Chapter 9

I spent the whole day crying my eyes out. Just some hours back, I was extra pleased that I was coming back home to my family.... actually coming back to a family that had not been existing anymore. I was hurt to think that I was the reason for mother's death. If only I had been extra careful that night, the I wouldn't have been in that accident and my mother would still be alive today. No words can explain the pain I was feeling. Loosing my mother and being separated from my baby sister was the biggest blow to me. I spent the whole day crouched down at the furthest corner of the 'once upon a time lively living room'. Marcus had left me alone earlier after I told him I need sometimes alone.I needed to think and maybe came up with some sort of ' I don't know' thing since I didn't know what I even wanted to think about.

"What are you doing sitting in the dark Ammy?" I heard Marcus talking while heading for the switch.I had not realized that it was already night and very dark inside until he spoke as walked in.

"Ammy don't do this....you need to be strong," he spoke again while taking my hands in his. His words brought fresh tears running down my cheeks.

" For whom should I be strong for Marcus.....I have lost everything....my mummy is g..gone and my sister isn't here with me anymore....and the most painful part is my little sister... went through all this alone...," I said weakly but loud enough for him to hear.

"But it wasn't your fault...what happened was all unplanned Ammy.."

"Yeah it was...but do you think everyone thinks so?..a-and Andy...do you think she understands that Marcus," I asked raising my voice at him,"and mother...do you think she will ever forgive me for what I caused and not being by my sister through all that..."

"Of course she will Ammy ....and I know your mother is proud of you because you did everything to save her and you recovered really fast than expected for you to come back to them and I don't think Mrs Walker blames you anything.... because in real sense none of this was your fault," he continued.I knew he just said that to make me feel better but it didn't but I atleast felt like someone still cared for me and actually didn't blame me for what happened like almost everyone else did.Days were so long and nights so cold each day.Gradually the pain I was feeling in my heart started freeze away.Three months had passed by with me doing nothing. Marcus had cleaned the house for me since I was in no shape to do it a month after my return.I never walked past the small iron gate since I arrived.I spent my days locked up in my room, either crying or sleeping.Marcus ould come every night to keep me company and brought me some food which I always hardly ate.That day, as I slept on my bed, I made up my mind to stand again.The news of my mother's death and my sister leaving had crushed me down but I still had to make my dead mother proud of me wherever she was.It was already late in the evening.I got up from the bed and headed to the bathroom for a shower before wearing my pajamas.I went downstairs to the kitchen and prepared myself some coffee.I felt quite hot after the hot bath and the heat from the cooker and so I took my cup of coffee outside with me.

"Ooh....good to see you outside,"Marcus commented walking towards me.He was back early today.

"Yeah....and good to see you back so early today,"I answered answered smiling broadly at him and he raised his brows in surprise.

"U-uhm...yeah...closed the shop early so that I could introduce someone to you,"he said sitting besides me on the swing.

"But I can't see anyone with you," I answered .

"Aren't you going to come in?"Marcus raised his voiced while looking outside from where we sat.The fence wasn't that long and one could see outside when standing.Just the, the small iron gate was pushed open and a really beautiful lady dressed in extravagant clothes stepped in.She slowly redui her pace as she walked towards us, her eyes fixed on me.I didn't recognize her then but those eyes were very familiar.

"Lovie..."she muttered slowly as if trying to suppress her tears from falling.My heart skipped a little on hearing that name,only one person called me that... Sherry, my one and one best friend from childhood.We were actually neighbors and friends until they moved to Bristol when we were thirteen.

"Sherry..."I called to her in disbelief.I couldn't belief that I was seeing her after all those seven good years. I can't even tell how the cup of coffee slipped of my hands as I stood from my sitting position.I walked towards her unsure of my steps too.What if all this was just a dream....then I had to walk slowly not to wake myself up.

"I..is this really y...you Sherry?" I asked when I was a step away from her.Sherry smiled at me before jumping on me, hugging me tightly.

"It's me Ammy...your lovie is b-back,"she said between her sobs.I hugged her back as my tears broke their boundaries.

Am sorry for leaving you all alone here .....I won't be going anywhere away from you now ,"she continued while wiping my tears, after breaking our long embrace.

Marcus sat quietly as he stared at the emotional drama unfolding before him.A week ago,a lady had stopped by his shop to grab some snacks.He noticed her at once although she had really changed.It was Sherry... Ammy's long lost friend.He then knew that bringing her back into Ammy's life would help her start afresh.He had been looking after Ammy for three months and despite everything he did he knew that Ammy needed a person she could easily blend with but definitely not him.They were just friends for long and Ammy needed more than a friend so he decided to reunite the two true friends.He approached the girl that day and took her to a restaurant and explained Ammy's situation and as expected that lady was ready to help since she was finally back.Their reunion was teary, but looking at them, he knew it was a beginning of a new chapter for Ammy.