Barely Breathing: Part One

by kiwifruit487

Breathe, inhale, exhale. That was what Kihalai kept in her mind since they day she was born. The day Gyka took her in his arms and to her forever one and only home, the nurse had told her to just breathe. When she was born, there was always a problem with her breathing. It was found out later that her ancestors were all the same, with the genes of a kind of illness.

Another problem was, Kihalai loved the water and she just always wanted to swim, but she could never stay in the water for too long or she'll be in need for medical help. Not many people or NeoPets knew about her breathing problem because she lived in a pollution-free area and kept away from tight spaces. It was in fact easier for her to breath when she was a little younger and so she wasn't so much of a loner then, but ever since she grew and her owner got more pets, she became more isolated. Been Gyka's first ever sister, he was the only one who knew why Kihalai behaved the way she does and always tried to help. Kihalai's bedroom was on the first floor while her siblings were all on the second. She lived on the other end of the library downstairs and had her own bathroom.

One day, when she was out in the social world, there was to be a water competition for couples. Kerusta, her husband, happily greeted her happily with the news, "Oh this will be great! I'm sure we can win this!"

Kihalai's smile slowly faded away as she thought about how she could not stay in the water for long and so she said, "I'm not sure if this is such a good idea, Kerusta. What if I drown?"

"I won't let you," said Kerusta lifting her face up to his, "and I know that we will have a lot of fun."

His words were so convincing that Kihalai had to smile and nod. It was agreed that the competition will happen for this couple. They went to the register booth where a Quiggle was busy jotting down all the competitors. Then, the Quiggle handed each of the competing couples a booklet about the whole competition. When Kihalai flipped through the book, she went straight to the section about what they would have to do. She could almost cry when she saw the first part which was going down the sea to retrieve a Golden Negg from the lair of the Water Beast, Wotteye. Kerusta, who didn't know about Kihalai's breathing problem, didn't misread Kihalai's expression and said, "Hm, that will be fun."

Kihalai opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out. She couldn't; she couldn't cancel something that her husband wanted just because she had a small problem with it. The fact was though, that it wasn't a small problem, it could turn big as anything. She gave a small sigh and give a peck on Kerusta's cheek and said, "OK, the competition will happen in two days, I'll be waiting."

"So will I," said Kerusta grinning and hugged her tightly.

When Kihalai announced the news to her siblings, Gyka was the only one not looking so happy. He shook his head and said, "Kihalai, could I talk to you alone for a minute?"

She had already felt that it was coming and nodded. They went to her bedroom and Gyka started, "Ki-"

But Kihalai interrupted, "I know, I know, I have a problem with breathing, but Gyka, I just want to do this. Kerusta wants to do this and I'm not planning to refuse him. Besides, I want to see if I can do it. You never know, maybe I have the strength to do it. I was born not very good at breathing, but maybe if I practise enough, I will."

"It's not a matter of practise," said Gyka, "please, don't do it. But if you insist." He gave a sigh.

"I know you care," said Kihalai and she hugged her brother, "but I promise I'll be okay."

"All right," said Gyka, "but you better be."

Kihalai grinned and left her room. Gyka followed too. In the truth, Kihalai really did want to test herself, and want to breathe like everyone else. But it was also true that she was scared as Gyka, and her owner too when she told her. Before her owner agreed, she also tried to reason with Kihalai that it was probably not a good idea, but Kihalai continued insisting and so it was decided.

When the day came, Kihalai stood proud and nervous next to Kerusta on the beach. Kerusta had believed her and Kihalai just had to believe the convincing words. There was no turning back as the couples were instructed to step into the blue sea. The water hit Kihalai's paws like ice and as she dipped her whole body into the freezing water, it felt like she was drowning in happiness, because of her love for water. As Kerusta held her paw down into the deep sea towards the lair of the Water Beast Wotteye, it turned from heaven to hell as her throat started ripping like she swallowed a knife. She couldn't breathe anymore and her chest expanded and Kerusta, who was busy diving under the Water Beast, didn't notice. Kihalai wanted to call out, but she was left so weak that she was drowning down into the floor of the sea. Her eyes closed gently and the last thing she knew was Kerusta calling out for her, "Kihalai!"

To be continued...