Braze's POV
What I thought would be the answer to all my problems, was just another piece of that big puzzle that I was still trying to figure out in my head.
The session or discussion, whatever I had at the vet's office was no help.
" I believe you are a student.Come here and help me with this," Priscilla, the vet, called me with her hand as she attentively poured over the microscope, monitoring the behavior of my blood cells. .
We spent the entire night talking. I tried to convey my issues as realistically as I could.
"Umm,Braze,let me be honest with you,I have no idea what's happening to you." Her answer was to the point and honest.
My mind was a mess.
A hot mess.
Every night my body would start releasing enormous heat and the amount was increasing everyday.
From the blood samples that the vet collected, nothing could be confirmed , not even my quadruped movements. The only thing the vet could confirm was that there was molecular morphing at microscopic level whenever the blood cells were agitated but the behavior was random.
" Here Braze, take a good look. From what I can see, your blood has developed some kind of mutation. It keeps changing like a virus that is morphing. There is no pattern and the fact that you say you are walking on your all fours, with increased speed and agility, doesn't really have to do anything with the change in your blood. It is more like genetics. This is not what you're doing. Like animals change and adapt to their natural setting, even if they were lab grown. It's in your genetic code. But if you are looking for an in depth answer like the cause behind it. Where it is headed. I honestly don't have any answers. I only deal with animals, you need somebody more expert. " She said.
" Experts like who, a scientist who would lock me up and run scans on me every five seconds? Well no, thanks. I cannot trust anybody with these secrets. I will figure it out on my own. " I was about to jump out of the window.
" Then why did you come to me? " That was her immediate question.
" Sorry? " I had to stop and turn.
" Why did you trust me with your secret? " She clarified her question.
" Because I read about your 'accident' in that book that you wrote. I also read about your ' connections' . I was hoping you could help me with them. "
She just nodded. I guess she decided to help me with my 'research' nevertheless.
" I will draw some blood samples to study the matter further. I would also suggest hypnotherapy. I have a very close friend. You can give her my referral. "
I was on my way back to the woman's hut with another visiting card in my pocket.
That night , the changes in my body didn't seem that abnormal. It was kind of manageable. But the blood in my veins still felt a little prickly. As if something was trying to make its way outside.
It should have ended like that, unsuccessful and uneventful as well.
But nothing was as it was supposed to at that moment.
When I decided to take a detour through the woods instead of the road, I didn't know I was setting myself up for more heart breaks.
I was almost a mile away. The sun was not yet up but the faint light before dawn was making everything vivid and visible.
I was having a very very difficult time believing what I watched. I wasn't sure about that moment. It was there for one second but the next moment it was gone.
I thought I definitely saw Mira getting kissed by that guy I saw her with in front of the gates of her hostel. They were over each other on top of that hillock. But the next second, she was gone. But that guy was still there. Did he sense my presence? I don't know for sure but I saw him slowly stand up and then turn in my direction. His eyes were pinned on mine as he dusted the dirt, off his hands and shirt.
*****
Mira's POV
I opened my eyes with a start gasping for air as if I was drowning for hours.
I sat up and rubbed the horror off my face, pulling my hair behind.
I was in my side of the room, while Razzak snored aloud.
What kind of a dream did I just have?
I thought as I splashed my face repeatedly with cold water. I had huge eyebags and dark circles. It felt like I was running a marathon all night.
As I sat on the toilet seat to pee, pulling my pants down, I noticed mud on my pants.
The urge to pee almost vanished.
I stood up and began checking myself out. The first marks were exactly on the spots where I remembered, from that dream, touching the ground.
Slowly, I started hyperventilating.
Ever since Braze dumped me, life was no longer normal.
Knock... knock... knock.
It was Razzak banging hard on the door.
" Mira hurry up. I need to take a dump. Quick. "
I had to hurry my way out as she literally ran in.
I sat on my bed with all the thoughts going inside my head in rounds and then I pulled my phone out and typed, ' X-E-N' at the search button, in my contact list.
I could hear my heart beat very fast as his name popped out.
Wasn't it a dream?
" Give me a sign Mira, if you remember this. "
His words were ringing in my ears repeatedly. It was starting to feel like heavy bells and I pressed my ears, in an attempt to make it stop.
" ! What a relief. "
Razzak came out, rubbing her belly when she saw me.
" What happened to Mira? Do you have a headache? Didn't you sleep well? "
How was I supposed to explain what had happened?
" Come here, let me give you a head massage. I learnt this from my dad. He used to ask for a message the moment he woke up. I always did it for him. "
She hummed happily as she tried to relieve my stress. I will not lie. It was kind of working.
I closed my eyes and tried to empty my head.
But it all came flooding back again, including the taste of his lips.
I kind of pushed Razzak, to her surprise and stood up.
" Thanks. I need to get ready for class. I don't want to be late again. "
She looked at me with bewilderment.
" Class? It's Sunday Mira. We don't have any classes today. It's my day off. But wait... "
She jumped up and went to her drawer and pulled several things out. She spread them all on her bed and then pulled one leaflet out.
" Here. Look, they have a party down the lane for students. It's like a party and also cultural exchange. No alcohol, no wine. Just dance and music and local food and vendors on the street. You know, so we can get to know the people. You want to come? Let's go. I would feel awkward going alone. Please Mira. Pretty please. "
I didn't know what to answer. I was in no mood for any party. I just wanted a cave to hide in or dig myself a grave.
" Okay. Let's go check it out. "
I did agree but my mind was somewhere else.
I was looking at the contact number that flashed on my screen. I was thinking if I ought to keep it or delete it from history, when accidentally my finger touched the dial button.
I quickly disconnected the call, but it was too late.
The call must have already gone through which would mean Xen would have a missed call notification.
" No... "
I fell back on my pillow as Razzak looked back at me and started laughing.
" What's funny. "
I wanted to die in my shame but her laugh was irritating me.
"You know , the first time I saw you, I thought you were the serious type. But now I see. You are a certified drama queen. There is something constantly going around with you. "
I made a face at her and turned back to bury my face in my pillow case.