III

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III.
I went home still shocked at what happened. I have to literally drag my feet.

Anima has fetched by her parents around afternoon. She is still unconscious when they insisted to bring her home. Her parents are really worried, i mean, what else would they feel seeing their child lying out of hysteria? Her mother, in fear, is crying all the way to the clinic.

As i thought of what happened, i began to cower in fear. I hugged myself looking helplessly. Geez, I sniffed. I was not expecting this.

As i reached home, i ran to my mother's embrace and stuffed myself in her shoulder. Ugh, nothing beats the smell of a mother.

Stunned as she was, my mother asked me if there's any problem as she stroke my hair. Ahhh that felt comforting.

I began to shed tears before i could even talk. "Mom" my voiced cracked at that. "I am frightened" i whispered as i burst into tears.

"Why? What happened my dear" my mother worriedly asked. She moved me away from her and gently carress my face.

She escorted me to the sofa. She tapped my back and waited for me to speak up.

"Mom, Anima..." and again, i cried. "I got afraid of Anima awhile ago mom. I know this isnt fair to her but i do. She hysterically wiped her face when i pointed the smudge of ketchup in her cheek. Mom, she's my friend, but i got afraid because she seems like crazy" i sobbed at my palm as i couldnt contain my emotion. You know that feeling right?

"Wait..." She commented as she paused. My mother seems to be getting the whole picture now.

"Tell me a lot more about Anima Psy," she demanded. Maybe her being psychologist is acting out again.

"She likes to wear make-up, dont want to get dirty, always rubs alcohol at her hands second after seconds. Actually, she might be a neat-freak." I answered in between sniffing.

"Ah see..." She nodded. " I think she might want to go to a consultation with me or with someone the same as me" she said as if its no big deal.

I confusedly look at her and asked her why? "You mean, she might have a mental problem?" I gasped.

"Look Psy, i cannot be certain yet since i have not diagnosed her yet, but basing from your story, she might be suffering from obssessive compulsive disorder."

"Obss--- what?" Here we go with the medical jargons. I havent met the term much so to understand it. Its an alien word and so i frowned.

My mother might have noticed my internal conflict so she explained it carefully.

"Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is an anxiety disorder that generally causes extreme discomfort. Sufferers are often riddled with persistent and recurrent impulses, thoughts and images that are unwanted. Some sufferers who have a fear of contamination may take baths and wash their hands many times throughout the course of one day, or they may be obsessed with cleaning every inch of their home to ensure it is spotless and free of germs." She patiently said.

"That may explain Anima's frantic action a while ago." My mother continued.

"But, again, this is just an assumption unless she gets diagnosed" she's talking like doctor now and forgets that she should be a mother right here at this moment.

I wiped my tears with my index. I am, somehow getting the idea. And I pity Anima if that turns out to be true. I hope its not.

Drowned in my thoughts, my mother had already got me a cup of water. And made a call after that.

"Hello---" i heard my mother from the phone. She continued to be there totaly forgetting me.

Geez!

Though i love them and they love me, but when it comes to their work, i become practically invisible. I hated the idea, but i dont want them to feel guilty at that. I dont want to sulk over that silly thought.

And that's when i saw a lady in white in front of our gate. She's not a ghost im telling you, she's too beautiful to be as such.

I rubbed my eyes to confirm what i had just seen, but she's already gone when i opened them.

-----

This came out pretty badly. I cant think any better since i am pre-occupied with a lot of things rn. I hope you still enjoyed it though.

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