Meanwhile, back at Daniel’s house, Victor was still there. They both sat under the shade of the big mango tree, the afternoon sun casting long shadows on the dusty ground. Daniel, deep in thought, broke the silence. “Victor, you just told me that Hope said you should call her Amanda. Don’t you think something is wrong somewhere? I don’t think that girl is ordinary.” Victor sighed, rubbing his hands together nervously. “I’ve been thinking the same thing, Daniel. But what do you think I should do?” Daniel leaned forward, his face serious. “We need answers, my friend. Let’s go and see the spiritualist. Maybe she can help us understand what’s going on.” Without wasting time, they stood up and began the long walk to the spiritualist’s hut. The path was narrow, surrounded by tall trees that whispered with the wind. When they arrived, the spiritualist—an old woman with wise eyes and beads around her neck—was sitting quietly, as if she had been expecting them. Victor greeted her and explained everything: how he found Amanda, the strange things she said, and Patricia’s behavior. The woman listened without interrupting, nodding slowly. After a long pause she finally spoke. “You seek the truth about Amanda, and the river holds your answers. You must go to the river and call upon the goddess of the river. She will tell you who Amanda really is.” Victor’s heart pounded. “How do I call her?” he asked. The spiritualist replied, “You must go alone, Victor. Take a white hen with you as an offering. When you reach the river, stand by the water’s edge, call her name three times, and present the offering. She will appear.” Victor and Daniel thanked the spiritualist and left. The journey back felt longer, Victor’s mind heavy with thought.
The next morning Victor woke up early. He found a white hen, tied it carefully, and set out for the river alone. The path was quiet, the trees standing tall like silent witnesses. The sound of the flowing river grew louder as he approached. When he reached the riverbank, he stood still for a moment, the water sparkling under the morning sun. He placed the white hen on the ground, lifted his hands, and called out, “Goddess of the river!” three times. The wind grew stronger, and the water began to ripple as if answering his call. Suddenly the river parted slightly, and from the middle of the water a beautiful woman rose, her body shimmering like the water itself. Her hair flowed like waves, and her eyes held the depth of the ocean. She was the goddess of the river. Victor fell to his knees, trembling. “Great Goddess, I am here to ask about Amanda. I need to know who she really is.” The goddess looked at him with calm, powerful eyes. Her voice was soft, yet filled with authority. “Amanda is indeed your daughter,” she said. Victor’s heart raced. “But how? Patricia told me the river took her.” The goddess’s face grew stern. “Patricia lied to you. She is wicked and full of evil. Years ago, Patricia threw her into this river with her own hands. She wanted to get rid of her because she hated her. When you returned that day, she pretended to cry and told you the river had taken Amanda.” Victor’s heart shattered. Tears filled his eyes, and he shook his head in disbelief. “No… no… how could I have been so blind?” The goddess continued, “But I saved Amanda. I rescued her from the water and raised her in my care. When she turned five, I sent her back to you because I knew your heart was empty and you needed your daughter. She was meant to be with you.” Victor couldn’t hold back his tears. He cried like a child, his chest heavy with guilt. “I’m so sorry, Amanda. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” The goddess looked at him with kindness. “It is not your fault, Victor. Love can blind even the wisest hearts. But listen carefully—Patricia’s womb has been blocked by me. She will never have children because of her wickedness. She doesn’t deserve the gift of motherhood.” Victor cried harder, blaming himself. “I should have seen it. I should have known she was evil. I failed my daughter.” The goddess gently spoke. “But Amanda is strong. She has a purpose greater than you can imagine. Go back to her. Protect her. She is more than just your daughter—she is a blessing.” Victor wiped his tears, stood up slowly, and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Great Goddess.” With that, the goddess disappeared into the water, and the river grew calm again. Victor picked up the empty basket he had carried, his heart heavy yet filled with a new sense of purpose.
Back at home, Amanda sat quietly, her heart burning with anger and determination. She knew it was time for the truth to come out. She stood up and walked into the main room where Patricia was pacing angrily, muttering under her breath. Amanda’s voice was calm but firm. “Patricia,” she called out. Patricia turned sharply, her face twisted with hatred. “What do you want now, you cursed child?” Amanda stepped closer, her eyes filled with fire. “I want you to confess your sins. Tell the truth about what you did to me. Stop hiding behind your lies.” Patricia laughed loudly, her voice dripping with venom. “How dare you, you little motherless child! Who do you think you are to speak to me like that?” Those words struck Amanda deep in her heart. But instead of making her cry, they fueled her rage. She clenched her fists and shouted, “Don’t you ever insult my mother again!” With a burst of anger, Amanda raised her hand and struck Patricia across the face. But this was no ordinary slap. The moment Amanda’s hand touched Patricia, something strange happened. Patricia’s eyes widened in shock. She grabbed her head, screaming at the top of her lungs. “No! No! What’s happening to me?” She started pulling at her hair, tearing her clothes, and stumbling around the room like a mad woman. Then without warning, she ran out of the house barefoot and screaming, her voice echoing through the village. Villagers stopped in their tracks, watching as Patricia ran through the streets like someone possessed. Some whispered, “What’s wrong with her?” Others watched in fear, too shocked to speak.
As Patricia ran wildly, she suddenly saw Victor walking back from the river, his heart heavy with the truth the river goddess had told him. But nothing prepared him for the sight of Patricia running toward him like a crazed woman. She fell to her knees in front of him, crying and wailing. “Victor, please forgive me!” she screamed. “I did it! I threw Amanda into the river! I lied to you! I said the river took her, but it was me! I hated her because she reminded me of your first wife! I’m sorry! Forgive me!” Victor stood still, his face filled with shock. The words hit him like thunder. The goddess had spoken the truth. Patricia crawled closer, grabbing his feet, sobbing uncontrollably. “Please, Victor, forgive me! I was jealous! I didn’t mean for it to go this far! Forgive me!” Victor looked down at her, his heart heavy with anger and pain. Without saying a word, he pulled his feet away, turned around, and walked away, leaving her crying and screaming in the dust. But Patricia’s madness grew worse. She tore at her clothes, screaming at the sky. Then she ran wildly into the forest, her screams fading into the distance, swallowed by the trees. No one saw her again.
When Victor reached home, he found Amanda waiting at the doorway. The moment he saw her, his heart broke with guilt and love. He rushed to her, knelt down, and hugged her tightly, tears streaming down his face. “My daughter,” Victor whispered, his voice shaking. “I’m so sorry. I promise I will never leave you again. I will protect you with my life.” Amanda smiled gently and hugged him back. “Daddy, don’t worry. I will always protect you too.” And in that embrace, all the pain, all the loss, all the darkness that had haunted their lives began to melt away.
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