The Apartment
Chapter 14: Enough is Enough
Mary breathed deeply.
I deserve this. I can convince them. I must convince them.
She licked her lips, then continued “…I deserve this more than Esther. I am passionate about the club and I…I would and will do anything…”
“Ehem…” interrupted the chairlady in an uncharacteristic high strung voice, interrupting Mary’s incessant self-aggrandizing monologue.
Mary stopped, stung by the implied rebuke, then inquired emotionally, “Why? Why is everyone on her side?“ her eyes glazed over.
“Because, JV has no need nor room for grandeur obsessed, back biters.” answered the chairlady as she rose to her feet. She cocked her head and locked eyes with Mary
“There is nothing more to it. Move on.”
Mary held the gaze searching within it for sympathy. There was none. The glossy brown eyes that stared back were devoid of emotion.
Her last hope sunk like the titanic into the bottomless abyss that is despair.
*******
The sky wept with Mary that evening. This final dismissal weighed down heavily on her as she trudged along the rain soaked path to the dorm. It was 6pm.
Obsessed…Back biter? She replayed the conversation
Her chest heaved with every tearful gasp of air, the rain soaking her tear streaked face. She clutched at her chest beneath her drenched sweater.
It hurt…
She rubbed it to soothe the ache. The cold rain did nothing to numb her pain, as she yearned. Her lips trembled and her body shivered. Realizing she could not deal with Esther just then, she turned around and started running.
To get away from it all. She needed to get away, wished she could outrun the pain and disappointment. Her vision was obscured.
The rain intensified, as did her tears; but she kept running.
Suddenly, She slipped and crushed down into a pool of mud. A sharp pain shot up her ankle.
“Ow!” she cried, her scream swallowed by the thunder and pouring rain.
Oh God, Why me!!!?
She angrily wiped the mud off her face. Her ankle was already swelling. Though soaked, muddy and injured, the fall had calmed her somewhat. She struggled to get up, shifting her weight unsteadily to the uninjured left foot. When she tried to walk, she managed a few steps before the sharp pain overtook her senses and sent her reeling, this time, face first into a pile of cow dung.
“Aaaaaaaaargh!” she screamed as she spat and gagged out bits of the poop, and frantically wiped at her face with her sweater sleeves.” I can’t do this. I give up…. God I give up…” she sobbed.
“What is going on here? Are you alright young lady?” said a masculine voice behind her.
She spun around to see a pair of green overalls in farm boots. Looking up, she recognized the bulky frame that now sheltered her from the rain. That anyone could be concerned for her at this juncture was too overwhelming. She burst out into a fresh bout of tears.
“I guess not…” He said, sighed and reached a hand out to her.
His grip was firm yet gentle as he raised her to her feet. Stepping back, he did a cursory inspection of her whole body, all the while, a tinge of amusement playing on his lip.
“Can you walk?” he asked.
Mary shook her head, “I think I sprained my ankle” she muttered, hopping on the other leg.
He rubbed his head and tapped his feet as if in though. “It can’t be helped then” he said and in one fell swoop, hoisted her into his arms.
“wait…wha…” Mary started, bewildered. She squirmed.
“Would you rather limp your way to the infirmary in this rain?” He asked firmly.
The rain did not relent. She shook her head and stopped struggling.
Please don’t let anyone see us. she prayed.
“What brings you to my farm anyway? And running in the rain…?” He asked in a gentle, concerned voice. She detected no anger or ill intent.
“I just needed time alone…” she answered sighing.
They made their round one dormitory. Faces now peered at them from its windows.
I hope this doesn’t start a rumour.
The farm manager glanced down at her for a second then straight ahead again. He seemed concerned
“I spoke to a girl with the same look on her face a short while back…You ladies need to take to take it easy sometimes!” he said then laughed uncomfortably.
Mary smiled weakly, “I guess…” she mumbled, relaxing into his chest as warmth seeped into her shivering body. His heart beat steadily beneath her palms.
She blushed.
*****
“Thank you,” Mary stammered as he finally sat her down on the infirmary porch. The school nurse came rushing out, her brow creased with concern.
“What happened?” she asked while rubbing, pressing inspecting Mary’s Entire foot, “You’re a mess!”
What part? My life, my clothes or my foot? thought Mary bitterly.
“I found her near the greenhouses during my evening inspection,” the farm manager explained, “She might have sprained her ankle.”
It’s my ankle. I can explain it myself.
The nurse swiftly got on her hunches and leaned in, squeezing her right ankle gently.
“Ouch!” Mary winced.
“Thank you for bringing her.” she said to the farm manager.
He nodded then walked into the rain.
“He’s a good man”, said the nurse turning towards Mary.
“Now, how about, we get you changed and take care of that ankle?”
Mary nodded and tried to smile.
*****
After preps, the nurse allowed Mary to leave the infirmary.
She limped slowly towards her dormitory with the help of crutches.
I can’t believe she tried to carry me! Mary recalled, smiling.
After the Farm manager left, the nurse attempted to carry her indoors. She managed a few steps with Mary on her back before she tripped and sent them both sprawling down the stairs and into a fit of giggles
Thank God none of us got hurt from it. Stairs must be my curse.
The nurse brought her crutches to use after that. She spent the next two hours in the infirmary while the rest of the school was in for preps and had a very nice calming chat with the nurse.
At the entrance to the dormitory…
“Hi Mary, everyone was worried about you?” a housemate called rushing to Mary’s side, “Where were you?”
“Infirmary…” Mary muttered with a sideways glance.
I don’t have the energy for this…Liars and pretenders. Anger threatened to creep back in.
It was 9.45 pm on Thursday evening when Mary finally walked into her shared cubicle with Esther to find Esther packing the last of her belongings.
Mary was speechless, so she sat down silently on her bed and looked on. Esther focused only the packing until it was done. She picked her final package and turned to Mary.
Mary held her breath
“Thank you…” She said, then exited their cubicle.
Mary smiled weakly. Why would you say that…? She wondered as the door swung shut.
Mary mulled about this new situation for a while. Her medication had made her groggy. After a while though, she realized in shock!
I’m losing my best friend!
she jumped to her feet, ignoring the pain it caused and limp-ran out the door.
*****
Mary burst into the matron’s office door panting and sweating from exertion and pain.
“Aren’t you supposed to be on bed rest?” asked the matron, looking up from her writing. Her gaze skirted over top of her glasses which dangled precariously on her prominent nose.
“It’s fine by me if you want to move around, though you need to get out of those wet clothes before you catch a cold.” Continued the Matron.
“Esther left…” Mary said her voice trailing off because she had not thought through what she was going to say.
“Yes, she has. She made the request last week…” answered the matron resuming her writing.
“Why?” asked Mary.
The matron sighed, got to her feet and walked round the table to Mary. She placed a hand gently on Mary’s shoulder as though about to say something profound
“Relationships are complicated, especially at your age. She needed some space and I believe you do too. It will do you both good…”
The matron’s voice faded as Mary digested this new piece of information. Esther was gone.
Than night in her room, the silence was deafening.
A new roommate. Now I have to deal with a new roommate…
She slept with a heavy heart.