THE RING OF REDEMPTION

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER 2

Darya knew Daisy wanted to ask questions, and she was looking for possible ways to avoid it. "Darya," Daisy called, breaking the silence.

"Yes," Darya responded, turning to face her. "Let's talk," Daisy said.

"About what?" Darya asked, a bit reluctant.

"A lot," Daisy replied. Darya hesitated, then began to stand up, seemingly wanting to leave the room.

"I don't think so," she started to say as she turned towards the door. However, she stopped immediately when Daisy spoke again.

"I know you've always seen me as a fool, Darya," Daisy said, her voice trembling. Darya looked back at her, surprised and concerned.

"Daisy," Darya looked at her sternly, "Don't give me that look. I want a friend who sees me as somebody, a friend who doesn't think I'm too naive. Yes, I know I can act naive sometimes, but that doesn't mean I'm a fool. You think I'm a dummy, like I don't have a brain of my own."

Tears rolled down Daisy's cheeks, and her words couldn't explain how she felt. Darya, moved by Daisy's emotional outburst, took a step closer, but Daisy moved backward.

"Darya, you called me your friend, and I don't know a thing about you. Meanwhile, you could write a story about my life because I see you as my only friend in this world. But you see me as a dummy. The next thing you'll say is that you didn't force these words out of my mouth. Do you know how it feels when you ask your best friend what's wrong with her, and the next thing she says is 'nothing,' knowingly full well that you're going through pain? I hate the word 'nothing.' Darya, I know nothing about you. I don't know where you're from, what about your parents?" Daisy sniffed.

"Daisy, no, it isn't true. That's not how I see you," Darya tried to reassure her. "You are one of the kindest, most innocent, and loveliest souls I have ever met. And I'm hap..."

"Darya, you see my innocence as foolish," Daisy took the words out of Darya's mouth, cutting her short.

"Daisy, please stop all of this," Darya pleaded, tears now streaming down her face.

"Darya, if you don't tell me what's wrong with you, why you hate men, I will get out of your life forever. I know I will definitely get hurt, but it's worth it," Daisy said resolutely as she walked towards the door, tears still flowing.

"Darya, please don't let me go," she silently pleaded in her mind. Darya couldn't bear to see Daisy leave, so she gripped Daisy's wrist tightly.

"Daisy, please. You are hurting me," tears continued to roll down Darya's eyes. Daisy was shocked; Darya had never cried in her presence before. "Or are you a lesbian?" Daisy asked, attempting to lighten the mood. She wiped away Darya's tears.

Darya looked at the floor and shook her head. "No, Daisy, there's nothing special about my life. It's just me and my grandma's life—nothing but pain, tears, suffering, and painful memories." She whispered, but Daisy could still hear her.

"I'm sorry for pressuring you; I can't help it. I know you're going through a lot. Maybe my family can be of help."

"Daisy, no, your family can't help. Everything lies in my hands. I just need revenge and to spill blood."

"Huh?" Daisy's eyes bulged. "I have no other purpose in life rather than that. 'Revenge'... 'spill blood'?" Daisy repeated those words in her head.

Darya slumped to the floor, crying uncontrollably, clutching her chest. "The pain is too much. I've been carrying this for 17 years."

Daisy hugged her, and they both cried in each other's embrace.Daisy hugged her, and they both cried in each other's embrace.

AUTHOR: ESTHER PAUL

DAISY'S POV

I couldn't stand seeing Darya in tears. I felt so bad for pressuring her; this wasn't my intention when I urged her to speak. "Darya, please. I'm sorry for forcing you to talk. You don't have to say anything more," I cried while holding her.

"I don't want to burden you or involve you in my dark world of revenge and a thirst for blood," she said, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I don't see you the way you think, Darya. I love you; you're my best friend and a sister to me. I don't see you as naive or foolish. I just don't want you to get caught up in my world of darkness," she explained, shaking her head. "I understand now, it's okay. If you don't want to say anything, that's fine." I hugged her tightly, determined to stand by her side. I never knew Darya was this broken, but no matter what, I would be there for her. "It's okay," I whispered as we remained in that comforting embrace until we fell asleep.

