I stood in front of the door which seemed taller and bigger all of a sudden. Thoughts raced in my head as to what could happen when I pass through the door and the outcome of what I was about to do. I breathed heavily,I felt anxious, perturbed and afraid all at once. Never had it ever occurred to me that I would someday have to apologize to anyone for any reason, especially someone that something to do with my father. I took a deep breathe for like the millionth time and made to knock but stopped again disappointedly. I grunted,"Don't think,just do it",i said to myself repeatedly. I knocked before I could stop myself which felt relieving and waited for an answer.
I heard no reply or voice from behind the door and my anxiety and curiosity increased. As I moved to knock again,I heard her voice ," Come in, please ".Those words sent cold shivers down my spine for an unknown reason. I walked in reciting the words of apology I had planned to say over and over in my head." Who knew apologizing could be this hard?", I wondered. I tried to close the door as quietly as possible and began walking towards her table.
She lifted up her head and stared at me," I can't remember sending for you,did I ?",she asked in a solemn tone and I shook my head as a reply afraid my words would fail me. I sat down on her chair uncomfortably as she stared at me," So why did you come?",she askef before I could open my mouh to say a word. " I ,I, I came to apologize for my behavior yesterday. I was rude and acted out of anger, I'm...I am deeply sorry", i said each word tasting bitter as they rolled down my tongue and heavy in my mouth. All this while, I didn't look at her. Rather,I looked down playing with my fingers.
Thick uncomfortable silence followed my apology but I didn't look up not even once." Emily,look at me",I heard her say tenderly. Slowly,I looked up to meet her gaze,"Everything I do to make you a better person. Yes,I know I can be rash and strict but that's because I have to. You may think I'm being annoying...",she was saying," Yeah no kidding ",I said in my mind as she spoke," But that's not my intention. Emily I just want you to change,you are a good,smart,strong young lady and everything i do is for you and everyone around you to see you like that but I need you to act like it if you want people to see you for who you really are",she said," Woah! I did not see that coming . Did she just compliment me?",I wondered and it made me feel good for some reason. No one had ever such kind words to me,I have always been seen as a rebel, stubborn,not good enough,nearly worthless,bully, troublesome and the list goes on, daughter but those words coming from someone I considered my arch enemy ,made a lot different. I found myself nodding slowly to what she said.
" I accept your apology and I hope you accept mine",she said,But you didn't apologize ",i wanted to burst out but i held my tongue, typical adults." I wanted to expel you but since you have own up to your mistake,I won't expel you but you will face some punishment to serve as a lesson to you ",she continued. Great,just when I thought she would let it slid," You are to clean this entire floor every day until the end of the holiday",she declared,"Great,just great",I said under my breathe and nodded,"Yes ma",I said with a heavy heart and looked down again disappointed and defeated,"You can go now and begin your punishment",sha said dismissively.
I tried to walk out of the office as fast as i could so I can put this incident behind me but my legs choose to disappoint me too." Couldn't she just forgive me like she said and forget the whole thing,why punish me even after forgiving me?",I asked myself and growled.
Presently, I'm in the garden with Oliver who is happy at the turn of events," I told you, didn't I? My Mum is a no nonsense woman and she almost have you expelled. You are lucky you took my advice ",she said proudly and triumphantly," Yeah, yeah, whatever ",I said still down casted ," Common, Emmy. Cheer up, it was for the best",she consoled. I knew it was due the best but I had to apologize to my arch-enemy and I hated myself for doing it. "Emmy,Emmy!",she called out,"What?",I asked coming out of my ocean of thoughts,"I asked what punishment she gave you ?",she repeated,"Oh, she said I could clean the the floor where her office is for the rest part of the holiday",I replied,"That's great,you have two weeks and some days to do that which is liberal judging from the severity of your offfence",she said," Yeah,yeah ,who cares? I expected her to just forgive memf let the whole thing slid but no she still decided to punish instead which is just great ",i said a bit pissed," Well it is better than expulsion right?",sje saod but I jusy rolled my eyes in tha darkness not answering her question. She chuckled at my childish behavior.