The Oddities Of Life

12. SOUL SEARCHING

6th May , 2017

''Morning Leo!''

''Morning Aria!''

''So how was your......'' and he cut me off saying he was getting late for class. Jordy saw this and instantly pulled me off my shoulder and we both headed to class with me and Leo glaring at each other intensely. I was obviously sad that we couldn't talk but I thought of talking some sense into him during the break. But to my surprise, he headed home early and so I thought of meeting him there. But he wasn't there too.

And like every other sad person has his or her own comfort zone, I knew where it was and headed right away. And there you go , I guessed it right. He sat by a bench in the corniche hearing music. With the expectation of rekindling, I sat beside him with a pack of fries. I tried tickling him, putting the fries near his mouth, eating it in front of him, pulling his earphones out but he remained adamant. As he was about to speak something to me, Jordy rang up and seeing his name along with a heart, he said ''Have a good day'' and started walking away. I'm pretty sure I did not save his number that way.

I began chasing him all the way on the streets but he just didn't stop. As he started scampering faster, I tried matching my speed with him but when he began running, I found it hard to keep track of him. After a lot of pleading, he turned back at a distance only to see the cold and unconscious me lying on the ground. The next thing I knew was my mom resting her head on me, torpid. On regaining consciousness she called in the doctor and I could see Leo by the side of the door trying so hard to cover himself but at the same time see me.

''Does your child suffer from any eating disorder? Have you seen any irregularities in her eating pattern?'' , the doctor asked

''My daughter is anorexic and she has been taking her prescribed medicines daily. Is there any problem doc?''

''Well she fainted cause of low blood sugar level and to my surprise her BMI is just 15. I guess she'll have to remain here for atleast a week or so for further observations.''

''Yes sure doc, I'll make the necessary arrangements. But she'll be alright yeah? Please don't skip your medicines and meals sweetheart.'' , she wiped her tears.

Leo stood there, blown away with all the shock and guilt that was bottling up in him. As soon as the room was left with just me, he rushed in and hugged me so tight. I actually saw him crying and I didn't know what to do when boys cried. A part of me wanted to keep staring at him cause weirdly enough, he looked so genuine and cute , but I also couldn't bear the sight of him cry and so I began patting him on his back and he did the same to mine.

''I swear to God I didn't have the least idea about this Aria. I just..I just lost it completely when I saw you with him. I didn't mean to.'' his face was incarnadine by now.

''Hey it's fine. I'm doing fine alright. Stop crying kid. It wasn't your fault. I must have given you some Leo-time back there but no, I had to dash in and spoil everything. STUPID ME!''

''Why didn't you tell me about this before? I can't imagine what you might have gone through when I took you to McDonalds and when I forced you to eat last night. You know you can tell me everything right?''

''The same question to you Leo , don't you trust me?''

''What? I do trust you Aria. Oh the Jordy thing. Okay I'll tell you everything now.''

''Stop playing the innocent card Leo. I know about your leg. How do you expect me to discuss stuffs with you when you find it least important to discuss with me?''

And at this very moment, he was out of words and with all that shock , it was more than what he could take in a day.

''I...I didn't know you noticed that. But how did you..?

''Your mother. She kinda told me your story but not completely. I actually saw it too. Remember the match day when you fell down and I came over to pick you up but you couldn't bend your leg. That's when I touched your leg and felt the steel.''

''Holy shit! I was about to tell you everything I promise. I just didn't get the right moment to tell especially with Jordy being around but now on, no more secrets alright?

''Alright. Now would you like to join me for a meal. Well it's the non-fancied oatmeal if you'd like.''

''I love oatmeal! Wait let me make it fancy for you.''

And he put in some strawberry slices, dry fruits and nuts and believe me, that was the best meal I ever had and my mom stood by the side watching all of this with an emotional smile.