Amelia
After we finished cleaning, we all washed up and was set to go. I was dressed in a simple top and jeans, my hair was tied in a high ponytail and glasses rested just at the bridge of my nose. My mom wore a simple blue gown and sandals to match, unlike me, she let her hair down. My dad came out minutes later with boss behind him, they were both wearing khaki shorts. My dad wore a blue shirt over his shorts and boss wore a white shorts over his and his hair was tousled in a good way making him look younger and cute if I may say. He beamed at me and I choked, my mom patted my back, "how did boss get so handsome overnight?" I thought to myself
"You look good madam" he commended my mom, "oh please, call me Susan, son" she said with a giggle and my dad cleared his throat noisily behind us, "let's get going, shall we?" He asked moving out of the house.
We drove to the rehabilitation center and I became tensed immediately we entered, it's been ten years now, what would Adam look like?, Would he be happy to see me at least?, "What could be the reason for his actions?". Boss noticed my worried look and smiled reassuringly at me. My mom squeezed my hand as we walked to the receptionist desk.
She was a woman of my mom's age with blonde hair which was tied in a neat bun, she had deep green eyes which were hidden behind her glasses, she had freckles on her face and smiled rarely. She was on a black gown and white shoes to match, "you are welcomed, what can I do for you?" She asked us as we entered.
"We would like to see Mr Adams Duncan" my father replied, "your name please?" She asked, "Mr Stanley Whites" he replied. "Please sign here" she requested pushing a register to him and he signed accordingly and returned it to her. "Before we proceed, I will like to see your identity card or drivers license" she requested again and my dad showed it to her without delay. She nodded briefly before making a call, "if you would follow me" she said walking out of her desk. Her heels made tapping sounds as we walked along the corridor.
"We are here" she said pushing the door open. A young man in his thirties sat comfortably on the chair in the room. He greeted us with a bow as we entered, "please tell Mr Adam Duncan that some people are here to see him" the receptionist said to him and he entered another door. The receptionist left after giving us a nod.
I picked my nails nervously as we waited for Adam to be called out. Few minutes later, Adam was led into a room by the young man, "Mr Adams is ready now, you can go talk to him" he said sitting back on the chair he was on. Adam was sitting behind a closed glass with few openings, we walked to the place he sat with me following closely behind.
"Mr and Mrs Whites, it is good to see you again" he beamed immediately he saw my parents, "Adam, how have you been?" My mom asked with a sad smile on her face, "getting better, I guess" he replied earning a chuckle from her. "How's life here son?" My dad asked quietly and Adam smiled sadly, "it's not like home, sir. I must say I miss home. I can't wait to come out of here" he said, a tear dropping from his cheek. "It's okay dear, I hope you recover quickly so that you can finally come out and live the life you always wanted" my mom said tears forming in her eyes too. "I brought you a bagel" she said passing the bagel to him through the opening in the glass. Adam smiled excitedly as he opened the bagel, "I can't remember the last time I ate homemade meals, thank you so much Mrs whites" he said munching his food hungrily.
I stood at a corner watching Adam, he had changed a lot and I must say, he looked pathetic. "Eat well, you need to be healthy at Least" mom said, tears welling up in her eyes. Adam nodded slowly, "well it's nice to see you are getting better Adam, we will leave you now to talk with Amelia alone" my dad said standing up and his mouth dropped opened.
"A.. A.. Amelia?, She's.. she's here?, Amelia is here... Here?" He stammered and my mom nodded walking out with my dad. She gave me a light push and I moved steadily to seat in front of him. He watched me quietly as I sat down. His eyes were filled with guilt, remorse and regret.
"Hi Adam" I greeted, "A.. A... Amelia" he stuttered and I smiled, "I see you've changed over the years. You don't look bad" I said and he fell to his knees, "I'm deeply sorry for what I have done to you in the past. I promise you, I'm a changed person. Please forgive me" he pleaded tears falling out of his eyes. "I hold no grudge against you, I just want to know why you did such inhumane activities to people, especially girls. I mean, Why Adam?" I asked and more tears fell from his eyes, "please forgive me, I wasn't in my right senses" he said crying now. Tears rolled out of my eyes as I remembered the hurtful words he said to me before he ended up in the rehab center, boss gave me his handkerchief and I collected it with a grateful smile before wiping my eyes with it.
"I have forgiven you Adam, please stand up" I said and he quietly stood up still sniffing, "it means a lot to me that you came to see me Mel after all the terrible things I did to you. I will tell you what you asked of me" he said fiddling with his fingers.
Boss sat quietly beside me as we were ready to hear what he had to offer.
SOLELY WRITTEN BY AUTHORESS GIFTED. DO NOT COPY.
