Untrustworthy.

         This word sounds me to the past thinking about what had happened the previous year. Listening to the perpetual crashing of waves, I saw my little sister, Sara, chuckling and tottering unsteadily, leaving behind tiny footsteps on the sand.  This was what happened on that fateful day.

         “Kelly! Take care of your little sister. Mummy and Daddy are going to work. We will be home by eight o’clock,” ordered Mother. I adored and had a great sense of affection toward Sara. I loved her so much that whenever I go out, I would always buy little trinkets for her. That is how much I love her. I had to babysit her. I was having a lot of fun with her. We had a mini-photoshoot session. I took a box and placed her inside it. I took pictures of her sitting in the box. I even sent them to my friends. Just then, my best friend, Susan called. Upon hearing the ringtone, I rushed to my room to take my handphone and told Sara that I would be back shortly.

          Talking to Susan about something exciting, I got carried away and forgot all about Sara. Just then, Sara started to panic when she noticed that she was all alone in the hall. She tried her best to get out of the box and she eventually managed to do so. Being a three-year-old toddler, Sara could not walk steadily yet. I was immersed in the conversation oblivious to my surroundings.

          “Bang! A loud thud sound sent my mind on overdrive. I cut Susan’s line and rushed to where the noise came from. That was when I realised I had forgotten all about Sara! I saw her lying on the floor with her head bleeding profusely. It was as thick as honey and ruby red. I stood there. Dumbfounded.

          Without battling an eye, I called for the ambulance. I regretted leaving Sara alone. Why? How could I forget to someone whom I love so much? Will I be trusted anymore? I had a lot of questions running in my head. I cradled Sara in my arms rocking her back and forth hoping that she would come around but her breathing was shallow.

          Soon, the ambulance arrived. They put Sara on the stretcher and rushed to Changi General Hospital. They brought Sara to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while I waited outside. My heart started pounding even faster than usual. With my shaking fingers, I dialled my mother’s number. Then a stern voice said “Hello! Yes, my dear? Why are you calling me?” Then I explained what had happened. The line went silent. Within half an hour, my parents came rushing to me. I could see that my mother’s face was as red as a cherry. Then they both started screaming at me for my negligence.

          Just then, a surgeon came out of the ICU and told my parents that Sara was in a coma as she had hit her head very hard. She also explained that it might take two to three weeks for Sara to regain consciousness. Tears started streaming down my face as I thought of the gravity of my actions. Guilt swept through me. For nearly two weeks, I was given the silent treatment from my parents. I knew that I had lost my parents’ trust. Finally, Sara came out from comma after fifteen days.

          When we were told to see Sara, my parents and I went in. once Sara saw me, she started to scream. Since she had regained her memory, she remembered how she got in that state.

           But that was then. Now, running towards me, Sara giggled in childlike wonder. Then she wrapped her chubby arms around my neck whispering into my ear saying “I love you, Kelly!” At that moment, I knew that I had regained Sara’s trust and promised myself never to repeat my mistake.

Untrustworthy.