MY REFLECTION

THE ANTONIO'S MANSION

It was a lovely Friday morning. The sun gave its light gracefully and the wind exhibits its talent, filling the air with the aura of the lilies, roses and sun flower on the compound making the house dazzel with beauty.

Lizzy, Gina and Agnes , the house maids were busily doing their house chores. Moving restlessly like ants.

" Hurry, go finish with the meal, Mrs. Fiona will soon come down for her breakfast...." Gina exclaimed, turning to what she was doing at the hall.

Agnes looked grumpily at her and left to the kitchen.

" Good morning ladies", Mr. Antonio called descending down the stairs. "How was your night?" he queried on with a smile.

" Good morning sir", they cheerfully chorused. Lizzy took his bag and trolled out to the car.

" Your breakfast is served sir ", Agnes uttered from the dinning table. Mr Antonio just giggled as he trod to the door.

" Never mind, dear. I ought to rush off to the office now. I'll have my breakfast at work. But make sure Fiona lacks nothing and call me if anything pops up, OK".

He expressed exiting the house in a hurry.

" okay, sir", Gina replied.

On the other side of the house, Mrs. Fiona lay lazily on the bed with her baby bump, fast asleep.

FEW HOURS TIME

"Aaaah- aahhh " a loud scream eluded, Fiona's room which sent, Gina and the others wondering with panic.

"what is that?–why is Mrs. Fiona screaming?" Agnes ,the silly one among them queried which sent Gina and Lizzy's deadly gazes on her.

" Dump head–she might be in labor! ", Gina swiftly exclaimed, rushing off to the room.

" Oh, no, what do we do now ?", Lizzy and Agnes chorused as they followed suit.

They opened the door and saw Fiona lying in a pool of blood on the floor, screaming.

"Madam ? –Madam " They shouted as they sped to her side.

"Ah– the baby–is–coming" Fiona stammered, faintly in pain as she hitt Gina in the process.

" Go– go, get a cab, hurry!", Gina shouted at Lizzy which made her flinch.

" OK, OK, am going ", She cried, dashing out of the room.

" Agnes, call Mr Antonio –now ", She roared at Agnes too. The atmosphere was a bit tensed as they tried to safe Fiona and her baby.

" okay , i'm going– I'm going." Said Lizzy while she rushed out. She picked the phone and started calling

" He' s not answering ", she shouted, nervously.

" Keep calling !" Gina called, her eyes still fixed on Fiona while she kept cleaning her up with cold water.

Agnes suddenly entered, panting heavily.

" Let's go– the cab is here." She swiftly eluded

They quickly carried her out to the entrance where the cab was and placed her gently on the back seat.

" Agnes, please stay back and take care of the house as you continue calling master. Lizzy and I will go with her, we are taking her to Family Health Hospital. Inform Mr. Antonio when you get through his line." Gina ordered and Agnes nodded.

" Sure , I will".

Gina instinctively turned to the driver. " Please let's go now" she eluded and with no time, the cab dashed off with the speed of lightening.

OFFICE

Antonio was busily having a meeting with his board of directors at the conference hall deliberating on issues of the company while his phone kept ringing without his notice. After hours of discussion, the meeting finally came to an end.

" we have come to the end of this meeting and everything is decided . We can return to our various duties now"

He announced as he dispersed the meeting. After everyone left, he faint into his chair and exhaled.

" Now back to business "

He picked a huge file from his table and started working on it. Just then, he heard his phone ringing. He gazed at the phone, wondering.

" Who could it be?" he low whispered as her reached out for the phone. He checked and it was from home.

" Lizzy?– hope all is okay", he uttered worriedly to himself as he answered.

" Hello , Lizzy , what is it? " he queried.

"Boss, is not Lizzy, is me, Agnes " a voice came through.

" okay– okay, Agnes ,what is it? Is everything alright? " he asked.

" Its–madam " She answered with shaky voice.

" What's wrong with her? –Talk !! ". Antonio cried nervously.

" She's in labor – Gina and Lizzy" She went on but Antonio's voice swiftly interrupted, frustrated.

" Where are they?, where did they take her? – which hospital? "

" Family Health Hospital ",she cried and the line went dead.

He hanged up without any other word, picked his car keys and dashed out of the office. " Take care of everything, am not sure I will be returning today." He said to his assistant as he trod off.

"Okay– Is everything alright, sir?" He asked. "You look distressed ".

" Yeah, all is well–Just take charge for me. I' ll be off now." He assured his assistant and left in a rush.

HOSPITAL

" Be strong dear– push!" a midwife exclaimed.

