11. Soaked Bird (Ifana8)

Soaked Bird

A certain Saturday, eight years ago, I felt like a Disney princess. Only this time, I didn't fall in love with a prince; I fell for a bird instead.

I've always enjoyed studying the animal kingdom. Often times, I visited the ant colonies in my compound, feeding them pieces of whatever meal I had. Watching them work like humans became more of a hobby than a habit, and my sisters scorned me for taking care of "such little idiots".

Their opinions changed that stormy afternoon, when a drenched bird landed in our balcony. My immediate elder sister, Louise, freaked out. She would have kicked it if not for my intervention. I guarded the bird like its mama would've, losing my respect as I screamed at her. I scolded Louise for not noticing how it limped like our grandpa. For not guessing that it couldn't find shelter in time.

She never said it, but I saw it. The way shame danced in her eyes as they dimmed. She retreated into the house, giving me space to tend to the bird. It shivered, more out of fear than cold, I surmised. I broke some bread for it, and its quaking stopped. It didn't make a sound, not even when I lit a candle to warm it. It was too occupied with the job of filling its stomach.

I waited out the storm with the little creature, ignoring our eldest, Darcy, as she stood beside me. She surprised me when she wrapped tissue around the bird's bad leg, wedging it with a craft stick. It moved better after that; unexpectedly, my heart sank, watching its surging energy. It was eager to leave my care.

Tears stung my eyes when it took flight. The sky had cleared, but inside, I was nothing alike.


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