THE EYES DON'T REFLECT EVERY TIME!

CH-2 Intruder in the morning!

"Welcome home Teerin! I don't understand if your interview was the only thing you had gone there for." Even I don't understand that. Luckily I always have Dad by my side. He can successfully calm my mother down. This is always how I escape her questions. Reaching my bedroom I lay down. I am tired but it hardly allows me to sleep. Every time I shut my eyes I can feel his presence. I sigh, for my sleepless nights are back!

"Good morning, Teerin! Here Shailey has come to meet you. She is waiting in the hall downstairs." I give Mum an exhausted look. She knows the reason, so she winks at me and moves out of the room.

I have many things to wonder about---- first,  why would Shailey come here?  Second, how would I face her if she asks me about Fris? Third,  why...why in the world, is a letter falling on the floor? I get down from my bed and crouch down to pick up the piece of paper. I try reading it. It says---

Tear ,

You won't be staying away from me for too long. Coming to you very soon!

Yours ...

Coming to you very soon? Is it.....

"May I come in Teerin?", says Shailey as  she gets into the room.

"You are already in." I winced at her. 

"Your Mum said you  are awake , so I thought to get into your room."

"It's alright."

"I have a favor to ask for."

"What project now?" I ask, somewhat bored.

"Memoir, Psychology project. Erica told you write well."

"Erica?" I don't exactly remember her.

"You helped her with some article?"

"Oh, yes. So, you want me to write it for you?" 

"Not exactly. You give me plot, I'll write. Will you? "

"Okay, but after a shower."

"Of course."

I leave for bathroom and drench myself under the cold rush of water. It dwindles sleep from the veins with every touch on the flesh.
Shailey has been the first person I have talked so casually ever since we came to Amsterdam. Our meeting was ridiculous and funny. Walking down the stairs, I found her approaching me, demanding to solve her doubts. She had mistaken me for a teacher. At the first attempt, I tried to clear the confusion but if only she would let me talk. After several failed attempts, I thought it better to clear her doubts, the much I knew. After she had got all her doubts cleared, I introduced myself and a burst of laughter broke out between us. Our friendship grew ever since.
I come out of  the bathroom and walk towards the sofa in my room to find Shailey seated with her notes on the table. She was looking exactly like the day we first met.

"Can we start?" 

"Sure."

"As far as I remember you told me you were born in Melbourne, right?"

My brows furrowed, "Right...."

"And you went to Sunflower High School - "

"Wait, wait. What exactly are you trying to do?" I suspect.

"Write a biography about my best friend." 

"What? No! that's not something you should write."

" Why not?"

" We did not agree to this."

" Oh! You did."

" After you deceived me with your words."

" See, I have tried asking a lot of people I know and nowhere could I find a strong plot. You are the only person I know nothing about. And something inside tells me that you have a lot to tell. So I asked you-"

"And I deny it. I am not up for anything regarding my memory."

"Come on, it's just a memory-"

"NO!" I shout at her losing my temper. 

"WHY?!" She counters. 

"Because that's not something I want  to share with you, get it?"

"Why is that? Don't you believe m..."

"NO! Now please leave me alone !"

"Teerin.."

"PLEASE!"

She went out dripping tears from her eyes.

"Coward, that's what you are. I thought you anything but that."

" What did You say?"

"Yes you are! You're scared to face your past life. Do you think moving on would make your present better? You are wrong. And I won't leave until I hear it. Enough of secrets now!"

"This is not simple. "

"I am not afraid." 

She comes closer to me; gives me a pretty warm hug. "Just a memory, Please. I won't write about anything you are not comfortable with. Trust me." 

 There was tenderness in her voice. I can't believe it's the same person. She is mad I laugh.

"Sit here."

"Yes! I knew you won't hide anything from me." 

"I did not tell anything about sharing."

"Traitor!"

I burst out laughing. "Okay, but before that , why are you curious about my past?"

"Just because you aren't."

"I don't get it."

"I mean, you unlike anyone don't have any fascination for your past ; I want you to share the grief with me. I want you to open up." She pauses and starts again, "Stop blaming yourself."

My eyes widen as she almost gets it. 

"Psychology student." She smirks. "Now tell me or  I kill you right here."

I finally agree.