Life of Problems

chapter 52

Be careful not to slip, said Jiya calmly. There are roots everywhere,so you will get hurt if you fall.

It's very difficult to walk here. Why do you even come here?l asked escaping narrowly from falling.

Careful Ema, said Jwel.

Isn't it good that l came? asked Jiya. That's why we are able to enter now.

I think we better had stayed in a hotel today, said Kathy.

They will inform our guardian if we aren't found in hostel tomorrow morning,l said.

That's awful, Kathy frowned.

I am quite liking this place. You should have shown me this place before, said Joe happily.

I sighed. Is there anything you don't like Joe?

Of course, l don't like cleaning school,Joe said.

We laughed. I was happy to see Nick laughing too. Diversion is good for him now,l thought.

It's rare to find a thing you don't like, said Jwel.

Yeah. I quite arggggghh!Hey Joe! Are you....

Jiya approached Joe as he fell down by stumbling in a root. But why suddenly was she looking so shocked.

I approached too and couldn't help rubbing my eyes. Jiya's mobile's flashlight was flashing on Joe's wounded right ankle and blue fluid was coming out from his wound.Kathy, Nick gasped and Jwel stuttered,b..ro, w..why the h..ell is your b..lood blue? Is it your

blood...l mean what else can it be? I can't find words.l...

Jiya was staring disbelievingly at Joe and he was looking scared.

Do you have any disease? Kathy managed to find her voice back. Is that why...

Suddenly without giving us any chance to do anything, Joe leapt up and started running. Jiya

immediately followed him and after a confused moment,we did the same. But as they were much more experienced in walking through forest than us, we couldn't keep pace.

Joe! Jiya! Please stop! shouted Kathy.

Don't shout,l warned. We aren't supposed to be here at this moment.

But why was his blood blue? Jwel sounded like he still couldn't believe his eyes.

We will find out the answer if we find them. I saw Jiya going this way, said Nick pointing in a direction. Let's go.

We nodded and started walking behind him.

*

Joe! Joe! Stop. I am warning you,Joe !shouted Jiya behind him. See if you don't stop...

Joe fell down again. He was having difficulty in running for his wounded ankle. Jiya took this

chance and grabbed Joe tightly against a tree as he stood up for running again.

Let me go, Jiya. Otherwise...Otherwise what? Jiya asked angrily.

The consequence won't be good.

Are you trying to threat me ? You think l fucking care?Didn't you see that? You didn't understand what it meant? asked Joe restlessly.

Do you have any rare disease? asked Jiya calming herself. Why was your blood blue?

I am not a human, girl! said Joe angrily. Can you hear me? Are you afraid of me now? You hate me for lying? So leave me and run.

You were serious when you told Ema that you're an alien ?Jiya asked disbelievingly.

How do you know that? asked Joe.I...Ema told me about that. She found it funny, but how can you possibly be...

Yes, l am. Go and call some scientists. You are going to hand me to them, right? asked Joe helplessly. I won't die in a laboratory, l will jump in that river. This time it's not a joke,l...Joe couldn't finish his words. He burst in tears.

Jiya stared at him concerned. Unable to decide what to do.Alright, don't be a coward ,she mumbled and took a deep breath. She wiped Joe's tears and Joe

stared at her in utter disbelief.

Let's go back and talk to them. You owe them a proper explanation. I will help you, alright? Jiya said softly patting him in the shoulder.

Jiya, you are not getting it! I said that l am...

Don't you say that anymore, warned Jiya looking around. Do you know how much dangerous it is to say it out loud?

You are a human! Why isn't it bothering you that l am not? Don't you think l can be dangerous for your planet? Joe frowned.

Jiya stared at him for a moment .l think you can be dangerous but don't know why am l unable to believe it. Explain it to me, are you dangerous? Jiya asked dryly.

Will l speak truth if l am?

I ... Jiya hesitated. Maybe, I am thick but I believe you. I will believe everything you say.Why? Joe asked moved by this.

Cause you're still Joe. The one l believed with my secrets, said Jiya unwillingly avoiding eye contact. The one we all find a reliable friend.

Thanks for believing me but, Joe said slowly ,l can't believe humans anymore. You are not doing

what is usual in this situation. I am not going back again. If you let me go then l will leave this city and go somewhere else. Will you?

Jiya sighed. You can go but l don't think you should, she said in a matter of fact voice. You

revealed your secret before us already and if this happens anymore then... not everybody will believe you. If you don't believe me that's fine. But you will have to leave earth for getting away from unreliable humans. The decision is yours now, said Jiya removing her hands to make him free.

And, said Joe in a trembling voice, how do I explain it to them. Will they think the same as you? Will they believe me?

I think so. They believe you even more than l do and you know them better than l do. So? What do you think?

Joe stared at Jiya for some time. My leg is hurting badly, he whispered. Do you have first aid kit in your tent?Hmm. But you can't use our medicines.

Right! Then can you help me walk?

You became kind of Usain Bolt a moment ago, said Jiya coldly. And now you need help?That's why my leg hurts more, said Joe. It's alright if you don't. I was just..

Shut up! said Jiya taking Joe's hand on her shoulder. You're just unbelievable.

Thank god that we found you, Kathy burst in.Are you two okay? asked Jwel.

We are okay. Let's go to my tent, said Jiya.

We all had a lot of questions to ask. But we didn't ask a single one. Jiya's skeptical voice was

saying clearly that it's not the right time.

Walk slowly, said Jiya to Joe and we all headed for her tent without making another sound.