Don't try to make me feel guilty over my attitude

Jamal left there to keep Myla home then went to work. The day went by and Myla kept working on her books, instead of resting as Jamal told her.

Her friends where not in but Eliz entered the house when she was about going to the kitchen to make something for herself.

"Eliz?"

"Myla. Uh what are you doing home?"

Myla blinks her eyes. Is that question meant for her or a slip of her tongue?

"I mean . . . I know you're always in school"

"I'm not well for the moment. What's happening to you? You've been scares and—bizarre"

Eliz looks away "My mom needed me and I had to run errant"

"Okay . . . is your mom in good health?" Myla talks, walking into the kitchen.

Eliz follows "Yeah. She's fine. Just a little difficulty with her"

"Difficulty?"

"Money issue. But it's nothing big"

"No. It is something big. You mentioned it as a difficulty" Myla meets her gaze and she freezes.

"Don't keep things from us Eliz. We're your friends and sick worried about you. I just noticed you've not been able to pay the rent so . . . you don't have to if you have no money"

"I don't agree. I know I'm your friend but—I need to pay you for everything. The feeding, light, every other thing we got for free."

"I'm not complaining Eliz. What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing!" her voice goes high and Myla flinches. "I'm sorry," she apologizes at once.

Myla shakes her head, eyes wondering elsewhere and she breathes returning her gaze to her friend "So, what's this appointment you've been telling the others and not me?"

Eliz is silent. She doesn't want to tell her friends the truth and the least being Myla. She feels like a bore to her.

"I was thinking on moving out"

Myla is speechless as she blinks her eyes bewildered "W-what?"

Eliz adjusts the hand of her bag over her shoulder "That's the only way I can return your money. I want to learn how to be independent."

Myla suspires again and robs her face "Is this part of the appointment or all of it? Are you seeing a man or something? Is he asking anything from you or making you think you can depend on him?"

Eliz shakes her head "No. I'm not. I'm just trying to be like you"

Myla chuckles "Are you serious right now?"

Eliz doesn't respond. There is silence and Myla utters, "So where will you leave from here?"

"I don't want anyone to know yet"

"Why are you doing this Eliz? I want to know what exactly has come over you?"

"Stop trying to know everything! You can't change things. You can't help me. Please, I really need to leave right now. I came to take some of my stuff" She strolls away and Myla follows

"You tried leaving without getting us informed! Really?!"

"I needed to tell everyone today. And hopefully I met you home."

"That's a motherfucking goddamn lie!" Myla has blocked her path.

Eliz halts "I really need to leave Myla. You should just let me go"

"I've given you everything you wanted. I've always been there to support you. And now you just want to leave. Like we had a fight or something."

"Stop talking to me like I'm a child! You always know everything, about everybody. I don't want to have to be under you to become independent. That's all. I don't want to have to be asked every time where I came from, or what I'm doing. I don't owe you any explanation. Stop being bossy. I know you have the money but—you need to respect privacy. If you care about me or love me, you'd let me go"

"No one is forcing you to under me. Don't try to make me feel guilty over my attitude. Anyone reasonable in my shoes will do what I did. Just because you're grown doesn't mean I can't advise you or ask about what you do. I need to make sure you are in good health or not facing any difficulty because you're under my roof. It's not my fault I have money. And yes, maybe I always know everything about anyone because I'm always attentive. I care for them. I read minds and I know when to react and when not to. I don't run away from people though I love being alone. If you say you want to be like me, you have to have this characters because it's through people that I am where I am"

"You don't get it and you will never get it" she pushes past Myla and walks to her room.

Myla stands there defeated as she sees her friend carry her belongings. She waits for her friend at the corridor as she takes out one last thing.

Eliz stops on her way, just few feet from Myla and says "Just so you know. You should never end a relationship. Just because a man is very good to you, doesn't mean he loves you."

Myla ices, her eyes squinting towards her friend as she exits the house. What was that for?

She struggles to understand but can't get the essence so shuffles it away, walking back to her room. The urge of eating left her long ago.

...

Jamal is up so early. He worked so late last night and was unable to message Myla to ask about her health.

He's sick worried. He jerks from bed sitting straight up and taking up his phone from the nightstand beside his head bed.

His mind wonders on the words of Mr. James yesterday. 'You seem to have taken liken of her'

He calls. It rings and rings but she doesn't answer. Just when he's about to drop, she says

"Good morning Jamal" her voice, muffled.

He smiles "Good morning baby boss lady"

She stiffens in bed "Trying not to understand the shit you just said"

He giggles, "You did already if you think it's shit"

"Whatever"

"What's up with you? I almost dropped the call"

"Why didn't you do it faster? I'm still in bed ass whole"

He feigns "That was harsh. I know you're still in bed. That's why I called"

"I ha-"

He cuts in "Yeah, you hate to be disturbed when asleep. I know that"

"What don't you know?" she leans her back flat over her bed and faces the ceiling, agitated.

"Maybe how you're doing now. Still feeling cold?"

"The mucus is still there. I'd just keep drinking green tea."

"Good"

She becomes quiet, her mind wondering on yesterday about Eliz. She twists her lips and takes her time to reflect. Forgetting that Jamal is over the phone.

"What are you thinking of?" his deep tone warrants her to jolt.

"Hmm?"

"Mm"

"N-nothing"

He chuckles "I have all the time right now you know. You can just keep this call on forever if you wish"

"Ok." She answers shortly playing with her pajama.

"I'm waiting for you to say something"

"Like what?"

"What's wrong with you. You don't sound ok"

She bathes her lashes again. "Common, bring it on"

"Since you always know so much, why don't you guess?" she teases

"No, I can't. Except you give me a hint"

"Then there'd be no need guessing"

"Don't try to die down this conversation by changing the headline" he tells at once.

She rolls her eyes guiltily

"Well . . ."

"Yup"

"My friend, Eliz and I had a fight"

"What were you doing before then?"

Why is he asking this? "Uh . . . heading to make something to eat for myself?"

"Before then"

She recalls him telling her to rest and decides not to answer "So, yes. As I was saying; She uh-"

"What are you doing Myla?"

To be continued...