Chapter 2 The Queen with a cracked Crown

Many people, including Larry, often wondered why Cynthia never came to school between the 26th and 28th of every month. No one had the answer to that question except Cynthia herself-and she never allowed anyone to ask it.

Anyone who dared to inquire about her absence instantly became her greatest enemy. But that very question continued to trouble Larry deep in his heart.

Finally, one day, he gathered courage and decided to ask Cynthia after seeing her with a swollen face. He didn't know that the previous day, she had fallen and hit the wall.

"Cynthia, what's wrong? Why do you have bruises on your face?" Larry asked a question that deeply pained Cynthia's heart.

"I fell in the bathroom yesterday while I was showering."

"Oh no, I'm really sorry!"

"Thank you," Cynthia replied.

"But Cynthia, there's one thing I really want to know."

"What is it, Larry?"

"Why do you never come to school from the 26th to the 28th of each month?"

"Larry, it's women's stuff. I can't explain it to you," Cynthia answered, trying to lie that it was because of her menstrual cycle.

Larry believed her and ended up apologizing.

Even when they joined high school, they continued studying in the same class and shared the same desk. Their friendship kept growing stronger, and Cynthia's pattern of not attending school at the end of every month continued. Treatments also continued, but she didn't recover. The epilepsy kept disturbing her.

The disease stole the joy from Cynthia's life. She wasn't like other kids at school. Every day, she feared collapsing in front of people, and she couldn't imagine how it would be if it happened in front of her classmates who saw her as a queen of beauty. She knew it would be embarrassing, and that's why she was always careful about the dates.

Her beauty kept dazzling-not just among the students, but even the teachers. People were increasingly confused by her stunning looks. Cynthia's figure developed with a broader lower body and a slimmer upper body as time went on.

Many boys desired a romantic relationship with her, but she always refused. She didn't want to be romantically involved with any boy because she knew such closeness would expose her secret.

Her biggest fear was about her future. Despite her young age, she often thought about what might happen in the days ahead. She knew that as a woman, she was expected to marry and have children.

"What man would accept to marry a woman with epilepsy?"

That was the question she asked herself daily, and it deeply wounded her heart. She wasn't only afraid of marriage but also terrified of having children because she knew epilepsy could be inherited.

"I don't even want to give birth. I don't want my child to go through what I'm going through," she thought.

"Why me?" She once found herself uttering aloud while she and Larry were studying together in class.

"What did you say, Cynthia?"

"No, I was just thinking about some things," she replied.

Larry always sensed that something was troubling Cynthia, but he never knew what exactly. From time to time, he saw her eyes red, a sign she had been crying moments before, but whenever he asked, Cynthia never revealed the truth.

They remained close friends until they reached Form Three. Both of them, up to that point, had never experienced sexual intimacy. Larry was constantly pursued by girls, but he never gave in-he prioritized his life and dreams.

"He belongs to Cynthia, for real!"

That's what the girls used to say, thinking there was a romantic relationship between Larry and Cynthia-something that wasn't true at all.

When they got to Form Four, something strange began happening between them. Larry started to feel love for Cynthia, and Cynthia felt the same, but neither of them could express those feelings. Their hearts continued to suffer for several months without opening up to each other.

Eventually, Larry decided to speak his truth.

"Cynthia! I've lived with you as my sister and friend for a long time, but recently I've started feeling a little differently."

"Differently how?" Cynthia asked in surprise.

"I love you, Cynthia! I'm not lying. I want you to be my girlfriend, and if possible, I want us to get married someday!"

Cynthia was shocked by those words. She wanted to say yes, but when she thought about her illness, she hesitated to say 'yes' and remained silent for a while, trying to find the right words.

"Please answer me, Cynthia."

"Larry, I love you too, but I don't think you can handle me."

"Why? Why wouldn't I be able to?"

"I have issues."

"What kind of issues?"

"I can't tell you, but my parents won't be happy to see me in a romantic relationship with you," Cynthia lied, though she actually wanted to reveal her illness.

"I love you, Cynthia."

"Then give me some time, Larry, to think carefully."

After they parted, Cynthia kept reflecting on Larry's proposal. Her heart told her to accept, but her mind was afraid. Every time she imagined falling down and stiffening in front of Larry, her fear grew even stronger.

But two weeks later, she made her decision.

"Okay, I accept, Larry. But on certain days of the month, I can't be around you-from the 26th to the 28th-because I'll be on my period."

"Okay, but...!"

"But what?"

"Well, it's nothing... let's not let that be an obstacle."

