Page 108 of My Rules for Revenge
“Oh, Jesus Christ. You did not just say that!” I explained.
“What?”
“You didn’t fulfill your responsibilities because of a stinking guy?” I asked. I couldn’t believe my ears.
“Heather, I want to explain to you what happened, but you’re being very aggressive towards me. You’re scaring me,” Indira said resentfully.
Indira began to cry. I threw my arms in the air and rolled my eyes.
“Gee, I wonder why? Look around you, sweetheart. This is real. You allowed the donations I put away to get stolen, and all my books are messed up. I think I’m allowed to be very aggressive towards you. You’re making my life hard right now,” I pointed out. I don’t know how she was expecting me to react to this—like everything was hunky-dory? No! I don’t think so!
“Heather, please. I want to explain,” Indira pathetically pleaded.
“No, get out,” I commanded as I pointed to the door.
“What?” Indira asked, all confused.
“Indira, get the hell out of here, now!”
“Are you sure? I can help clean. I can be useful,” Indira offered again. Her offer fell on my deaf ears.
“Get the hell out of here, right now!” I screamed so hard my vocal cords in my throat felt like they were about to burst. As soon as the words came flying out, Indira was gone in an instant. I knew that I had been a monster.
After that, I felt terrible now and then, but I chose to completely forget about her. After that incident, I never saw her ever again. I thought she was trying her best to avoid me. Later, I found out she had transferred schools. When I heard that, I thought it was all for the best.
“You’re right, Indira. I do remember,” I affirmed. I felt ashamed of that event.
“I know what I did was a huge mistake, a colossal one even, but I don’t think I deserved your wrath. I thought we were friends.You didn’t care about what had been going on in my life. My father was cheating on my mother, and Eddy had broken my heart into a thousand pieces. He betrayed me, and so did you.”
“So, that’s what you were trying to tell me last year,” I remarked, finally understanding her situation.
“You never called or texted me after I transferred schools and moved away. It was like you never cared that we had been friends. It was like I had meant nothing to you,” Indira said resentfully.
“I did what I usually do. I held a grudge. I had no sympathy,” I said apologetically.
“It showed,” Indira pointed out.
My expression softened as I looked into her eyes. They seemed dim and were bloodshot. As I took a better look at her, I saw that she had gone through a great deal. Her hair was frizzy and unkempt. She was noticeably pale and considerably thinner than a year ago. Despite what she had done to me, I wasn’t angry. Not anymore.
“I am so sorry for what happened that day, Indira. I get that you were angry and upset, and you wanted revenge. I probably would have done the same thing. I forgive you.”
Indira appeared confused and softly chuckled.
“You forgive me? Really? That doesn’t make any sense. You’re not like this.”
“I do forgive you. I’m serious.”
“So, you’re not going to punch me in the face or pull my hair?”
“I was thinking about it, but I’m trying to be different. I’m not going to hurt you, and I’m not plotting revenge against you. I’m not doing anything to you.”
A long period of silence went by. All we heard were the roaring engines of cars as they sped past us on the road. I felt there was nothing else I could have said. I forgave Indira, but I didn’t think it was a good idea to ask if she wanted to be friends again.I wasn’t sure if that was possible, or if either of us truly wanted that.
“Well, this is awkward,” Indira said, with an embarrassed look on her face.
“Yeah, it kind of is,” I sighed.
“I’m late for class. I’d better get going.”