"aaaaahhh–aaaaah !!! ". Fiona screamed ,panting heavily with pain as she pushed all she could. Her face was pale and sweaty. She felt all weak since she had already run out of strength.

"oh, God, I can't do this anymore– I'm too tired.", she cried in agony.

" Don't say that ,try a little harder", a nurse encouraged her.

*************************

OUTSIDE THE LABOR WARD

Its almost 4 hours now but there was no sign of any of the nurses coming out. Gina and Lizzy were growing more and more impatient as time passed.

" Are they coming ? – Is everything alright in there?" Lizzy asked Gina who was looking through the door.

" I don't know dear–I can't actually see anything." Gina replied nervously.

" Gina!! , Lizzy, !!– where is Fiona, is she okay?" A voice shouted from behind They swiftly turned towards the direction of the voice.

" Boss, you're here" They exclaimed.

" She's still in there", Gina replied depressed.

They suddenly heard a loud scream followed by the cry of a baby from the ward .

Antonio, Lizzy and Gina immediately rushed to the door with beaming smiles.

" Congratulations, you now a dad, "Gina and Lizzy chorused happily.

" Thank you ", he uttered cheerfully.

The door suddenly slummed open, a nurse came out with a tensed look.

" congratulations, is a baby girl sir– but sorry we lost her." She announced, gloomy.

"What!?", they all exclaimed, shocked.

" She lost a lot of blood in the process", the nurse explained." I'm really sorry for your lost." She added. " Stay strong "

She mumbled.

Antonio fainted into a chair beside him, shocked ,speechless and lost. He felt his whole world collapse under his eyes. Gina and Lizzy sat beside him, consoling.

"So, where is the baby.?",Gina asked.

" At the children's ward" She replied.

" Okay, thank you. Can we see her now" Lizzy asked.

"Yes, follow me". She said. Gina and Lizzy followed her to the ward.

Antonio stood in front of the labour ward as he watch the nurses push out the body of his wife from the ward to the morgue. He held her hand helplessly as he wept.

" Fiona, please wake up, I'm here – waiting for you. " He moaned.

"Please wake up, who will take care of Gisella. –How can you leave without letting her know her mother and the love she has for her?"

Tears slowly rolled down his eyes as he mumbled on. His heart completely rocked apart.

*******************************

The nurse pursed at the entrance and spoke up, pointing to a cot in front of them.

" Come, here she is"

She showed her to them.

Gina and Lizzy was stunned for a moment after seeing the baby. She was quite different from all the other babies they've ever seen in their life.

" Wow, this baby looks so strange." ,Lizzy expressed.

" Very, very,strange – do you think she is cursed". Gina wondered.

Lizzy nodded her head indifferently.

Gisella lay quietly in her cot as she stare at them with her long brown/black hair. With a blue and green coloured eyes. She has a mark like the sun on her forehead.

Antonio got to the babies' ward and stood by his daughter's cot with a stressful look. He looked into her eyes, marvelled.

" Wow? You are such a special child– and look just like your mother." He expressed with tears in his eyes.

" Sir", Gina called from the door.

" Gina–what's it?" he queried faintly.

" Everything is done, the doctor said we can take her home now." Gina answered.

" Okay, come for her", he replied and left the ward.

Gina carried the baby carefully and followed him to the car.

" Where is Lizzy?" Antonio asked, his eyes lurking around, in search of her.

" She left to get the baby's room ready for her arrival", Gina replied.

"Alright, let's get going– its getting late" Antonio mumbled as he settled at the driver's side.

They drove off from the hospital.

ANTONIO'S MANSION

Lizzy and Agnes were busily putting things in place for the baby's arrival.

" Are you sure of what you just told me?", Agnes asked whispering.

" Yes, Aggie– this baby look so different and completely strange ". Lizzy exclaimed with a puzzled look. " I'm sure she's cursed." She low whispered, searching around to make sure no one was around or eavesdropping on them.

" Lizzy? " Agnes exclaimed, covering Lizzy's mouth with her hand.

" Ah, leave me alone." Lizzy screamed, hitting her hand off her mouth.

" If boss hears this, I'm sure he's gonna kill you in a sec" Agnes warned.

Just then, they heard his horn outside.

" Oh, God, they're in". Agnes shouted, running around in the room like a mad hen.

" Stop running around like a cock without head and let's get out of here before they come in"

Lizzy shouted and pulled her out of the baby's room.

" Is everything set in there?" ,Agnes queried.

"Such silly head you have over your neck– didn't you see that for yourself before coming out. Hurry and go help Gina bring the things inside dump head". Lizzy exclaimed as she hit her head in the process.

" Ouch, that hurts " She cried. " What was that for ? Anyway, I'm off" She grumbled and trod off.

