I entered the apartment. Big bro was sitting on sofa with laptop on his lap. I took deep breath and went near him.
"Big bro..I.. um..Th..This bouquet is for you." I said while holding the bouquet infront of him. He looked at me warmly and took the bouquet from my hand. He gestured to sit beside him. I obeyed and sat beside him.
"You don't need to be guilty. You don't need to apologise. I know those Smith family very well. They are more vicious then snake. I should be sorry that I was weak enough to let them brainwash you." He said
I hugged big bro in tears. Why did I hurt you in past?? Why was I not able to see through Smith Family's intention. Why?
"Bi..Big bro ... It's not your fault.... It... it's all my fault. I...I was too naive.. I was too weak. I mistook them as my family but I am just a tool for them. I...I am sorry big bro, really very sorry." I said while looking at him and crying.
He wiped my tears and patted me. He looked at the bouquet. He smiled.
"Big bro, it's a bouquet of sorry. I apologise for everything. Lemme give it to others and then I will tell you about it." I said.
I got up and took one bouquet in hand. I walked towards brother Shawn. He smiled gently at me. I extended my bouquet towards him.
"Brother Shawn, I am sorry for everything."
I took the last bouquet and went into kitchen. A girl in her 20's was cooking. Her back was facing towards me. Her brownish hairs were tied in pony tail. She was humming to herself.
"Ashley" I called her.
She frozed in her actions and looked back. Her eyes held many emotions, suprise, tears, happiness, bit sadness. I started walking towards her. I held the bouquet infront her.
"Ashley, I am deeply sorry for my actions." I said in between tears. I couldn't speak anything further. Ashley is my best friend and also big bro's wife. I and Ashley were childhood bestfriends just like big bro and brother Shawn. We were so close until I entered the traps of Smith's. I was so rude to her. I even scolded her when Emily would tell me that Ashley would harass her. Ashley would always say that she never did that and Emily is lying. But I always believed Emily. I hurted her with my harsh words.
In past life, I broke my friendship with her on my birthday when she came to wish me. She was deeply broken by my outrage. Later, during apocalypse when big bro died while saving me, Ashley went completely silent. She would never speak to anyone. She had the coldness in her eyes. She looked at me with piercing gaze. I am still not able to forget it. Later, she was one of the vicious killer of those creatures. She would always stick with brother Shawn but she never ever showed any kind of emotions.
I hugged Ashley immediately. Ashley hugged me back and we cried together for a while. After few minutes, she looked at me and wiped my tears. I wiped her and we started smiling and laughing.
"Dumb girl, don't be sorry. It's okay. It's not your fault that they made you like this. You were small kid. It's okay. I am very happy that you are back to yourself. I thought that you will end up breaking our friendship." Ashley said while smiling.
I smiled. We both went into living room. I looked at all of them and said,
"I am deeply sorry for all my behaviour. I have did something that's unforgivable. It's something that i am carrying in my heart. And someday, I will tell you truth but right now, I want to treasure our relations. The bouquet which I gave you is for this. It's important that your apology comes across as sincere as possible, which is why I chose white orchids as they are a solid choice as they represent sincerity.
Lily of the valley is the delicate white flower that represents rebirth, which is for starting our relations in a new way. And giving it a new start.
White tulips are considered to be happy flowers and the colour white is the symbol of peace. So I chose all the white flowers to convey my deepest sincerity." I spoke while looking at them.
They all smiled at me.
"I am gonna prepare delicious lunch for you all." I said.
Big bro laughed.
"Today I will be eating burnt food?" He questioned me.
I pouted and looked at brother Shawn. Brother Shawn hit big bro's forehead.
"Stop teasing my sweet Luna. Luna go cook food for us. I am eager to taste food that you will make. I know it will be tasty and delicious." Brother Shawn said.
"Brother Shawn is best. Big bro is bad guy." I pouted.
Big bro mimicked my words. I came to kitchen.
"Do you want help?" Ashley asked me.
"No, well yes. Just tell where all the ingredients are kept. Maybe just stay with me here and observe me cooking." I said with smile.
"Sure. Let's make new memories." Ashley stood beside me.
We started cooking and chatting. Occasionally, we would b*tch about Smith family and laugh together. For the first time, I felt happy after so many years. I felt loved. Everything is so beautiful like this. I am so thankful for another chance that showed me such beautiful path.