Chapter 19

Kara’s POV

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“Can you chew appropriately?” I mumbled to myself but popped the bubble gum for the umpteenth time. My eyes had rotated several times than I even cared to remember.

The professor was explaining something on ‘Marketing Production’.

“Kara, do you mind explaining this part? I’m kind of confused a bit.” A red head asked. She was an economy minor.

I looked intently at the line. “No, you could ask Franco the class rep later on though.” I pointed at one of the most brilliant students in the department.

“Okay thanks. When will the Eco student’s book-club be reopening?”

I sucked in a breath. “The latest should be by weekend.”

“Got it.” She focused on what she was doing once again before turning back to me, again. “I heard that you’re no longer the leader in Association of Economics student’s book-club?”

“I still am but not for long. Also, I’m trying to concentrate on this class so we can continue this some other time.” I gave her my bittersweet smile and she immediately understood my point.

“Of course I’ll leave you to it.”

My mind drifted back home as I stared blankly at the professor.

How would I concentrate when mama was unwell and even after explaining things to the department’s management, they insisted I couldn’t leave. Their excuse was that we just had a break, barely two weeks ago.

I needed to see my madré. They just couldn’t understand that!

Mimi, one of the house-helps who just resumed to the mansion after her break to see her family had called yesterday afternoon and told me mama slipped at the edge of the stairs and I knew it must have been serious.

Mama sounded chirpy on the phone when I spoke to her last night but it was all pretense, so I wouldn’t get worried. That only made me more worried.

Immediately the class ended, I shot up and went in search of Adrian who was at the front row so we could go home and prepare something. I needed to eat the stress away so badly. It was her turn to cook and just like me, she would have you licking your hands clean, which was a good thing for me at the moment. There was nothing like taking my anger on food and devouring it all.

“Hey!”

“Let’s go.” I answered grumpily, wondering why she was smiling so brightly on a hot, Wednesday afternoon. We weren’t that close to weekend yet but I already felt like hell. Cranky was now my middle name.

She pouted and pressed the power button on her phone. “So when are you leaving?”

“To?”

She raised a brow and I huffed irritably.

“No Adrian. I’m not going.”

“What?! Wh-”

“Duh...I was advised not to miss a class for at least four weeks more, remember?”

She packed her books into her bag and waved at a cute guy, the same one who she hadn’t stopped talking to throughout the lecture.

“Kara...”

“What?” I looked away.

“Look at me.” Frowning, I faced her.

It wasn’t every day I saw a serious Adrian. “You should go. Mama isn’t some random person that you can just neglect...even puppies are too cute for such a treatment.” She ended with a purr and sighed, looking as if she already had the cute puppy placed before her.

“But the scho-”

“Look, heaven forbids mama should die, the school will still move on. They won’t change syllabus or hold up for you, would they?”

I focused on her rainbow designed top as I thought about it. She was right.

The school would even expect me to resume straightaway, whether I lost someone dear to me or not. After all, I wasn’t the only one who had problems she was battling with.

“You’re right. I’ll go pack my bags.”

“That’s my bitch talking!”

I giggled and we got into my car — the same one young master gifted me with a harsh glare two years ago — driving us back to the school hostel.

I picked two tops, one sweat shirt, two jeans and one slack since we were now in autumn. There were extra under-wears and other necessities at home. I could stay for two days to make sure she was better before rushing back here. Thankfully, two days wouldn’t hurt anyone.

Getting home after an hour, I exited my car and practically ran in.

“Mama!” I shouted into the large sitting room but got no response back.

The sound of clinking caught my attention as I dropped my bag and rocking myself in a slow motion in my sneakers. Preeti, a young Indian lady who started working with us a year ago sauntered her way out of the kitchen, the bright smile on her face instantly brightening up my mood.

“Preeti!” I squeaked in surprise, already forgetting that it was past one month that she had left.

“Hey little one, how have you been?” She patted me on the head, her doe eyes glinting as she smiled at me. I faked a glare and swatted her hand away.

