HEALING FROM YOU

CHAPTER 10

“Hey, we are here. Get up.” A smooth yet deep voice interrupted her dreams and Avi nuzzled into the bony pillow, seeking for some warmth.

“Give the sleeping beauty a true love’s kiss and she might wake up.”

A girl’s voice was heard in the distant and she assumed it was the duck in her dreams, whom she was splashing water with.

“You do such a thing, and I will break your bones.”

An annoyingly familiar voice growled and she and the duck searched around the pond, looking for the wolf. Was it hiding behind the bush?

Her body shook as if the place she rested was laughing. The duck quacked aloud and more humanly voices got mixed with it. Realizing she had to do something, Avi started to quack, confirming to her friend that they were in it together.

“Did she just....”

The girl’s voice asked surprised before roaring with laughter. Aviana jumped from the pond and opened her eyes to see the pack of hyenas, but was welcomed by something more problematic. Her friends. And it seems like they were laughing hysterically at something.

Avi wiped her sleepy eyes and drool with the back of her hands and looked at the maniacs with confusion. Even Eito was biting his fist to control his laughter, but his body shook like a phone when vibrating.

“What did I miss?” She asked in her groggy voice and they started to laugh again. Was there something on her face?

“You... Oh My God... You quacked.” Saying that, Zach laughed again. She saw Mandy slapping Joshua’s shoulder repeatedly while laughing her heart out. Ben was wheezing at this point and couldn’t even look at her without controlling the next wave.

Avi scrunched her face, not getting the point.

“What were you dreaming of?”

Eito asked, taking a beach breath. He was trying to hold the giggles and was failing miserably.

“I don’t know. I don’t remember.”And it was true. She had a faint outline about the dream but couldn’t put the pieces together. She thought she remembered it while waking up, but now it was totally blank. It was natural, and humans tend to forget most of their dreams after getting up.

“But what does my dream have to do with these buffoons?”

Avi asked amusingly, and her morons of friends started the torture again. Even Eito couldn’t talk as he bent and hid his face in his lap.

“You people planning to spend the night here?”

Mr. John’s voice made them stop, and they shook their head like primary kids.

“Then get your asses out of the seats and come out.”

Aviana have always heard the rumours that teachers acted totally different on school trips and campings. But never has she thought that Mr. John was one among them.

She hung her messenger bag Criss Cross and waited for her friends to collect their belongings. Which took time as they all looked at her and laughed silently. Once outside, Avi found her backpack along with her friends’ on the pavement. They were the last ones, as the rest of the luggages were absent.

Both the buses left and Mr. Tomas guided them to a classy-looking hotel. One wall of the lobby was covered in intricate designs and the centre was protruded out with the carvings, ‘ML MANSIONS‘ in Italics.

The sun was setting outside and everyone decided to have an early supper before heading to their respective rooms.

Ben went to Mr. John, who was watching the guide having a formal conversation with the receptionist. They talked about something serious, and Aviana found them glancing at her often. Were they talking about her?

“Are you cold?”

Avi diverted her attention from Ben to Eito, who was smiling at her.

“No.” She replied and then thought about the incident back in the bus.“Eito, what were you guys laughing about?”

He suppressed another giggle and bit his lip hard, causing the blood to clot.

“Just know that from now on, I am going to call you duckling.”

With that he winked at her and moved towards Zach who was having a heated conversation with Mandy about some latest make up products.

“Duckling?” She asked to herself but couldn’t ponder over it more as Ben came back, his lips forming a thin line.

“He wouldn’t listen.”

“Listen what?” Aviana inquired as she saw her Maths teacher, Miss. Louis, calling out names from the checklist while the receptionist handed the students a swipe card.

“I asked him if we could share a room, but he won’t allow. Says it’s against the rules.” Ben was frustrated and Avi realized why. She hadn’t thought about it before. Whom will she stay with?

“Why can’t I sleep with you? We have shared a bed ever since we were kids.”

They mostly spent their nights together while Ben’s mother took the second shift. He preferred to sleep with Avi than in the spare room, and Bryan used to join them often before going to college. So it was not a new thing for them.

“I told him that. I even said I would connect your dad through phone and he can give him his consent. But no. Mr. Strictly Pants thinks that other students will not abide if they see someone else violating it.”

