Light: Keyword of the week

I check my phone for what feels like the 12th time, yet it's still 10.55. I look out the window, at see the blue sky. The Sun seems, shy after the rain, barely gracing us with a few rays as it hides behind the clouds. I can't wait for the lecture to end so I'd leave. I was in the class, but my mind was in a faraway place.

I feel suffocated around so many people and really didn't have the strength to talk to anyone. A lot had been going on and it has drained my social battery.

Immediately, the lecturer leaves, I breathe in a sigh of relief. I pack up my books and rush to leave the hall. The scent of wet sand hits me, slowly calming my nerves. I think I've successfully escaped till I heard someone call out.

"Lana, Lana!!, you know I'm calling you, this short annoying girl."

I take in a steadying breath and turn to face him. On another day, I might have put on a smile to assure him that I'm alright, but not today. I'm too exhausted.

"Hey Dan, how're you doing?" I ask the only friend who refused to give up since I chose to avoid everyone. His eyes soften as he takes in my demeanour. He places his hand on my forehead and takes a deep breath.

"You're not fine. You look more drained everyday I see you. Do you still have to stay in that house?. Living there is weighing down on you mentally and emotionally" he says.

I can see the worry clearly written on his face and I know he cares. It warms my heart that even though, I've done everything to push him away, he stayed. He saw through my pain even in my darkest moments and has been the light guiding me through.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine. In two weeks time, I'll be out of there and I'll never go back. I just need to endure for a while, okay?" I reply with a small smile.

"Don't smile, especially when you don't want to. Not with me. I really worried about you, but I'm also praying for you. Staying there has literally drained the light out of your eyes. You're too dull lately. You're not you anymore and it's scaring me."

Tears spring to my eyes and I struggle to keep them at bay. "Just two weeks, then it'll be over, so don't worry. I've already gone through the worst of it all. There's nothing new they could do to me anymore. I'll be out soon.

His eyes remain sad and he watches me silently, his brows furrowed. He opens his mouth to speak and I cut him off "Oh you old grandpa, it's just 14 days, I'll be fine. Now go back into the class, your girl is waiting for you" I tease him.

I waggle eyebrows and he finally laughs. "Alright alright, I'm going. But just you know, I'm here and I always will be here for you, okay?" He says with a warm smile.

For the first time in a long while, I take in a deep breath, not out of frustration but hope, and smile genuinely. "Okay, just so you know, me too. Bye, I'll text you when I get home".

"Bye" he yells back and walks back to the hall. I continue my journey to the gate, happy that I have at least one person on my side.

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