After Henrietta's been mentally shattered and physically weak, the doctor board of the hospital decided to release her. They thought it would be better for her to be cured in the peaceful environment of home, not in the horrifying one of the hospital where children cry, sicks scream and death remained present.
Mom had paid the dues of hospitals. Henrietta was sitting in the wheel chair. That time what was considered as a sprain of ankle has resulted to be a fracture.
Mom pushed the wheel chair and they got out of the hospital. The weather was fine, sunlight from the East and cool breeze from South made it feel much better.
Mrs. Meredith got out the car off the parking lot. She took Henrietta on her lap. She was fifteen but light as cotton balls. Making her sit on the car and tying her seat belt, mom folded the wheel chair and kept at the luggage carrier.
"Henrietta, I have something very important to ask you.", mom said gearing the car.
"Yes, mom?", Henrietta was bit scared.
"The police said to doctor about McKenzie's statement. She stated that she has beaten you because you had beaten her first. What she did to you was to avenger herself. I want to hear about you in details."
"Mom, firstly, I'm not used to the bullying thing you know. McKenzie had been mocking at me though she fell on me, neither I fell on her. Then, I just shouted at her and I don't know why, I wanted to slap her. But that time, she pushed me. Another boy, who was Jason as far I can guess, threw me on the hard white board. Now tell me mom, what was my offence?"
"I know, absolutely nothing was done by you. But who is going to prove that? Only one thing has been left and that is, apologies to her."
Henrietta couldn't believe her ears. "What are you saying, mom? I didn't do anything!", tears were rolling down her cheeks.
"Dear, only you and me know that you didn't do this. But the rest of the people don't know it. Apologies never oppress a person, it heightens the dignity. Moreover, there is no evidence that you only slapped her. Think logically, she laughed at you and then? You slapped her! So, who is here starting the fight?"
"Mom, wait! We have evidences! Bruises on my face, fractured ankle all are direct proves to the incidence, right?"
"Exactly. As you have bruises on your face, she had same finger prints and marks on her face. She has been spreading the rumor that you did this to her."
"Mom, I can't believe! She doesn't have marks or bruises."
"How do you know?"
"Silvia told me that McKenzie was the most beautiful girl in the school. And a beautiful girl can never posses marks."
"But dear, she has. I visited your school yesterday when you were in medicare. I saw with my own eyes. Can you now deny it?"
Henrietta couldn't. Everything was going opposite to her. Her statement was absolutely contradictory to the truth. Even, that nonsense terrible girl had prepared evidences on her favor too.
So, there was no stone unturned. Only way to survive and not to be trapped in a case for violence in school campus as well as violation of rules was to dismiss this problem here and bury it with time by saying a little sorry to McKenzie.
***1 month later:
Henrietta took a deep breath and got in the school campus. She had to face the most hilarious challenge of her life. By this time, she was that much amazed by the cruelty of the world that she thanked to be born blind. Because, if she could see, she had been to face many more.
She entered the class room and as the normal days, all the students shut down. They were looking at her. They were surely trying to figure out what to do with this stupid girl or preparing themselves for another drama show.
McKenzie was at her seat. She was talking to someone, Henrietta guessed by her voice. She went to her.
"McKenzie, I am extremely sorry for that incident. I know you both did make mistake and..."
"What the heck you mean? I didn't make any mistake! Neither I need apologies from you, moron!
Henrietta was shocked by such reaction and behavior from McKenzie. She was mean, but not that much was visible before as it was today.
"But, I just wanted to solve the clash between both of us. We are in the same class. So, we must be compassionate to each other."
"Oh! Please. Talking about compassion doesn't suit you at all. Were you compassionate to me that day? Look what you did to me! Scars and bruises, oh no! But, sorry. How'd you look? You don't have eyes, I almost forgot."
"McKenzie, you're deviating from the topic. Listen, you said you've got bruises and marks, my mom said that as well. But, you know it very well that these things were not done by me. I couldn't harm you a single bit. I admit, though I wanted to."
That's the thing. You wanted to harm me, huh? This is all an evidence requires to be. Who cares that you couldn't beat me at last? Do they know? No, they don't. By the way, I'm not interested in dragging the conversation more. So, get lost."
Henrietta was absolutely shocked again. She thought that it would stop here. Henrietta tended to befriend McKenzie. At least , friendship starts where fight ends. But, no consequences.
Embarrassed, ashamed, insulted and mocked, Henrietta returned to her seat. She laid her head on the desk, she didn't want her tears to show to anyone.
Few minutes passed by. The bell rang for the morning assembly. It was Monday, when weekly assemble is held. Henrietta stood up. All were going towards the auditorium. But, Henrietta didn't have any idea about that place. Where to go and how to go, she wondered.
Just at the climax of her tension, Silvia entered the classroom. She was late. Exhaling and inhaling deeply, the first thing she said was, "Sorry, Henrietta. I'm late. They have gone for the assembly but didn't call you. Let's go."
Again tears came to her eyes by such affection and care from Silvia.
"Thank you so much,Silvia. I thought that I wouldn't be able to attend the morning assembly."
Silivia smiled. Then holding Henrietta's hand, she walked towards the door. Not the classroom door, but the door of friendship and bondings, avenge from dangers and revenge from vague enmity and envy.