Aviana liked all the girls from the school and didn’t particularly hate anyone. But the problem was with her and not them. She packed her sleeveless pj’s (assuming she was sharing a room with Ben) which would cause her roommates to see her scarred hands.

Ben was familiar with it, even though she only changes into her night clothes after the lights are off and would cover them under the comforter. But Ben has seen them anyway, especially in the morning as she sleeps. Instead of asking her, he would just stare at them, counting the fresh ones. He knew she was taking the in medicine and comforting her would only make her withdraw to her she’ll more. And he didn’t want that.

Yet, for the past one week he has seen none and was happy for that, but still there were scars. A lot of them.

“Are you guys planning to murder someone?”

Avi raised her head to see Mandy, looking at the siamese twins mischievously.

“I would if I could.” Ben replied angrily, changing Mandy’s expression to seriousness.

“What happened?” She asked, studying both their faces simultaneously.

“It seems like Mr. John won’t let us sleep together.” Aviana said and regretted her words immediately. That didn’t sound right. She looked at Mandy in alarm, but she just remained clueless.

“Yeah. That’s the rule. A boy and girl can’t share a room. So what?”

Either Mandy understood what Avy meant, or she was not showing her anger outside. Though the former seemed to be more likely.

“So what? So what? Avi is away from her family for the first time. She can’t sleep alone. Last time we went camping, she had terrible dreams, and the teacher called our parents to take us back. She needs me.”

Ben sounded desperate, and Mandy was taken aback to see such a reaction from him. These two were closer than she imagined and surprisingly it did not evoke any jealousy in her. Instead, she felt pity towards the girl.

“I was six back then, Ben. What did you expect? I am a grown woman now. I can take care of myself.”

Avi did not sound so sure, but she had to stop Ben from worrying so much. Mandy was listening to everything carefully, and Avi feared another breakup between them. No girl will like their man caring for someone else this intensely.

But Ben doesn’t seem to mind it. He was rambling about the previous occasions where Avi had to attend a family wedding alone and ended up screaming in the night.

“I can share a room with her, if you want.”

Mandy murmured, unsure. She and Ben liked each other a lot, but that doesn’t mean he trusted her enough with the most important person in his life.

“A room is shared by four people.”

Ben said, knowing that Mandy already had a group.

“I can talk to Mr. John and arrange for a two bedroom. I can pay him a little extra, maybe.”

Aviana was not sure about the offer. Mandy was close with her friends and she couldn’t sacrifice her happiness by baby sitting a damsel in distress.

“No, Mandy. I am grateful for your help, but I can’t accept it. You have friends and could have fun. I am a boring person and it will be like attending a funeral with me.”

Avi laughed nervously in the end, and Mandy could clearly see the insecurities in her eyes. Ben did not interfere in their conversation as he was busy analysing the pros and cons. She trusted Mandy and was even at the border of loving her. If there was any person he could entrust Avi with, it would be Mandy.

Zach would have been an option if he hasn’t filled the form as male. He didn’t think Avi would be coming, so chose to spend the night with his friends.

“My friends will adjust. Besides, we have girls’ night every Friday. So it’s not like I would miss once in a lifetime opportunity. So shall I talk to the teacher?”

Many fiddled with her fingers and before Avi could respond, she saw a flash of Ben passing her and scooped Mandy into his arms before claiming her lips.

The poor girl was surprised at first, as Ben has never kissed her like this before. It conveyed everything he wanted to say, and Mandy was happy he chose this mode of communication.

Few whistles and catcalls separated the two, but Ben still held on to her.

“You do not know what this means to me. Avi is like a sister and I care for her so much. You are an angel, Mandy. My angel.”

Mandy was breathless and panted like a stray dog, but she cared less. If this was the gift for looking after Avi, she would do it anytime.

Aviana was happy and walked to Mr. John to make necessary arrangements. She left the love birds on their own, giving them enough privacy she could in the middle of a crowded lobby.

The teacher was okay with the change and did not take any extra money while handing her the card.

“This is a room closest to Mr. Benjamin’s, and that’s all I could for you within my limits.”

Avi smiled at the teacher and thanked him before heading back to Ben, who was now chatting with Eito. Mandy was nowhere to be seen and guessed she went to talk to her friends.

