The Encounter

Joan saw Sheila and Joseph entering the room. Her face turned red...

Joan's POV

What the hell these are here. What else, they want to make fun.

"How are you Joan." Shiela asked.

"I am fine. What makes you visit me? Want to rejoice on seeing your enemy in her bad stage.". I hate her now.

I hate her because she supports Lea and Hanna. It was she who helped me fix the engagement with Micheal and Lea spoiled it by taking my Michael away from me. Still she supports her.

"I have never considered you as my enemy dear. I always considered you as my daughter in law. Still you took revenge on my son. I know that. I am ready to leave the past and live for the present and aim at a good future. That is why I am here. After all you are my friend's daughter"

What .. this lady doesn't know that her sweet words are not going to work on me...?

Her lips cornered with disgust.

At this time, outside her room, Charlie was warning Fred to be careful and asked Lea to keep distance from Joan.

Hanna asked if she could play in the children play area and Fred left her there. He also gave her his phone so that she can use in emergency. Its a habit now for him to make sure her safety. He has gifted his daughter with a new simple chain with a beautiful locket. Only he knows it has a working GPS system.

They entered the room. Then only Joan noticed that they had more guests.

Joan took a seat along with Joseph on the side bed for patient's attender and Lea sat beside them. She was a bit nervous. Charlie sat on Joan's bed. He was afraid and want to stop Joan geeting violent.

"Joan, look at them, who all are here to see you." Charlie told her.

"They are here to mock me, aren't they. They are here to enjoy seeing me this way."

Her reply made everybody hopeless except Lea.

" Never Joan. Something happened in the past.. a few lies that was spread among us... that led to where we are and what we are now. I know how much you suffered. Just like you me and Fred also were suffering. Things were not much less 1for Micheal and Charlie. It took a long way for us to realise all these. I don't know if you were aware of these secrets before but am aware of all these only in the last two days. I never snatched Micheal from you. Who I know was Fred and he introduced to me himself as Michael. Even the person I loved was replaced. Without knowing anything, I lived with him a few years thinking that I am with the one I loved. I was betrayed too.. both by Fred and Michael... Even Fred was betrayed by his brother... and Micheal had same from Charlie.". Lea spoke calmly.

"How easily explained... I never betrayed any. I loved him sincerely. He hate me because of something I have never thought of...". She cried.

Lea slowly stood up and went to the other side of her bed.

"You had your revenge Joan. Now its time to stop. Have you thought what if I started to take revenge on Charlie, Michael and Fred. Hatred brings sadness only. Will make our mind more and more rotten. Let's forgive all about this and move forward happily. We know how nice it would be to be in a happy family. I want you and Charlie have the same. Afterall he loves you and wish to apologise to you by giving you a happy life. ". Her words really changed Joan's mind?. Even Joan was fed up. May be counselling had some effect on her and also she needs sedatives to sleep and really wish to get rid of them. She tried to sit straight.

"Lea even I wish to have a peaceful life now. Earlier revenge was important. I want to get rid of all the sleep medications. But let me tell you, I could never live happily. I could never get pregnant. I could never have a kid. Also do you think Hanna will forgive me if she ever realised what I have done to her father? What I have done to her mother? She will also take revenge on me. This will. continue. I don't want to lose the game".

She was crying bitterly. All could realise that she was not crying just for what she said but for everything happened to her and happened because of her. Nobody saw two small eyes were peeping through the door side watching all these. She felt it is necessary to get in.

"Aunt Joan, may I come in".

Joan wondered whose sound it could be??? It was little Hanna.

"I already know what you have done to my parents. " She walked towards Joan.

Joan's eyes turned red with fear and anger and tears again rolled down. Lea lost her self and forgetting her safety, she held Joan closely to her chest consoling. Hanna went to the toilet and washed her hands and face. She was out playing.

She came out of the toilet and dried her face and hands with a towel.

She saw Joan crying. She went to her and caught her hand and kissed on it.

"Aunt Joan I know everything. I won't take revenge on you if you could love your Michael's daughter like your friend. I know you are good and you were cheated. I want you and Uncle Charlie as my aunt and uncle just like uncle Joy Aunt Jesse and Big B. I need this big family. Promise me that you will be... "

Joan looked into her eyes. ' I have never met such a good kid. I never looked into her eyes. How I hurt her parents... Oh god she is still able to forgive me.'.. Tears..... They were raining, i would say, the true tears of repentance.

Sheila stood up from the bed and went to Joan. She cupped her hands to her face and said,"She forgives you and all here have to forgive all.. You need to forgive Micheal and Charlie too.. "

"Joy and family is on their way, I will catch them by the gate." Fred went outside... He set out a deep sigh .. The sigh of relief.