It's as if I'm caught in a dream, chasing after my sister Alana, yet I can't seem to find her, or when I do, she vanishes before my eyes. There's something different about her; joy has left her eyes, her dress is torn, and bruises mar her body; her voice is all I hear.
"Ali, it wasn't me."
I yearn to respond, but images of us laughing and playing as we always did, and then visions of myself on the road losing control of the car, are what I last heard before waking in a room, unsure of where I am, blinded by the light. Then I see my mother, tears of joy streaming down her face.
Violetta: My child, you've awakened. I thought... I thought I'd lose you, too.
Ali: Mom, I'm thirsty. Confused.
Violetta: (wiping my tears away, she passes a glass of water with a straw) You've been in a coma for three months... You can't imagine the pain of losing my daughter so suddenly, inexplicably, and then to be told your other daughter is in intensive care... I felt like I was dying.
Ali: Mom... Mom, please tell me it's a lie that my sister is just waiting outside.
Violetta: Feeling a lump in my throat, my heart aches.
"I wish more than anything to tell you that," crushed.
Ali: Mom, she wouldn't do it. I'm certain of it. The world is collapsing around me. A sharp dagger pierces my chest, causing pain, burning, and agony. I try to strip everything away, only repeating, "She didn't do it, she didn't do it." I start to rip everything off in desperation; I want to escape; I feel like I can’t breathe—
Violetta: Please, someone help me! A doctor! — screaming, holding onto my daughter.
Then the doctor comes in to administer a sedative.
I watch her go still. I can see she's shattered. Ever since their birth, they were one. What’s odd is that it's been three months since the accident. The doctors said there were no injuries or fractures, yet her body doesn't respond, as if she's lost in deep slumber. I sense my girl felt her sister's death; they've always had this eerie bond since they were little that somewhat frightened me.
I see William enter the room.
William: I came as soon as I heard. How is she? Concerned.
Violetta: (Drying my tears) She had a crisis. The doctor had to sedate her. Watching my daughter, now asleep in the bed.
"Thank you for not leaving her side during this time, and for being there for her."
William: Don't thank me. You know I love her. My studies in England are all set, and I want her to come with me. It might help her to get away and ease the pain a little. I've talked to my parents, and they said they would support her doing a postgraduate degree in criminology.
Violetta: Thank you. It's what’s best for her. It will do her good. Holding his hand, I'm glad he's my daughter’s boyfriend. You're a good man.
(Hours later)
Ali: I wake up and see him asleep in the room's chair.
I try to stand up, but my body feels heavy, and I nearly fall, but Will catches me and helps me walk to the bathroom and back.
"Hello," I say.
William: Hey, you don't know how happy I am to see those green eyes again. I almost lost my mind when I heard...
He wraps his arms around me for a kiss, and I cling to him.
Just then, a nurse comes in with food; I watch her devour everything.
"The doctor said they're going to run some tests, and if all is well, you can go home."
Ali: Can I ask you a favor?
Can you get my sister's autopsy report?
William: Alright, I'll get it if it brings you peace.
Ali: What have you been told? What did mom tell you?
William: I sit on the bed, taking her hand.
"Please rest. We'll have time for that later."
Ali: I want to know everything. I know she didn't do it. I'll do everything in my power to prove it.
William: I know what your sister decided is hard to come to terms with; even your mother doesn't understand. Your father took care of everything.
All we know is they found her body in the garden, hanged with a rope around her neck.
Ali: I know she didn't do it. Was there a note, anything to say why?
William: I haven't heard anything like that, love. I stayed with you, and your mother traveled back to town for the funeral.
Ali: Funeral? Confused.
"I didn't get to say goodbye or see her one last time," as tears dampen my cheeks, I feel his embrace.
William: That was three months ago.
Ali: Shocked.
"So I've been here in the hospital for three months..."
William: Love, I want to ask you something.
Ali: Yes, tell me.
William: Do you want to go to England with me? It would be good for you, a change. My parents offered to help you specialize.
Ali: Love, you know I love you. But I can’t. Looking into his eyes.
William: Love, think about it. It's good for our future.
Ali: I know. But I have nothing to think about. Now more than ever, I know what I want, and I won't have peace, and I won't forgive myself if I don't do this.
I'll return to town and investigate what happened to my sister.
If you want to help me, ask your father to get me a position as a forensic pathologist back home.
I know your father has influence.
William: Alright, I'll talk to my father, and I’ll take a sabbatical to help you.
Ali: Don't do that for me. Go to England, study, fulfill your dreams. I don't want you to stall your life for me. If you come with me, you'll be making a big mistake.
That's why I want us to break up.
I want to cry but swallow my tears. It's what's best for him.
William: How can you ask that we end things? Don’t you love me?
Ali: It's because I do love you that I'm asking you to end things, to go and study, achieve your dreams.
I have issues to resolve and will not rest until I find the truth.
William: Are you sure about this? Because once I walk out that door, everything between us will be over.
Ali: Yes.
William: Please, Ali, reconsider.
I just lie down, turn my back.
So he will leave, though it hurts. It's the right thing to do...
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