Chapter. 25. Speaking out.

Some thoughts kept pricking Aai but her task kept her distracted. Later as she was leaving, she saw Belis standing near the door.

Aai walked near her.

Belis: "Oh senior...I wanted to walk home with you. Can't I?".

Aai nodded her head, "Let's go".

There was silence between them. Belis who used to chat, was silent looking at the grounds.

Aai: "....Is everything okay?".

Belis: ".Ah! I'm good".

Aai: "Hmm. How's your practice going on?".

Belis: "...it's going good". She hesitated while answering.

Aai: "...Are you okay?". Aai felt uneasy so she kept asking. Belis nodded in approval. Aai dropped Belis and returned to her part-time.

The following day, Aai again met Belis. As usual, she went and sat beside her.

Aai: "...You know you can speak out right?".

Belis heard this and stammered while speaking.

Belis: "Senior I'm...scared".

Aai: "Hey! Did anyone do something?". She worriedly asked.

Belis: "No!.... it's just that you...". As she was speaking a girl called her out.

: "BELIS!". She ran towards them.

: "What is wrong with you suddenly leaving the group!!?"

Aai: "....!!?…"

Belis: "…!!..Nothing".

The girl: "Nothing? What the hell do you mean nothing!? You were doing so well, everything was going smoothly, Then you just...Sigh. Unless you give me an ideal reason, you aren't allowed to leave the group!". Saying she turns and leaves.

Belis didn't get to say a word. She stood facing her back to Aai.

After a few seconds,

Aai: "...Kid?".

Belis stood unmoved.

Aai called her again but she still didn't turn around.

Aai: "HEY!!". She walked in front of her and saw tears rolling down her cheek. Aai got startled and Belis suddenly hugged her.

Aai: "Wait! What's wrong!?". Belis gripped Aai's clothes.

Aai: "Did anyone say something? Or did they do...".

Belis shook her head in disapproval.

Aai: "Just look here...".

Belis: "It's you!". She let out.

Aai: "...?..me? Wait! Let go first?".

Belis: "I don't wanna! I don't wanna leave you!".

Aai: "Aah! Seriously now".

Belis got startled and let go. She stood facing the ground.

Belis: "You wanna leave me? Are you tired of me?".

Aai: "Wait what?".

Belis: "I know you are my senior. You will move forward, meet new people, live a different life and even find someone better than me but I...". She kept crying.

Aai: "Wait calm down first...".

Belis: " No. I just don't want that! I don't want you leaving me. I.... I DON'T JUST THINK OF YOU AS MY SENIOR!!" saying she runs away.

Aai: "HEY!!".

Aai was confused. This was also the first time she saw Belis shout like that. It got her worried. She ran to find Belis but was no use.

The next day, Aai went to speak with Belis group leader about her.

"We don't know the reason. She was doing fine. One day after she came back from a short break, she seemed distracted. She even accidentally hurt her left finger. We let her leave for that day. The next day she came saying she wanted to quit. Her hand was also hurt. She must have played the violin a lot. We let her rest but from that day she didn't come".

Aai kept thinking about the reason.

That day Belis seemed absent. Aai was distressed about what Belis said.

What did she mean? Did I make some mistakes? Is it my fault? Aai couldn't think straight. She called Belis but she rejected her call, so she called Idris.

Idris: "Hey Aai! How rare of you to call me?".

Aai: "Hey! Could you pass the phone to Belis?".

Idris: "Ummm, sorry Aai, but she's...".

Aai: "Just a word".

Idris: "Sorry Aai".

Aai: "💢 just tell her to get things straightened out!! SHE BETTER COME OUT AND SPEAK!!" saying she hung up.

Idris: "..!..Belis?".

Idris was with Belis. Since she pleaded, Idris had to act on Aai.

Belis: "....".

Idris: "You better go tomorrow".

Belis: "...She's angry".

Idris: "Pff! Yeah, but it's just that she's looking out for you. Don't you think?". He asked patting Belis's head.

Belis nodded.

The next day, Aai didn't find Belis on the grounds so she went to the terrace where she did find her.

She walked close to her.

Belis: "...!...".

Aai: "So?".

Belis: "You said you weren't interested in anything".

Aai: "About what?".

Belis: "I saw you with Max".