{"id":1271,"date":"2017-02-23T19:34:55","date_gmt":"2017-02-23T19:34:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theskrypt.co.ke\/?post_type=jetpack-portfolio&p=1271"},"modified":"2017-02-23T19:34:55","modified_gmt":"2017-02-23T19:34:55","slug":"the-apartment-14","status":"publish","type":"jetpack-portfolio","link":"https:\/\/sqrypted.co.ke\/index.php\/portfolio\/the-apartment-14\/","title":{"rendered":"The Apartment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 14: Enough is Enough<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mary breathed deeply.<\/p>\n

I deserve this.<\/em> I can convince them. I must convince them. <\/em><\/p>\n

She licked her lips, then continued \u201c\u2026I deserve this more than Esther. I am passionate about the club and I\u2026I would and will do anything\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEhem\u2026\u201d interrupted the chairlady in an uncharacteristic high strung voice, interrupting Mary\u2019s incessant self-aggrandizing monologue.<\/p>\n

Mary stopped, stung by the implied rebuke, then inquired emotionally, \u201cWhy? Why is everyone on her side?\u201c her eyes glazed over.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause, JV has no need nor room for grandeur obsessed, back biters.\u201d answered the chairlady as she rose to her feet. She cocked her head and locked eyes with Mary<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is nothing more to it. Move on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mary held the gaze searching within it for sympathy. There was none. The glossy brown eyes that stared back were devoid of emotion.<\/p>\n

Her last hope sunk like the titanic into the bottomless abyss that is despair.<\/p>\n

*******<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Obsessed\u2026Back biter? <\/em>She replayed the conversation<\/p>\n

Her chest heaved with every tearful gasp of air, the rain soaking her tear streaked face. She clutched at her \u00a0chest beneath her drenched sweater.<\/p>\n

It hurt\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

To get away from it all. She needed to get away, wished she could outrun the pain and disappointment. Her vision was obscured.<\/p>\n

The rain intensified, as did her tears; but she kept running.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, She slipped and crushed down into a pool of mud. A sharp pain shot up her ankle.<\/p>\n

\u201cOw!\u201d she cried, her scream swallowed by the thunder and pouring rain.<\/p>\n

Oh God, Why me!!!?<\/em><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cAaaaaaaaargh!\u201d she screamed as she spat and gagged out bits of the poop, and frantically wiped at her face with her sweater sleeves.\u201d I can\u2019t do this. I give up\u2026. God I give up\u2026\u201d she sobbed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cWhat is going on here? Are you alright young lady?\u201d said a masculine voice behind her.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess not…\u201d He said, sighed and reached a hand out to her.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you walk?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Mary shook her head, \u201cI think I sprained my ankle\u201d she muttered, hopping on the other leg.<\/p>\n

He rubbed his head and tapped his feet as if in though. \u201cIt can\u2019t be helped then\u201d he said and in one fell swoop, hoisted her into his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cwait\u2026wha\u2026\u201d Mary started, bewildered. She squirmed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you rather limp your way to the infirmary in this rain?\u201d He asked firmly.<\/p>\n

The rain did not relent. She shook her head and stopped struggling.<\/p>\n

Please don\u2019t let anyone see us. <\/em>she prayed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat brings you to my farm anyway? And running in the rain\u2026?\u201d He asked in a gentle, concerned voice. She detected no anger or ill intent.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just needed time alone\u2026\u201d she answered sighing.<\/p>\n

They made their round one dormitory. Faces now peered at them from its windows.<\/p>\n

I hope this doesn\u2019t start a rumour.<\/em><\/p>\n

The farm manager glanced down at her for a second then straight ahead again. He seemed concerned<\/p>\n

\u201cI spoke to a girl with the same look on her face a short while back\u2026You ladies need to take to take it easy sometimes!\u201d he said then laughed uncomfortably.<\/p>\n

Mary smiled weakly, \u201cI guess…\u201d she mumbled, relaxing into his chest as warmth seeped into her shivering body. His heart beat steadily beneath her palms.<\/p>\n

