Chapter 117

1971, October 29th, Friday Morning.

“Please, Baba, please don’t hurt her!”

“She is spoiled, Amaya. I have been too soft with her! She dares disobey me!? I tell her to keep inside and yet she runs off like this!? What if someone had seen her!?”

“Baba! Baba please, it was my fault, I asked her to come.”

“Do not take the fall for this worthless thing. She must face the consequences of her own actions! Imagine the mockery we would face if they knew we bore a squib! A magicless daughter!”

“Nobody saw! Nobody Baba! I promise!”

“You will be quiet if you do not wish to receive the same punishment. I have been lenient with you, Amaya, do not take my kindness for granted.”

“It’s — it’s ok, Ammy…”

“Vish…”

A knock resounded across the walls, reaching where they stood, deep within the old home.

“Ack! Clean yourself up. Amaya, take her to the attic.”

“But Baba –“

“Do as I say.”

In a flourish the man left, the door slamming behind him.

“Come on, Ammy…it’s ok.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m all right as long as I have you, come on…you can help me with my chains.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Stop with that, already. Why are you sorry this time?”

“…”

“Ammy?”

“…”

“Amaya?”

“Baba is sending me away. To a boarding school in Scotland.”

“What?”

“But — but I promise I won’t forget you! I’ll write letters and — and study really hard so I can give you magic!”

“Wait –“

“I’ll have to learn English but I’ll become really strong too!”

“You’re not really –“

“I’ll be the best, ok? And –“

“Leaving me, are you?”

“…”

“Ok…ok, it’s ok. Please, don’t cry.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I said stop with that.”

“I’m s –“

“Don’t.”

“…”

“Promise me then.”

“What?”

“Promise me you’ll give me magic.”

“Oh! Oh…yeah! Yeah, I promise Vish!”