Scarlet’s POV

Gosh I need to calm him down. What should I say? I just couldn't find the right set of words to help him settle for the moment.

Please Lord aid us with your kindness. Please seek him and help him uncover his fears. Please Lord help him.

Scarlet: Sweetie, maybe your mother’s phone battery is dead.

Pathum: Yes, that’s probably it. The voice told me I couldn't reach the number I’m calling since the number is out of range or shut down.

Scarlet: Exactly. That's what the voice said. So don't panic.

Pathum: But sweetie, I’m scared.

Scarlet: I know hunny, but remember that your mom didn't take the charger with her. But don’t worry, she will be fine, don't worry.

Pathum: I can't live with this voice inside my head.

Please god, please take those thoughts away. Free him.

Scarlet: Listen to me, I can help you.

Pathum: Please do it because I can't do this anymore. I even vomited in the morning, and they said it's gastritis because I have not eaten enough. I can't eat no matter how hard I try. I don't taste anything and since mom is missing I can't eat. I don't want to. Even if I force myself to eat, I can't. Please help me. I am sorry in advanced for being a cry baby but Scarlet I need your help. Please ask god to save her, that’s all I need. I will do anything in return. Please, I would do anything.

Scarlet: Sweetie calm down. You need to calm down first if you seek his help. Your mom is perfectly fine and her phone just died so you don't need to panic and don’t listen to that internal voice, trust me. You trust your bestie don't you? Just keep that faith high on the ground. Just trust in me I can promise everything will be okay. I told God everything he will answer our prayers soon and you shall be granted your freedom.

Pathum: Why isn't she answering her phone and what happened? I know it's dead but I am so scared that something might happen to her. If something happens to her, trust me I won't live any longer. I don't want to live any longer without her in my life. Especially when it’s all my fault.

Scarlet: Don’t you want to live for me? Don’t leave me alone in this wicked world. We are besties, we stick together and fight every hurdle together. Abandoning me is not so nice of you.

Pathum: Sweetie, I didn't mean something like that.

Scarlet: Then tell me what you mean. Huh! If you didn't mean something like that then explain to be so lucidly the hidden meaning of your words.

Pathum: Please understand, I’m very scared. Mom didn't even call us since she left or there wasn't any news regarding her. How are we going to figure it out? I don’t even know whether she is .. umm.. Alive. Please for God’s sake help her, please. Why isn’t she talking to us? She could at least tell us something. Why didn’t she informed anything to us? All she have to do is answer her phone.

Scarlet: Sweetie I told you before, don't panic. It will be okay and you will be okay if you stop stressing so much. It’s all in your head, don’t panic and let that mind create chaos. Trust in God and seek Him for assurance he will help you get rid of those voices. Just believe Him and open to Him, trust me you will receive great relief in Him.

Pathum: I’m trying Scarlet, I’m trying my best.

Scarlet: Please go to sleep now okay? Trust in me. Can you do that for me?

Pathum: I can try…

Scarlet: Please Pathum. Do it for her, you can't be weak when she needs you, be a strength to her not a weakness.

Pathum: *crying*

Scarlet: Please

Pathum: I’m sorry, I don't know what to say. Ugh, I want to die. It should have been me. I should have told mom I will go and delivered it but I didn't and my mom had to pay for it. Why am I even alive? Please forget about me and live your life, stop thinking about me and leave me.

Scarlet: I’m not going to leave you so stop wishing for that. I’m not going anywhere. Even if you want me to be gone I won't go. I won't leave you, you stupid brat.

Pathum: Aww you’re so cute arent you? I’m sorry that I failed to appreciate you, it's just that I’m very scared she hasn't called yet. The only news I received is that she was admitted to the hospital, so I’m freaked out. Please don’t judge me, I know you won’t. I’m sorry in advance for my absurd behaviour.

Scarlet: I know. Don’t explain to me, I think you need to take a deep breath and let go and let slumber take care of you. Please can you do it for me?

Pathum: But will my mom be okay?

Scarlet: Do you believe me?

Pathum: Scarlet.

Scarlet: Hush and tell me the answer. Is it yes or no?

Pathum: Yes, I trust you.

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Scarlet: Then trust me when I say that she will be okay and she will come back soon. So go to sleep.

After several minutes of pleading, he finally went to sleep. I really need to do something when he wakes up. He is killing himself.

I have to ask God to help him. I don't understand why he thinks the way he does. There has to be something that’s causing it. I’m not accusing him or anything, he is my bestie and he’s a healthy human being nothing other than that. But his mind is something we have to figure out a way to calm down. If he doesn’t settle his mind, the limitations his mind is capable of is scary. So before praying, I had to tell my mom and sister about him, I had to describe what happened and where his mother is and what would happen to her.

Surprisingly Mom and Abigail encouraged me to pray and they even volunteered to pray as well. Their kindness soothes my heartache.

“Why does he think like that? Does he usually get so out of control?” Mom asked me when we were having lunch.

I shook my head in denial he never really showed this part of his personality, maybe he had trouble when we were dealing with Victor but still he was comfortable. This is so unlike him but at the same time it is like him.

