Getting Phidelia to calm down took a lot of effort from Emma. She knew from the very beginning that Phidelia was acting tough all along in order to make her parents less worried about her but least did she expected her to break down so much like that.
She scooted closer to her and drew her in, placing her head on her shoulder whiles she brushed her hands through her hair to calm her down.
“Cry it all out dear, that way you’ll feel much better.”
She mumbled with the hope of getting her sober a little but it didn't turned out to her expectations as this rather gingered Phidelia to cry even more. “Guess that's a bad idea.” she thought to herself. “But it always turn out to work in those soap operas? Guess I have been watching too much drama.”
She sighed, kicking out of her thoughts as she narrowed her eyes to Phidelia; thinking of how to handle situations before they get to the airport.
“I hope this works.” she whispered to herself as a thought came in mind.
With a composed look, Emma held Phidelia’s shoulders; making her sit upright as she stared into those tear strained eyes. She gave a mild smile, drying the tears away from Phidelia ’s face with her hand.
“How about you stop crying now? I believe you wouldn't like your parents and sister getting worried about your health. Let’s just take this as a vacation with just the two of us. Okay–?”
Phidelia stared blankly at Emma’s face, eyes glistening with unshed tears as she digest down what her auntie just said in deep thoughts. And thinking of it, her auntie was one way or the other right besides, it was because of her health that they had to separate and she wouldn't want them worrying more about her than they were now. She sniffed, holding back all her tears.
“Mum and Dad will stop worrying about me if I stay happily with you?”
“Of course dear.” Emma grinned, slightly pushing Phidelia’s head to rest on her shoulder once again as they both relaxed in their seats. “They’re going to be so happy especially Phidel. And think about it, you will get to see them sooner than you even know.”
“Alright auntie–” she murmured, looking doleful but this time, the tears has ceased. All along, the driver was glancing at them through his mirror. He smiled faintly and sped off.
*****
It's been hours now since Phidelia left for the airport but Phidel still kept herself locked up in her room. Jerome stood worriedly behind the door knocking tirelessly as she tried to get her out of her room since she had refuse to take in anything but everything she does proves to be unyielding.
“Is she still not opening up?” Randy’s voice echoed. She deftly turned to see him approaching her all dressed up for work.
“No dear.” she replied, turning her gaze back to the door which was still locked. “I’m afraid honey, what if she does something bad to herself?”
“Take those thoughts away from your mind dear. Come on–, she wouldn't think about something like that.” he answered as he neared her. “Step aside and let me try.”
Jerome did as she was told and stepped aside, making room for Randy at the door. Meanwhile, Phidel sat on her bed staring blankly at the picture of Phidelia and herself in a frame sitting on the drawer beside the bed.
It was only yesterday they were together in their room, working on their assignments to present them in school. Least did she expected for things to have a drastic change. Least did she expected to be alone in the room without her sister and not to talk of not seeing her for God knows when. She had heard her mother murmuring and knocking on the door but she felt so heavy to get up. Moreover, she didn't want to see nor talk to anybody at the moment.
For the next five minutes, her mother's knockings stopped for a while and she could hear both her parents whispering behind the door but she couldn't lay a hand on what they were saying. The whispers stopped which she thought they had left but then another knock interrupted and this time, her father’s voice followed.
“Phidel dear, please open the door. We’re worried sick about you. I believe you don't want your mother getting sick too.”
The mention of someone getting sick made her sprang up from the bed. She couldn't imagine having another person leave her side again. The thought of it alone felt like hell. Randy was about to knock on it again when the door cracked opened.
“Phidel...” Jerome exuded, pulling her daughter into a tight hug as she knelt over feeling quiet relieved. “Aww my baby, I was so worried about you. Don't do this again okay?”
“I’m sorry mum–” she replied over her mother's shoulders.
“It’s alright dear.” Jerome kept brushing her hand through her daughter's hair as her head remained on her shoulder in a hug. Randy sighed ruffling her daughter's hair. “Don't worry dear, you will see your sister sooner than you imagine okay? She just have to be away for a while. Moreover, you can call her anytime you want to.”
“Okay Dad–” she answered without looking at her father as she still had her head on her mother's shoulders. Jerome stared wanly at her husband, “you should get going now.” she whispered and he nodded, involuntarily closing his eyes.
He knelt over and kissed Phidel on the cheeks.
“Take care dear, daddy loves you so much.” He stood up and left.
Jerome drew her daughter back from the hug, staring directly at her face. “Let’s go get something to eat.” she stated and Phidel nodded.
She stood up and they both sauntered towards the stairs.
