In Her Shoes

Twin Tragedy - The truth

Hello friends! extremely sorry for the very late update. There was a lot in my hand these days. I have shifted to another city but I am living with my hubby now, so YAY. Got my inspiration and my editor back so here comes the much awaited update. Thank you all for being so patient with me.
Just one suggestion, please bear in mind whose POV is it while reading the next few chapters.

Ana's POV

I was pouring some much needed coffee for me when the door bell rang. It was too early for visitors. Ever since Rob died there had been a steady stream of friends, relatives and acquaitences at our door. It was easier with Dan by my side but with Dan on bed rest and people coming out to visit him too it was a mess.

I am old and am nursing a broken heart, I just wanted people to forget about us for some time. Earlier this month I was planning a wedding and last week I had to arrange a funeral. As much as I love to have people home, their words were a bitter reminder of my circumstances. I was tired of accepting apologies, tired of repeating "how did it happen".

I waited for a few minutes, thinking that the visitor would go away assuming there is no one home but it was wishful thinking on my part. The door bell kept going at repeated intervals so I got up to open the door. I was pleasently surprised to see Mel standing on the door. She was dressed in white top and grey skirt, her eyes looked swollen from lack of sleep. I immediately let her in.

"Hi Ana, How are you holding up?" she asked me with a gentle smile. Her kind eyes radiating the warmth that I had missed for so many days.

"Better now, cause you came to see me. I guess, I am not allowed to ask you the same after what Dan did to you, that day." I replied holding both her hands in mine.

"Oh! No, nothing could ever change between us because of any of your sons." She shrugged off.

"It's so kind of you to come. I was getting so lonely. Don't get me wrong, I am getting a lot of calls and visitors but I needed someone close to talk to. Mr. Grumpy pants stays upstairs in his room all day. I try to avoid him as much as I can."

I saw Mel's smile evaporating and a very grim look appear on her face as I mentioned Dan again. She lowered her eyes and said " Actually I have come here to more than just talk to you. I have a request. I know it would sound weird to you, considering what transpired in these few days but I need you to trust me."

"Anything dear, you don't even have to ask." I assured her. It was strange to see Mel hesitate. She was like a daughter I never had and she knows I will be happy to help her in whatever ways possible.

"I want to help Dan. Please let me take care of him till he is unwell." She pleaded like never before. It seemed really important to her.

" Mel, as much as I appreciate your help , may I ask you why. Dan has been so unkind to you lately. I am not sure how he will treat you. Let me assure you that you are no way responsible for all this, so if you are doing this because of what Dan said, forget it."

"You know me better than that Ana, no man, including Dan can make me feel guilty or embarrased, if I am not. Yes, the complete truth is that I did call out Rob that day to help me but I was not in trouble. I was feeling vindictive since he was giving me a cold shoulder that day. It was not nice of me to do that." She paused and suddenly got up agitated. She started pacing the hall, running a hand through her hair before she spoke again.

"I haven't been nice all my life, I was always the naughty one. I am the trouble maker but I am not a bitch. I didn't know he was drunk. When I called him, all I could hear was loud music playing in the background. I could barely catch his hello. This further pushed me into beliving that he was enjoying himself while here I was, fretting over him. May be you know, in that moment of self pity I thought, yeah, if he cares he would come."

She turned to me and kneeled down before me touching me knees with both her hands," I never imagined this could happen. I am sorry Ana, I never realised even for a moment that this could happen." She buried her face in my lap.

I was reliving that night all over again, stunned at what she confessed. I never thought much about what Dan said earlier. Like Dan I wanted to blame her but I couldn't make my heart feel anything but sorry for the poor girl. It was clear that it was all circumstantial.

I gently stroked her hair with my hand and she lifted her head to look into my eyes again, " Mel, I appreciate your honesty dear but you have nothing to apologise for. Whatever happened was no fault of yours. I suggest you stop blaming yourself too."

She raised her brows and opened her mouth to deny that she fely guilty but she knew it was useless so she kept shut.

"But you haven't answered my question, why?" I implored.

"Dan should see this too. I want him to realise what he said was wrong and I don't trust that thickhead to do that himself. If I leave this there he will blame me forever and then I won't be able to live with this." Mel explained.

"Hmmm, quite reasonable, When it comes to Dan even I don't trust him to know what he feels. When it comes to feelings he is a very simple yet very confused lad, but since when have you become one?" I asked Mel.

" I have become what?" Mel gave me a quizzing look.

" An emotional fool, my dear. " I smiled. " Since when does Mel do self pity and insecurity?"

She looked away and I could see the realisation dawn upon her in her eyes. She held the arm rest on the couch for support as she sat, slowly.

Perhaps this wasn't the best of the time to talk to her about it so I told her, "Go home Mel and think about it. If you still want to come help Dan you are welcome. This will always be your home."

Mel went home and I continued the rest of the day as usual but I knew in my heart she would appear tomorrow.