She immediately rushed out of the house and Lizzy left to the kitchen as well to get dinner ready.

" I'll be in my room– let me know when you are done settling her in". Antonio announced and left to his room.

" Wow, Gina, this baby is so– strange ", Agnes exclaimed, surprised which made Gina hit her at the her mouth.

" Gosh, Agnes, do you have to shout on top of your voice for the world to know?". Gina cried while she gazed around to make sure Antonio was out of sight.

" Ouch !!! " she exclaimed with a grumpy look and dashed off to Gisella's room with her things.

" Don't mind that silly girl, she had been acting this way ever since I told her about baby Gisella's strange looks and madam's death. "

Lizzy called from the kitchen.

Gina smiled faintly and followed Agnes with the baby.

HOURS LATER

ANTONIO'S ROOM

Antonio sat on the floor looking miserable and drunk.

" Fiona, why did you leave me, my love –why?" he shouted throwing the bottle of alcohol in his hand on the floor causing it to shatter all over the floor.

" Mr. Antonio, please–you have to eat something please ".

Lizzy shouted worriedly outside the room.

" What is it Lizzy?– why are you shouting like that?"Gina asked ,moving towards her from Gisella's room.

"Gina, is Mr. Antonio, he won't come out for his supper– I've been calling him for the past hours now. I know he'll listen to you." Lizzy cried. " Please try and make him come out."

Lizzy cried moving towards Gina who was approaching her.

" Alright, calm down, I'll try and make him come out."Gina assured.

They both stood at his door knocking.

" Mr. Antonio, please for the sake of your daughter– come out for your supper. Mrs. Fiona wouldn't be happy with you if you continue like this, please"

Suddenly, the door slummed open.

" Gisella?, where is she?–I want to see my daughter now", he cried.

" Please have something first, you can see her after that." Gina replied as she help him down to the dinning table.

FEW MINUTES TIME

GISELLA' S ROOM

Fiona's ghost stood by her daughter's bed smiling and playing with her.

" Mummy loves you so much and will always be by your side." Fiona cried.

The door suddenly slam open. Antonio walked in followed by Gina and Lizzy but didn't see Fiona beside Gisella's bed.

" You can leave, I want to be alone with my daughter."Antonio called to Gina and Lizzy.

" Okay, sir", they chorused and left the room.

Antonio moved slowly and stood beside Fiona by Gisella's cot ,crying but couldn't see his wife.

" Gisel baby, mummy and I love you so much and I know where ever she is, she'll always watch after you and protect us".

He uttered in tears, holding Gisella's tinny hands.

Fiona stood by him in tears as she watch her husband and daughter separated from her by death.

" I love you both and I wish I could kiss and hug your pains away but I can't do all that now. But I promise to always be with you."

She uttered faintly and disappeared from the room.

THREE YEARS AFTER

Gisella sat in the kitchen alone with Gina and Lizzy who were busily doing their chores. Fiona suddenly appeared by her and sat beside her. Gisella instinctively giggled which gave Gina and Lizzy the chill as they watched her giggle alone to herself, staring at an unknown person.

" Who is she giggling at so cheerfully, Gina?" Lizzy swiftly mumbled in a single breath which brought back Gina's glaring eyes to her.

" Why asking me, Lizzy? – Does it look like I'm a sort of deity who knows all?" She wittily asked. " How can I know when we're all speechless over here, wondering what's going on over there."

Lizzy gave a sheepish smile and turned back to her work. "Let's just forget it – It's actually kinda getting creepy in here." She mumbled to herself.

" Hey, honey" Fiona called with smiles and Gisella chuckled. " How is my little baby today?" she asked.

" Good, mum, just missed you–What took you so long today..?, she cried with a grumpy look.

Startled, Gina and Lizzy swiftly turned to look at her.

" Who are you talking with Gisel?," they chorused in fear.

Gisella looked at her mother's direction nervously. Fiona shook her head to silence her.

" No– No, one, actually, just myself.", she replied, forcing a smile.

" If no, then, what were you looking at ?", Lizzy asked as she masked her fear up with a concerned, worried look but her eyes exposed her.

" I said nothing !!"she yelled and dashed out of the kitchen.

They both gazed at her back in awe. Lizzy suddenly brushed her hands over her arms as she felt the warm, chilly breeze rush all over her which left goosebumps.

" This girl is really something else. If we don't take care, she'll surely kill us like the way she killed her mother with fear and her strange behavior ".

Lizzy exclaimed.

GISELLA'S ROOM

Gisella got to her room and angrily slammed the door closed behind. She settled on her bed as she quickly packed up her bag. Fiona settled beside her as she watched her got ready for school.

