When Amala entered the hall, Jolene turned and looked at her with an angry gaze. She still didn't bother to put on her hoodie after handing Kai's coat to him.
''What is it?'' Amala asked.
''Amala, why are you dressed like…''
''Like what? Cheap? These are all the clothes I bought with my own money. Are you ashamed of me? You think I look cheap, right?'' Amala asked, cutting Jolene off.
''Amala…''
''Jolene, this is who I am. No, this is the kind of person I turned out to be after you abandoned me.'' Amala said and went to sit down.
In the hall, Erica was playing with Leo while Rosa was looking at her laptop. When they heard their voices, they looked up in silence.
''I abandoned you? Amala, who told you that?''
''Who told me? Jolene, I didn't need anyone to tell me that you abandoned me. You left me in that hospital to die. You were selfish back then and even now you are still selfish.''
''Watch your words, Amala!'' Jolene said and slapped Amala. It wasn't her intention but before she realized, she had slapped her already.
''How dare you slap me, Jolene? Dad beat me until I left the house and you slap me too? I hate you!'' Amala said and turned, running out of the house.
''Amala, wait!'' Jolene yelled and ran after her.
''Leo, stay with Erica.'' Rosa picked an umbrella and ran out after them.
''Amala. Amala stop walking fast.'' Jolene said as she chased Amala down the road.
Ignoring her, Amala started running until she tripped and fell down. Jolene caught up with her and squatted to help her up.
''Leave me alone! I hate you, Jolene!''
''Jolene, Amala…'' Rosa pulled over in her car and got down. She had taken the car out to catch up with them and bring them back.
Rosa took the umbrella and got down. She rushed over to them and covered them with the umbrella.
''Are you alright?'' Rosa asked.
'Leave me alone. You don't care about me. I don't need your sympathy.'' Amala said and tried to stand up and fell again. She hissed in pain and touched her leg.
''You are hurt. Amala, come with us. Let's get you home.'' Rosa gave the umbrella to Jolene and held Amala's hand.
''I am leaving this place first thing tomorrow.'' Amala said and stood up on her own. She limped to the car leaving Jolene and Rosa at the back.
'Let's go!'' Rosa said to Jolene.
When they arrived at Rosa's place, Rosa got down hurriedly and opened the door. She helped Amala out of the car and they went into the apartment.
''Leo, hurry. Get us towels.'' Rosa said and Leo stood up.
''Mum, what happened? Is small aunt alright?'' Erica stood up and asked. She looked at Amala's leg innocently.
''You twisted your leg. I will rub some ointment on it and we will put some ice on it.'' Rosa said and took the towels from Leo. She wrapped one around Amala and sent the other one to Jolene.
''Thank you!'' Jolene took the towel and wiped her face and hair. She looked at Amala and sighed.
Leo looked at Amala's leg and went back to the room. He returned with the first aid box. 'Here, I brought the first aid box.'' Leo said and placed the box on the table.
''Thanks, Leo.''
''Aunt, are you alright?'' Erica walked closer to Amala and asked.
''Do I look okay? You don't have to bother with me anymore. Tomorrow, I will be gone before you know it.'' Amala spoke.
''Amala, you are hurt. Where would you go?'' Rosa asked as she wiped Amala's leg.
''Anywhere but here. Since I am not welcomed here, I might as well go to where no one will fine me disgusting.''
The door opened and an elderly man walked in. When he saw the people inside, he bowed and greeted. ''Good evening, Miss Rosa, Miss Jolene, hi.''
''Grandpa…'' Erica ran to hug the man.
''Erica, my cute little girl. How are you doing?'' The man asked.
''I'm fine. My aunt got hurt. You don't know her, she is Amala. My mother's younger sister.''
''I see. Miss Amala, hi.'' The man said and Amala nodded her head without saying anything.
''Cousin, I have to go.'' Leo came out of his room holding his bag and school coat.
''Alright, Leo. I will see you tomorrow.'' Rosa replied.
''Yes!'' Leo looked at Amala and turned, leaving the apartment with his driver.
''It's done. I will put the box away and bring you a pack of ice. It has stopped raining. Do you want to spend the night here?'' Rosa asked.
''I can't stay in the same place with someone who looks down on me and finds me disgusting.'' Amala stated.
''Amala…''
''Jolene, why don't you take Erica home first. Amala will come home once she is done.'' Rosa said and looked at Jolene.
''Erica, pick your things. Let's go home.''
''Without aunt?'' Erica asked.
''Aunt is hurt. She can't go with us.'' Jolene explained.
''Aunt, I will see you tomorrow.'' Erica waved at Amala before going over to her mother.
''I made dinner, do you want to eat now?'' Rosa asked after Jolene left with Erica.
''I'm not hungry!'' Amala said and leaned on the couch with her eyes closed.
''Your sister didn't mean to slap you.''
''I know, she didn't mean to slap me but I made her to. It has always being like that. Whenever my dad hit me, he will tell me I brought it upon myself. If I didn't behave in a certain way, he wouldn't have to hit me. I was mean and she slapped me.'' Amala stated. She was merely stating a fact. Anytime she did something, her father would hit her and tell her she brought it upon herself.
Amala had grown up thinking that she deserved to be punished one way or the other. She deserved to be hit or hurt because she behaved in a certain way.
It could be said that she grew up in an unhealthy environment which caused her to be rebellious. To her, whether it was right or wrong. She would get hit either ways. It didn't really matter to her.