“I’m not little. See, I’m now a big girl.”

“You’re still not above five feet four so...” She trailed off with a knowing smirk and I finally pulled her into a hug.

Most of the other workers weren’t staying inside the mansion with us, making us just six that lived in the house and they were Stephano, Stephanie, Mama, Preeti, Mimi and I myself. Oh, and Armando as well, Mimi’s months old baby.

“I’ve missed you!”

“I did too. How is that handsome guy you keep gushing on about?” I wiggled my eyebrows and she looked away shyly.

“Nu-huh, you’re not keeping this from me.” I stated in a matter of fact tone.

“What do you know?”

“Something you’re probably hiding...” I teased, glad to be returning the favor since she’d always loved teasing me.

She rolled her eyes and pointed out her hand, waddling her manicured fingers in my face. I gasped when my eye caught sight of the glittering object.

“The sun of a gun proposed! Congratulations Pretti! This calls for celebration!”

I did a happy dance around the house, shaking my butt while she kept laughing.

“What’s the commotion all about?”

Our laughter died own and I turned around, my heart immediately reaching out to the owner of the voice as I took in mama’s appearance and the cast that was set around her leg.

“Mama...” I spoke softly and walked towards her. I put one of her arm around my shoulder and helped her walk into the sparkly clean sitting room.

“Why are you here?” Her tone was cold and indifferent, catching me off-guard.

“I came to see you. How is your leg?”

“As you can see, it’s fine. Go back to school.”

“I came to see you and this is all you can say? That’s harsh mama.” I bit out as I was slowly beginning to get upset.

“Didn’t I ask you not to come?”

I visibly gawked at her. So would she blame me for coming to check on her when she’d just had a minor accident? “Bu- but-”

“But what?”

“I was worried. I knew you’d say you were fine even when you’re dying.”

She didn’t even bat an eyelash. “You came to see me. Now you have, so go back to school right now!”

Hurt by her harsh treatment, I went for my bag which was still sitting in a corner on the ground and ran upstairs. I slammed the door and fixed the lock, not wanting any disturbance from anyone.

I woke up hours later when it was already late. Quickly, I called Adrian and told her what had happened, ranting her ears off. “I’m coming back. I can’t stay here anymore.”

“Well, that’s actually dumb of you. You’re staying whether you like it or not.

“What’s that about? That’s not something you’re supposed to be saying as my best-friend. Are you even serious right now Adrian?!”

“Look Kara, you’re lucky you have your own mother and that she genuinely cares so much about your education; or anything you do at all for that matter I would do anything to have mine too back.” And she ended the call immediately. Cursing her out, I silently promised myself that I would also end our conversation when she was talking about something really important to her life.

It wasn’t a problem when she did it on other days but at the moment, I couldn’t deal with it. When I got to the railing of the stairs, mama was leaving the house with Preeti, her cast already taken off. The sight was terrible, the left leg now badly swollen.

“You should’ve gone to the hospital.” Preeti was scolding mama.

“I trusted the herbs.” Mama replied in a small voice, obviously in so much pain.

“The herbs won’t have a hundred percent assurance, Natalia and you shouldn’t take your health with levity.” Preeti further advised. Without saying a word in response, mama nodded and allowed Preeti scold her.

My heart broke into several pieces at the sight.

She didn’t want me to know and even shouted at me but now, judging by the condition of things, I wouldn’t act as if I hadn’t just seen her leg so swollen.

I trudged down the stairs angrily and glared at her.

“You wouldn’t listen and didn’t want my help huh, now who’s the kid?” I sassed. I joined Preeti on the other side and helped her put her left hand on my shoulder properly.

She winced several times till we got into the car and drove to the hospital.

I’m sorry mama for not being stubborn and staying with you when you shouted at me, I’m really sorry. Maybe Adrian was right.

I had an unforgivable temper and needed to work on it.

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A/n: soo....this was what Stephano thought about Kara being so free with Paul. Please vote and share to your loves ones. Also, your comments brightens up my day so shower me some. Kisses*