Under the setting sun, Lyle and Ivy stood under the tree continuing their studies. The soft golden rays of the sun had already painted the sky reddish but the two people stayed there with a book in hand.
''These two. Are you never going to cut it off or what? It's almost dark. Are you planning to stay here tonight or what?'' Sam asked as she, Jake and Owen returned from buying 'some things to eat'. In other words, the three of them left to give some space to the two who were still deciding on their relationship.
Ring Ring
Ivy's phone went off and the screen showed 'Mom'.
''Hello?''
''Ivy, come home over the weekend alright?'' A soft middle-aged voice of a woman sounded through the phone.
''Alright mom. I'll come after completing my last class.''
''What? No. You better come on Friday itself.''
''Mom... I have class on Saturday. I can't miss it.''
''What will missing one class do. Just be back on Friday. No more arguments.''
''No. I'm not missing my class. I'll be there on the afternoon of Saturday, period.''
There was silence on the other end before a shaky voice said, ''Alright then. Saturday it is. Take care of yourself okay?''
''Alright mom. Take care of yourself. Tell dad and Avi the same as well. See you on Saturday.''
''En... Bye.''
''Ba-bye.''
...
After the call ended, Mrs. Gracia looked at her son and husband with tear filled eyes.
''Ivy... She... She... I don't know what to say. I feel like my baby girl is back.'' The dam to her tears broke as tears flowed down her cheeks. But that smile which was pasted on her face made it clear that it was tears of happiness.
''See. I told you. She has changed back. Ivy is becoming more Ivy like again.'' Avi said as he watched his dad pull his mom in a hug to console her. But the tears in Mr Gracia's own eyes were clearly threatening to fall as he patted his wife lightly.
''En... She is changing back. So, does that mean she has forgiven me? Is she going to be that same baby girl of mine again? Am I really going to be forgiven?'' Mrs Gracia said as more tears rolled down her cheeks. Hope had lit up in her heart.
''Darling, you know she never blamed you. You know she knows that it was just in the heat of the moment. She was never angry at you to begin with.'' Mr Gracia said cajoling his wife.
''Mom. It was never your fault. If someone had to be blamed, it had to be me. For being incompetent. For being such a weakling.'' Avi said with self blame but both his parents rebuked it vehemently saying that it was not and will never be his fault.
But the truth remained.
Everyone in this house knew that Ivy didn't blame anyone but how could they extricate themselves from blame when their sweet child had changed completely. How could they, when it was them that snatched her happiness. When it was them that her smile was no longer pure and full of bliss like before.