Dawn of Spring

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

The birthday did not end in total disaster. Only little Gia decided to blow out the candles and smash the cake with her little palms before rubbing it all over her face and clothes. She was too eager to eat.

And that's how she learned the word of the day, 'smashing' with complete dedication mashing all the way.

It was later that day Ahana realized Riya was like Gia's elder sister, only worse, for they both pestered her in their free time, which was pretty much all the time.

"C'mon, Hana!" Riya shook her by her arm to grab attention. The term had already started, and there was too much to cover. Ahana was busy scribbling her notes when her fingers twisted the letters because of her constant poking.

"They said the show will last for two days. Today happens to be the last day. We must go!"

"I'll think about it." Ahana did not divert her gaze from the screen in front of her.

"You said you would make it up to me."

"I already did," Ahana said with a frown, glancing up at her. "Do choco chip cookies ring the bell?"

"No," she put her hand to close her ears and shook her head dramatically, giggling, "Besides, that was just the interest this, my dear friend, is the principal."

"We have a new Don in the city."

Vivaan entered the room holding bunch of candies.

"Pew, pew!" Riya used her fingers like she was holding a gun.

Gia moved around happily on her bed, then got to her feet and took a few tentative steps in Vivaan's direction. Her mobility had improved drastically since her arrival. The Doctors feared she may never have learned how to walk after what she had suffered in her first three years of life. Vivaan was distraught thinking about the rough treatment young Gia endured, deprived of basic needs, and exposed to cruelty, something no one deserved, especially not a toddler.

According to an inside investigation, anonymous sources revealed that Zoya, whose real name has been withheld, had intended to use a six-month-old Gia as a commodity for exchange when she found her on the roadside following the death of her biological mother in an accident one night. As deplorable as it may sound, child trafficking is an unfortunate reality. Luckily, Gia found Ahana and Vivaan instead of some other trafficker.

Ahana visibly shuddered after hearing the news.

The woman, identified as Zoya (a pseudonym), provided authorities with details about the persons and locations associated with certain misdemeanors after she gave herself up. Gia's father was still a mystery, but the inquiry concluded that he either didn't exist or had no intention of being part of her life. Consequently, an unobstructed path for Gia to be adopted was cleared.

Unbeknownst to everything that happened or could have happened to her, little Gia was excitedly flicking different colored candies between her fingers, unsure which to eat first. Her eyes glimmered, and she couldn't help but smile. She had never seen this many sweets at once.

"Cadies!" she exclaimed loudly. "CADIES!"

"She's going to be saying 'cadies' all day," Riya said in a flat voice, though a smile broke through as Gia turned to look at her. Somehow the toddler knew they were talking about her.

"I don't want to hear it," Riya pouted, pleading with her friend. "Please, Ahana, please."

"Pwease!" Gia mimicked, "Candies, pwease."

Vivaan chuckled, sitting beside her, and handed her the entire box. Riya beamed at Ahana. "See, I taught her manners. 'Candies, please!' That's eloquent!" She bent at the waist in a playful bow. "You're welcome."