THE RETURN
966 Words
AVA
I stood in front of the Mansion’s towering gate. The grip on my bag became tighter, throat became dry. Funny how this felt like a stranger's home, despite all the years I’d spent behind these walls.
I rang the bell and the security came. As the gate creaked open, I braced myself. As I walked in, the air became thicker. The staff who work for my parents were staring at me. Each stare was judgmental.
I walked in slowly with unease. My father’s words were already echoing in my head. “Put your disgraceful self together.” It’s going to be a long week.
I stepped inside, and nothing had changed. The house was too sparkly, too polished, and cold. Then I saw my mother, she walked down the stairs gracefully with a tight and tired smile that made her look pathetic.
“You’re late,” she said with a stern face.
The voice inside my head was fighting for a sarcastic comeback, but no. I said nothing, my silence was my rebellion now.
She took a moment to look at me, assessing every detail. I only kept quiet and was still. After she was done, she went to the dining room.
I quickly went up to my room as I was still sleepy.
Something was off about me. I couldn’t focus, and I was always tired. And I always doze off halfway through writing my project. I remember how I almost threw up from the smell of the pasta. Which was weird, that pasta was my favorite thing to eat.
I brushed it off, It could be stress, overthinking, or the usual excuses.
I arranged my things in my room and jumped on my bed for a nice long nap.
A loud banging at my door woke me up.
It was my mum. “Get dressed, the guest will be here in 1 hour.
I wore a backless Black dress, I made my hair into a tight bun, and put on light makeup.
I was almost done when a maid knocked on my door to let me know the guest was here.
I quickly put on my heels and ran down. Judging by the way my father sucked up to him, he was a senator.
The dining table was set like a royal feast. The glasses were shining the table was packed with varieties of food.
Sage was already seated. I slowly came down and sat two chairs away from them.
“This is my pride,” my father said patting my sister’s shoulder with a wide grin.
“She is at the prestigious Harvard University”
The man smiled politely, nodding his head.
“ And this” he hesitated.
“Ava”
I forced a smile “Nice to meet you, sir”
He nodded. “And what are you studying”
I quickly answered before my father could interrupt and change the topic.
“Creative writing”
My father tensed.
The silence was instant. The senator blinked once, twice, then he said “You write fairytales”?
“ It’s not centered on only that.” I defended.
“That’s artistic”.
My father cleared his throat and put on a fake smile. “You know, there’s always a rebellious one.”
I felt the heat rise to my face. He was trying to humiliate me. The shame wasn’t mine, but I felt it.
The senator chuckled.”Not quite law or medicine.”
“No, but writing is what I love”.
My father didn’t look at me, but I could see the embarrassment clinging to him like a second skin.
It made me smile.
The maids began serving the food, whilst my father and the senator made small talk.
The moment I perceived the food, I felt a wave of nausea. And instantly ran to throw up.
I knew my father would kill me for what had happened.
My hands gripped tightened on the sink as I rinsed my mouth till the bitter taste was gone. My chest rose and fell.
I could hear their faint voices from the dining room. My father's low tone and my mother's polite laugh meant nothing.
I didn't go back immediately. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My bun was still tight, my makeup was flawless, and my eyes were tired.
Deep down I knew what this was, I just wasn't ready to accept it.
I heard a knock on the bathroom door. “Miss Ava?” voice hesistant. It was one of the maids. “Your father wants you back in the dining room.”
I could only nod. Of course, he would want me there. He wants to constantly remind me how much of a failure I was.
I walked back in, spine straight, and slid into my chair like nothing happened. The senator’s gaze lingered a little longer on me but he was wise not to ask any questions.
“You should eat something my dear” my mother spoke, her smile widened for the guest's benefit.
He would be dumb to think that we’re one happy family.
“I’m fine” I replied, reaching for a glass of water.
The rest of the dinner passed like a breeze, My father laughed, my mother smiled, and Sage made herself more obvious, the senator nodded.
When it all ended, my father walked the senator out. I hurriedly ran to my room to avoid my father's outburst.
I reached into my bag and brought it out. I would still have to do it eventually.
I placed the test at the counter, stared at myself in the mirror. The signs had been there, the fatigue, the nausea, the drowsiness, everything.
I sat on the closed toilet lid as I waited.
- Writer
