Burdens of the Heart :

The days following Tiaki’s departure were heavy with an unspoken grief. Freina, consumed by guilt, tried to throw herself into caring for Triaji and Tomie, but the atmosphere was somber. The absence of Tiaki was a constant, aching reminder of the family’s fractured state.

Triaji, despite her young age, felt the weight of the change. She missed Tiaki dearly and couldn't understand why her sister had left. Tomie, who had been a source of comfort and warmth, now seemed distant and troubled.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the yard, Triaji found Tomie sitting alone on the back porch. Tomie’s usually gentle face was etched with worry, her eyes fixed on the distance. Triaji approached her slowly, her small footsteps soft on the wooden planks.

“Tomie?” Triaji’s voice was tentative. “Are you okay?”

Tomie turned to look at her, a sad smile playing on her lips. She patted the space next to her, inviting Triaji to sit. The little girl climbed up and snuggled close to her sister, sensing that something was wrong.

After a long silence, Tomie spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. “You know, Triaji... I thought joining this family might be a good idea. But now... it only makes me annoyed. It feels like every time, I’m the problem. If I never joined this family, then Tiaki wouldn’t have left.”

Triaji looked up at her, confusion clouding her innocent eyes. “How? How are you the problem?”

Tomie sighed deeply, struggling to find the right words to explain her feelings. “It’s not something you’d understand easily, Triaji. But I’ll try to tell you my story. Maybe then you’ll see why I feel this way.”

She took a deep breath and began recounting her past. “Before I came here, I lived with my biological family. It was a very different life. My parents... they weren’t kind. They were abusive, and every day was a struggle to survive. I was always in fear, always trying to stay out of their way. They made me feel like everything that went wrong was my fault, that I was the problem.”

Tomie’s voice trembled as she continued. “I tried to be good, to make them happy, but nothing I did was ever enough. They hurt me, both physically and emotionally. I remember one night when my father... he was so angry. He said I was the reason for all their problems. He said that if I wasn’t around, their lives would be better.”

Triaji listened intently, her small hand slipping into Tomie’s, offering silent support.

“I ran away, just like Tiaki..some random men approached me but i ran away from them too.” Tomie continued, tears glistening in her eyes. “I couldn’t take it anymore. I ended up in a shelter, and that’s where Freina found me. She offered me a new home, a new family. I was so happy, Triaji. I thought I finally had a chance to be part of a loving family.”

She paused, her gaze distant. “But then I came here, and everything seemed fine at first. Freina was kind, you were so sweet, and I thought I could be happy. But then Tiaki... she seemed so sad and distant. I tried to reach out, to be her friend, but it felt like my presence only made things worse.”

Tomie’s grip on Triaji’s hand tightened. “I overheard Freina one night. She was crying, saying that if only I hadn’t come, Tiaki wouldn’t have felt so neglected. That my arrival made everything worse for her.”

Triaji’s eyes widened in shock. “But that’s not true, Tomie! You’re not the problem!”

Tomie shook her head sadly. “It’s hard to believe that, Triaji. Everywhere I go, I feel like I bring trouble. I wanted to help, to be part of this family, but instead, I feel like I’ve just caused more pain. If I hadn’t come, maybe Tiaki would still be here. Maybe Freina would have been able to see her and love her.”

Triaji hugged Tomie tightly, her small arms wrapping around her sister. “Tomie, you’re not the problem. You’ve been so kind and loving. Tiaki... she was sad before you came. It wasn’t your fault.”

Tomie returned the hug, tears streaming down her face. “Thank you, Triaji. I just wish things were different.”

They sat in silence for a while, drawing comfort from each other’s presence. The weight of their conversation lingered in the air, but so did the unspoken promise of support and understanding.

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