Chapter 6

Ava returned to the dorm after passing out embarrassment in college.

Given that Lily had told her she wasn't feeling well that morning, she was surprised not to see Lily at home.

Was what they said about Lily really true?

Did she reveal my secrets to everyone at the school?

"I refuse to believe this." Ava thought to herself as she kept looking at the door, anticipating Lily's arrival.

Her phone beeped, which distracted Ava from her pool of thoughts.

Ava's heart thumped when she noticed the caller. Her auntie! Her aunt hasn't called her in a while.

Due to her busy schedule, her aunt only calls her at the end of every month.

Why was her auntie calling now?

Ava was bothered by it, but she had to pick it up.

Ava's mouth hung open when she heard her aunt's first sentence.

“Tell me you aren't pregnant, Ava." The words came out of her aunt's lips.

“Uh… No.” Were the only words that popped out from Ava's mouth.

“No! Then explain to me how Lily received the test results?” Her aunt hollered at Ava.

“Lily…” Ava's heart felt as though it had been stabbed.

“Quit pretending. You are pregnant. I didn't believe Lily until she showed me the result. Ava, how could you? Just one semester of college, and this is the outcome?” Her aunt voiced angrily.

Ava could feel her aunt's rage over the phone. “Auntie…it's not what you think.” Ava managed to say.

“Just be quiet, Ava! You ended up sleeping around with strangers despite my best efforts to meet your needs. You are no longer a living person in my eyes.” That was her aunt's final statement before hanging up.

Lily spreading her secret was unfathomable to Ava.

She was unable to stop thinking all day. Ava continued to think while gazing at the door.

She confronted Lily as soon as she entered the room.

Ava uttered, “Lily, tell me what everyone's saying is not true.”

Lily was unable to meet Ava's eyes in that way. She realized she had mistreated Ava. She does not, however, intend to apologize.

Ava was never a friend to her. She had always envied Ava, who couldn't see through her because she was blind.

“Your silence is a confirmation. So it is accurate. After everything we've been through together, I find it unbelievable that you would turn on me in such a way."

"Lily, you did this to me. Me! Who you referred to as your best friend”. Ava pointed to herself.

“I am not anyone's best friend”. Lily mentioned.

The words hit Ava's chest like a stray bullet.

You promised me something.

How could I have been so stupid as to fail to recognize the devil in disguise?

You are a traitor and I cursed the day I allowed you into my life.

Ava was even more irritated by Lily's lack of remorse.

She was still unable to accept Lily would harm her in this way.

_________

Ava got a letter through her phone the next morning from the school administration telling her never to set foot on the college grounds.

As if that weren't enough, they gave orders for two security officers to lead Ava out of the college.

Ava was walking around the streets carrying her luggage.

“I'm not anyone's best friend”. The words, Lily said, echoed in her ears.

What should I do next?

Who would lend a hand?

How do I begin?

I already lost my aunt. Lily, who I initially believed to be a friend, is now my enemy.

Ava became exhausted after spending hours wandering along the roadside.

Stressing out was bad for her condition as a pregnant mother.

Ava was able to locate a space under the bridge where she could spend the evening alone.

Ava had nowhere to go, even though she was aware that it wasn't safe.

That evening, as she tucked her blanket beneath the bridge, she regretted the day she had accepted Lily's invitation.

Ava experienced each day as if it were a terrifying movie.

She was constantly referred to as a slut, a tramp, and other insults as she crossed the street.

Everyone ridiculed her. Youngsters and seniors.

The most frustrating part of it all was whenever she ran into her college mates.

She cries herself to sleep all day and all night. She sleeps while keeping one eye open.

How long would she continue to lead such a humiliating lifestyle?

Who is the man who caused her to be in this situation?

Yes, of course!

The man might be at the hotel. How could I have not realized?

She thought of ways to reach the man. But how could she? She was a total mess! No one would want to let her in the hotel looking like a piece of garbage.

Ava hasn't taken a shower in days.

Her hair had grown stiff. She only had a few dirty clothes.

Beside the road, Ava was able to get some water.

Even though she had to pay for it, the majority of marketers turned down her money, saying that they didn't want to touch the money of a tramp.

Luckily for Ava, her money was accepted by an old woman who gave her extra water.

Ava walked into the hotel with high hopes. She remembered the hotel clearly. It was the same as before.

Ava surveyed the room as she sighted the receptionist position. She pushed her way through the crowd and into the queue.

Ava asked one of the female receptionists for the hotel register when it was her turn.

She reviewed the names on the register list to see if she could make out anything, but her efforts were in vain.

Ava is heartbroken to see that all of her hopes have been dashed.

Ava continued living her life as usual. She was at her breaking point.

The days passed, and her condition worsened. Ava found that due to the recent bandit clans in the area, sleeping outside was no longer safe.

She had no intention of maintaining her current way of life. Her aunt was unreachable when she tried to call her.

Additionally, she tried to see if one of her classmates could be of any assistance, but she was turned away by the parent of one of her classmates, who claimed Ava was “bad luck.”

Ava was frustrated. She wanted to sleep and never wake up again. She decided to make a choice that would change her life for the better with the $400 she had garnered over the years.

One early morning, Ava left. She said her last goodbyes to her town before boarding the aircraft.