An Anamnesis

Chapter 6

There is Such an Illness that Lashes like a Whip

Which your Heart, It will Violently Crush and Rip

            I remember the unusually calm breeze in the summer. It was 26th of March, 2013. Everything was usual (was ordinary, I should rather say). I enjoy the warmth of summer that ordinary people would otherwise scorn with all their heart. The heat usually wakes my nerves up and enables me to readily sugar rush (which Amanda said that only happens whenever there’s a confectionery presented in front of me). That was one of my most empathic summers, one of those which opened my closed eyes wide to what’s behind that sturdy spirit of Tristan, whom I regard as a strong and reliable person. Truly, of all my friends, he’s the one whom I consider special. We’re exceptionally close, as Professor Courtney Enfield, as well as Amanda who was jealous about how I treat Tristan compared to hers, told me. She was blushing as she grumpily told me that while we were together in the canteen, but I just laughed at that cute face of her. I expected those words from her, but not to be spoken THAT way! After that silly moment, I asked her:

“By the way, Amanda, do you know happened to Tristan? I texted him, but he didn’t give a single reply on what’s going on. Now, he starts to make me worried.”

“Tristan, Tristan, Tristan, Tristan, is that the name that I’ll keep hearing from my best friend!?” replied her with a stern face looking sidewards with closed eyes and folded arms. Heh, she looked like a tsundere. “Well, Leene, just to remind you, since Tristan came, your attention was so drawn to him than to me: and it’s so disgusting and unfair as well!”

“Oh, my poor best friend, what’s going on with you?” I said in a silly, teasing tone. “Don’t you worry. You’re still my beloved Amanda—my best friend who looks like a doll. I’ll still caress you the way I did before.” I pinched her plump leg just after I said that, making her scream a little loud and blush again. “Look, you’re so cute!”

“Hey, stop that! Cut it out! Hmph, it clearly looks like that my best friend has changed a lot, eh? Well, Tristan’s sick. He said going to school would be diligent and determine, but it would be futile since working would worsen his condition. Why not pay him a visit, huh!? Go, my best friend! Visit your special friend! Well, he’s special to you, right?”

“Amanda, you better not be malicious! Look at those legs of yours *pinches her leg again*! Come with me, okay? It’s better if a nursing person like you comes along.”

“Oh, I think I just received a rare compliment from my best friend! Well, thank you, Leene! I plainly love how you can see the good in people, just like Tristan.”

“Tsk, now it seems like you’re the one who’s noticing Tristan more that your own best friend. I’m just joking! Come, my friend. Let’s go see that vampirish person, and what’s happening to him.”

            And so, Amanda and I went to see Tristan. Along the way, I texted Kyle that we would go see Tristan, and asked him if he would come. He said he was already there, so we just hurried to go meet him there and talk with our sick friend. Before going to his house, we bought some fruits first, specially his favourite, ripe mangoes. We had come to his house at a perfect time. Just as I entered the door, I saw a woman in her house, and greeted her in deep respect. To describe her, she is of foxy beauty, proper and finessed stature, intelligent looks, kind and light aura, vivid eyes and skin colour (in contrast to Tristan), tall height, and of similar looks with Tristan. I wondered who she is, for she’s quite a lady, as Tristan wants from a woman. At first thought, she was his girlfriend; but on second thought, no. She’s just a friend of his whom we don’t know yet or he just recently knew back then. My feeling was strong that the woman whom I saw as I entered Tristan’s house. I was sitting in silence, thinking what Tristan had found in her, while Amanda was already busy talking with Kyle about Tennis and other stuff they’re commonly interested with. Looking at her, I concluded that she’s exactly what Tristan’s type is, considering how he described it. After Tristan bathed and changed clothes he called her, and she (the lady) came to the kitchen, got the soup, and brought it to his room. My friends and I came in together to his room, and saw how the woman took delicate care of him. I hate to admit this, but I was somehow jealous at how Tristan appreciated her kindness to him. A short moment later, Tristan noticed that I was not with my friends—that I was not beside him. He kindly told me, “Leene, why are you far from me, of all the people who could be right now? Come beside me. I really missed you, even if it’s only almost a day”.