THE UNFORGIVEN

Delia danced with delight upon receiving the invitation to Aurora’s birthday party. She had been secretly wishing to be invited to her wealthy friend’s party. Now that she was invited, she would have the chance to wear the beautiful, expensive dress that her mother sewed almost a month ago.
Aling Julia, Delia’s mother, had been sick for about a week now. She heard the happy conversation between Delia and Lilia, their maid. “Delia,” Aling Julia called. Delia went near her mother. “May I know what makes you happy?” her mother asked.
“Mother, I’m invited to the birthday party of Don Pedro’s daughter. It’s my chance to wear the lovely dress you sewed,” Delia said, stroking her mother’s hair.
The party was held the following night. Delia sat, stood, walked, danced and swayed in front of the mirror. Meanwhile, her mother was hot with high fever. Delia could not even hear her Mother’s soft calls. She was ready to go to the party. When she was about to go, she peeped into her mother’s room and said loudly, “Bye, Mother. I won’t stay long in the party.” Aling Julia looked at Delia sadly.
Lilia stayed by Aling Julia’s bed. She tried to keep Aling Julia’s fever low by giving her a sponge bath. Aling Julia tossed in bed. She was burning hot. At the party, Delia was the most attractive girl. She danced and danced. She had no time to think of her sick mother. At the stroke of twelve she saw Lilia at the door. She rushed to her and asked, “Is it about Mother, Lilia?” The maid nodded.
Delia ran home as fast as she could without looking back. She rushed to her mother’s room.
“Mother, I’m back. Forgive me, Mother,” Delia sobbed softly. Aling Julia did not answer. She was unconscious.
-Developing Reading Power 5 (Enriched Combined Edition)