Between The Lines [Janet & Aja]

34

Aja
October 7th

"No pulse!"

"Ma'am we need you to move! Start CPR!"

My heart was pounding heavily, head spinning rapidly. I couldn't stop this panic attack from happening and I knew it. There was no stopping this one, not this time. My breaths slowed as I watched the water hitting the rocks around me. First my father and now her. The love of my life. The woman who kept me grounded and in line all while spoiling me rotten. The woman who gave me endless butterflies just by hugs and kisses. She was gone. The only comfort I'd become accustomed to was gone.

"I'm sorry ma'am."

"She's DOA!"

I pulled my legs into my body as the tears came rushing again. My breathing quickened harshly suddenly. A sob slipped from my lips as I put my head into my knees and began shaking. God, I couldn't stop shaking.

"Amirah, baby, wake up. I need you to wake up. Please!"

"D-DOA? Wh-What does that mean?"

My eyes closed as I tried to regain my sense. The buzzing of my phone caused me to lift my head. I scanned the screen and hit decline. I noticed I was on 1 percent and prayed that the damn thing just cut off.

"It was nothing we could do, Miss King. I'm sorry for your loss."

"You can't keep ignoring this, my love." Her voice caused me to look up.

I wiped my tears and rubbed my eyes but she was still there. "Amirah?"

She smiled softly. "You can't stay in this cave forever."

"How are you here?"

"You need me and I'm here. Always."

She looked lighter and what she wore didn't allow me to see her feet, or maybe she was floating. Amirah looked happy. "You look good."

"The afterlife treats you well, but that doesn't mean come joining me anytime soon. You need to get up Aja. You can't stay here forever."

"I miss you." I changed topics slowly.

"I miss you more than you'll ever understand."

"Why didn't you tell me you were sick Amirah? I could have done something. We could have fixed it."

Amirah looked at me. "It wasn't in God's Will for it to be fixed, my love. It had to happen like it did. My weak heart never stopped my living, so don't let it stop yours."

"I'm trying Mira. I am, I just— it's been so long since I've been without you like this and usually I'm okay because I can call you. I can talk to you but this is different. All of this is different. I'm hurting." Tears began falling again.

"It's okay to hurt, but I need you to understand that nothing could have been done to stop me from leaving Earth. It is not your fault. You getting to me earlier wouldn't have changed fate, it would have just changed how it occurred. My last day on Earth was set in stone way before I was born, Aja."

"Don't say it like that Amirah. Please, just don't say it like that." I mumbled to her.

My phone rang again and it was the same person from before. I ignored it again.

Mira sighed. "How about we both make each other some promises. I promise, as long as you need me here, I'll be here. If you want to talk, we will talk, if you just need to see me, I'll be here."

"But?" I asked softly.

"But, you have to promise me that you will love again. You have to stop ignoring her. You have to open up again. You promise me that you'll try, and I'll be here. Deal?"

I didn't want to love anyone else, but I didn't want her to leave either. "Deal." I took a pause before speaking again. "I love you."

"I love you too Aja. You know that."

"Aja!" A voice yelled. It sounded close and my face furrowed.

Amirah smiled softly. "You made me a promise." She began fading. "I have to go. Keep your promise Aja King."

"Wait. Wh-where are you going?" I asked as I began to panic some.

She faded completely and before I could speak again, the voice got close. "Aja..." Janet stepped into the cave and waved her phone in my direction. "I've been calling."

We hadn't talked, not since the Shawn situation. Why did she want to talk now? To give me the sympathy glance and the 'I'm so sorry for you loss' speech? I couldn't take another speech. I couldn't make it past another glance.

I pointed over to my phone. "I haven't been in a talking mood."

She nodded as she came and sat next to me. "You've been a hard woman to get ahold of."

"How did you find me?"

"Well, I had to remember that you always loved the beach and a hiding place. I'm not the only person that's been looking for you."

My hand covered my face as I whispered. "Please tell me you didn't bring the others. I really don't feel like being bothered."

"Nah, it's just me. Only me. Are you cold?"

It was about to be daylight and the air was cold to most but I didn't feel anything right now. I shook my head. "No."

Janet took her jacket off anyways and draped it over my shoulders. "Janet I said I was okay."

"No telling how long you've been here. You're pale. Have you eaten?"

"Yeah, I ordered Uber Eats while I was in here." I replied with sarcasm and irritation laced so heavily in my tone that it shocked even me.

"Be nice woman." I heard Amirah's voice say.

I sighed. "I- I didn't mean that. I just... I haven't."

"You haven't what?" Janet asked softly. She didn't seem phased by my attitude at all but hell, she had dealt with it multiple times before and vice versa.

"Eaten."

"Mind me asking how long you've been down here?"

Shaking my head, I shrugged. "Since... since I found Amirah."

"It's been three days... Aja, come on." She stood and I simply looked at her.

"Where?"

"Out of this cave. To food. Come on." She stretched her hand out and I didn't take it at first.

"You made me a promise. Don't break it this early, Aja." Amirah's voice was heard again.

I glanced up to Janet to see if she could hear her, but Janet hadn't made any adjustments to suggest she heard it. Slowly, I grabbed her hand and allowed her to pull me up with her. She grabbed my phone and handed it to me as we walked along the rocks out of the cave. I was being pulled by her all the way to the car.

"Don't go back to the cave Aja, it's no longer your place of solace. It's no longer a place for you to hide. You have to talk to someone Aja, you have to get it out."