Penance

Penance

A Story by Aurafiex
"

Can some sins ever be atoned for?

"

“Hurry up, you miserable wretch!”


“Coming!”


Once, I had a carefree and happy life.


Not anymore.


Frantically, I filled the teapot to the brim with freshly brewed tea, placing it on the serving tray, right in the middle of a set of matching teacups.


“Faster, damn you!”


The voice from the hall was now much louder and angrier. Closing my eyes for a split second, each shrieking syllable and guttural breath seemed so visceral. It was almost as though she was right behind me, breathing down my neck.


Going as fast as my legs could carry me while taking great care not to spill or drop anything, I made my way from the kitchen to the living room. After all, I couldn’t risk displeasing her again. No, never... not anymore, at least.

Not after what I’ve done.


“Here you go, enjoy!” I exclaimed in the most enthusiastic tone I could muster while setting the tray on the table. As though in retaliation to my voice, she turned towards me, her bloodshot eyes eviscerating my presence like a pair of sharpened daggers.


“You’re so slow and worthless, Julia. Useless!”


I bit my tongue, pinning it firmly between my teeth as I closed my eyes. I felt myself bowing my head in shame, as though my body were subject to the whims of her words.

Was I ever good enough? Probably not, considering that a year had gone by without a mutual exchange of anything remotely pleasant between us.


“You know, I’d have done all this myself, but you... YOU ruined everything!” She jabbed a slender finger toward the lower half of her body, covered by a red woollen blanket, emphasising her point with little desire for subtlety.  Even so, I dared not look, for what lay beneath represented the full extent of my sins.


“I... I’m sorry. I’ll be faster next time, I swear!” I exclaimed while using the teapot to pour two cups of piping hot tea. As the cups filled up with the sizzling brown liquid, I could feel steam rising from the cups, forming little droplets of water as it caressed my face. We used to prepare tea together, Ayase and I. Great fun it was back then. Now, the mere mention of such memories would send her into a murderous frenzy where she would throw anything in range at me. Learning about this firsthand, I dared not talk to her unless spoken to.


“Shut up!”


“....”


Truth be told, it wasn’t always like this. Miss Ayase and I were once really close friends. We’d known each other since our days in kindergarten, and ever since then, we were inseparable. Looking back, I still remember all the gossip, games and happy times with a bittersweet longing. Good times indeed.


Then, as if the hand of fate resented our happiness, it all changed forever, one day after school. During a moment of playful carelessness, I sent her tumbling down the stairs. Even to this day, the sound of splintering bone and pain-wracked screams call out to me with a cruel clarity. Even while awake, I couldn’t help but feel those wretched sounds ring in my ears, as if they were an unfading omen set to haunt me for all eternity.


Come to think of it, when was the last time I’ve had any sleep? Days? Months? Years? Who knows.


Still, lost sleep was but a minor consequence, at least compared to Ayase’s fate. She was to spend the rest of her days on a wheelchair, a shattered image of the lively girl she once was. No longer able to cope with the rigours of everyday life, she had abandoned everything she ever loved, shutting herself off from the world. Now, all that remained was a brooding, vengeful and broken husk of my dearest friend.


Yet, as absurd as her temperament was, who was I to argue with her? I was the one who had damned her to this miserable existence. I knew this well in my heart, that I had destroyed her life with my foolishness. She on the other hand never failed to remind me.


Even so, I made sure to visit her in the hospital every day, to take care of her and keep her company. I was there when she heard the news from the doctors, and I was also there when she cried, trying in vain to comfort her. I still remember how she pushed me away, her hate filled eyes screaming at me to leave. Yet, even through my guilt, I felt a tinge of resentment gnaw at me. After all, was she not aware of my pain? That I’ve suffered much from this as well?


Fast forward one year, and here I was, serving her tea. In front of our parents and peers, she had made a big show of forgiving me. However, I was now little more than an unpaid servant to her every whim. No longer was she Ayase, but someone completely different.


Rather, she was now someone... unrecognisable. Truth be told, it was time to end the charade, once and for all.


She picked up a cup and sipped it slowly, eyeing me with a suspicious glare as one would to a thief. Returning her gaze for the first time in years, I picked up a cup and took a sip of the freshly brewed tea.


“And just what exactly do you think you’re doing? I did not give you any permission to drink this!” Ayase screamed. Her eyes were livid with fury at my transgression, as though I had committed a cardinal sin of the highest order.


You know, I was hoping that things wouldn’t need to end this way. From the bottom of my heart, I once took to my duties like a faithful servant, hoping to atone and serve my penance, that Ayase would someday forgive me.


However, perhaps inevitably, I came to the realisation that what I was doing could never heal the wounds of the past. It was simply impossible with the medicine available, at least if the doctors were to be believed. Being a slave did little in fixing the problem at its root cause.


