Chapter 10

"Georgia! Georgia!! Snap out of it." Anna's voice jolted Georgia back from her reverie. "What is wrong with you? I thought we had both agreed to let your past stay in your past." "What do you mean?" Georgia asked, trying to feign ignorance. "You know just what I mean. You've been like this ever since you saw that rape victim, and you assured me before we left that you are way beyond that. Do you want me to hire a therapist for you?" she asked, her tone laced with worry and concern. Georgia reached out and held Anna's head like a small doll, "Don't you dare bother your precious head about that. You've got more important things to do, remember?" "C'mon, don't be like that. You are also important to me. You're one of the best things to ever happen to me." "UUm," Georgia grunted out and tried an evasive maneuver to lighten the mood, "If there was a burning fire and you had to choose between me or the triplets, who would you go for?" She blinked at me, trying to know where the tricky question was being generated from. "I've known you much longer before I knew the triplets, and they 'first come is first served', but then… there's nothing really to argue about," she looked up and adjusted her big–rimmed nerdy glasses, "I will choose the triplets a million times over. You would survive the fire with minor burns here and there. But they are too small for enhanced homeostatic response; hence, I'll choose them." "I saw what you did there. You were still thoughtful enough to soften the fall, so as not to make me feel so bad," Georgia teased, peering curiously at a covered material pushed away on strollers. "You can satiate your curiosity by joining the medical line. Every available hand needed." "I'll consider that offer when I see you serving beverages at 1100 kilometers per hour at forty thousand feet up in the air." "Not in your wildest, drunken dreams." They both burst out in laughter, and the attendant at the table gave them a questioning look, making them realize they were overstaying their welcome. "Guess we should go now," Anna whispered to Georgia. She took the cue and stood up, taking a long look at Anna's sister inside the ward. Anna inquired from the staff and discovered that her father had not come to see his daughter for over a week, but instead, had assigned over fifteen guards to watch everything cominggoing and going out of the hospital. Georgia saw the professionalism in the face; if a mosquito flew carelessly here, it was surely going to be in big trouble. A couple of guys walked the length of the corridor, their professionally trained Sharp eyes scanning every passing individual, their flickering eye color indicating how they were quickly shifting to thermal mode and back to the normal sight mode. Their suits hung tall and proud on their square shoulders, their hands constantly on the trigger of the electric guns, ready to be discharged at anyone who didn't know their place. She shuddered at how Terrified, she felt knowing this kind guy could swat her like a soulless fly if she misbehaved, and how comforted she felt that these guys were around to protect her and the people around. Her friend patted her back, and they headed out to the lobby, seeing Dave sitting in the center of the triplets, all of them licking ice creams in cones, different colors indicating that they had gotten different flavors. Even though they had metmet inventy-twoy two hours ago, Georgia felt the triplets were safe around Dave, nd this made her more than happy that her kids were finding favor and happiness in every new place they went. Noticing their presence, Dave winked in their direction, careful not to let the triplets take no, but they were too smart for that. Rushinenvelopelope their mum and big aunt in a big hug, the kids created an emotional scene at the hosp, I was amazed and apprised of their mum for raising such wonderful kids. "I wish my kids could be like this," one male passerby who looked to be in his early 20s commented. "You are raising them to be gentlemen and sweet ladies, I like that," another responded, taking a keen liking to Kelvin. "Thank you," Georgia responded, bowing her head as a form of respect. They were done at the hospital, and they headed home, calling Ri, instructing her to make them some lunch. Day after day had passed, and General Hades had not shown up at home. However, he had called when Georgia and Anna had gone on their usual morning hike. The kids had spared no time in adjusting to this new place, and they had loved it just as they had loved their home. Riya was now burdened with taking care o,f them, and she assumed her responsibility with full joy, even teasing Georgia one day that she wouldn't go back with the triplets. Anna was now visiting the hospital eve, every day, and her sister was getting better, while Georgia was already drafting and revisiting plans for an organization that aims to battle rape cases and help victims out of the psychological pressure that comes next. She had thought about visiting her family over and over, but had always discarded the thought, knowing fully well that there was nothing to go back to there; she would still be regarded as the unworthy member of the house, slaving off for her very own sister. The thoughts of what she had suffered in the hands of so-called parents came flooding back to her, nd she knew that even if she had nothing to suffer her triplets, they were not going to live in a toxic An environment that would shape the way they think of the world in a significantly different way. She remembered the particular events of one day, the flashing images coming to the back of her brain with vivid display. She bit back the bile that was rising at the back of her throat as she once again delved into memory lane. They had been in high school, two teenage girls trying to get through it. One wanted to make waves and be known, probably be the Prom Queen, while the other just wanted to graduate from the school in peace. Serefina Brooke was ready to do anything just to get what she wanted, and it didn't matter if her sister was going to get caught in the crossfire that ensued. One such situation was when they were nearing Their end-of-year events in the second year of school also fell in place with the Summer Beats concert, a popular jazz concert that was done twice a year on pre-calculated days. Serefina had made sure not to miss any of the concert night while Georgia had stayed at home, covering and making proper revisions on the topics she was supposed to revise. Now the concerts were over And exams were the next day, and Serefina still wasn't reading. Knowing that she had a trick up her sleeve, she always did. Albeit evil and deceitful, her plan was fulfilled. Serefina trusted so much in the falling through of her plans that she had been strategizing so hard with her gang since the beginning of the semester. The next day was exam day, and some hours before the exam, students were seen sitting in different positions and locations around the school compound, discussing and reviewing what they had read.d while Serefina was nowhere to be found. Known for her keen interest in reading, the principal librarian of the school had taken a special liking to Georgia and had promised to help her revise before the exam, so Georgia walked to the library full of glee and happiness. The revision started, and the man did his part, questioning her on different parts of what she had read, which she answered without breaking a sweat, and went back to the ones she had skipped. After rigorous reading and revisions, the bell for the examinationsstartedd and they all headed to their classes. Serefina and Georgia were in the same groupings but different classes, and the next exam was a general subject, making them pack all the students in the school hall, strategically arranging the chairs and tables to allow for better supervision. As they were seated, panic arose from the teachers, and the noise extended to the hallSomeone had stolen a question paper from the principal's office. It was a very big offense to commit examination malpractice in their school, and it was another big offence on its own to steal, not to mention tampering with the principal's office. The school security guards rushed into the school hall and ordered everyone to stay in their seats. They were about to search everyone.