"After my family left the neighborhood, we moved to another like you know. I and Roselle my younger sister made friends with the kids in the new neighborhood. Everything was going fine until a day I met Jack, he was one of the boys that lived in the neighborhood, he and other dudes in the street formed a group, a gang instead. They had their ways and anything they wanted was granted to them. As a young boy, I felt they possessed a lot of power and I was enticed to join them. But, they said I wasn't in there class and so couldn't mingle with them, I felt hurt and vowed to do anything to join them. I turned 15 and Roselle was 13, she was still young yet her body was matured that one may confuse her to be 16. She was beautiful and friendly and I, I loved her so much.
One day, Jack came to me and asked if I was still interested to join their gang. I was surprised but I accepted to be in their gang, he told me that I  could only join if I do what I was told to do. I agreed on any terms I was given and later that afternoon, he welcomed me to the group. It felt nice to be among the boys but little did I know it will change me for the worst" he was still talking when the door opened. My mom walked in dragging Daisy as she murmured angrily, "Daisy came to say hi" she said exiting the room.
"Daisy, thought you said you weren't coming?" I asked surprisingly, "I didn't want to come but Steven forced me down here, where is he by the way?" She asked looking around. "And you said nothing was going on?" I asked with a smirk and she pulled my hair, "shut up bitch, nothing is going on" she gritted between her teeth and I smiled. "Hi Daisy" Adam greeted, "Did someone talk, or am I hearing noises now?" She said sarcastically rolling her eyes at him, "I'm sorry for everything I have done, please forgive me" Adam pleaded again, "like it is that easy huh?, Do you know how many people you and your stupid friends scarred for life?, Do you even know how painful it is to be a victim of rape?, Do you know the pains I passed through after you and your friends forcefully took away my pride?. You know what, just shut up else I will be forced to break down this glass and rip off your hair" she yelled angrily. Talking of hair, Adam had none on his head, he was bald and looked sick.
"Calm down Daisy, at least let's hear him out" boss said calmly and she glared at him, "and who told you my name Mr Man?" She asked rudely, "my hearing organ is still functioning well miss, your name was called few minutes ago by Amelia here if you don't remember" he answered and she rolled her eyes. "Please continue Adam" I said to him and he nodded.
"It happened that Jack's brother had eyes for my little sister Roselle and had asked his brother to make me enter the gang so that I can be close to them and he can use it as an opportunity to befriend her. Roselle however, was not interested in any friendship with him and that infuriated I and Jack's brother as my membership was on the line. I tried to make her see reasons why she should be friends with them but she played deaf. I was forced to invite her to Jack's brother birthday party and I did. I lied to her that it was the birthday party of my friend in school because I knew she would not attend if she knew it was Jack's brothers birthday. She was not happy with me when she found out that it wasn't my classmates birthday and she angrily gulped down some wine which made her tipsy. I was distracted and didn't notice when she was carried out of the house, on the other hand, I was taken to an empty dark room and tied to a chair. Few minutes later, the light in the room came up and Jack entered with a sly smile playing on his lips. His brother was led into the room with a blind fold on his eyes, on the table was an item wrapped in a shiny white material. I was confused and didn't know what was going on. Right before my eyes, my sister Roselle was offered as a birthday gift to Jack's brother. Her mouth was tied and her legs were widened as well as her hands. She wriggled helplessly as tears rolled down her eyes. I was there, but I couldn't do anything. They had their way with her and I shouted for them to stop but they didn't. They rapped her till she was out of breath, right before my eyes, she died. Tears rolled down her face and her eyes focused on me as she took her last breath, still they didn't stop. I became traumatized, my only sister died because of me, I clearly killed her because of my stupidity!" He yelled hitting his bald head as tears poured out of his eyes, "I looked for ways to escape the trauma but I found none. I met the other guys in school and together we decided to make girls go through the same pain and strangely, it worked well and I felt very happy. I thought I was avenging my sister's death but I wasn't, rather I was ruining people's life. I know I don't deserve to be forgiven for all I did but I beg you all to believe me. I'm a changed person" he concluded and everywhere was silent as we watched him.
My mom held her hands over her lips as tears poured down her cheeks, Daisy sat down quietly and the guys shook their head sadly. The guys I meant were Boss, my dad and Steven who entered few minutes ago.
"I'm sorry about your sister, Adam. But that doesn't change the fact that you raped girls and ruined them. I forgive you and I believe you" I smiled sadly raising my hands on the glass and he smiled before touching it. "Thank you Mel" he said. The sound of the door made us turn, the young man entered, "your time is up. Mr Adams will go in now" he announced moving into the room Adam was in before bundling him.
"Good bye I will see you soon" I said to him and he waved, "thank you for coming!!!" He yelled before the door closed. We quietly left the rehab center with many thoughts on our minds.
TBC.