GUILTY AS ONE ANOTHER
"Hey don't carry that let me help you with it. It's too hot you might get yourself burned just bring the plates on the table and call mum and dad to have dinner." Calmon said to valina. "As you say" she replied as she went towards the dinning room her parents were already on their seats.
Calmon came a short while after carrying the hot pot soup which was their mother's favorite and the sweet aroma was all over the place. "Mmmmnnhhh I always knew my baby loves me the most I really missed this, thanks very much okay let's dig in before it gets cold hurry and take your seats." Mrs lina said to her daughter affectionately.
"Hey stop spoiling her too much, she needs to learn how to be behave like a proper lady and obey the rules. Her status doesn't allow her anywhere near the kitchen and she better gets used to that the earlier the better". Mr Scott said with a face void of any emotions.
School "This is the last time you enter the kitchen understood." He said filling his plate with different delicacies. "Yes sir" valina answered in a low voice. He only noded and continued eating. The dinning room was silent only the clattering of spoons and plates could be heard.
"Ooh baby which school are you planning to join I remember you wanted to join a boarding school. I'll ask my assistant to help you choose the best school what do you think?" Valina smiled and said " mommy what about I go with you tomorrow to your work than I would choose." Her voice was full of enthusiasm.
"No need she will continue to have her private classes in the mansion." Came the short reply from the man seated at the head of the table.
"But you promised I can join a normal school If I got a perfect score." Valina said with a gloomy voice. "So now you have the guts to talk back." Scott asked her, she only lowered her head down and didn't talk anymore. "You don't have to be harsh towards her she is still our daughter, how many times do I have to tell you that she's our daughter and not some business proposal or negotiation. She still wants to experience a life outside all this rules. We promised to set aside everything today and focus on the well-being of our family, why can't you just act as a father just for today." Lina glared at her husband.
"Wow what right do you have to accuse me of not being responsible of the family Mrs Davis. You abandoned your family to chase after your dreams and career, what exactly do you lack here I gave you status, money, jewelry and everything a lady could desire what more did you expect tell me what I lack. We barely see each other as a family thought the year I never imagined you would turn out like this." Scott said with a look of disappointment written all over his face.
Lina had a cold laugh "Tell me is it so hard for you to see me achieve everything I have today . It has always been my career that you complain about why can't you just allow me to spread my wings at peace or even support me for once. I'm so tired of going through the same argument over and over again. Am not the naive girl you once knew and am not going to let you control my life either, It's not fair."
Valina stood up from the table and left towards her room," where do you think you are going Young lady mind your manners and sit down." Said Scott. "I'm sorry but I've lost my appetite I'll eat later enjoy your meal , please excuse me."she said as she climbed up the stairs to her room.
" You know what's not fair at all , it's the environment she has to grow up in. She barely see you guys throughout the year but the day you promised her a happy family yourselfs never ends well. She accepted all this as part of her and not once has she ever rebutted or thrown a tuntrum. She bears with it all in silence as she tries to understand you, why can't you understand her. She's only thirteen and has to deal with so much why can't you try to place yourself in her shoes. She woke up very early to prepare this meal but never got to eat it in peace. I wish you knew how happy she was and she looked forward to this day over the past months. I would rather that you never came if you are going to make her go through the same routine of disappointment over and over again. It seems you don't care but I feel sorry for her you are lucky she still gives you a chance but one day she'll grow tired I hope it won't be too late for you. You guys are as much as guilty as one another you really belong with one another. If it wasn't for her I would never have come to see your drama. "
Calmon who was always silent this time lectured them his voice was neither low nor high, but you could feel the emotions and sincerity it carried he never blinked or lost eye contact while speaking to them.
He took his last spoonful of soup and told them," you should finish your meal don't take her effort for granted. It's really sweet you should appreciate," he stood up and left for the kitchen with a sarcastic smiled lingering on his handsome face.
Mr and Mrs Davis were stunned they could only watch his back disappear from their eye sight, they couldn't bring themselves to utter even a word. Their guilty conscience was eating them up.
Valina was seated at the top of the staircase actually that was the first time, she heard her brother confront their parents so boldly. The best part was it was all for her at least there was someone who truly cared about her. She felt warm inside her heart, she stood up and went inside her bedroom.
She climbed her bed an hugged her big blue teddy bear.
Calmon went to the fridge and took out a strawberry ice cream, he took a scooping spoon and went to her little sister's room. He stood at the door and stared at the girl who had folded her small body at the corner of the bed.
"Can I come in" he asked. " Well you are already in would you leave if I asked you to?" She asked.
"Ouchhh!! It hurts why are so mean towards me." He exclaimed pressing his hands on his chest. Valina only scoffed at his actions.
"Here I brought you some ice cream so that your heart would melt and love this poor brother of yours more." He said as he handed her the ice cream.