*
*
By the time I managed to crawl to safety, I was so disoriented that I walked right into a car. There was a family in it but I didn’t remember any faces. I couldn’t wait for the man’s help and stumbled away before the rivals met up with me or worse, with the innocent people who were trying to help.”
Something pricked at my memory.
“Do you remember what day that was?” I asked.
He frowned as he thought about it and the date he mentioned was the exact same date that my family and I came to London for me to register in the university.
“Charles, this may sound strange but that’s the day I came to this state. I think it was my family that you saw that day.”
“What are the odds? That’s impossible.”
“No, it isn’t,” I shook my head. “Think about it. A man came to help you with his wife and there was a girl in the car. I saw you that day, you were bleeding from a cut on your side and I found it strange that you refused our help. Now that I think about it, there were people in the shadows, still chasing you but they withdrew when they saw us.”
Charles was quiet for so long that I began to worry. “You mean…I nearly died a second time that day, because of you?”
Oh no, I didn’t mean for him to see it that way.
“Charles…?” I said tentatively. “I’m sorry.”
“I can’t believe it.” He shook his head.
“It was an accident. We stopped to help.” I defended slowly.
“It’s been so long I rarely think about it, but that doesn’t matter now. It shouldn’t.” He struggled to smile but the difficulty was obvious.
The mood was ruined after that and we ate in silence.
“I have to get back to study,” I said quietly.
“Huh? Oh yes,” He seemed lost in thought. “I’ll take you back now.”
We walked back to my hostel in silence and when he turned to leave, I couldn’t just let him go.
“Charles, please I’m sorry about what happened that day.”
“It’s not your fault Monica, you weren’t behind the wheel. It was partially mine for being so disoriented that day. I can’t blame you or your family.” He smiled and walked away.
I felt terrible as I walked up the stairs to my room. I just hoped that our friendship which had only just started wouldn’t be ruined by this. Should I have just kept my mouth shut? I sighed shook the thoughts out of my head, I had to focus right now. I picked up my chemistry lecture notes as soon as I stepped into the empty room and busied myself with my studies..
As soon as I submitted my script, I felt such a great sense of relief. Now, of course, the real happiness would depend on whether or not I passed.
“I still find it strange though,” Alison said as we left the hall together. She’d also written an exam that morning along with Victor who walked beside us.
“What do you find strange?” I asked.
“Have you been listening to anything I’ve been saying at all?” She frowned.
I shrugged apologetically.
“Anyway, I said I think it’s strange that a student would mysteriously go missing right in the middle of exams.”
“You’re still stuck on what happened in the exam hall?” I asked.
“Why wouldn’t I be? How can someone be absent for an exam and no one has any idea where he is?”
“Maybe he’s sick,” I suggested.
“Does he not have a roommate who can vouch for him?” She asked. “I think it’s suspicious. You know I read about something like this that happened in a university sometimes ago, a girl went missing and no one thought much about it until they found her dead a week later. Then they began to panic but it was too late.”
“So, you’re saying this Yousof guy might be hurt or at worse, dead?” I asked in disbelief. “This isn’t a thriller movie Alison, this is just regular university life we’re talking about here.”
“I’m not saying anything, I’m just concerned.” She shrugged. “Or, Victor what do you think? You’ve been strangely quiet.”
Victor jerked his attention towards us, looking like he’d been lost in thought.
“Huh? Oh, well I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know? You usually have a theory for almost everything.”
“Not this time. I don’t.” He shrugged and walked away.
We stood and watched his retreating frame.
“I don’t know about you, but Victor isn’t behaving like his usual self.”
“I noticed too.” I nodded.
“What do you think could be wrong with him?” Alison asked.
“I have no idea, we aren’t that close.” I said.
“Oh well, I have to go to the library. I’ve still got an exam at noon and I don’t feel as if I’ve read anything.”
“Alright, I’ll see you later. Good luck!”
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