GRANDMA JESSI'S POV

I stood by the door, tears streaming down my face, listening to their argument and shared tears. You might wonder why I didn't intervene, but it's beyond my power. I am shattered and broken inside too, but I must stay strong for Darya; she's all I have left. I pray I live long enough to see how everything unfolds because I can't leave her in this cruel world now. I quietly opened the door, and there they were, sleeping on the floor, locked in each other's embrace. At least she has someone to lean on apart from me.

DAISY'S POV

We slept for a long time. Grandma prepared sandwiches and tea for us, and it was delicious. "Grandma Jessi, this is so nice," I said with my mouth full.

"Thank you. No more talking while eating, or you might choke," Grandma scolded gently. I nodded and continued eating. Darya, however, wasn't eating much, quite unlike the Darya I know, who usually enjoys her food. "Darya, please eat," Grandma urged.

"I will," Darya responded. Silence enveloped the room, with each of us engrossed in our thoughts. Darya, usually a lively girl, brought a gloomy atmosphere with her. A few minutes later, we finished our supper. Darya and I went to the small garden at the back of the house, where we began weeding. I tried to lighten the atmosphere with stories, sharing tales that would make her smile.

"Daisy, you tell stories as if you witnessed them all," Darya said with a smile. I was happy to see her smile. "Of course, I'm a great storyteller," I chuckled. "I wish storytelling was a course; I'd be one of the top students," I added, and Darya laughed. "Then I would have to become a professional storyteller for a living," I said.

"In that case, you'd be poor all your life," Darya laughed. The atmosphere gradually became less tense. "Says who?" I teased with a mock frown.

"Darya," I called her, getting serious. She tilted her head, looking at me attentively. "After graduation, what's next?" I asked.

Darya continued weeding as she replied, "I don't have any plans for that right now, but I'll figure it out."

"Would you like to work at my Dad's hospital?" I inquired.

"No," she replied bluntly, leaving me unsure of how to respond. As the day darkened, it was time to go to bed. Darya let me use the bathroom first, as it was too small for both of us to fit at the same time. After my shower, Darya went in. I loved spending the night here with her.

As we lay on the bed, Darya suddenly called my name. I looked at her, and she was smiling. "Well, it's time to tell you about myself and my past," she said. My eyes widened with anticipation, but I tried not to appear too eager. "Darya, it's okay if you don't want to share. I'm not for—"

"You're not forcing me," she interrupted me. "There's nothing special about my past. It began 17 years ago."

AUTHOR'S POV

FLASHBACK

A six-year-old girl played joyfully in the basement of a grand and beautiful house. Her long, straight black hair cascaded down her back, and her laughter filled the room as she played alone. Suddenly, she heard the sound of the front gate opening, and her face lit up with delight. "Mama! Papa!" she exclaimed, running towards a young, handsome man and a beautiful woman in their late twenties. The young man lifted her, swinging her in the air, while the young woman smiled and caressed her.

"Where's Grandma?" the young woman inquired.

"She's inside," little Darya pointed toward the house. Together, they went inside. A woman in her mid-fifties emerged from one of the rooms.

"Mom," the young woman called and hugged her. The young man did the same. "Darya is so happy to see her parents," the elder woman remarked.

"Yes," little Darya nodded, beaming with happiness. As the day turned to evening, Darya's parents discussed something with Grandma. Darya, couldn't contain her curiosity,when she saw her parents arranging somethings in a big bag. Her parents have been doing that for the past two days "Mom, are we moving out?" she asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Yes, sweetie," her mother replied, gently touching Darya's head. "We just need to gather a few things," her father added.

Darya's parents heard the front gate opening again, and fear gripped the three adults. Darya looked at her parents and Grandma, her face filled with confusion. "Mom?" Her father covered her mouth. "Shhh..."

