Sister's Love

Dear Diary,

Yes, that's what I am going to call this piece of paper which I use to express myself. Life has come full circle for me. These walls feel like they are closing in on me. Darkness surrounds and I am covered in pall of gloom. But fret not, all is not lost. There is a light at the end of this tunnel. My resurrection is in the offing through Laila. I will watch as an omniscient presence as she takes over the world with those jewels that shine in her eye sockets. My Laila...

Zaina ate slowly with tears falling down her cheeks her jaw quivered with dread of that which was yet to come. She remembered reading about Sidney Carton from the "Tale of Two Cities". Yes, her last breath shall be her greatest. The food on her palate was tasteless and reminded her of the prison where she was locked. Tomorrow was the day when...

Laila was Zaina's younger twin. Five seconds her junior, her personality was a stark contrast to Zaina's. She was vivacious, intelligent and had big, beautiful, hazel eyes. She could sweet talk anyone into fulfilling her wishes and was the darling of her family. She loved Zaina and the latter was extremely protective of her. The two could not be told apart from each other except for the differences in their personalities. Yet,Laila could emote so much with her eyes. That failed even her twin Zaina. Laila dreamt of being an actress and that gave her wings.

***

Laila walked into the director's office and waited in the outer chamber till beckoned. When she entered his air conditioned office, she found, to her surprise, he had lost weight and looked debonair in his crisp shirt and pant. He looked at her seductively and she lowered her gaze thinking that it was all a part of his charm. As he began to talk, he moved closer to her. She tried to get out of the chair in which she was sitting but he held her by her shoulders. The pang in her stomach began to grow and she tried to save herself. She did the only thing she could do; hit him in the crotch and tried to run. But he held onto her wrist whilst writhing in pain. She saw a mirror hanging next to a wall neighbouring the door. She took it off and smashed it on his head. Burning with rage, she took a shard of the glass and slit his throat. Then she escaped, confused, despairing and vulnerable.

***

The trial began and everything was against Laila, except on trial for murder was Zaina. Her sister was safe. Only she was to be hanged.

Her only dream was Zaina's dream. She could die for her sister's happiness. The happiness that glistened through her sister's eyes was a dream she could die to fulfill.

As breath slowly left Zaina, she pictured her sister's eyes and smiled knowing they will never cry again.