She blushed.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Mary stammered as he finally sat her down on the infirmary porch. The school nurse came rushing out, her brow creased with concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d she asked while rubbing, pressing inspecting Mary\u2019s \u00a0Entire foot, \u201cYou\u2019re a mess!\u201d<\/p>\n

What part? My life, my clothes or my foot? <\/em>thought Mary bitterly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI found her near the greenhouses during my evening inspection,\u201d the farm manager explained, \u201cShe might have sprained her ankle.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s my ankle. I can explain it myself. <\/em><\/p>\n

The nurse swiftly got on her hunches and leaned in, squeezing her right ankle gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cOuch!\u201d Mary winced.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for bringing her.\u201d she said to the farm manager.<\/p>\n

He nodded then walked into the rain.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a good man\u201d, said the nurse turning towards Mary.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, how about, we get you changed and take care of that ankle?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mary nodded and tried to smile.<\/p>\n

*****<\/em><\/p>\n

After preps, the nurse allowed Mary to leave the infirmary.<\/p>\n

She limped slowly towards her dormitory with the help of crutches.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t believe she tried to carry me! <\/em>\u00a0Mary recalled, smiling.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Thank God none of us got hurt from it. Stairs must be my curse.<\/em><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

At the entrance to the dormitory\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cHi Mary, everyone was worried about you?\u201d a housemate called rushing to Mary\u2019s side, \u201cWhere were you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cInfirmary…\u201d Mary muttered with a sideways glance.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t have the energy for this…Liars and pretenders.<\/em> Anger threatened to creep back in.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Mary held her breath<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you\u2026\u201d She said, then exited their cubicle.<\/p>\n

Mary smiled weakly. Why would you say that\u2026? <\/em>\u00a0She wondered as the door swung shut.<\/p>\n

Mary mulled about this new situation for a while. Her medication had made her groggy. After a while though, she realized in shock!<\/p>\n

I\u2019m losing my best friend!<\/em><\/p>\n

she jumped to her feet, ignoring the pain it caused and limp-ran out the door.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Mary burst into the matron\u2019s office door panting and sweating from exertion and pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you supposed to be on bed rest?\u201d asked the matron, looking up from her writing. Her gaze skirted over top of her glasses which dangled precariously on her prominent nose.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fine by me if you want to move around, though you need to get out of those wet clothes before you catch a cold.\u201d Continued the Matron.<\/p>\n

\u201cEsther left\u2026\u201d Mary said her voice trailing off because she had not thought through what she was going to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, she has. She made the request last week\u2026\u201d answered the matron resuming her writing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d asked Mary.<\/p>\n

The matron sighed, got to her feet and walked round the table to Mary. She placed a hand gently on Mary\u2019s shoulder as though about to say something profound<\/p>\n

\u201cRelationships are complicated, especially at your age. She needed some space and I believe you do too. It will do you both good\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The matron\u2019s voice faded as Mary digested this new piece of information. Esther was gone.<\/p>\n

Than night in her room, the silence was deafening.<\/p>\n

A new roommate. Now I have to deal with a new roommate\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

She slept with a heavy heart.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 \u201c\u2026I deserve this more than Esther. I am passionate about the club and I\u2026I would and will do anything\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":980,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"jetpack-portfolio-type":[],"jetpack-portfolio-tag":[],"class_list":["post-1271","jetpack-portfolio","type-jetpack-portfolio","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sqrypted.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jetpack-portfolio\/1271","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sqrypted.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jetpack-portfolio"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sqrypted.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/jetpack-portfolio"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sqrypted.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sqrypted.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1271"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sqrypted.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jetpack-portfolio\/1271\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sqrypted.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sqrypted.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1271"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"jetpack-portfolio-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sqrypted.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jetpack-portfolio-type?post=1271"},{"taxonomy":"jetpack-portfolio-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sqrypted.co.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/jetpack-portfolio-tag?post=1271"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}