Chapter 3

Suddenly, the front door swung open with a loud creak. Mia jumped up, her heart pounding. A tall, tired-looking man stepped inside. It was Mr. Andreas, their father. He worked far away and had not been expected home for another week. His face was lined with worry and dust from the long journey.

“Where is Lily?” he asked, his voice rough. “I heard she was bitten by a snake. Is she all right?”

Mia led him to the bedroom. Mr. Andreas knelt beside Lily, gently touching her forehead. She stirred but did not wake. He let out a long breath, then turned to Mia. His eyes were not kind.

“How did this happen, Mia? I left you in charge. You were supposed to look after her. I trusted you.”

Mia felt her throat tighten. “I… I only went to fetch water. I was gone for a few minutes. I didn’t think—”

“You didn’t think?” Mr. Andreas’s voice rose, filling the small room. “A green mamba could have killed her! She is only three years old. You are twelve, old enough to know better.”

Tears welled in Mia’s eyes. She wanted to explain, to say she had already rushed Lily to the clinic, that Nurse Sonia had saved her, that she had not left her alone since. But the words stuck in her throat.

Just then, Ebenezer, their elder brother, came in from the yard. He had been playing with the neighbour’s puppies. “Papa, don’t be so hard on Mia,” he said quietly. “She carried Lily all the way to the clinic. She didn’t mean for it to happen.”

Nestor, the oldest brother, followed behind. “It’s true, Papa. Mia was very brave. The nurse said she got Lily there just in time.”

Mr. Andreas looked at his sons, then back at Mia. His shoulders sagged. “I know you did your best, child. But I was so scared. I came home as soon as I heard. Your mother is on her way too.”

Mia wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry, Papa. I will never leave Lily alone again. I promise.”

Mr. Andreas pulled her into a hug. His voice was softer now. “I know you won’t. But accidents happen. We will all be more careful from now on.”

Later that night, Ms. Frieda arrived. She was a teacher at a school far away, and she had taken the bus as soon as she heard the news. She hugged each child tightly, her eyes wet. “My brave little ones,” she whispered. “Thank you, Mia. Thank you for saving your sister.”

The next morning, the family gathered around the breakfast table. Lily was awake and eating her porridge, her arm still bandaged. She smiled at Mia. “I like it when you stay with me, Mia.”

Mia smiled back. “I will always stay with you, Lily. Always.”

Mr. Andreas looked at his wife. “I think I will ask for a transfer closer to home. We cannot have the children so far away.”

Ms. Frieda nodded. “And I will look for a teaching job in the village. We will be together as a family.”

The children cheered. Ebenezer and Nestor high-fived each other. Mia hugged Lily, feeling a warm glow inside.

From that day on, Mia never left Lily alone. She took her everywhere—to fetch water, to the market, to play with the neighbour’s puppies. And every night, before they slept, Mia would whisper, “I love you, little sister.” And Lily would whisper back, “I love you too, Mia.”

In the village, people told the story of the brave girl who saved her sister from a snake. But Mia knew the real hero was Nurse Sonia, and the real lesson was that family sticks together, no matter what.

And so, life went on. The sun rose and set, the seasons changed, and the bond between Mia and Lily grew stronger than ever. They were not just sisters; they were best friends, protectors of each other. And that was the best kind of love there was.