Jalin heard the hurtful words expel out of her beak.
"You don't know?" wondered Jalin. "But I… I… Huh?"
Salvia looked down and sighed. She then looked up to face Jalin again.
"Jalin, you hurt me. You kept me away from my identity and my family for ten years. I didn't know any of my childhood or who my parents were or if I even had a family."
"But I told you, it wasn't my fault that you lost your memory."
"But what you did caused me to lose my memory," defended Salvia, raising her voice. "If you wouldn't have shipped me off like some kind of animal, none of this would be happening."
Jalin sighed. She was right. If he and his siblings didn't put Salvia in that truck, none of this would've happened.
"Listen, I came here to make it all right. Salvia, I know what I did was wrong. Very wrong. I was just a chick back then. I couldn't comprehend the consequences of my actions. It wasn't even a day until I realized the magnitude of what I did. I tried to live day by day, but I was always reminded. Mom was the one who reminded me of what I did the most. She even tried to commit suicide. If she succeeded, I would be the murderer of my mom too. Two nights after that day, I decided to look for you. I failed miserably when Nico and Pedro, my 'uncles', found me. I was grounded for a week for the assumption I was trying to run away. But Salvia, I don't know how, but please accept my apology."
There was a pause before Salvia spoke.
"A chick or not, you should've known. I mean, you're a very smart bird, Jalin. I figure you were smart back then too. Why didn't you confess when you were younger?"
"I guess it was what Leoncio drilled into my head," breathed out Jalin.
"Leoncio? What does he have to do with it?"
"It wasn't just me… It was all of us. Leoncio and Elena helped execute my plan."
"Oh," came Salvia's depressed voice. "So, my sister and brothers all hated me."
"But Salvia, they are not to blame. The plan was all executed by me."
"But they performed the conspiracy against me."
Jalin grunted. He should've not told that his siblings were part of her disappearance as well.
"If it wasn't for me, none of this would have happened. I was the one who drugged you. Besides, they confessed to Jewel and Blu what they did was wrong. What we did was wrong. Salvia, I'm so sorry."
"And you think a sorry fixes everything?"
Jalin took a few steps towards Salvia.
"No, but love does."
Salvia's eyes widened.
"Salvia, I didn't travel thousands of miles just to say I was sorry. I love you, Salvia. That what drove me to come here."
Salvia stood silent, thinking. Love? He loved her?
"Jalin, is what you say true? Do you love me?"
Sincerely, Jalin answered, "Yes."
Salvia returned to her thoughts. Yes, she hated what Jalin did to her, but she loved the bird. Jalin was smart, caring, funny, and handsome. She had fallen for him ever since he took her out to tour Rio. She loved Jalin even after he confessed on what he did to her. If Abe hadn't been Gregory House, none of this would be happening.
"Jalin," she started, "I want to say I love you too. I fell for you. We connected, you know? During this time of hate and despair, the bird who brought me hurt and anger was the bird I loved. I was angry not so much on what you did, but it was the bird I love that did those things. I love you, Jalin, but I could I live with a bird who once cast me aside?"
Jalin's eyes widened. She loved him? She loved him! However, what she said afterwards lowered his excitement. She was right. He and his siblings cast her aside. It was just due to jealously, which she clearly saw. She understood that casting her aside because they were jealous wasn't a good enough reason. Her final statement alone told him that she would always be reminded of what Jalin did if she lived with him.
"I wish I could let it go," continued Salvia. "Just to let it blow over and just be with you without the thought of it coming back. Part of me always said that, but my other part reminds me that the crime separated me from my parents and my identity. It also tells me I can't trust my own brothers and sisters. If you got rid of me when I was younger, I might get beaten down to the point of death since we're older if I become annoying or something."
"Never," Jalin said sincerely. "I make sure of that. Salvia, I know where you're coming from. I just…I just want to let you know. I would make it up for the rest of my life. That's all I can do. I will be with you forever and ever, through sickness and health; through labor and rest; through the worst of times and best of times. Salvia, I claim my flowing love to you. I know it was horrible of what I did and I will regret it every day, but the past is the past. All I can say is sorry and spend the rest of my life making it up. Salvia, please. I love you."
Salvia stared at Jalin, thinking of what he said. After a few moments, she approached him and grabbed his wings with her wings. He looked down and then faced her. She didn't smile, but she had twinkling eyes that said all what needed to be said. They stretched out their necks simultaneously, meeting halfway for a passionate kiss. The kiss they shared released the feelings they had towards one another. All hatred had been eradicated. Salvia felt her spirit being lifted from its gloomy state. Jalin had found a meaning to his life. Happiness and love filled their minds, turning empty thoughts to future thoughts. They slowly parted from the kiss and grinned at each other.
"That was intoxicating in a very good way," said Jalin. "Makes me want more."
"Hold on, my blue male. There's one thing I want to know."
"About what?"
"The soccer bet we made in Rio. I think this changes things."
"Oh? How so?"
"Obviously, we can't be slaves with each other."
"So, you're calling it off?"
Salvia giggled.
"Oh, no. I still want to see me win. You know how it was to be nonsexual? Well, now it is."
"Naughty girl. I can't wait to win. Kiss on it?"
"Kiss on it."
Jalin and Salvia came in together for another kiss.
Angelica watched them from afar with Abe. She sighed. Abe looked at her.
"Angelica?"
Without facing him, she replied.
"Well, it looks like Salvia is with Jalin now. I guess she's going back to Rio."
"It was likely she would go back," stated Abe.
"I know. I'll just miss her, but as long as she's happy, I am too."
Angelica watched as Jalin had his wings around Salvia. Salvia would be out of her life soon, living her own in Rio. Though Angelica would have to say bye to a longtime friend, she had to let Salvia go. Summer vacation was around the corner. Angelica knew that they would cross paths someday. She had seen Salvia grown into a beautiful bird, and it was time for her to leave the nest. A tear rolled down Angelica's eye. Though she was saying bye to her pet, she was freeing her friend to the life that she truly belonged to.
Alright. I don't usually do this as stated before, but I am writing an AN in a story, again. Anyways, This is because of what was going on I ended the story quickly. Plus, I was eager and somehow not thinking of a proper ending. This led to the story finishing very fast and really not explaining some key elements. I know I said it was completed and a few of the readers who've read this story have left, but it is time to truly finish this story. I apologize for saying it was complete before. I am still keeping the the journey Jalin has, though it was looked down upon, because it supports the theme of the story and it will make better sense once the actual ending is posted in the next couple of chapters. So, I thank the readers for their reviews and continued support.