Maya's voice cut through the room like a knife. "I know you've been jealous of me! it's been happening for years, ever since we were kids!" Her eyes flashed with anger and hurt. Memories I had buried for so long came rushing back-the afternoon she framed me for stealing Dad's old watch-the whispered lies she told to make herself look innocent. I could see it all again, small and powerless, watching the world tilt in her favour while I learned to hide my own envy. Maya's mom stood there like a fool, speechless, and shocked "Even back then no one believed me, not even you Mom", Maya said with disappointment in her voice. Now that Dad is gone, that memory still haunt me: the idea that I had always been the one at fault.
I remember that day clearly, Dad's old watch had vanished from the drawer, and the house had erupted into chaos. I had been in the kitchen helping mom, when Lila suddenly screamed, pointing at me. "she took it, Maya took dad's old watch!" Her voice rang sharp and accusing. I froze, my heart hammering, shaking my head in disbelief. Mom's eyes widened unable to comprehend what she was hearing, while dad's frown deepened, the disappointment settling on me like a log of wood. Lila told her story with such conviction-the little lies she added, the "proof" she spun-that even I started to doubt myself for a moment. I could see it clearly: her devilish smile. My hands trembling at the crushing realisation that everyone thought I did it. I was severely punished for what I didn't do.
"Oh please! I didn't do such a thing," Lila snapped, cutting through the memories like a blade and pulling her back to reality. Mom, ever quick to defend her, stepped forward. "Don't be ridiculous, Maya. I know my daughter would never do something like that," she said firmly. Maya's chest tightened with disappointment, but she wasn't surprised at the fact that the sting of injustice from years ago is still raw. Without another word, she turned and left the living room, retreating from her mom with quiet frustration. Mom called after her, "Maya, wait!" but for once, Maya didn't look back. she climbed the stairs silently, leaving Lila smirking and Mom shaken but unaware of the full truth.
Maya closed the door softly behind her and moved toward the window. She pressed her hands against the smooth glass, staring blankly at the world outside, letting the chaos of the living room, her mother's words, and Lila's smug expression swirl endlessly in her mind. Time slipped by unnoticed; her mother's distant voice calling her for dinner barely registered. It wasn't until the sound of the third call pulled her from her thoughts that she realised she had been lost in her own storm. she shook her head, a quiet decision forming. Tonight, she wouldn't eat with them. instead she decided to step into the small refuge of her bathroom, letting the shower wash away the weight of the day, a brief escape from the family that never seemed to see her.
Maya stood in front of the bathroom mirror, her towel wrapped tightly around her, staring at her own reflection. Her eyes traced the lines of fatigue and worries she didn't want anyone to see, her mind spinning over everything that she is going through the humiliation, burden, she was tired of it all. A sudden sharp ring broke the silence. She fumbled for her phone, curiosity and unease twisting in her stomach. The voice on the other end made her freeze, a shiver crawling down her spine. whatever it was, she knew in that instant that tonight, nothing would feel normal again.