Lily

by: Daniela Jane Talangan

Hi! My name is Mary, I don’t have a last name. Sister Lily said I was found at the orphanage's door eight years ago. I was raised in the orphanage since then. I grew up having no mother nor father beside me. I only have Sister Lily. Every time a couple visits us, I can see other kids evincing all their goody-two-shoes self so that they’ll caught their attention. You know, foster parents and the like? A fortiori, a parent who will adopt them for good. Early on my years staying at the orphanage, I wasn’t a highflyer, I never was. I am not worth for an eye-catch being jejune I suppose. Their eyes tell, they despise me. I only have Sister Lily. But one cold summer morn, she wake me up from bed. With my sight still blurry and voice still husky, I got up, only to see a woman smiling so warmly. Hope against hope. For the first time in my entire life, I saw straight line in a slope road. Mother. I test the word in my tongue, and it just felt so overwhelming. Now I have realized why the kids just push cutthroat just to have a parent adopt them. Receiving a love at first-rate, this is a new. She didn’t give me the life I have, but she will make me live my life from now on. I only have Sister Lily, before. Guess it is different now. We drive interstate five and ahead until we reached a pale blue house.

Yes. A home. I t was already heaven-sent to have a Mother and a home of my own. Would I be even luckier to have a Father? A father. I've only ideated a man who would take me to school, carry me home and will teach me things I needed to learn, but now! It’s surreal! But he's here, in front of my bare eyes. He has the same warm smile as mother. Father. I am beyond clouds! O feel so thrilled, would there be an end? Oh, I'd stop the hands of the clock from ticking, pull the calendar leaves so that it would cease from falling, and pause every moment so I can capture it forever! If only I can. I would want this to be my endgame. I only have Sister Lily, before. But now, I have mother, and father, and a home! Who would want more? I have it all! I even have my last name now, Mary Thurber!

I now have my own family, not just my orphanage family, but a real family! I am going to enroll in a regular school soon, mother will cook

breakfast and father will take me to school. It’s exciting and scary at the same time. But I know I shouldn’t be afraid, mother and father said they got my back; and I have Sister Lily! She should’ve seen how I have been, how well I am doing, how happy I am right now. She should be here, too! I wonder what my other family in the orphanage is doing, are they well? I hope so, because if not, I will feel like I an atrocious for being happy at this rate. This pale blue house is amazingly beautiful, not because of the artistry of its interior design or the firmness of its exterior visuals and foundations, but because of the vibrant aura it always have when we are at home. No matter how pale its color is, it’s the brightest crayon on the box with my mother’s laugh, my father’s delighted voice, and my uninterrupted giggle. It’s all radiant and refreshing. I hope Sister Lily could feel it, too. I miss her! It would be a lot more fun if she’s here. My reverie vanished. I want to see her! I actually said aloud.

We drive back to my first home. It’s been a month, I haven’t heard from them, I haven’t heard from Sister Lily. I jumped off of the car as soon as we get there. I brought the pictures mother, father, and I took while we went to many amazing places. The kids aren’t around, where are they? I saw Robert, the custodian. He looked at me surprised for a second, but his face fails. The orphanage is no longer in operation, kids were transferred somewhere far, I was the last one they were able to send off. The pictures I’ve gathered fell off my hands, as it shatter on the floor, I felt my heart shattered too. Where is Sister Lily? I need to see her, she needs to see this! But my heart breaks even more upon hearing about Sister Lily. There was a letter for me, Sister Lily left it for me. She knew, she knew I’d be back!

Dear Mary,

Are you happy? You should be happy. I knew they would love you, so love them as much, okay? Sorry if I have to leave now. Sorry if I was too scared to even tell you, I have had all the chance I need but I chose to turn a blind eye on it, and I regret it. I was a coward, I hated how things happened too soon, I wasn’t prepared. I was only 18 then, I was raped, my life's a mess… but a blessing came; you are. I'm sorry for making you believe in all my stories. Sorry for being just a sister instead of being a mother to you. I love you, my daughter. Be happy.

Love, Mother Lily