“Got the room right next to yours.”

Avi said as she tossed the key to Ben, and he grinned, seeing the number.

“Mr. Strictly Pants has some heart after all.”

.................................

The students retired to their rooms after giving orders for their food, which would be served in the room. The cafe was packed with an engagement party and the hotel staffs apologized, stating that they double booked unintentionally.

As a token of gratitude, the dinner was on the hotel and would include complementary dishes for everyone.

...............

Avi was sitting on the bathroom floor with the sleeveless pj near her. She even thought of wearing her other clothes, but that would be too uncomfortable and she brought the exact number, which means there wasn’t a single top to spare.

“Avi... You dead...”

Mandy asked as she changed to a short shorts and a tank top. She respected Avi’s privacy and did not object when she ran to the bathroom to change.

“Coming....”

Right then she heard a knock on the outside door. Mandy rose from the bed and opened it to see Ben in a t-shirt and boxers. She opened and closed her mouth like a goldfish as words got stuck in her throat. Though everyone thinks they both slept together, that was not the case. Ben wanted to be at least eighteen before engaging in such activities, and Mandy liked that about him. It shows he was not a playboy and was serious about taking someone’s virginity. Yes. She was a virgin and a proud one in it.

But seeing Ben in his night dress was making her hormones go wild, and from Ben’s sudden dilation in his eyes she could say he was regretting for not turning eighteen.

“Who is it?”

Avi’s voice made them jump a little to the back and Mandy flushed bright red.

“It’s me, princess.”

He said while breathing heavily and asked Mandy’s permission to get inside. Her vocabulary was still hiding in a basement, so she just moved to the side, giving him access.

Ben walked towards the connected bathroom and tapped on the door.

“I brought you my spare t-shirt.”

With that, he extended his hand to the door and tilted his head up. Mandy saw the door opening a little, and a palm stuck out, grabbing the material and pulled it inside before locking the door.

“Thanks, Teddy.”

“Melcow, vee vee”

He chuckled and turned to face an amused looking Mandy.

“Teddy?” She was about to burst out laughing, and Ben blushed a little.

“That’s our childhood nicknames.”

He explained without looking her straight in the eye and scratched his neck awkwardly. Then knocked on the door again,

“I am going. If the teachers find me, I will be in trouble.”

“Okay... Good night...” Her voice was muffled as she was washing her face. Avi wore Ben’s t-shirt, and it reached till her thighs. The sleeves covered half her hands, but the rest was still visible.

“Better than nothing.” She murmured while pulling down the clothing.

She heard Ben’s footsteps before taking out a new toothbrush and paste.

...........

“Look, Avi has some issues. You might see some scars on her body, but please don’t ask her about it.”

Ben muttered, hating to share such a secret but had no other way.

“What scars? Is she okay?”

Mandy looked alarmed and Ben nodded instantly, not wanting to stress her.

“Yes. She is getting better now. Just ask nothing, okay?”

She stayed thoughtful but murmured a yes. Mandy was so adorable with that face and her lips were set in a pout which looked damn kissable.

When Ben heard the sound of faucet running from inside, he pushed Mandy to the wall and started to devour her lips. She loved it when he took control and let him have his way. But no matter how much intense the hunger was, he had to stop for air.

“Is this a way of paying me? Then no thanks. I consider Avi as a friend too.”

This made him kiss her again. She had her flaws, but Mandy was perfect for him.

He shook his head and noticed that the water was not running anymore. He gave a brief peck to her forehead and whispered in her right ear,

“I love you.”..........................

When Avi exited the bathroom, she found Mandy rooted to the spot, right next to an open door. Her cheeks were flaming red and her eyes were wide as saucers.

“What happened? Are you okay?”

Avi stormed to her, who looked at Avi as if she was an alien.

“Mandy... Mandy...”

Avi was scared and her mind portrayed the worst scenarios that must have happened. She shook her hard, which finally made her look at the tensed face.

“That i***t love me.”

Before Avi could process the words, Mandy started to pace the room in long strides.

“Who?” Avi asked, moving towards the table that held her phone to call emergency, just in case.

“Benjamin Rutherford. The basketball captain. Your best friend. School jock. My first love.”

