Her round face is half hidden under the bunny mask she’s wearing, but her lips are curled down. She’s not happy. I don’t like it when she’s not happy. Because she used to cry after seeing me cry in my sleep, I stopped sleeping in the evenings. When she cries, something inside my chest feels heavy.
Uncle Stan told Dad that my emotional numbing has been improving, but it’s taking time. I’ve been reading about it in psychology books, and that’s helped me understand what’s wrong. I don’t feel my own emotions, but I can understand other people’s. But with Avira, I feel strange things. It’s like whatever she feels, I feel.
I raise my hand and pat her head. “I’m fine, Dove.”
I pull my hand back when I see Leo and Wen walking toward us.
Leo bumps his fist lightly against my shoulder. Avira instantly grabs my arm and glares at him. “He’s ill. Don’t hit him.”
Leo raises his brows and looks at me. “What happened to you?”
Avira answers before I can speak, her voice small and sad. “He has emotion nubing. Doctor Uncle Stan said that to Daddy.”
I explain to Leo, “She heard Mom and Dad talking about my emotional numbing.”
“Ohh.” He nods in understanding, then lightly taps Avira on the head. “He’s not ill.”
She pouts, rubbing her head. “You both are lying. Mama was sad when Daddy was telling her. He is very ill.”
Leo groans. “Why is she so stubborn and stupid?”
I glare at him.
He shrugs. “What? It’s the truth.”
Wen quickly grabs Avira’s hand. “Avi, look! The candy stall.”
Avira’s face lights up. She lets go of my arm and runs with Wen toward the stall. Leo and I follow them. They buy the candies while Wilson, the bodyguard assigned to look after us, pays for them.
I tear the wrapper off Avira’s candy while Leo does the same for Wen.
Avira holds her candy by the stick, licking it once before extending it toward me. “It’s very good.”
I take a small bite from the top and nod. Her grin widens instantly.
Leo nudges my elbow. “Look, there’s a football game over there. Let’s play.”
I nod.
He glances at Avira, then back at me. “We need to get rid of them. She’ll start throwing tantrums the second someone hits you by mistake.”
I narrow my eyes at him.
He sighs. “I’m just saying she cares for you a lot.” He rolls his eyes.
I turn my head and watch Avira eating her candy happily while chatting with Wen. I tap her shoulder. She looks up at me with big eyes.
“Will you play with Wen here? Leo and I are going to play football.”
Leo mutters under his breath, “Did you have to tell her?”
Avira tilts her head, smiling. “We’ll watch you play.”
Leo drags his hand down his face with a groan.
I nod and take her free hand. Leo holds Wen’s hand as we start walking toward the stadium.
After settling them on chairs under Wilson’s care, Leo and I join the game.
