelessness.