Exactly at 5:00, Shaira was still in a daze looking at the ceiling. Was it just a nightmare? A horrifying imagination I would never want to live. Amidst trying to justify whatever happened last night, she noticed her increasing heart palpitations. She abruptly sat up on the bed and rubbed her palm on her heart. No that was not at all her imagination. It was true. Her heart was proof of it. Her eyes moisten again thinking who will save her this time if that happens again.
She did not want that. She wanted to wake up from this situation. Maybe a cup of coffee? Shaira stood up from the bed, washing her face and brushing her teeth. She moved towards her coffee station to find out she does not have any coffee left. Her eyes furrowed because she had restocked it recently. Checking the other drawers all her coffee jars were empty even which was under the bed. What the fuck! A coffee thief?
Thinking it was one of the maid's foolish pranks. She sighed and decided to get coffee from the kitchen itself. She opened her door and silently went to the stairs. When she reached the kitchen, she straightaway went to the cabinet she knew that Beth would store the coffee, and bingo! She was right. She planned to take her coffee and brew it in her room. She was excited by the aroma of coffee which always seem to calm her.
"What do you think you are doing?"
Shaira shrieked and look toward the source of the sound. Ezra was standing there wearing spectacles and a book in his folded hands looking displeased about something.
"Just making coffee. You want some too?"
Before she could justify herself, Ezra came and took the coffee jar from her hands putting it back in the cupboard.
"From now on, No coffee for you."
Ezra said shuffling some other cupboards and looking for something. "But why?" Shaira asked and her eyes furrowed.
"You are drinking way too much coffee a normal teen does," Ezra said still looking for something but now in the kitchen drawers.
"Well, I have a long list of problems that a normal teen usually doesn't have." Shaira rolled her eyes. Ezra looked at her and then sighed. He knew she was right. for the first time in his whole life, he felt a pinch of guilt in the farthest corner of his dark and cold heart.
"I don't care. You are not touching it till I allow it to you." Ezra said looking straight into her eyes and pointing his book toward her. Shaira was no doubt intimidated. So, she reluctantly nodded not meeting his eyes like she was doing a moment ago.
Ezra noticed it too. He moved towards her and bend near her face. He had never noticed that Shaira has such a beautiful pair of eyes. The turquoise color brought out so many of her traits.
"See Shaira, coffee has a lot of caffeine, and a lot of caffeine with the overthinking mind is a very nasty combination." Ezra walked off to the stove leaving a dazed Shaira behind.
With that sentence, Shaira caught on to each and everything she was missing to complete the pieces of theory she conjectured. She was not a kid who does not understand what depression and anxiety are, but she could not believe she had one of those and was in such a severe state that she would feel like her world is ending. Right then and there.
"Am I that sick?" Shaira asked standing in the same position but this time, her turquoise eyes were shining like emerald glass, which was so fragile that with one wrong word, it would shatter into thousand pieces taking all of her in between.
Ezra ushered her to sit on the stool, put a lime-green liquid in front of her and sat on the opposite side of the table. "First, you are not sick at all. Even if you think you have some problems, that's absolutely fine. There is no single problem in this world that could not be solved. Second, for now, Let's substitute your 'Dexton favorite coffee' for 'Ezra's favorite Green tea'." Ezra gave her a million-no-billion-dollar smile that rarely came on his face, at least never in front of her. She was sure many girls would die to stand up in her place. Not that she was complaining, at least her brothers were pleasant to the eyes.
Shaira first looked at her favorite-colored drink which disguised the bitter taste afterward and then, at the person sitting against her waiting for her to take a sip. She could not say no to his hopeful face and was disgusted but still took a sip of the liquid. She coughed out as soon as the tea touched her tongue. It was not just bitter, it was poison.
"Oh my gosh! How do you drink this thing?" Shiara asked taking a sip of water. Ezra laughed looking at her.
"I thought you liked bitter things. The coffee you enjoy is one the most bitter coffees in the world." Ezra said taking the cup and adding some honey to it. "YES, but I add sugar in it to make it bearable, but that coffee still could not be compared to this." She said pointing to the cup which was again placed in front of her.
"I am not drinking it again." Shaira deadpanned.
Ezra raised one of his eyebrows. "I had made it sweet in front of you right now." Shaira was still reluctant. Ezra took the cup away from the table, and one of the special smiles turned off, making Shaira guilty.
Before he could pour it down the sink, "I will taste it, just add another spoon of honey." Shaira said making a ghost of a smile turn up on another face. Ezra swiftly put another spoon of honey in it and put it in front of her again.
"Why I am feeling like I got tricked right now." Shaira sighed.
"You are terribly mistaken, Shay, you are not." Ezra ruffled her hair making Shaira more annoyed. Shaira's eyes widen as soon as she took another sip. The bitterness which was attacking her taste buds before was now turned into sweet torture which was mellowed by the sweetness of the honey. She didn't know that an ingredient as simple as honey could affect a drink so much.
"I guess, now you like it." Ezra said sitting on the table.
"Yes, but it is still nowhere near 'Dexton Favorite coffee'." Shaira said.
"It's not my mistake that your taste matches him. When I first made him taste it, he reacted the same way as you did." Ezra said. Shaira nodded not having anything to say. Guess one more thing added to their common characteristics list.
" It's already six thirty. I need to prepare for the seminar. Oh, Dexton has asked me to tell you to meet him at nine sharp." Ezra said stepping out of the dining.
Shaira hummed feeling calm and content as she was inhaling the aroma of the green tea not even considering what Ezra just said.
........
Shaira was pacing around in her room. Staring at the wall clock, it was 8:51 am which meant only 9 mins after she had to confront Dexton. With the past meetings with him, Shaira knew that Dexton was especially gentle towards her which she was clearly not complaining but being given cold shoulder for 17 years of life by them, she did not know when they would flip out. That's why she still got nervous when they ask her to do something. When the hour stuck at 9, Shaira bolted from her door to the dining table.
When she reached Dexton was sitting on the table drinking her favorite coffee.
"You are late."
"For what? maybe a minute." Shaira huffed internally.
"You are still considered as late if you are just a minute late."
Shaira's eyes widen. She was sure as hell that she did not say that out aloud. Does Dexton really have mind-reading powers?
"No, you do not say that aloud, but your words are written all over your face." Dexton said after cleaning up his face which was already flawless with his linen napkin.
"So why did you call me?" Shaira asked coming straight to the point. "At least he does not read minds. What would I have done if he came to know all the time, I wished to God that at least one time, He fall flat in front of his colleagues when he gives one of his daily office entries." Shaira thought and sighed internally.
"Alkov will take you to the therapist." Her amusing chain of thoughts was broken by Dexton ice cold words. With so many efforts, she had abandoned thinking about what happened last night, and She will not admit it but talking to Ezra does give her strength to stand up right back.
"I am okay, Dexton. It was just a moment. I don't need a therapist." Shaira said. Her emotionless and guarded look was back on. She was hurt.
"Ok then, get me a clear note from the said therapist that you don't need him, and I will let you go." Dexton said. "You know that it's impossible" Shaira countered.
"Nothing is impossible, Shaira. If- you have the will to do it. Alkov will take you to the hospital." Dexton said standing up from his chair and buttoning up his expensive coat.
"Wait, Can I go alone and if not alone- Maybe Ezra?" Shaira asked because, for her, everything was better than being with Alkov. Dexton raised one of his eyebrows.
"Ezra is busy today. So, you will go with Alkov." Dexton said as he went out of the dining table. Shaira could not say anything, but She knew one thing for sure.
This visit would be a nightmare.
........
I hoped you enjoy this chapter guys and as you may have already seen the new Cover for the book. My little sister made this, and I AM OBSESSED (The actual picture was not her, of course.) Drop the cute pig emoticon if you love that too.
I just love that personality collage thingy about characters which I have seen in many stories. Just let me know in comment section, if you think I should make it or not and what that think actually is?
I really love all of you guys who gave their precious time reading the story and that why we are on #1 for neglect.
I want to mention my three readers izzah4972613 cupcake2720 AayushiAhiwar10D. Thank you so much guys, your comments were my strength throughout the 10 chapters so far.
Also Diana_Knight - I see you girl. You have always been there, From the beginning, silently supporting me, not only on this book but also on another book as well. Next time please leave a comment too so we could know each other better.
Thats all for today. See you next time.
and oh, I forgot, please tell me how you like the chapter and if you like it, COMMENT SHARE, AND VOTE.
BYE