A Friend Indeed

Athena 

After my father disowned me, I was shattered and lost. How would I make it out there without his protection? However,  Donna did not leave me to wallow in sadness. She stood by me until I was ready to move on.

My mother thought it was the right time to disclose the fact that I was not her child. Adding insult to injury. Her voice was laced with scorn, mockery, and disgust.

"I should have never nursed you back to health eighteen years ago when your weak slut of a mother died. I should have let you join her in the netherworld you disgusting wench! Just like your mother, you have such disgusting wanton behavior. Ptu!"

She spat at me not bothering to conceal her repulsion. She went on to scream about how my mother trapped my dead with her beauty and snatched him from her. It turns out my mother got pregnant with me whilst my dad was already in a relationship with Violet. 

It hurt me so badly to know that my mother, though she got married, was considered to be the other woman. Donna could not stand still and watch me being humiliated. She just had to lash back at mom Violet. She has a fiery temper and she does not take nonsense. 

"To those who don't know, they would assume that Athena's mother was the home wrecker but to us who know, we are well aware of who the real home wrecker is. I certainly would not be surprised if one day it is proved that you had a hand in Aunty Luna's death. Be careful of the nonsense you spout. Why add insult to injury? Don't you think the damage you and your illegitimate children caused is enough already? Leave Athena alone!"

After her ruthless outburst, Donna dragged me with her and instructed her bodyguards to carry my stuff to the car. We drove towards the outskirts of the city to a lake house. This was her eighteenth birthday present from her grandfather. Donna had turned eighteen, five months prior. 

When we were there, she vowed to help me get through this. Without waiting for my consent, she started looking for accommodation in other countries. She wanted me to start over, far away from my family. I objected because I only had a few thousand dollars in cash since my father froze all my accounts. 

"You will not stop me, Athena Milano. Allow me to do this for you. That reminds me, aren't you so good at painting and drawing? How about we look for a country where your talent will be recognized and appreciated? What do you say?"

When Donna mentioned art, my ears perked and my eyes sparkled. Violet had manipulated my dad to force me to quit art. I had no choice but to join the corporate world. So when Donna mentioned my long-lost passion, my interest was triggered. 

"I guess I could do that. I will go, but I will pay you back, dear. No objections !"

" Done. You will only pay me back once you have established yourself. So now, will you allow me to do this for you?"

I nodded and she seemed to be the happiest girl alive. In the days that followed, she bought me all that I would need to use for drawing and painting. According to her, I was supposed to rekindle the passion before I left Sunshine  State. She dared say, I should have been rusty by then.

So I decided to do a painting of the lake house as well as her portrait. Donna's father did not object to her staying with me at the lake house. Those were the happiest days of my life.  However,  all good things seemed not to last for me. 

It had been three weeks since everything had happened. I was slowly coming to terms with my misfortune. That particular afternoon, we decided to go and skinny dip in the lake since it was a hot day. Donna had sent the bodyguards to the city to get us some supplies. So we were just the two of us. 

After we had enough fun, we were both hungry and decided to go make a quick lunch. We both agreed that noodles with eggs would be ideal. However,  the moment  I took a bite, my stomach lurched and I rushed to the toilet. 

I vomited until I felt as if I would die if I did not stop. Since my hair was not tied, it kept falling to my face. So I had to hold it with my hand but I was getting too weak and dizzy. Donna rushed in and clasped my hair to stop it from falling into the toilet. 

It is then that I had her let out a shocked gasp before exclaiming something that struck me as odd. 

"Athena! When did you get such a beautiful tattoo? Girl, you have become more daring."

"What tattoo? I never had a tattoo and you know it. Help me up so I can clean up. I don't feel well."

My response was weak but Donna heard me and she helped me up. After she flashed the toilet, she helped me towards the basin so I could brush my teeth. As there is a mirror above the wash basin, Donna decided to show me what she was talking about.

"Since you think I am spouting nonsense, then explain to me that taboo on the crook of your neck."

She propelled me forward whilst removing my hair from getting in the way. Then I saw it. A beautiful tattoo of a pitch-black wolf howling at a full moon. 

It was my turn to gasp. However,  the only difference between my gasp and Donna's was that she was awed whereas I was horrified. 

I knew that the guy I was with had bitten me on this exact spot. How did a bite mark turn into a tattoo? I could not fathom the mystery of it all. Then I recalled his words and I shuddered. I decided not to tell donna the whole truth. I just lied to her saying that I admired the wolf. 

"Oh, this. I got it after you went to visit your aunt. After all that has happened to me, I need inspiration and you know I have always been intrigued by animals. Forget it. Please take me to the hospital before I faint."

Just like that, Donna forgot all about the taboo on my neck. After taking me to the hospital, she had another thing to worry about. The doctor who attended to me told us that I was pregnant. I do not know what to say or do. I was already four weeks along. 

Donna vehemently told me not to even contemplate undergoing an abortion. She explicitly stated that I must carry the baby to term and if I still could not love it after delivery, then she would be more than happy to adopt him or her. 

"If you, by some miracle decide to keep the baby, then I will be his or her godmother."

Donna was overjoyed and I was having trouble understanding how she could be so enthusiastic about the prospect of me having a baby. How she was so optimistic, still baffles me. 

As Donna was busy doing her silly dance, the doctor drooped yet another bombshell. 

"Actually, I am done with the ultrasound and it shows that you are expecting twins, miss."

Kaboom!!

Fear, anxiety, then disbelief with a bit of awe are the emotions that swirled in my heart. Right then, I sat up and stared at my friend and uttered the words that even surprised me. It felt as if it was not me talking, but someone talking through me. 

"Donna, help me relocate to Sussexville. I will raise the twins there. Of course, you can join me just for the first year. I am sure after that I will be able to cope."

"Not fair. I will be there with you until you have managed to build a name for yourself. Besides, there is no way you will be able to cope alone with two babies. This is also my time to venture into my passion. You know I have always loved journalism and media. If you leave me behind, my father will send me to the army!"

The doctor laughed along with me at my friend's little cute outburst. In the weeks that followed, we relocated to Sussexville. No one except Donna's family knew where I had gone and I liked it that way. In Donna, I found a friend indeed.