In truth, Ava was not sorry; she only wanted people to believe that she had repented before punishing her sister again. She had been pretending and winning favour all these while and now, here she was wailing at the top of her voice. Everyone believed she had changed and no one saw exactly how it had happened and so, it was difficult to make judgement.
The victim, Avaelyn was still unconscious and aside her, there was no other eye witness.
The next day was a very sad day for everyone at the orphanage; Mrs Loly had returned home to freshen up, leaving Avaelyn in care of one of her staffs.
Mrs Loly, how is Avaelyn doing? One of the kids asked.
Mrs Loly didn't know how to respond to the question. Earlier that day, the doctor had called her and told her that Avaelyn was not responding to treatment. She added that the fall was catastrophic and had affected some sensitive body parts. She said that Avaelyn may not survive the accident since her body was so fragile. It was more like a fifty fifty chance. Tears had dropped from Mrs Loly eyes after the doctor had finished speaking; she felt sad and at the same time, confused because she too, didn't know if it was really an accident. She loved Avaelyn.
"Avaelyn will be fine" Mrs Loly replied to the kid, patting his head as she left to freshen up.
Ava! Mrs Loly called out after freshening up.
Yes Mrs Loly, Ava responded as she headed toward Mrs Loly's office. Her eyes were swollen and red; she looked pale, she had been crying.
Mrs Loly wanted to ask her about the incident, but seeing Ava's face, she became more confused. Within her, she could not see the possibility of such accident but at the same time, she could not confront the little girl about it because obviously, Ava had been crying.
Ava, Mrs Loly said again, this time, very calmly.
I didn't do it, Ava said in a shaky voice even before Mrs Loly could say anything.
Mrs Loly was speechless; she stood up and patted Ava's back.
Get ready, you are coming with me to the hospital, she said as she returned to her seat.
Okay ma'am, Ava responded as she turned and left the office. Mrs Loly watched her leave. Placing her hands below her jaw, she sat undecided; she said a silent prayer for Avaelyn's recovery and packed up a few things; then she left.
At the hospital, Avaelyn was still unconscious; the staff sat beside her, head bowed when Mrs Loly and Ava walked in.
Avaelyn! Ava screamed as she ran towards her sister, falling by the bedside. Avaelyn, please wake up, she continued as fresh tears poured down her cheeks. Mrs Loly held her shoulders and comforted her. The staff left the hospital and Mrs Loly went out to see the doctor as well. Avaelyn was left with her twin Ava. Several ropes and machines were connected to Avaelyn; her head was bandaged and her legs were hung up; her eyes were swollen too. Ava's eyes dried up immediately Mrs Loly and the staff member left. She didn't want Avaelyn to survive because Avaelyn knew she had pushed her on purpose. She knew her sister always covered up for her misdeeds but she wasn't sure if Avaelyn would cover up or even forgive her this time around. She had done the worst. She expected Avaelyn to die instantly from the push but seeing her still on a hospital bed instead of a mortuary pissed her off. Everyone loved Avaelyn and she was jealous. People hated her or so she thought and she wanted to get rid of her sister.
She looked around the ward and made sure no one was watching her; the ward was quite empty since it was an emergency ward. She started to disconnect some of the thin, transparent lines; she was ready to kill her sister. After removing the lines, she left the ward to the restroom. Fortunately, a nurse entered almost immediately after she left. The nurse raised an alarm as some attendants rushed in. They came in with different equipments and tools; they started work as Avaelyn was already drifting to the other end. An oxygen tank was attached to her mouth for air supply. She was being operated on again. Mrs Loly rushed in panicking; Avaelyn was not a child that she was ready to loose, not now.
Avaelyn, Avaelyn, please, she kept crying out. The Almighty Mrs Loly had melted, she was broken and afraid.
Where is Ava? She suddenly turned and asked. Where is she? She asked again.
Ava rushed in; she saw the commotion and feigned ignorance. What is happening? She asked alarmed. Avaelyn! Avaelyn! She shouted as she began to cry. Avaelyn please don't leave me, she cried out.
Mrs Loly stood, wide eyed, confused. This did not happen since; it happened immediately she stepped out of the ward and left only Ava in the room with her sister. It had happened within few minutes and here Ava stood wailing uncontrollably. She knew within her that Ava had something to do with it but Ava's present attitude was not justifying her suspicions. She decided to break the silence.
Ava, what have you done? Mrs Loly asked. She didn't sound gentle for someone expecting a reply. She sounded harsh because, she had gotten to a conclusion within her. No matter what Ava said, Mrs Loly had concluded that she is guilty. She waited for Ava's reply; she fumed angrily.
Ava looked up at her calmly, she stopped wailing. " Mrs Loly, don't tell me that you think I did this to my own sister". No matter how much I hate Avaelyn, I would not think of doing such to her, I mean she is the only family I have left and killing her would only make me more miserable. Ava sounded real; Mrs Loly was slowly loosing her suspicions but then, she had convinced herself that Ava was not totally innocent.
Okay, Mrs Loly said. I agree with you.
You will leave with the staff as soon as she arrives and go back to the orphanage. As you can see, Avaelyn is in a very critical condition and does not need anyone around.
Okay, Mrs Loly, Ava replied. "I hope she believes me", Ava thought to herself. She felt proud; she had fooled everyone including the Almighty Mrs Loly. ... and I hope Avaelyn does not survive, she added after a pause.
Past noonday, the staff arrived and took Ava along with her while leaving.
Mrs Loly was left alone with Avaelyn at the hospital. Everyone at the orphanage were shocked, Mrs Loly has never been deeply interested in any child as she was in Avaelyn. Everyone loved Avaelyn but Mrs Loly's love was extreme. She took care of Avaelyn like her own child. Throughout Avaelyn's stay at the hospital, Mrs Loly was there with her. She cleaned her up, and provided everything that the doctor required for Avaelyn's recovery.
Finally, a day came and Avaelyn coughed out so hard. She coughed so hard until she coughed out some blood clots. Mrs Loly was standing beside her; alarmed. She called in the doctor who checked Avaelyn.
"She is doing well", the doctor said, smiling down at Mrs Loly's worried face. I am surprised she recovered this fast, the doctor added. Her case is usually a fifty fifty chance of survival and at the end, most people still loose their lives but Avaelyn's recovery is still a mystery. The doctor sounded shocked. He kept checking Avaelyn to be sure that she was fully okay.
Avaelyn, Mrs Loly said tear eyed. I am glad you didn't leave me, she said as she rested her head lightly on Avaelyn's chest. She was grateful to God as she muttered silent prayers of thanksgiving.
What has been going on? How long was I away? How are the kids at the orphanage faring? How is my sister Ava? Have I fully recovered? When can we return to the orphanage? Avaelyn had an endless list of questions.
Take it easy! Mrs Loly cautioned Avaelyn. She was glad that Avaelyn was okay and she didn't want her to stress herself further.
Everyone is doing okay, Avaelyn. Your sister is fine as well; she was in the hospital some days ago to see you but you were still unconscious then. A lot has happened in your absence, she added almost sorrowfully. I am glad I didn't loose you, Mrs Loly concluded.
Obviously, she had a lot to ask Avaelyn; she wanted to find out the truth and get down to the matter but Avaelyn needed rest. She needed to recover fully and avoid anything that would cause her stress. So, Mrs Loly let her be.
Few days later, Avaelyn was discharged with the necessary medications that she needed for her full recovery. Mrs Loly drove back to the orphanage with Avaelyn. She was so happy and excited. Everyone at the orphanage were happy and excited as well; they had missed Avaelyn and was glad that she was back.