The last words shocked Avi. She knew Ben loved her, she could tell that from the way he looked at her or how jealous he got when she was with any guys. But she loving him was news.

“You love him?” Long forgotten was the phone.

“Of course, I do. Why do you think I make it up with him after every break up? I can’t live without that asshole. I love him so much that sometimes it hurt in here physically.”

Mandy pointed to her heart and Avi realized that she was serious.

“Is it normal to have such feelings at this age?”

This Mandy was a total opposite to the girl Avi got used to. She was scared and uncertain.

“I am not a troll or a love expert but I know that Ben has the same feelings you harbour for him, towards you.”

She looked at her with hope, and Avi had the urge to hug her.

“How can you be sure?”

Aviana scoffed as if it was a stupid question and sat on the bed Indian style.

Mandy walked towards her like a moth attracted to the light and positioned near her.

“For a start, Ben and I have been together for eleven years and I know him like I know myself.”

Mandy nodded her head animatedly.

“He thought all the girls had cooties except me and avoided them like a zombie.”

Both the girls chuckled to that, and Avi saw Mandy relaxing a bit.

“His first crush was my older brother’s girlfriend because she gave him a Ben 10 watch for Christmas.”

“Boys....” Mandy rolled her eyes, and she was getting back to her usual self.

“After that my life turned a lot messier, and he took me under his wings after Aiden, my first brother, left for college. He did not talk with other girls or had any friends other than my brothers. So Bryan, my second brother, forced him to join the basketball team. We entered a routine where Bryan would pick me up if Ben couldn’t and vice versa. When Bryan left for college, either it was Zach or Ben would make me sit in the bleachers for hours while he practised.”

Mandy knew what or who the reason was, and she felt sympathy for this poor girl. She was in a circle of protection and yet AK managed to hurt her.

“So you see his life revolves around me and his friends. But that was until he saw you. The first day you transferred to this school, Ben told me you looked cute.”

“Did he?” Mandy blushed at the thought. That was three years ago.

“Yes. The next year, you joined the cheer girl’s squad and Ben saw it as a perfect opportunity to talk to you. He purposely knocked you out with that ball, you know.”

Now, Mandy was really surprised. She thought it was an accident and allowed Ben to take her to the infirmary. Aviana was there with them, and Mandy thought she was his girlfriend.

She had a slight crush on him, back then, but after assuming he had a girlfriend, she tried to change her mind but in vain.

“But you... Then... He apologized....”

Avi chuckled, thinking about how she scolded him after the incident. She was lecturing him on ‘how not to approach a girl.’

“Believe me. It was anything but an accident. Anyway, after that you guys got close and started dating. But had your first break up when he did not show up for your one month party. “

Yes. Mandy remembered that well. She was hurt and felt like a third wheel when he phoned her to say that she was with Aviana. Her hate was not directed to Avi but to herself. She felt like she was interfering in their life and decided to break it off.

“That day, I.... I fell from a bike and broke my ribcage. Ben was angry and fought with HIM, physically. He ended up in the hospital for two days beside me. He didn’t want you to worry, so hid it from you.”

Mandy felt like she was reliving her past as she remembered how sorry Ben was and gave him another chance when she saw Avi’s bandaged leg.

“But he dated other girls and...”

Mandy trailed off as Avi shook her head, smiling.

“Ah ah... He pretended to date other girls. They held no value to him. And when you think about it, he ‘pretended to date’ right after he sees you with another guy or you post a picture with random men.”

“I did that to make him jealous, but he wasn’t....”

Again, she couldn’t complete because it was true. It was she who tries to move on first and oy then will some bimbo show up beside him.

“How? He doesn’t even have an Insta id.”

“He doesn’t because I don’t have one. But that cunning fox has a fake on account in girl’s name. You recognize the name ‘Scarlet Ruth’?”

“Yeah, she is from another school, but messages me often and often comments on my pics.”

Aviana smirked at Mandy, and she clasped her hand over her mouth to stop from screaming.

“It’s him...”

“Taraa.....”

Mandy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Will a guy who could get any girl he wants, go to such an extent for her?

“But it felt like a girl. She posted paintings and quotes.”

