Chapter 59 - Reconciliation
The ultimate question: Is Kyle still in cold storage, or has he thawed out?
Of course, he has thawed out. No matter how angry Kay was, Kyle was still her twin. She did, however, left him to stew for a few days before she decided that enough was enough. Her mood was considerably lighter after she started making her plans in secret, which actually was a huge reason why she could stop resenting Kyle for canceling Operation Honey Trap.
It was on the sixth day since their fight and everyone was on edge. The mood at the cafeteria was somber and people were wondering when things would get back to normal. The Smith twins didn't have breakfast together anymore as Kay never turned up. It was always Kyle sitting all by his lonesome at their usual table, waiting.
Okay, he wasn't really alone. Xing Han was there, eating away as usual and cracking his jokes as usual but Kyle's face never changed. He would eat, but he would be staring at the entrance as if waiting for someone. Everyone knew who he was waiting for, but she never turned up. He would also just eat from Xing Han's plate - which wasn't much, and only what Xing Han forced him to take.
People were getting worried about this. The moody Kyle wasn't fun. Though, some girls found it fascinating to see his depressed face and felt like they wanted to go over and hug him. They didn't dare to, however, for that dark cloud that seemed to hang over his head seemed like it could burst any moment.
Even in class, Kyle would hardly talk and kept to himself. People generally left him alone as anyone who did try to talk to him would just get one-syllable responses if they were lucky. Like "uh", "ya", "maybe", "no". If they weren't, then just a roll of the eyes or a shrug. Worst case is when he doesn't even answer, as if he didn't hear a thing.
So on that sixth day since D-Day, when Kay walked into the cafeteria, there was an audible sigh of relief heard. Kay came earlier than usual, and when she went to line up, everyone in front of her gave their spot to her. Kay blinked in surprise, wondering what was going on but couldn't say anything as they just gave way and wouldn't get back in line until she took their spot.
She reached the serving lady immediately, and greeted her as usual, "Morning Mrs. Ling."
"Ah, Kay sweetheart," the kind old lady said as she looked at her. Then, unexpectedly, she waved the ladle that was in her hand and pointed at Kay's nose, "It's not good to fight for so long. Kyle has hardly eaten this past week."
Kay's face crumbled at that and she bit her lower lip. "What do you mean, Mrs. Ling?"
"That poor boy just sits there," Mrs. Ling explained, pointing at her usual table, "and just waits. I don't even see him for dinner!"
She stared at Kay, and Kay felt a bit worried. It was at that moment that she suddenly realised that she had, perhaps, been slightly cruel. She didn't think her silent treatment would result in Kyle not eating properly. Kyle had always been the 'perfect' person, who is much older than he appears so she never really had to take care of him. He was the one who always took care of her and she had relied on him completely. She didn't think he would neglect his health just because they fought.
"It's not that bad, is it Mrs. Ling?" asked Kay hesitantly.
"You see for yourself," Mrs. Ling said with a huff, "He's all skin and bones now! Going around with this dopey look, too."
Kay was shocked and even if Mrs. Ling was exaggerating, she still took it to heart. Kay immediately ordered more than normal and all of it was Kyle's favourite. Mashed potatoes, hash browns, sausages, scrambled eggs, baked beans, fried rice, and french toast. It was so much that it needed two trays. Kay was going to take one at a time, but suddenly, two pairs of hands reached out and carried them.
"We'll help," they said. Kay turned to see some unfamiliar boys, and she thanked them profusely. They took the trays to her usual table as she paid, and they left before she could say anything else. Sarah came by then, with a bowl of cereal and sat down.
"Why is everyone being so strange today?" Kay asked as she took some eggs.
"They're just glad you're here," Sarah explained, "Kyle really has been ... well, un-Kyle like."
"What do you mean?" Kay asked, looking at Sarah.
