Page 91 - NS 2024

“Don’t. Whatever you are about to say, I don’t want to hear it.” Elaine stood and walked towards the prayer room. Lyssa sat on her bed for a long time, staring at the flower in her hand. Fate had swept her up in its games and she could not escape. Elaine, who wanted to be a mother more than anything, was infertile. And she, who wanted anything else for herself, would now be married off to have some man’s children.
Elaine refused to speak to her while they made their way down to the docks. They stood, waiting for the boat to come and take them back to the town. Lyssa looked back on the beautiful island, wondering how something that looked so pure could be so tainted. The boat floated to the dock and the man guiding it helped Elaine and Lyssa step inside. They sat on opposite sides of the boat, both staring out into the open water. In a matter of days, Lyssa had lost her only friend and her faith. She looked once more at the lily still clutched in her hand. She let her arm drape over the side of the boat, feeling the mist on her arm. She opened her fist and dropped the lily into the water, watching it drift back towards the island.
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