FORGIVENESS SOUGHT WRONGLY

When we pushed the door open, father sat on his favorite couch his eyes glued to us. Claire intertwined her fingers to mine as we slowly matched towards him, "he looks furious," she whispered into my ears. "Good evening Dad," I said pecking his hand "Hello Dad," Claire saluted cheerily but his silent gaze sent shivers down our spines "When were you planning to tell me the truth,"he asked in a scary tone. "What truth dad," I rejoined as mother appeared from the kitchen door. " Claire, is there something I need to know?" She squeezed her fingers to mine as her terrified eyes glared at me. "Clarissa your father asked you a question, or maybe Kate you have something to say" mother interjected perching beside him. I turned to look at my sister, her eyes were glistening with tears and her hands were perspiring heavily. "You know we better cut to the chase because it seems your daughters have nothing to say, so Claire when were you planning to tell us about your pregnancy, speak up," he walloped his hand on the table angrily. " Dad I am really sorry," she said her terror glaringly obvious "You're sorry, oh come on Claire, was everything we taught you a waste of time, and you," he turned to face me and my heart melted in fear " why did you hide your sister's condition to us or maybe you are also pregnant?" "No Dad, I am not," I said snappily. "Please Dad don't blame this on my sister, she is not at fault, I am really sorry, please don't be angry at me," she pleaded holding his hand " Get your hands off me" "Dad please I am not perfect, we all fall short but am still your princess" " my princess? No I don't think so, because my princess would not dear to disappoint me," he pushed her aside as he walked off, I stood there as a spectator not knowing what to say or do. I had never seen him so angry. "Ma, say something." "And what do you want me to say,Claire, congratulate you? what happened to my little girl? I'm verily disappointed, so disgruntled." "I am truly sorry" "Not now Clarissa"

She walked past me, Claire flumped on the sofa sobbing heavily and I could not hold back my tears. "Claire that's is enough, it is not good for you baby." "My baby?" She groaned, "this child is the cause of all this so I don't care about it," she darted off  into our room. I rapidly followed her hoping that I would assuage her. It crushed  my heart  seeing her bawl so heartily not even considering the little life that was growing in her. After a while, she got tired of it and she gradually zoned out. I closely glared at her as she soundly slept when King barged in. "Come on Kingsley how many times do I have to tell you to knock before you enter or should I stick a notice on the door?" "Oh, I didn't knock? I am sorry sis I forgot." "Don't be cheesy, I'm not in the mood" I turned to face Claire and he perched beside me. "And talking about mood, this house is so dull today, I entered and  found mummy doing dishes while Dad and Tana are in the study room, and what is wrong with your twin?" "And where were you?" "I had a match to catch," "You and soccer, but you can watch it from here?" "Oh dear, It is more fun to watch soccer with my pals, but what happened to Claire?" "Dad discovered the truth about her pregnancy." "What! my poor sister and who told him?" "That is still a mystery, you know King I have never seen Dad so angry, he talked to her so roughly, can you imagine he asked me if I am pregnant." "And are you?" I hefty thwacked his back, "you're so mean." "That hurts, I only wanted to put a smile on your face." "I am sorry you failed, It hurts to see her this way." "I Know, she is more of a Dad's girl than you and Tana are but she will get through this because we are going to be by her side all the way." "I don't know King, Claire can bear with anyone who is angry at her but not......." "But not dad or Mum," he interjected, "she will be okay stop worrying too much." "I hope so King" I snuggled my head on his shoulder. A few minutes later there was a slight knock on the door. "Yes?" "Kate can I come in" "Why not Tana, come in baby-girl" "Kings you are here I thought you left without saying goodbye" "No I can't do that to my beautiful baby sister," he said lifting her to his lap. "And what is my little sister doing in my room this late at night?" "I just came to see if you and Claire are okay, I think dad is angry." "When Claire wakes up tomorrow just give her a big big hug and she will be okay, "I said tickling her. "And can I sleep beside you tonight?" "Are you sure baby-girl because Kate Snores so hard just like frog croak, croak," King said and Tana broke into laughter. "You are such a romancer King." "It is fun being with you guys, I love you both and Claire so much." "And we love you more baby-girl." he said "So so much pretty Tana," I said pecking her cheek "Kings please tell us a bedtime story." "That's a good thought, Please big brother." I pleaded. "You two are so unfair, I don't know any story." "Problem solved," I responded handing him mine and Claire's favorite childhood book.

