"What?..."
She turned the photo back at me, tapping her finger on the toddler in Gabriella's arms.
"That's me", she added. I stepped closer, staring at the photo. I gently placed my finger on the photo, raising my head.
"So... Regina is your sister?" Obviously!
"Yes", she nodded.
I moved closer to her, wrapping my arms around her as tears rolled down my eyes, "Then... That means Regina is also my...".
"Aunty", she interrupted, stroking my hair. I looked up at her, placing my chin on her belly, "Then why? Why is she always mean to me?" She let out a long sigh.
"Because... Because when Gabriella took her own life, leaving a suicide note about how much she loved you, but couldn't handle life. And unfortunately, Regina didn't take it well. Gabriella was very soft-hearted, she couldn't even think of aborting an innocent child, so..." She gave me a long stroke over my hair.
"So, she kept you. When she made that decision, the church became selfish... More".
"How?"
"By making her look like she brought shame and dishonour to the church and convent, instead of supporting her through her terrifying plight. That caused her to blame herself for what happened to her".
"But why?! She didn't do anything wrong. What she did was very righteous!"
"I know, Lola, I know. But sometimes human beings can be very selfish at times. The same mothers and sisters that brought her up, were the same people who condemned her for her good deed by keeping you. Keeping her a secret from the world".
I shook my head slowly, "Is that why they kept her here? In the basement!?" Dianne nodded.
"Yes, Lola, exactly. They didn't want to bring more dishonour to the church and the foreign Pastor's son for what he did to her, so they decided to keep her and the incident all hidden. Pretending like it never happened".
"But that's not fair!" I weaned with more tears falling out.
"I know, Lola. That's how terrible people can be in this world", she sobbed, pulling back her tears. "Lola... Right after you were born, Gabriella didn't want to let you down even for a minute... But—" She looked down.
"It was rather unfortunate that at the end of the day, she ended her life, leaving nothing but these letters to you and a request, that Regina and I take care of you".
I wiped my face, taking a step back.
"Dianne?"
"Yes, Lola", she placed her hand on my cheek.
"Why did Sister Regina name me, Lola?" With that being an extremely dumb question in my head, Dianne's reaction completely changed that. It was as if that was one of the hardest and most painful questions she didn't want me to ask. Tears rolled down her face.
"Lola, Regina hated you. From the very first day she knew you were conceived, she saw you as nothing but the reason for every single pain Gabriella went through. After our parents passed away, Regina had always been like a mother and father to us. She struggled for all our needs and wants, but when she saw you, she took you as a blessing from Satan himself".
She sobbed, wiping her sleeves under her nose. "Right after Gabriella was found dead, Regina didn't shed a single tear for her, she only instructed them to carry out her body. Right after she was buried, Regina finally decided to name you, although she knew Gabriella wanted you to be named Shalom, she changed your name to Lola".
"But why?"
"No one knew... Not even me. Not until a year later, when Regina finally confessed why she named you Lola", there was a long pause.
"It means, Lady of sorrows".
"Huh?" I blinked my eyes repeatedly.
"Yes, Lola, she named you Lola as a curse, that you would continue to face nothing but pain and suffering, that was her intention for naming you. A way of revenge for Gabriella".
I stood there staring at Dianne shocked and amused at the same time. I didn't believe Sister Regina hated me so much that she'd purposely cursed me. And I couldn't even believe that it'd be with my very own name. Lola.
"But, that can't be real right? It can't be! What about other children out there that are named Lola?" My voice trembled.
"Lola, intentions and thoughts differ".
" What?"
"Lola, those children weren't named Lola by people who knew the meaning of it. The intentions of Regina was nothing but pure hatred and anger towards you... That's what makes it a curse".
"But–" Tears began to pour out. "–But what if I changed my name?"
" It doesn't work that way, Lola, you can still keep your name Lola, you just have to pray. But I promise you", she held my shoulder," You're completely innocent, so the curse can't or isn't supposed to work on you. It's only Regina that's doing what she's doing out of bitterness. You're completely innocent".
"Dia– Dianne– How do you--" I tried to speak.
Two claps echoed from the door. Dianne and I turned to the door. Sister Regina unhurriedly emerged from behind the door with her lips stretched into a smile. The ray of light from the flashlight in her hand lighted up the room.
"Lola. Lola. Lola", she smiled.
"Lady of sorrows. The name implies... And you can't get rid of that special gift that easily", she said pulling up her gown as she stepped into the water with her barefoot. Dianne immediately pushed me behind her. I clutched on her clothes, afraid.
She stood in the water, staring at both of us smiling. She turned to the door, raising her index finger, "Come on, come in", she said.
Anna, Grace, Kate, and Beatrice slowly walked in with their heads down. "Over there", she extended her left hand, pointing to the other wall. They quietly obeyed, walking in without looking up. I stared at them with pity, tightening my grip on Dianne.
Regina turned back at us, "Well done, Dianne, you made my work much easier. At least now she knows why all this is happening to her and I don't have to go into details".
"Regina, stop!"Dianne stepped back, extending her hand forward. "Gabriella wouldn't want this".
"Gabriella is dead! And all because of that thing! Behind you", she pointed at me.
Taking a few steps closer, she added staring at me, "I knew from the very first day she decided to keep you, that you'd cause nothing but pain and hurt to her innocent soul. But she didn't listen... No one listened. Now, where is she?" She dragged her stare back at Dianne.
"Regina? Please... Don't do this, please. It was Gabriella's wrong decision to take her own life not Lola's", Dianne pleaded to step back. Regina smiled letting out a sigh.
"She's just a child", Dianne added with a teary voice.
"You're too young to understand the things I do, Dianne", Regina said calmly. Dianne sobbed responding, "You're just angry, Regina. Don't let it consume you".
Regina chuckled, moving her eyes to me, then back at Dianne. "Move".
Dianne freezes.
"Dianne, I said to move", she ordered in a harsher tone, pointing at the wall where the girls stood. Dianne hesitated, then slowly took a step to the side. I followed, squealing behind her.
Dianne turned to me, then at Regina. "I won't hurt her. Move", Regina kept a calm expression. Dianne turned back at me.
"You know you have no place to run, Dianne", Regina pointed at the wall behind us.
It was clear by Dianne's reaction she didn't trust Regina, but she couldn't do anything else but listen. She gently held my wrists, slowly pulling my hands off her. I squealed.
"Dianne", I whispered looking at her, as she stepped aside, holding my hands. "Shh... It's okay. I'm here, okay?" She brushed my hand. She gulped in her saliva, turning back to Regina. Slowly, with her eyes locked on Regina, she stepped back, walking to the wall.
Regina turned back at my shivering lean body, with a calm expression. She extended her hand to me. "Come".
I looked at her palm then her, hesitant to move. She stood there calmly, waiting for my reaction. I slowly stretched out my hand, placing it on hers. Expecting the worse; probably pulled and thrown to the floor, I shut my eyes, shaking.
Gently, she held my hand, walking to the door. We slowly climbed the steps, and walked out of the room, standing feet from the door. With the girls still inside and staring at us with fear and worry, we stared back. I looked at them then at Regina then back, wondering what she was doing next.
Regina smiled, "Good night, girls". Their eyes widened. Regina hastily pulled the door shut, immediately locking it with the bow. My eyes widened as I suddenly lost my breath.
She turned to me, grabbing my hand roughly, as she pulled me to the door. I began to scream.