“He often thinks very negatively about himself but I never saw this side of him until recently. Now, it seems like he struggles with certain things in life.”

Mom nodded in response while Abigail listened to both of us without saying anything, she was just observing and absorbing but still was concerned. Part of me was relieved that they supported him in this difficult situation.

“Let's keep praying then. The Lord surely has his reasons as to why Pathum’s going through that. He has reason to put Pathum in that position. So, let’s trust Him and encourage Pathum to be strong,” Mom said.

We both nodded in response, and I smiled at Abigail who smiled back. It was good to see my sister supporting me and Pathum. I’m glad my family likes him and wants to help him. I don't know why but I feel so safe and secure. I hope he would feel the same way but for now, we’ve got some work to do.

“I’m scared that he might harm himself if something happens to his mother, and if that happens please I can't guarantee myself,” I said, tears starting to stream down my face from my eyes and I looked down, trying to avoid my mother and Abigail’s gazes.

Honestly, I was expecting a hard slap from my mom but instead she hugged me.

“Scarlet, he’ll be okay and we’ll take care of him. You don't have to do anything. Just stay in touch with him. Everything will be okay. Trust in the Lord.” She managed to smile. I found relief in her behaviour.

Eight hours later he woke up, but he wasn't in a good state. He was severely sick and scared. The only good news was that he slept well.

Pathum: Where are you, Scarlet? I can't deal with these things. Please talk to me.

Scarlet: Sweetie, I’m right here. Don’t you worry about anything. Your mom is going to be alright, okay? She’s perfectly fine, and she will always be fine. Nothing bad is going to happen to her, sweetie.

Pathum: I wish I could believe you, but I’m still very scared.

Scarlet: Sweetie your mom is going to be alright, I can feel it. You’re just overthinking. Like my sister. She has similar thinking patterns and gets herself in trouble. But on the inside there’s nothing to worry about. It’s just our capability to control our mind. If we are able to control our minds, most if not all of our problems will disappear. Sweetie trust me for once. I know you’re feeling guilty but there is nothing you can gain from being guilty, imagine if you was the one who went to the hospital and it will be a similar situation like this. Your mom will freak out, blame herself for letting you go into that house, and people all around around her will blame her. Can you imagine the pain your mom would have to go through if it was you? Your mom will be depressed just like you, but there will be nobody to calm her down or comfort her, think about it Pathum think about it.

Pathum: I understand sweetie but I am very scared.

Scarlet: Imagine if it was you that went to the hospital. How on Earth would I know about it? I would have freak out and I will also had to live without you for days. Your mom sacrificed herself and it will all be well. So please forget about it and let’s talk about something else okay?

Pathum: But will she be okay? Will she come back home? Please say yes.

Scarlet: Yes sweetie! Everything will be alright. Trust me!

Pathum: Okay. It’s just what if…

Scarlet : No, no ‘what ifs’. Stop it right there.

Pathum: I want to disappear.

Scarlet: I understand that.

Pathum: Is she okay? Can you ask God whether she is ok or not? Please pray that she will be fine. Please. Gosh am I acting like a girl or crying thing

Scarlet: She’s fine trust me. Please stop thinking. She is perfectly fine. And stop it, you are perfect the way you are and you aint no thing, you are a fine human being.

Pathum: I tried to call her but still her phone is switched off.

Scarlet: I know, you told me. But trust me she is fine, nothing is going to happen to her, and most importantly it is not your fault. So please Pathum trust me for once in your life.

Pathum: I do trust you, if it weren't for you I would be in a mental asylum. But sweetie, it's just I am scared. If I had gone to the house when mom told me to none of this would’ve happened right?

Scarlet: No sweetie there will be further problems, if you had gone there and got infected, it would’ve been transmitted to everyone in your household. It will only mean trouble. So whatever happened, happened for the best. Okay?

Pathum: I see.

Scarlet: Anyway… Do you have any news regarding your neighbour?

Pathum: I saw some officers visit today and I guess Nirmala’s husband came home. But due to the rules, he’s in quarantine where he’s isolated for two weeks or something. If someone knows what happened to my mom, it’s him. But we can’t go meet him. We have his number so let’s see will get some good news today.

Scarlet: Let’s hope!

Pathum: I think you should go to sleep now.

Scarlet: No, I’m not leaving you.

Pathum: Sweetie, I’m fine. You helped me a lot, you above everyone needs some rest. Don’t worry about me. I’m not going to do anything stupid.

Scarlet: Promise me that you won’t do anything stupid.

Pathum: I promise sweetie, now go to sleep.

After debating with each other for a few minutes I fell into slumber. I woke up when Mazie was licking my face. It’s eight already. I had unfortunately overslept. Grabbing my phone, I outright opened the Hangouts app and there was a message from Pathum.

Pathum: Oh, I’m so glad that you woke up.

Scarlet: Did your neighbor call?

Pathum: Yes, he did sweetie.

Scarlet: Did he have any news about your mom?

Pathum: Yes sweetie *Smiley face*

Scarlet : You seem happy. Does this mean she‘s safe?

Pathum: Hehehe

Scarlet: Come on tell me!