Larry had wanted to say that his birthday was on the 26th of July every year.

Their love had blossomed and grown at an astonishing speed, reaching a level neither of them had expected.

Larry and Cynthia were completely swept away in love, though Larry seemed to be the one falling even harder. They walked everywhere hand in hand. They kissed openly, unbothered by the stares around them.

But Cynthia couldn't stop wondering what would happen if Larry ever found out she had epilepsy. She was convinced he would leave her-and she had no idea how she'd live without him.

"I'd rather die than lose Larry," she often thought.

By just a few months before their final secondary school exams, their love had reached a peak. Almost everyone at school knew about their relationship. Even Cynthia's parents knew-and that knowledge had sparked a serious conflict between her and her mother, Dr. Regina.

"You've forgotten your condition, haven't you? Go ahead-you'll shame yourself with your illness!" her mother said angrily.

"I know, Mom. But I love Larry so much, and I can't leave him. I'd rather die than lose him. I'll do my best to keep this a secret. He doesn't have to know."

Their Matric Dance(MD) was scheduled for the 27th of July-just one day after Larry's birthday. Larry had told Cynthia early so she could prepare, and insisted that she attend.

"That's the day we'll celebrate both finishing school and my birthday together!" he said.

Instead of replying, Cynthia sat in silence. Then she began to cry. She knew those particular dates were her worst days. Those were the exact days she had her seizures. She knew it was risky. She feared she'd ruin everything with Larry. She knew that if he ever saw her having a seizure, he would never want to be with her again. She even wished she could turn back time, but that was impossible.

"I won't attend your birthday, or our MD celebration," she told him.

"Why not, darling?" Larry asked.

"I gave you the reason when we started this relationship. I just can't be with you on the 26th to the 28th."

"Cynthia! If it's just your period, don't your friends use pads? Just come-I need you there."

"But-"

"But what, Cynthia? Don't you love me?"

"I do love you, Larry... but I can't!" she insisted.

"If you don't show up at my birthday party, then it's over between us!" Larry said, getting up from the classroom where they were studying together and storming out. He was clearly upset.

Cynthia followed him, crying. She couldn't bear the thought of losing Larry. She blamed God for allowing her to suffer from this illness.

"Larry! Larry, please stop! I love you, Larry!"

But Larry didn't stop. He kept walking. Cynthia ran to catch up with him, and when she reached him, she held his shoulder.

"Fine, I'll come-but I'll leave early to go back home," she said. She was willing to do anything not to lose him.

"Okay, as long as you show up. I love you, Cynthia." They laughed and hugged each other.

On July 27th, the party hall Moonlight was packed with people celebrating Larry Arthur's birthday. Cynthia was there, full of anxiety. She sat close to Larry, wearing a stunning dress that might have outshone all the other girls in the room. Her father had brought her the dress from the UK, and that night was the first time she wore it.

She had snuck out of the house that day without telling anyone. Her parents thought she was in her room. Later, when her mother checked and found her gone, she panicked and informed Cynthia's father.

By 10 p.m., the party was still going strong. Guests were enjoying themselves inside the Moonlight hall, but Cynthia couldn't relax. She felt like any moment, she might collapse.

"Larry, I want to leave now. My parents must be worried."

"Where are you going? Just stay a bit longer-I'll take you back later."

"No," Cynthia insisted. She was surprised she hadn't had a seizure yet.

"And now, it's time for our special couple to open the dance floor-Mr. and Mrs. to be, Larry and Cynthia!" the MC announced.

Larry stood up and reached for Cynthia's hand to lead her to the center.

"No! No! I don't want to," she said.

"Why not?" Larry asked, bending down to meet her eyes.

"I just don't want to dance. If it means you'll leave me, then go ahead. But I'm not doing this!" Cynthia snapped, already beginning to feel dizzy.

Larry grabbed her hand and pulled her up as the crowd cheered. Cynthia forced herself to walk with him to the middle of the room. The music started playing just for them.

As they danced, wrapped in each other's arms, Cynthia suddenly felt her legs weaken and collapsed Her eyes rolled back, foam started pouring from her mouth, her body stiffened-and she wet herself.

The whole room froze in shock.

Larry clutched his head in disbelief. He couldn't comprehend what he was witnessing. The girl he loved was lying on the floor, her limbs flailing uncontrollably.

"No way! So all that showing off-turns out our girl has epilepsy?" one girl whispered mockly behind Larry.

"Poor beautiful girl, she has epilepsy-my goodness!" another woman said.

"Was this a secret she has been hiding all along?" Larry thought to himself.