"Mom, please, run away with Darya," Darya's mother whispered. "Let's call the police."grandma said

"We can't. If we don't make it, promise me, don't tell Darya anything until she turns 25 years old. Everything you need to know is in the book."Darya father whispered

Darya's father added, "Darya, please be good to Grandma." Darya was still confused. "Don't talk as if you won't make it," Grandma pleaded, hugging her daughter. "Bring down the door!" someone shouted from outside.

"Mom, please go," Darya's father implored, but Grandma couldn't leave; she was pushed away. They rushed outside, leaving through the back gate that had been left open. Grandma hide and watched from a distance with Darya in her hands,fearing the worst. She couldn't go; her granddaughter needed her.

Darya's parents were confronted by six men in black, with one wearing a mask and giving orders. They dragged Darya's mother by her hair, and they were both tied

"Where is your daughter? I don't need that old woman. You can hide her, but I will surely hunt for her and kill her. James, you can't be richer than me. I'm sorry, but I have to. Death is the only solution," the masked man declared.

"Ralph, please don't do this. We've been friends since childhood. Don't let the greed for money come between us. I can give it to you, but don't touch us, don't kill us," James, Darya's father pleaded through tears.

Ralph went down to their level and chuckled, "If I don't eliminate your family, I won't get what I want. Talking about friendships..." He laughed sinisterly. "Where is it?" he barked. A golden box was handed to him, and Ralph laughed, saying, "Yes." He signaled his men, and they r***d Darya's mother, Mrs Jane. "Please, don't. leave my family out of this," Mr. James pleaded, but his words fell on deaf ears. The men took turns r****g Mrs. Jane, except for Ralph.

"Ralph, you will definitely pay for this. Money or position can be stolen, but this can't be stolen. A day will come when you'll beg and search for my descendants, but it will be too late," James said. Ralph, absorbed by the glow of the box, just laughed.

"Kill them," he ordered after Mrs. Jane's tragic fate was sealed..she was r***d to death

"She's dead," one of the men reported. "No!" James screamed. Ralph stabbed him in the heart. "Ralph, you will... look for my descendants... but it will be too late," James said stammered as blood spilled from his mouth. "Burn down the house," Ralph ordered once more.

Grandma Jessi couldn't speak; she witnessed the horrors unfold before her eyes as her daughter was r***d and burned to ashes. She turned her gaze towards Darya and was shocked to see the little girl looking on, unshaken. Darya froze, her young face pale.

"Darya"she called but Darya didn't respond. Darya saw the man taking of his mask

PRESENT

Daisy clung tightly to Darya, her eyes swollen from crying. Darya, with a menacing smirk, began to recount her life's transformation. "My life changed from that day until now. When I was little, I always dreamed of becoming a doctor to save people, but everything changed after that fateful day. Grandma and I have been living hand to mouth ever since. I swore to avenge my parents' death, to bring down the generation of those men," tears streaming down her cheeks. "You see why I said I wished I was you, living your life?" Darya said, gazing at Daisy. Daisy, too weak to speak, simply shook her head, her eyes having shed countless tears. "Daisy, I will do anything, anything," Darya exclaimed amidst her laughter, her eyes still moist. Daisy, her voice barely audible, inquired, "But why did they do that? Why did he do it? What did your parents do to him?" Darya responded, her voice heavy with uncertainty, "Daisy, I don't know. I've tried to find out, but grandma wouldn't tell me. Grandma is keeping a secret from me, and I believe I'm a part of that secret." Darya helped Daisy to her feet and whispered, "Come on, let's go." They tiptoed towards the dark storeroom, eventually switching on a torchlight. Darya carefully removed the rug that concealed a large hole covered with heavy irons, chains, and padlocks. "What's that?" Daisy asked. "I don't know. Grandma forbade me from coming here, but..." Before Darya could finish her sentence, they were interrupted by a stern voice. "You disobeyed me." Darya and Daisy screamed, and there, standing behind them, was Grandma.

AUTHOR ESTHER PAUL ?