Guilty as charged(betrayal )
“Okay, fine, I admit it. I finally admit that I am guilty as charged.
I am really sorry. I didn't mean to use your toothbrush, but mine was very hard, and I didn't want to use a towel. Please forgive and forget; it won't happen ever again,” Angela apologized, her tone shifting to a more childish pitch as she held my hands, tugging at them gently as if seeking forgiveness through her touch.
“Wait, what! Do you mean that you used my toothbrush without my permission?” I asked, my eyes widening in disbelief as the revelation sank in. Angela, in turn, looked surprised for a brief moment before raising her eyebrows curiously.
“Hmmm, isn't that why you are mad at me?” Her words sounded so innocent that, for a moment, I questioned my decision to wake her up with such anger.
I shook my head, mustering the strength to confront the betrayal head-on. Taking a deep breath, I turned to face my fear squarely.
“I trusted you, Angela, but you decided to stab me in the back,” I murmured softly, my voice filled with pain, and Angela's expression shifted from surprise to confusion.
“What do you mean, sister? What back are you talking about?” she asked, her voice tense and rushed, a hint of anxiety evident in her eyes.
“Why did you send our address to Mother?….. In fact, I mean, did you send our address to her?” I questioned, my voice steady but carrying the weight of betrayal. Angela's mouth dropped open in disbelief.
"Have you been reading my messages?" she asked, her eyes widening in shock.
I hissed in frustration, a mixture of disappointment and irritation coursing through me.
"Angela, this is not the time for interviewing. Just answer the question." I deadpanned. I know that I sounded mean, but I didn't care either way.
Her eyes blinked with guilt, realizing that trying to shift the conversation wouldn't work.
"I... I didn't think you'd find out," she stammered, her voice filled with surprise.
“Just answer the damn question, girl! Is it a yes or no,” I curtly replied.
Angela was taken aback by the harshness in my tone, and she nodded her head sadly.
“Yes, you are right. I told our mother our hotel address. Is there a problem?” she asked, sounding as if she hadn't fully understood/realized the gravity of her mistake.
I raised my brows and blinked my eyes in disbelief.
"Wow! You didn't think I'd find out?" I retorted, my frustration escalating.
"This is serious, Angela. We're hiding for a reason, and you jeopardized our safety. Why would you do such a thing?
Don't you realize what you have just done? We both agreed that we wouldn't tell either Mother or Father our hotel address until we've got a better plan and yet you decided to tell her behind my back?" I asked, my voice covered in disbelief.
"Like I said earlier, I had to. Mother kept crying on the phone. It's been three days since we last saw mummy, and if you don't miss her, I do. I miss my mother dearly. I am not like you. You can leave the house for a month, and then come back without missing anyone. But, I can't do that. I will surely miss mummy and daddy. Yes, you call him evil and mean, but he is still my father, and I love him!
And, you are always causing problems for me!" Angela replied angrily, and my eyes dropped as her painful words pierced into my heart like a sharp spear.
"I can't believe you just said that," I whispered, my voice choking with a mixture of hurt and disappointment. Angela's eyes widened in realization, and she quickly covered her mouth with her palm, as if trying to retract the words that had slipped out.
"Sister, I didn't mean to say that I… ... I was just angry, and I didn't think before I spoke," Angela stammered, her eyes pleading for understanding.
I took a deep breath, attempting to compose myself, but the pain lingered. "Angela, words have consequences. You can't just say things like that and expect them to disappear. Our relationship is strained enough without adding more weight to it."
Her expression shifted from regret to desperation. "Anita, please, I didn't mean to hurt you."
My gaze remained fixed on the floor, and a heavy sigh escaped me. "You are our parents' golden apple, Angela," I repeated, my voice calmed but carrying the weight of resignation. "You shouldn't be here. You should be with your papa and mama."
Angela's eyes widened in disbelief, and she took a step back as if the words had physically pushed her. "Anita, what are you saying? We're family. We stick together no matter what."
I shook my head, a painful knot tightening in my chest. "We're not the same, Angela. You're not the type to run away or hate our parents. It's time for you to go back to them."
Her expression shifted from disbelief to a mixture of hurt and confusion. "But, Anita, we've always faced everything together. Why are you pushing me away?"
"Because I can't risk your safety anymore. I've caused enough chaos in your life," I replied, my voice tinged with regret. "It's time for you to have a normal life, away from all this madness."
Tears welled up in Angela's eyes, and she pleaded, "Anita, please don't do this. We can find a way to fix everything together."
I met her gaze briefly, and my heart ached at the sincerity in her eyes. "I've made up my mind, Angela. Go and be with your parents. I promise this is for the best."
She stood there, trying to understand the reality of my decision. "I don't want to leave you alone," she whispered, her voice filled with sadness.
"I won't be alone. I have to face the consequences of my choices," I replied, my voice breaking slightly. "Just go, Angela. Live the life you deserve."