" It is Ava, Ava did this to me." This was Avaelyn's confession. She sat on a wheel chair, which was pushed around by one of the older kids at the orphanage; her head was still bandaged; her leg was in a bad shape and bandaged as well; she still had traces of bruises on her face and body; she was still recuperating.
Ava had thought that her sister would cover up for her as usual. She was not wrong either because, that was what Avaelyn had in mind: to cover up for Ava but Mrs Loly had made a move before then.
Avaelyn! Mrs Loly had started, do you value your life? Do you know you almost died? I know that you love your sister and have always covered up for her misdeeds but this time, you must be very truthful and honest with me. What happened that day? Mrs Loly asked looking Avaelyn straight deep into the eyes. Avaelyn couldn't avoid the eye contact. Mrs Loly was bent on getting the truth about what had happened that day out of her. Mrs Loly, it really was an accident, I don't think Ava meant to do that, Avaelyn responded still trying to cover up for her sister.
Avaelyn, Mrs Loly called out again, this time, more serious. What have I taught you about being honest and truthful? Mrs Loly asked. She was bent on getting the truth spilled so she adopted another method to bring it out from Avaelyn.
"You taught us to always say the truth regardless of the situations we find ourselves in" Avaelyn answered still maintaining Mrs Loly's eye contact.
Good! Now tell me what exactly happened, Mrs Loly demanded.
Avaelyn shifted her gaze from Mrs Loly's eyes to her foot that rested on the lower part of the wheel chair. "I was sitting at the balcony that day" Avaelyn started, Ava walked up to me, smiling. At first, I was afraid and confused, but then, I assured myself that Ava had turned a new leaf. I assumed she had come to apologize for everything she had done and seek forgiveness, but that wasn't it; Ava was there to revenge. I still saw hatred and anger in her eyes as she pushed me off. I knew Ava hated me, but killing me was the last thing I expected from my own blood, Avaelyn narrated, now sobbing. The incident she had recounted made her cry the more. Her own sister, wanted her dead. What exactly was her crime? Ava still blamed her for what had happened when they were young and she blamed herself too; it was her mistake. The childhood incident flashed through her memory again and she cried out the more; she was weeping uncontrollably and this moved Mrs Loly to pity.
Everything will be alright, Mrs Loly said as she stood up and moved towards Avaelyn. She hugged her warmly and let Avaelyn's head rest on her stomach. She felt pity for the two girls who were exposed to such harsh realities at a tender age. She tried to blink back the tears that threatened to fall, but it was already too late; she was crying already so she just let them flow freely.
"You have to say the truth, not just to me, but to everyone", Mrs Loly said.
Ava looked up tear eyed. Okay, Mrs Loly,I will, she said.
Ava was surprised, her sister had not done as she thought. She was dumbfounded.
I...I did not.. do..., she stammered; I did not do it intentionally, Ava said still trying to save herself.
You will be reprimanded, Mrs Loly concluded, you have done the worst unimaginable thing, she added.
Ava was separated from the other kids, she stayed in a separate room, a dark one with just a tiny window that let in a ray of light. She was more lonely now because she could not watch any thing that was happening. Her food was given to her from the door,a meager amount with limited amount of fluids.
One day, Avaelyn went to the room's door; she stood for about five minutes as one who was contemplating on a decision to take.
Ava, she finally said from the door, Ava I'm sorry; please let go of everything and let us live as sisters. You are the only family I have left in this world but it seems as though I am alone. Please forgive me for my wrongs, Avaelyn said and she meant it.
Ava didn't respond. Ava! Ava!, Avaelyn called out gently.
Go away! Ava shouted angrily, I don't want to talk to you.
Avaelyn hesitated for a while; she sighed, she was sad, then she left.
Being secluded, Ava had a lot of thoughts. She was not remorseful at all and thought of what next to do.
On a fateful day, when her food was served to her as usual from the door, she pleaded with the cook to send her sister over. Avaelyn was the only person she could easily manipulate so she sent for her. The cook was hesitant for a while but after much pleadings from Ava, she promised to deliver the message.
Avaelyn, your sister sent for you; she said she has something to say to you.
Avaelyn was in doubt but she hurried up to hear from her sister ; she was eager although she had mixed feelings.
Ava, Ava, she whispered immediately she got to the door.
From within, she could hear Ava drag her feet, groping toward the door. "The cook said you wanted to see me" Avaelyn said. What's the problem? She asked.
Look, Ava sounded sober and gentle. I am really sorry for everything I have done to you Avaelyn; I have been the one wrong all there's while but I promise now, that I am a changed person. I swear,I swear, Ava said as she broke into tears.
Avaelyn rested on the door, listening to her younger sister apologize. Is this real? She asked herself silently,or are these one of Ava's trick to trap me again? She was torn, she didn't know what to believe. Here was her sister pleading in tears and apologizing for all the wrongs she had done.
Please, I have realized my mistake, Ava said as she broke into Avaelyn's thought. None of those would repeat itself, she added swearing.
Okay, Ava, l forgive you, everything is fine, Avaelyn said calmly as she turned to leave.
Avaelyn, Ava whispered... please can you visit more often? Ava pleaded, I feel very lonely here, she added.
Avaelyn smiled. Okay, I will, she promised as she walked away.
Thank you! She heard Ava whisper. The scene that just happened replayed in her head. She did not want to talk much back then so she simply said that she had forgiven her sister.
She walked straight to Mrs Loly office because she was confused. Just few days ago, she had gone to apologize to her sister. Ava had chased her off but now, she had demanded to see her and when she had gone, Ava was apologizing repentantly.
When she got to the door, she knocked calmly. At first, there was no response but at the second attempt, she gave a sharp and almost immediate reply.
Yes...who is that? She shouted from within. She sounded as one who had been jolted from a beautiful nap.
It is me, Avaelyn replied. Mrs Loly recognized the voice as she sat up.
Yes dear, come inside, she invited. Avaelyn walked in and sat down on a chair directly opposite Mrs Loly as she fondled her hands.
What is it, my dear Avaelyn? Mrs Loly asked in a concerned voice. Avaelyn recounted all that happened. I am afraid she wants to hurt me again, Avaelyn said as she concluded the event.
Hmmm,,, Mrs Loly breathed deeply. She was confused too. Avaelyn, I can't just conclude that Ava has changed,we will watch her for the mean time until we are sure that she really has.
She sounded really remorseful, Avaelyn said, still fondling her hands. I really feel her sufferings and loneliness in that dark room, Ava said.
That dark room and seclusion is serving as a punishment to her, my dear Avaelyn. Mrs Loly said.
Avaelyn looked up at her. She was going to plead that Ava be released but seeing Mrs Loly's stone hard face, she shifted her gaze back to her hands. "I will be leaving now, Mrs Loly"Avaelyn announced almost immediately as she stood up to leave. Thank you for your audience ma'am, she added.
Avaelyn visited the dark room more often now. It was her promise to her sister and she was bent on keeping it. She would read out stories from her little book to her sister who followed from within. No one was allowed to see Ava face to face including her sister, Avaelyn so whenever Avaelyn came, she would sit by the door.