BEHIND THE WALLS

Episode 13

"I think we should let them rest for a while before telling them anything. Good thing Maria somehow resembles Maliya" said Annaya in the kitchen.

"Yeah. I think you are right. But we still have to find Maliya" said Carlos

"Yes but you have to rest first. Your mind isn't thinking straight at the moment. This is not a small matter and it needs good calculations so you need to rest first" said Annaya

"But you know I can't rest until I find Maliya" said Carlos not knowing that his father was at the door.

"Find who?" Mr David startled them

"No one dad" said Carlos nervously.

"I heard both of you. Is that not Maliya? Who did you bring home then?" Asked Mr David now very serious.

"Dad, dad relax. I'll tell you" said Carlos and pulled Mr David in the kitchen.

"I want the truth Carlos" said Mr David

"Well, the thing is, that is Maria and not Maliya. She's Maliya's bestfriend and she might know where Maliya is" said Carlos

"And what do you mean by that?" Asked Mr David and Carlos looked at Annaya.

"My dad is a retired general, we can trust him" said Carlos and Annaya nodded her head.

Carlos the explained everything to his father from the fire to the point they were home.

"This is a complicated matter then. Listen Carlos, your mother shouldn't hear anything about this. The doctor has been here twice already. Your mother almost suffered a heart attack. The doctor said she should stay out of stress and take rest. I don't want anything to happen to your mom. Tell the girl to play along until we find Maliya" said Mr David

"It's okay dad. I won't rest until I find Maliya" said Carlos

"You ain't going anywhere Carlos. You don't want to add stress to your mom do you? I will ask help from my old friends. They will find Maliya and not you" said Mr David

"But dad I can also help" said Carlos

"Was I clear just now?" Asked Mr David angrily

"Yes dad" Carlos had to just accept by mouth and not by heart.

Mr David then walked away trying to contact his old friends.

"We can't just let him handle everything alone. We'll still do something about it" said Annaya

"That's why I love you. You think just like me" said Carlos and walked to pick a bottle of water from the fridge.

"Umm... I... was thinking... " stammered Annaya

"What? Relax and talk" said Carlos after taking a sip of the water.

"I was borrowing to stay here for some days until I find a new place. The thing is that my dad might be looking for me there. I don't want to go home yet" said Annaya facing down.

"What's with you and your dad?" Asked Carlos leaning on the counter next to her.

"He... he just thinks girls can't do anything on their own, especially me. I'm his princess and I'll do what he says princesses do. I don't actually want a planned life. I want to make choices on my own. I've tried proving to him that I can do things on my own, be myself, get hurt and stand again. I don't want to be looked down on. He just won't get it, so I won't go home" said Annaya feeling sad already.

"I guess you both don't understand each other. You can stay in Maya's room with Maria. Have some water and then i'll show you her room. You need to freshen up too" said Carlos and shared the bottle of water.

"Thank you " she said and smiled

Carlos then took her upstairs and showed her the room to freshen up.

He then walked to his room, took a quick shower and then walked downstairs.

His mom had phoned the doctor and he was already there.

"She needs to be handled carefully, so I will call one of my best nurses to come and stay with her. She'll resume as from tomorrow morning. As of now, please take her to the room, i'll administer a drip to her and then you let her rest. She needs to rest well for a couple of days. Don't stress her nor try to remind her of the incident until she recovers. The nurse will change her bandages tomorrow" explained the doctor and left.

"Thank you doctor. Carlos help me take Liya to the room" said Mrs David and Carlos took Maria in his arms.

Before they got to the room, Annaya came out in the same clothes.

When the doctor was done and left, Carlos took Annaya by the hand and led her aside.

"Didn't you find clothes to change into?" He asked

"I couldn't put on Maliya's clothes and I didn't bring any clothes to change" said Annaya

"I'm sure Maliya's clothes can fit you" said Carlos

"It's inappropriate. I'll just get new ones tomorrow" said Annaya

"Rich kids! You can't stay in those dirty clothes. Come with me" he said and took her to his room.

He went to his wardrobe and brought out a blue dress.

"That's my dress!" Annaya gasped on looking at it.

"You caught me!" He said and smiled nervously.