" Mum?" She called, looking up at her mother.

"Huh?– What is it, dear? Do you need something ?" She queried, her eyes filled with so much love and joy as she gazed at her daughter.

"Hope you'll be taking me to school today?" Gisella went on. " You promised to, remember ? or you've already forgotten?" She asked, dissatisfaction written all over her face.

" No, honey– i haven't. Let's get you ready first then." Fiona assured and Gisella chuckled.

" okay, mum– I'll be done before you know." She exclaimed happily.

In no time, she was ready for school. Fiona took her downstairs with her bag pack.

Agnes saw Gisella coming down the stairs with her bag pack hanging in the air without a support or anyone holding onto it. She screamed and suddenly collapsed.

Gina and Lizzy quickly rushed out from the kitchen to check the reason why she was screaming.

" what is it, Agnes?" Lizzy queried as they rushed off.

" what is it with this girl this time?– why is she screaming her head off? Can't we just have a peaceful day, once in this house?" Gina cried but they instintively shouted when they got to the hall and saw her on the floor.

" Agnes?– Agnes !!" They called and rushed to her side without noticing Gisella, who was still at then stairs with her bag.

" What is wrong with her?". Lizzy asked.

" How will I know – Hurry, get me some water now". Gina called and Lizzy nodded as she quickly got on her feet.

Just when she was about to leave for the kitchen, she noticed Gisella with her hanging bag.

" Gina?", she cried, stammering.

" What!?– what is it?, Go get me some water and you are just standing there like a statue ", Gina uttered angrily.

" Nl, look – look up there." She exclaimed, pointing at Gisella's direction. Gina's eyes swiftly followed Lizzy's hand and was marvelled at the sight that met her eye.

" Gisella?". She called almost whispering.

" Why?– What's going on? , Are you now performing some kind of magic or something?". She stuttered. Gisella just stared at them, astonished and confused by their behaviour and her question.

" No, aunty– I was actually just about leaving for school, when Agnes saw me and just decided to act wired." She replied while she slowly paced towards them.

" No, just stop ,right there– and don't you dare come any further" they yelled as trod backwards.

Just then, it dawn on Fiona. She for a moment had forgotten herself that she wasn't human. She gazed down at her daughter with shuttered heart and suddenly disappeared which caused the bag to fall down the stairs. Gina and Lizzy instinctively shouted, frightened.

Gisella lurked around but her mother was nowhere to be found.

" Where did she go, just now?", she asked, picking her bag from the floor.

As soon as she started descending towards them, they screamed and run out of the hall.

" Gosh, they really get on my nerves– Why do they always act up whenever I'm around them?. This is so annoying " She lamented.

With no time, she heard the horn of the school bus at the gate and rushed out of the house hurriedly.

" This girl is so wired – I now really believe she's evil and cursed," Gina uttered, almost out of breath.

" I always get scared at her presence.. Let's try and revive this silly girl now" said Lizzy had really been shaken by what just happened.

They turned their attention back on Agnes who was still lying motionless on the floor.

GISELLA' S SCHOOL

Gisella walked into her class, talking to an unknown person. Loretta and her friends, Bianca and Paola saw her approaching. Their fixed, threatening gazes monitored her as she draw closer.

" Hey, wiredo?!!!– who are you talking to this time?", a girl teased.

" None of your business, Loretta" She sheepishly replied, feeling embarrassed and hurt. This is what she actually go through each and everyday from Loretta and her friends. They like to bully and get on her nerves.

" You got the guts to talk back at me?",Loretta exclaimed, pushing her to the floor.

" Ouch!!, Lore.." She groaned in pain.

The whole class laughed, while they cheered Loretta on.

" What will you do?– Cast a spell on me or what? Come on, tell me, huh?", Loretta continued bullying her.

She got up, crying and went to her desk without uttering a word.

" Get off my desk" Gisella stuttered to a ghost girl who was occupying her seat. She didn't know she wasn't human.

" You can see me?", the girl cried.

" Yes, why not?– please just get off, I'm not in the mood for anymore troubles". She uttered calmly in tears.

" Please let me sit with you. I feel so lonely and no one to be my friend –I can be your friend if you don't mind." The girl pleaded. Gisella couldn't help than to empathize with her. She smiled faintly and nodded her head.

" Okay, Sure. I'm Gisella and you?"

" Annabel– i'm Annabel", the ghost girl exclaimed happily.

Gisella was about to sit when she realized her mates' scornful eyes fixed at her direction.

" Evil girl, – I so hate and detest the sight of you. Don't you ever come close to any of us..", Loretta exclaimed and went to her desk.

Soon, their teacher walked in and started teaching.