“Yeah. Those are his paintings and my quotes. It’s more like a shared account but don’t worry, I don’t use it for messaging. Then about the girly character, he is with two girls for eleven years, me and my younger sister. A guy could learn a lot from that time.”

“Holy s**t. My head is buzzing with all this information. I thought I was just a time pass for him and cried a lot when I realized I love him. To this day, I never believed he would love me back.”

With no warning, Mandy jumped at Avi and hugged her, making them both fall on the soft mattress.

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

Avi was surprised to have a girl of her age, who actually was like a friend, hug her. But soon she got the hang of it and wrapped her hands around Mandy.

She couldn’t purse her lips as the teeth were not backing up soon. Her smile was contagious and Avi reciprocated her excitement. She was happy for her best friend.

“I won’t say Ben is like a brother to me because he is a brother to me. My parents have illegally adopted him as their son, and I will never want him to break his heart. I know I am like algae sticking to him, but please don’t fight with him because of me. He loves you so much, it will be difficult for him to choose.”

Mandy smiled at the girl next to her. She has gone through so much in her life and yet she gives importance to other’s feelings.

“I would never make him choose. Besides, I don’t have any siblings. Maybe you can adopt me as your sister too.”

Avi felt like crying on hearing those words and hugged Mandy again.

There was a knock on the door and a random boy called out, ‘room service.’

“Time to eat.”

.....................................

The food was delicious, as it was a mix of South and North American dishes.

“I am so full.” Mandy muttered, but did not stop eating. Avi never said no to food too, so continued to munch on her apple pie.

While having food, Mandy’s eyes wandered to the scars and white bandage but said nothing. Once the boy was back and cleared the plates, Mandy used the bathroom while Avi called home.

Her siblings were ecstatic to see her and during the half an hour call, Tareen took three fourth of it. Just as she was ending the call, Mandy came back and placed a white pouch on the bedstand.

“Hey guys, want to see Ben’s girlfriend?”

There was a screech, and yellings from the other side, causing Mandy’s eyes to wide. They talked for another half an hour, but this time Mandy was at the receiving end. She told them about the proposal and David introduced himself as Ben’s adopted dad. Bryan rushed to his room to call Ben and Tareen rattled about his childhood mischiefs. Aiden quickly ended the call when she went inside to get his baby pictures.

“That was so fun... I never knew your family was this hyper.”

Aviana laughed at the statement and was about to ask her what the white pouch was when her phone rang again.

“It’s Ben.” Mandy jumped away from the phone as if it could bite. Aviana slid the green button and put the call on speaker.

“Bry called me a whipped jock. Mom told me she wanted to meet my girlfriend. Tareen threatened me to buy her a designer purse or else she was going to send Mandy my baby pictures. Aiden wanted a treat. Dad congratulated me. Aunt Marg wanted me to take care of my woman. Chari said, she finally believed that I am a guy.”

The girl’s could hold it anymore as they rolled on the bed, laughing uncontrollably.

“And I am guessing the call was on speaker. You will pay for this vee vee.”

With that, he ended the call, and the girls laughed again.

“I need to breathe. Inhale... Exhale...”

Mandy was trying to teach herself how to breathe while Avi panted as if she just finished a marathon.

After about ten minutes their breathing became stable and Mandy reached out to the white pouch.

“What is that?”

Avi asked with interest.

Mandy sat up and opened the pouch to reveal a medical kit. She took out a medium-sized bandage and moved towards a surprised Avi. She peeled off the bandage from her forehead and dabbed the red scar with some Neosporin.

Then Mandy undid the bandage cover and secured it on her forehead.

Avi didn’t know how to respond. This was all new to her.

“Stretch your hand.”

She sounded business and Avi did as told. Taking a small scissor, she cut the dirtied gauze, revealing a deep cut.

“Oh. That one’s nasty. Why didn’t you get any stitches?”

Avi exhaled and changed in her head that it was okay. Mandy was not judging, but just helping.

“The other scars.” She breathed out and Mandy nodded casually, then dressed the wound while whistling ‘blank space’.

“There, all patched up.” She said, admiring her handiwork.

“Thank you.”

“No thanks between friends, Amigo.”

Mandy winked and turned off the light. Aviana didn’t think she could say anything without shivering, so just kept her mouth shut and smiled at the darkness.

She actually has a friend who is a girl

...............................