However, there was one way to set things right. It wasn’t the perfect solution, but it was by far the best I could do to make amends.


“Ayase... things are going to get better from here on out. So, close your eyes.” I smiled, my eyes trying to blink away the tears rapidly forming in my eyes. Reaching out to her, I took her hands into mine, just like how we held hands so many years ago.


“W-what... are... you talking... about?” Ayase was now writhing in pain, her hands tightly clutching her stomach, as though a rack of knives were plunged into her. Watching her agony, I couldn’t help but smile, for the poison I had slipped into the teapot was now working its magic, as it would soon be on me.


“Close your eyes, Ayase.”


“Y...o...u...” she shrieked, each syllable dripping profusely with raw hatred. Even in her last moments, she still resented me, unable to understand what I had done to end her suffering.


“I’ll see you in hell, my dear friend.” I said sadly, a tear rolling down my eye as visions of what was to come filled my mind. Her hands were now frigid and pale, and her head was bowed as though deep in prayer. No longer did she scream, and no longer did she suffer. Now, our souls could fly free, and, God willing, we would be able to start anew.


With nothing left to do but await my fate, I knelt down and buried my face into her lap.  Even as my face caressed the woollen blanket, I could feel my blood freezing with every passing second, as the pain Ayase had experienced mere moments ago began to consume my body.

© 2016 Aurafiex


Author's Note

Aurafiex
Hi!

Do let me know what you think! If you've enjoyed this story, do check out my book on the Amazon Kindle Store, The Best of Aurafiex - A Short Story Collection.

Buy it now at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GX7EVLC

Have a nice day!

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Reviews

A very bitter sweet story up to the very end. I did have something to suggest, but luckily I went back and saw that I just read something wrong. So otherwise, I find nothing wrong with the story to be honest. It feels complete to me, and I can tell it was well constructed. Nice work :)

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 7 Years Ago


Aurafiex

7 Years Ago

Thank you!
Awesome ending! Very unexpected. Loved it! 👍

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 7 Years Ago


Aurafiex

7 Years Ago

Thank you!
I remember reading the original story and though it was not bad this is much better. You have put more depth into your story. Better description of the accident and more showing of the characters emotional pain. Your story is more alive and now is more realistic to why the story will end in a double suicide.
Well done.
Richie.

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 7 Years Ago


Ah man, I really love this story. It has a very interesting plot, one that I've never seen before. I like the advancement of the characters' situation, the guilt the narrator feels that eventually gives way to something much darker. All in all, just very well done.

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 7 Years Ago


Nice end! And the story is well... It interested right from the beginning, although a little more depth to the characters would do good. Keep up the good work!

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 8 Years Ago


Aurafiex

8 Years Ago

Thanks! Its one of my older works, when I began my hobby of writing random stuff. I'm looking to do .. read more
wow I was not expecting that ending. amazing twist would love to see you expand this.

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 8 Years Ago


I love the ending of this, totally unexpected. Not much characterization in the piece though. It is kind of two dimensional at present. It has the makings of a great story though!

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 8 Years Ago


Aurafiex, You basically have an outline for a good story. At present the content is thin and hurried. Explain scenario's with action, put more imagery in Ayase's fall down the steps. Get into Ayase's head, describe her pain, get into Julia's head describing her guilt and labored decision to commit double suicide. I am not being harsh, but sharing what I have learned from others reviewing my stories. Richie B.

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 8 Years Ago


Aurafiex

8 Years Ago

Thanks for the review. I'll see what I can do. I might rewrite this sometime, since this is one of m.. read more
richieb

8 Years Ago

I think you are a fine writer, learning to add depth to a story makes us both better writers. I will.. read more
The whole story works so well - a tale of friendship gone sour, envy, rivalry, revenge, and atonement with just enough background details and well-placed dialogue.

What a surprise ending - never anticipated that!

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 8 Years Ago


This is great! I really like the drama! You did well! Even if you don't need to add descriptions about the hospital room, I can still vividly imagine the place and how the two friends would face each other. You did well with the conversation. Very smooth. And the ending was just a big a surprise. Nice twist! :) Keep up the good work! You're awesome! :)

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 8 Years Ago



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642 Views
10 Reviews
Rating
Shelved in 1 Library
Added on November 26, 2015
Last Updated on July 8, 2016
Tags: Penance, Fate, Handicapped, Cripple, Forgiveness, Hatred, Murder, Suicide, Homicide, Poison, Poisoning, Tea

Author

Aurafiex
Aurafiex

Singapore



About
Hi! I enjoy World of Warcraft, music and swimming. I'm someone who writes for fun. Pardon any typos or mistakes, because I write on my phone(lol). I'm new here, so if you like what you see do.. more..

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