****
The passing years went by not quiet easy for the twins especially being separated but as per their parents' promise, they kept in contact with each other; talking about almost everything. And this made them felt quite lonely from each other.
It's been seven years since they got separated but Phidelia had still not been healed from her asthma.
They had done all the necessary treatment the doctors had recommended but it seems like it has become a part of her. It kicks in from time to time especially if she feels suffocated and because of this, she still had to stay with her Auntie and her husband. Though Emma had two kids, Phidelia usually prefer to be by herself in her room. Not that she wasn't friendly with them but she likes it more when she is by herself as it less trigger’s her asthma.
“Good morning Auntie Emma.” Phidelia greeted as she got to the hall, eyes lurking around in search of something. Today being the first day she was being transfered to Wesley high, she had plans of going together with Isla, the daughter of Emma as they were all going to the same school but surprisingly, she couldn't see Jade nor Isla around.
Emma who was busy packing the lunch box replied without even looking up, “Good morning dear. You....”
“Where is Jade and Isla?” Phidelia involuntarily cut her off, interrupting whatever she was about to say.
“Oh, Isla said she is going to wait for a friend so she went with Jade. They preferred to go with the bus and it's not safe for you so I asked them to go without you. Uncle will send you to school and let the authorities know about your health issues.” Emma looked up for the first time since Phidelia joined her and Phidelia slightly nodded.
“Here” she stretched out the lunch box to her and she took it. Just then, Martin, Emma's husband joined them with his suitcase in hand. “Can we go now?”
“Yes Uncle. Good bye Auntie...”
“Good bye dear.” she replied. Martin also strolled to his wife and pecked her cheeks, biding her good bye. Phidelia smiled at the sweet moment and sauntered out. She was soon followed by Martin and when they had settled in the car, he sped off.
WESLEY HIGH SCHOOL
It was around 8am when Martin pulled up in front
of the huge building with it's vast compound beautifully covered with green grass and fenced all round. It was also gated and had varies of ornamental plants stationed at some vintage points. Not to talk of the huge clock fixed at the entrance. Besides it all, It had a small building just at the gate which was the post for a security man. It wasn't in a mountainous area though but there is this thick forest just behind the school which beautifies it's environment more.
Martin hurriedly got out of the car and so did Phidelia. She gasped, marveled by the beauty of the building before her eyes.
“Come on Phidelia, you're already late.” Martin called gliding through the gates.
“Coming Uncle.” she answered, rushing after him.
They walked into the school which was blustling with students hurrying off to their classrooms. They took the corridors and soon got to the principal’s office. Mr. Martin knocked on the door and they were asked to come in. Not wasting even a second, they trod in.
The principal welcomed them with a smile, offering them a seat. Mr. Martin sat down whiles Phidelia stood beside him. He greeted him and stated their purpose of being there to him.
He was glad to have Phidelia in the school and promised to see to it that she had a comfortable stay in the school.
When they had have everything sorted out, Martin pleaded to take his leave as he was running late for work. The principal permitted him to leave whiles he called Mrs. Ella, the home room teacher for Phidelia’s class to come for her. It didn't take long that the teacher walked in. The principal introduced Phidelia to her and told her everything she needed to know to her and she took Phidelia away.
Mrs. Ella was not only the home room teacher of class 1/2 but also their Arts teacher.
“Get seated everyone.” she announced as she strolled into the class, leaving Phidelia at the entrance. Everybody rushed to their seats and the whole class was dead silent. Mrs. Ella placed her things down as she took her stand in front of them. “We’re having a new student today.” she glanced at he entrance, making the whole class follow her gaze. “Come in”
Phidelia smiled and glided in, taking her stand beside the teacher. Mrs. Ella smiled at her and gestured her to introduce herself. She did as she was told and the whole class applauded. Mrs. Ella further on told the whole class about her health issues and asked them to take care of her. They chorused their response and she directed her to an empty seat in the second row. Phidelia was all smiles as she took her seat beside a guy by name Rowan.
“Hi, I’m Rowan. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too Rowan. You can just call me Delia for short.”
“Sure.” he replied with a smile.
Unknowingly to Phidelia, what she just did had drawn Tina, the richest kid in Wesley high who had a crush on Rowan to herself. Not only was she rich but also a bully. The presence of Phidelia beside Rowan was like a threat to her and not to talk of how flawless and perfect her skin and looks were.
“Okay, let's all pay attention here.” Mrs. Ella announced, drawing the attention of the students to herself as she turned to the board.
Everybody listened with rapt attention as the lesson went on with the exception of Tina who stared darkly at Phidelia.