Rats, Roses And Paper Bones

Chapter 30: She did not just do that!

It was a dry and Sunny Tuesday afternoon. The harmattan had already emerged with full force. As I walked out of the hostel that afternoon, my skin was as white as snow and my light fabric hostel wear was clinging to my skin for dear life. I didn't know what kind of phenomenon that was.

I was on my way out of my sister's hostel where I had gone to pay her a visit and check up on her like I always did at least twice every week. This time she didnt look too well. That didn't catch me off guard, of course. It was quite normal during seasons like this to see my sister sneezing and coughing  like a goat and breathing heavily just like a camel. She was asthmatic,as I've earlier mentioned, so her respiratory system wasn't the best, especially during the cold and dry season of harmattan. She had medications for situations like this of course and they were in my custody.

"Don't skip meals". I said to her, tearing some icky white tablets from their packets and handing it over to my sister who was crouched up on her bed, sniffling.

"Blah blah blah". She said admist sniffs and collected the drugs.

"I'm serous, I know you don't like beans, but I'm sorry, you have to eat whatever you're given now so that your drugs can work".
"And keep your inhaler with you at all times". I said, with a serious look pasted on my face.

"Whatever, mommy". She said mockingly, then sneezed immediately after.

"You're so irresponsible".
"How could you go to class today without your sweater on? I told you to always keep it on!".

Dara rolled her eyes.
"I told you i forgot it at the hostel!".

"Don't let that happen again!". I replied firmly.

I had the responsibility to keep an eye on her. I was the only one she had in this school, but she was making it hard for me.

She just kept putting herself into trouble. As if that wasn't enough, she was still on the death note case. She wasn't off the hook yet, and another one just dropped yesterday.

"Speaking of mommy, how about ours? Did you call her to tell her I wasn't well?". She asked.

"Yes I did"
"She said you can't come home".

"Damn it!". Dara exclaimed. "Not even a visit?".

"Nope". I replied. "And hey, watch the language".

"Whatever, I'll just pretend to faint, maybe she'll come". She said, hissing.

"Don't do that". I said, pissed.

"But honestly, do you think they still care about us?". She asked.

"Yes, of course they do, more than anything". I replied, trying to believe that myself.
"Just eat well and take your drugs regularly, you'll be fine, I don't think it's necessary to bother them about this, they might be busy".

I looked over and saw some paintings on her scrapbook just beside her pillow. She had earlier told me that they were her 'masterpiece'. I picked them up and examined them.
"You've really improved". I said, smiling and admiring the paintings.
"You know, you might just be one of the best artists to ever exist".

"Yeah right". She said.

I chuckled at her.

There was a painting of a beautiful garden, with details of flowers and Butterflies splattered at every corner. What caught my eye was the silhouette of a small girl sitting in a corner of the garden, head bent over her knees.

"Is this you?"

"Yes". She replied and looked away.

"Okay..."