Behind her smile

After dressing up Bella and covering her with a bed cover Dracel stood by the wall with hands put together, her head was down and her thoughts were not making any sense as she was only imagining the worst and preparing for it.

Come and sit there's tea on the jug for you.

No thank you, she said politely.

Then sit, standing and been exhausted won't change anything, she will be alright, she said assuring her.

Dracel was hesitant at first but later went to take a sit opposite the lady, a table was in between them and the lady was sipping her tea gently. She had a worried look on her face, her heart was troubled and she could hear her thought that she was expecting someone.

The rain was still pouring heavily, the house was litted with little fire lamp at every corner, Dracel's finger was thumping on the table gently and the lady was not making any sound from her cup, the silence went on as until she was done with her tea.

Let me go and make something to eat so that when your sister wakes up she won't be hungry. As she got up her dress got hooked on the chair, though she was putting on a casual wear and it seemed to be a light material, unknown to her the nail at the back of her shoulder had hooked her dress.

She was set to get up from her chair but was held back, she tried to pull away from the chair but it ended up tearing up her clothing from the shoulders where a thread that had loosed from the dress could be spotted. She quickly covered her shoulders and pulled the dress with much force causing a small cut on her shoulder. She gave a light chuckle, she tied up the torn place and walked to the kitchen.

Aside the blood that immediately drew her attention, Dracel could not unsee what she just saw, she felt like asking but she kept quiet about it. She walked to the window and sighed, she opened it slightly and sighed, just like the rain was pouring down she felt like pouring down her anger to whoever warrant it.

After calming down for some minutes she closed the window she turned around and saw her sister standing by the table with tears falling from her eyes.

Are you ok? She said rushing to her and making her fall in her arms.

I thought you left me, she whispered, I thought you carried me back there.

No I would never do such, I will never leave you alone again, you're safe with me.

Bella sobbed for some seconds and stopped, the lady entered with a tray of porridge after a long time and dropped it on the table.

How do you feel? She said feeling Bella's temperature.

Better, she mumbled looking at her sister for explanation not sure who the lady was.

It's ok, Dracel assured her, this is her house and she was the one who helped us from the rain, she made sure you are ok.

Thank you madam, Bella said in appreciation to the lady.

She nodded her head and smiled. Seems I made supper on time, here is yours and here is yours, she said dropping a plate for both of them. Bella looked at Dracel for approval and Dracel nodded.

Thank you ma'am, they both said in unison as they picked their spoon to eat. Dracel who knew eating the food would do her no good scooped a spoon into her mouth to assure her sister she was safe.

Delicious right, the lady said with food in between her mouth, and they both nodded. Oh I forgot, I will bring some water so you don't get choked, she said and stood up.

You don't like the food? Bella asked looking at her sister.

It's ok but I'm not hungry she said spitting the food on her mouth into a napkin on the table.

Bella already understood that her sister had problem with eating food so she poured everything into her bowl, after all she was a fast eater and had devoured almost half her plate.

Thank you, she said with a smile patting her sisters head gently. She quickly hide the napkin when she noticed the lady coming.

What happened, you have finished up your food? The lady asked in surprise.

Yes, thank you very much the food was delicious, she said.

Why is your sister's plate loaded, her plate had barely gone down before I left?

Because...Bella said wanting to speak up but Dracel cut her off.

I gave her the rest, I couldn't finish it all, she had more appetite so I gave her mine.

You should have told me to give you more, she said to Bella, I have more than enough. Do you want more?

No ma, Dracel said as the question was been directed to her, I am more than satisfied she said with smile.

Ok then, have some water, she said pouring water into a cup for Dracel.

I will drink water when I think it's necessary, she said again.

The lady shrugged her shoulder and decided not to push and continued with her food.

I'm feeling hot, Bella said using her hands as a means to get air.

It sounded weird on a rainy cold day, Dracel looked at the lady for explanation which she immediately gave.

That is because of the balm I applied on you, it's doing it's work now, I believe you are feeling lesser pains because you might sweat.

The food is adding to it, it's so hot....she stopped after Dracel had pushed her leg. Thank you ma'am she said without further statement and continued with her food.

After eating the lady cleared the table refusing help from both of them and asked them to sit at the table.

So tell me about your parents, where you come from and how long the both of you have been like this.

Our parents died from thieves attack during a travel, their dead body was brought back home for I and my siblings.

After their burial, she continued, we were still in our fathers house till the war approached our home, they came and drove us from our home, they took hold of us, some of us were left to die and I and my siblings got seperated, we're yet to find our brother and I met my sister today while she was been abused.

How can people be so cruel, you guys are still kids not old enough to take care of yourselves who would have such mind to do these to children, she complained, but there was somebody you could report to, an elder or town mayor... Or did no one care?

Dracel just sighed, Bella on the other hand was silent with her gaze on the floor.

The both of you must have gone through a lot, what I as an adult can't even handle is what you guys had pull through single handedly, the both of you are strong, she said followed by a little sob.

Dracel wondered how emotional of a person she was but knew it was for good, at least they can put up here till they move to some where else.

You can stay at my place, it has stopped raining and I won't allow any of you to go out In this cold, I'm very lonely here as you can see, it's been long I got to talk to someone, she said with sad eyes.

I live here with my dear husband, he's a very kind man and I'm sure he would like the idea of you guys staying here, she said with a smile.

Really, Bella's eyes litted up in excitement.

Yes, she said with a little chuckle, if people ask I will tell them the both of you are my distant cousins who got caught up in the rain, that will save a lot of explanations, she said smiling genuinely.

Dracel swallowed hard, the whole thing didn't sit well with her and she wanted to voice out some things but she remained silent.

Thank you so much, Bella said jumping on the lady's body, she had so much excitement in her eyes that tears were already flowing and Dracel would not want to kill the joy going on but the excitement was suddenly interrupted

Camilla, a masculine voice sounded from the door.