Aya was kneeling on the floor, trying hard to ignore the thought of how this used to be her room. Instead, she focused on the one year old sitting a few feet away from her.
Over the months, baby Dawn had grown a head full of brown hair and was now crawling and sitting up by herself. Aya enjoyed watching the child do small feats, she enjoyed watching the child in general. She felt like a guardian angel at times, watching over the child when Father or Maria weren't around. She wasn't a very good guardian though.
"Come on, you can do it." She said knowing no one would hear. The baby was beginning to stand on its legs, wobbling a lot, but managing. "There we go, easy does it." Aya was smiling now, something she hadn't done for who knows how long.
Dawn manages to stand up, still wobbling slightly and actually began taking a few steps. She was taking her firsts steps, and she was walking straight towards Aya.
She's walking! She's walking towards me! The thought amazed Aya as she opened her arms, forgetting that it was pointless. The toddler took four steps in total, and then fell to the ground. Aya tried to catch her, but she went right through her arms, hitting the ground with a thud.
Oh no.
A loud wail escaped Dawn's lips, filling the room and the hall. A feeling of guilt and dread piled up on Aya. She felt so helpless.
Maria came rushing to her child's aid, quickly gathering the child up and softly cooing. Aya stood up, watching Maria as she silenced the baby's wails. Smiling softly, Maria took Dawn with her into the hallway, while Aya remained put. A sadness washing over her.
She just took her first steps. Aya remembered when Mom told her how it was a big deal when she was younger. 'I believe every parent should watch as their child takes their first steps, it's their first big achievement in the world.' Her mother's words echoed in the head as she looked down at where the baby was sitting moments ago.
She just took her first steps, and nobody saw it.
Nobody, but her.