Sarah started ticking off things from her finger one at a time, "He would sit here for hours, just waiting for you to show up. He wasn't eating properly, so sometimes Xing Han would literally force feed him. He was so moody during football and basketball practice that he was benched. He either scowls at people or grunts. Shall I go on?"
Kay looked at Sarah with her eyes wide in shock, "Why didn't you tell me?!"
Sarah stared at her, her mouth agape, "Kay. Really. Each time I tried, you'd just shut me out. The moment the name 'Kyle' came out of my lips, you just closed your ears. What could I do?"
Kay looked down in guilt. Sarah was right.
She had been so annoyed at Kyle that she didn't want to hear anything related to him in case she weakened her resolve. Little did she know how badly he had been affected. She knew he was upset, but not to this extent! She stood up worriedly and was just about to call out to him mentally when she heard quick footsteps approaching their table. She turned, to see Kyle running like a speeding bullet and crashed into her.
Well, I say crashed but in actual fact, it was Kyle rushing up to her and hugging her tightly. One minute, she had just turned and saw him and the next, her face was smashed into his chest and was being held tight. She could hear the rapid beating of his heart, the tightness of his hug and utter regret filled her heart. She brought her arms up and hugged him tightly back, too.
They stood there, not moving and tuned out everything else.
All Kyle felt right now was complete peace, as he held Kay tightly and breathed in her scent. He had been so frantic and full of worry, yet he didn't push. He almost caved in as well as to the Operation Honey Trap, but he managed to hold it in. If he gave in now, when he felt so strongly about it, what about next time? What if something happened if he went against his gut feeling?
But it had been torture. Absolute torture. It was bad enough when he had been disciplining his kids but he had the 'I am your mother' card. This time, he didn't have anything to rely on other than his strong feelings of protectiveness over Kay. Wasn't it enough? Couldn't she understand? Why was she being so difficult? Should he give in? These were just some of the thoughts that went through his mind for the entire week. It drove him crazy.
He knew people were worried, more so Xing Han, but he just couldn't snap out of it. He had no appetite, he was worried, he was upset. Eating was just chewing and swallowing, and he took enough not to starve. Sometimes Xing Han would push some food onto his lips and he would open his mouth mechanically and take a bite. Thinking about it, he was lucky to have had Xing Han on his case the entire time.
Finally, after perhaps 5 minutes of them just hugging, Kay pushed him away. At least, tried to. Kyle was still holding on to her tightly, his cheek on her head. She leaned her had back, forcing him to put up his own head and look at her. She brought up a hand to his cheek and said, "You're so much thinner now."
Kyle shrugged.
Putting her hands on his chest, she chided him, "Come on, eat."
Kyle felt a hand on his shoulder and turning, saw that it was Ali. Although Ali didn't stay in the dorms, for the past few days, he had come to school earlier just to accompany Kyle at the cafeteria. Sam was already at the table as well, munching on a sandwich.
"Come on, Kyle. Just take what you can. Take the sweet things first, and let your stomach settle a bit before taking the rest. Slowly eat. Your stomach has been empty for so long, it's not good to shock it," Ali advised. As he fasts for a whole day during the Ramadhan month, he is well versed in knowing how to tackle eating after fasting.
Kay nodded and Kyle finally let Kay go.
[I'm sorry, brother]
Kyle didn't answer but simply smiled sweetly at her as he sat down and started chewing the food slowly. He started with the french toast, dripped with honey, and found that it was edible. He followed Ali's advice and ate slowly. Occasionally, he would feed Kay as well and she would smile at him as he did so.
Kay watched him eat, and felt relieved. She was sorry for what he had gone through, but she was not sorry for Operation Kay. That was that, this was this. She vowed not to use the silent treatment again and to be more mindful of Kyle. He may be an adult but this truly showed that he was much more vulnerable than he let on.
She felt she had failed as a sister.
Meanwhile, unknown to both of them, there were being watched by a pair of eyes that were being filled with envy.