Haunted - AGGGTM sequel

Twelve

Pip could not believe what she just heard. It couldn't be. She had been so cruel to her about it, yet the only thing she managed to do was to scar her even more. Tears filled her eyes as Violet continued narrating.

"I was thirteen years old. The orphanage hosted one of those Halloween open parties so they could raise money. I didn't drink, I was always the sober friend, so I bought a Coca-Cola and held it the entire night. But I guess he discovered he could mix Rohypnol with water and put it on some cloth and it would have the same result. He dragged me outside and destroyed my life by taking away my girlhood. It was horrible, seeing him do that and not being able to react. I felt so weak. I never wanted to be around men after that."

"How did you find out about...?"

"A couple of weeks later, I started throwing up. They got me to the hospital, did some blood tests and saw I was pregnant. The orphanage management office decided it would be a risk to keep me since I would ruin their reputation so I had the choice to either find someone to adopt me or..." She didn't continue her phrase.

"That's why Naomi and I "adopted" her. Since we had our salaries, we decided she would use the government money for herself until she became financially independent. Then they would go to the bank for the baby."

"Some months later, Lilly was born. It was all worth it. Watching her grow up, saying her first words, and developing her imagination slowly healed me. Max might have taken a lot away from me that night, but he gave me Lilly. And I am thankful for that.

But sometimes I want to meet him up and tell him the damage he has done to me. He stole my girlhood, my girlhood. It was mine, why did he have to take it away?" she said and sobbed. Cara went next to her and hugged her.

"Have you ever talked to anyone about this?"

"Who would understand? How can I just talk about it?"

Pip looked away as she wiped a tear. She thought of those words three years ago while feeling helpless. But she wasn't helpless. That grey cloud of sad emotions blocked her from everyone and tricked her into thinking that. She wished she could help her, she wished she could be stronger than that. But in reality, she didn't have to be.

After letting go of that hug, Violet did not feel sad, or overwhelmed. Instead, she felt relieved that she had finally let that all out since it had bothered her for years. She was not alone.

Lilly ran inside the room. Violet quickly wiped her tears so her daughter wouldn't see them.

"Mommy, Uncle Ravi is taking me to the dance! Can I please please please go?"

"Honey, are you sure he wants to take you?"

"I do," Ravi said, entering the room as well.

"You don't have to do this, Ravi"

"But I want to. Unless you don't want me to."

"Ravi..." Cara said

"Or don't feel okay with your daughter being around me." he sounded mad.

"Ravi!"

"What?"

Ravi looked at Pip and she mouthed the words "Max Hastings" to him and he understood everything. He felt sorry and guilty at the same time because she thought she was being racist and avoiding him, but he realised she was just afraid.

"I'm sorry, I..."

Naomi burst into the door because she heard voices.

"Lil, why don't we pick a dress for the dance? Aunt Naomi is going to buy it for you"

"No, I'll go with her. I'll get it for her. It's the least I can do to make up for.." Ravi said

"Don't worry, Ravi, it's okay. I know you didn't mean it"

"I.."

"Just forget it. Honestly. It's fine."

"Am I going?"

"Of course honey. Since uncle Ravi is kindly offering to take you, you can go." Vi replied

Lilly ran excitedly and Ravi followed her, to keep her outside the house for a while. Cara went next to Violet and hugged her.

"It's not fine, Vi," Cara said. "Why did he have to make assumptions? Especially in front of Lilly!"

"He's been having to deal with racism almost his entire life. He just wanted to defend himself, it's not his fault!"

"Defend himself from who? She's not the bad guy here."

"Are you saying that he is?"

"Well, now you're just making stuff up to make it convenient to you."

"At least I'm not defending a stranger over my best friend"

They had been fighting for so long that they did not notice that Violet was on the floor, crumbling. But Naomi did and went next to her. she asked her if she needed a hug and she fell into her arms sobbing. Suddenly she was a child in the orphanage again and the older kids were fighting over something she did. All she wanted was for those voices to stop.

"Vi is not a stranger. She was there for me at my lowest when you left me. You just left me over some breakup! I thought we would be together our whole lives."

"Now who's overreacting? You know what..."

"Stop it! Just stop it! I know it's mine and Ravi's fault and we will work it out but stop it! Please!" Violet screamed, sobbing.

They looked at her and then looked at each other. They didn't realise the impact that fight would have not only on Violet but also on them and their friendship. 

Pip thought what Cara had just said. That's why she was distant at times, she thought that she left her because of the break up with Ravi. She couldn't tell her the truth, she had to protect her. But yet, she had to reassure her that it was not her fault.

"Pip" Violet said. "I know this is the worst time to say this, but I found out some actual evidence about your dad's case. And I have a feeling you'll find them as interesting as I did"