When I woke up that morning, Claire was not  anywhere in the room, Tana slept soundly  like an angle that she was while Kingsley had fallen asleep beside her his right leg hanging on the floor. I slowly stepped out of the room, still wondering where my sister was. As I walked down to the main room the aroma from the kitchen pervaded the entire room. "Buenos dias mi linda hermana?" ( good morning to my pretty sister) "Good morning to you too, what are you doing here?" "What else but making breakfast." "Okay, but are you fine." "Yeah, I guess." "I'm hungry can I have one of those pancakes." "No, I don't think so" "But why?" "I made this specifically for Dad, but you can have this cucumber and lemon smoothie." "Come on Claire the smell of cucumber makes me sick." "You are starting to make me wonder who among us is pregnant, is it me or you?" She asked smiling. "Okay you win, but where is Ma ?" "She is doing laundry," " So she allowed you to cook" "Yeah she did"

I sat there  staring at her and forcing myself to gulp down her favorite ' detox formula' "Kate, why are you staring at me that way," she placed down the flask on the table and joined  me "sis, you always say that every morning is a fresh start and we should always embrace it with all our heart, and that's what I'm exactly  doing, having good vibes," she said holding my hands. "You're right Claire, so what can I help with?" "That's the spirit, you can prepare fruit salad, but do you think dad will like all this." "I don't know but I hope because these pancakes are yummy," I said food stuffed in my mouth "Kate, I told you not to eat them." "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist," I answered grinning. "You bet."

A few minutes later Tana made her way into the kitchen. "Baby-girl, what's up, " Claire asked "Are you okay Claire? Kate told me if I give you a big hug you will feel better." "I now feel great thanks to my lovely Tana, for that, here is a sausage for you." "Why didn't you tell me about the sausages, you are so unfair, right Tana?" "I guess," She angelically smiled  dashing off.

We all had grown up with so much love for each other from my eldest brother Kingsley to our little amazing sister Tana. We all were closer to Dad but frankly; Claire was much closer to him. From the dining, table I gazed at King matching towards us holding his neck. "King what's up with your neck," I asked cheekily "My neck hurts big time and it's your fault," I looked at Tana and we busted into laughter "I am starving," he flopped on the chair.

When dad came out he sipped his coffee and stepped out without uttering a word, even after Claire wished him a nice day he kept silent. She put her food aside and went upstairs her eyes clouded with tears we all followed her and left mother dazed. "Claire, don't cry dad will come by soon," King said "It so painful King, to see him ignore me." "He will come by soon"I rejoined "And that's why I want to take us out,to have some fun and allow your mind to cool." "No Kingsley you guys can go am not in the mood." "Claire dad loves us so much, he must have been disappointed but if you don't wanna go then we better get comfortable coz we are staying here with you" "Dear let's do it for old times sake,"I insisted "Yes Claire just like old times," Tana said humorously Tana statement made her smile, "look who is talking about old," she pinched her cheeks playful "I'll  do it just like old times" "You're a genius baby-girl you made her smile, give me a high five," said Kingsley "I love you guys so much," "We love you more Claire," we said in unison.

My siblings were and still are my best friends, we laughed and cried together they are precious gifts that I verily adore. For a whole month, Dad didn't utter a word to Clarie, she cried so much any time he ignored her and despite mother persuasion, he still took a stand. I vividly recall  one day after our last Advanced Spanish class, I found Claire in our room putting her things away" "Claire, what's happening?" I asked in shock "Kate I am really tired of all this, I am tired of asking dad's forgiveness, I am fed up and that's why I'm leaving this house" "For how long have you been planning  this, you even didn't bother to tell me?" "Come on it's not what you think, I just saw you laughing so heartily with Dad and I felt as if I'm not needed in this place anyway I am such a disappointment." I moved closer and sat beside her, "And since when were you ever a disappointment, Claire daddy still loves you so much" "Please Kate don't stop me, I have to go, I ought to do this." "Okay, okay if that's your decision I am coming along" I stood up and matched to my closest. "No you are staying here, I don't wanna cause a rift between you and dad, please sis," she said tears soaking her eyes. "But I will really miss you so much my twin" "And I will miss you so so much Kate but don't worry sweetheart I will be 10 minutes drive away." "But promise me you will take good care of yourself." "I promise," she said embracing me.

As she slowly despaired from my sight,  sadness engulfed me, I turned to look at father who sat comfortably and Tana couldn't compose herself. I went back to the room and flumped on the bed, it felt so empty without her. Since childhood, we had never been apart she had always been my best friend, accomplice and my all-time cheerleader, I would never trade her for anything in this crazy world. Every single day that passed I prayed that she would change her mind and come back and though we met every day that was still not enough. I remember a week before King flew back to Canada, we were at the balcony planning a surprise visit to her and I received a call from Bella, Claire's friend, and roomie, her call busted my head I stood quickly and rushed into my room and king followed behind. "What's wrong Kate? And who called you," "It's Bella, Claire's roommate." "Is Claire, okay." "No King, she is in the hospital." "Let's go, she needs us," King said pulling my hand. We ran down the stairs not minding if we could slip and fall. "What is wrong with you two?" Mother asked "Ma please hand me your car keys." "Why King where are you going?" "Ma it's Claire, I'll tell you later" "King is Claire okay?" Tana inquired "Yes baby-girl." I replied

We collided with Dad at the doorway and his effort to talk to us was all in vain. When we arrived at the medical clinic, I left King parking the car and dashed into the reception area my heart pounding in my chest. "Madam, I am looking for a young lady, she has beautiful brown eyes, she looks just like me," I said panting, I even had forgotten we are identical. "Kate," a faint voice called me "Claire?" I ran and embraced  her "do you know how worried I was." "I am sorry Kate, I couldn't get rid of her because I am already in love with her." "And what were you thinking,what if something bad transpired how would I live without you." "I am sorry sis," "You better be," Kingsley said snappily from behind "King,"she ran into his arm "You Know your are so selfish, what if something happened to you, did you even take us into consideration?" "I am really sorry all I want is for Dad's  forgiveness, I'm sorry," she broke into tears. "It's okay my little sister, never forget that we love you so much and our lives would never be the same again without you, I love you so much Clarie," "And  I love you, even more, my twin," I said "So can we go now go home, daddy is waiting for you," "I am scared King" "Don't be, because, everything will be different this time, I promise." As we walked off the receptionist kept her gaze at us until we vanished off her sight. When we arrived home mother held Claire so tight "Never do that again," were the only words she could utter.

She was trembling when dad moved closer to her but when he wiped her tears with his palm all her fears sunk away. We all stood there as if we were watching an emotional film. "I am sorry I pushed you to the limit, it was not my intention I was really disappointed honey,  you see when I was a young boy I swore to my self that I would never allow my children or my grandchildren to be born off wedlock  because I would never want them to experience the things that I went through as a little boy, that's why when Dr. Frank told me about your pregnancy it broke my heart" "Dad I am sorry," "It is okay my princess and I am so proud that you didn't get an abortion because I would have been so mad at you." Thank you Dad, I promise you that my baby will grow up knowing her father," "But I must meet him first." "Sure dad." "Daddy if Clarie is you princess what about me and Kate?" Tana innocently asked. "You know  what Tana, I am so lucky that I have three princess" "So is King a prince?" "He is my only prince." "But how comes he is also a King?." " Because a prince eventually becomes a  king my angel," he said tickling her. "You guys are my life and I  want the best for you." We all squeezed ourselves beside him just like little children each fancying for attention.

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