November 2nd, 2009
Posted by qingx at 05:08 PM | You love me?
Fairuz Nadhirah
This is for you (=
The Pearl Necklace
“So, why do you wear
that pearl necklace all the time? I’ve been curious but didn’t come about to
ask” asked Marie sheepishly as she eyed the shimmering necklace clinging onto
my neck. Marie has been my roommate for 2 years now. There was a moment of
awkward silence as I never wanted to share the story of that particular episode
in my life. I will never breathe a word about what happened 24 years ago. I
smiled politely at Marie as the interruption from the waiter gave me an
opportunity to escape. I excused myself from the crowd. I scouted for an empty
seat where I can enjoy some time alone. As I sat comfortably on a couch,
undisturbed, I allowed my thoughts to go back 6 years ago. I was 18 and I had
to leave the orphanage. My one and only salvation.
For 18 years, I was kept under the impression that my
parents abandoned me on the steps of the orphanage. I loathe them. Never have I
felt the love from my parents. The only people who took care of me was Aunty
May and Uncle Peter. They’re like parents to me. But by 18, when I am
independent enough to fend for myself, I decided to leave the comfort of my
home. The orphanage was slowly overcrowding and I know I have to leave so that
other children can seek refuge in the place I called home. I packed my bag with
my head held high for I know that Aunt May and Uncle Peter were really proud
that I made it to college.
As soon as I landed my foot on the pavement, Aunt May
called out for me. I spun around to see her panting lightly. She held my hand
out and I felt something was placed on my palm.
“18 years ago, a feeble young lady left a blessed child in
a basket with a ten pounds note and this. I now return what is rightfully yours
and I have something to tell you” Aunt May said as a solemn look flashed
through but was quickly replaced with eyes tearing up.
I opened my palm to see what my mother left me with. It was
a pearl necklace. Each pearl identical to the other. Aunt May lead me back to
the house and we sat down facing each other. She sighed deeply. I had no idea
what I was about to know.
“For
the first few years, your mother posted money to us to support you financially.
She couldn’t look after you with 3 jobs daily. She worked hard to make sure you
don’t go starving. She even wanted to save for your education. Sometimes, she’d
be so weak that she could hardly walk but her face would immediately lit up
with sheer joy and pride when she carries you in her arms. After 3 years, there
was no news from her. A week later in winter we heard that she died in a corner
of the street. She died of cold and fatigue” said Aunty May as she looked down
trying to hide the tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Your mother was the only
daughter of Lord Spencer who is well known for his wealth and also his ruthless
ways. This pearl necklace was a gift from your father to her. However, Lord
Spencer didn’t approve of him because he came from a family of commoners. Your
parents were so deeply in love with each other that one day, your mother made a
drastic but firm decision to leave everything behind for him. They ran away and
came to this town to get married in a small church behind the school over
there” Aunt May pointed out. I was still in a state of disbelief as I try to
accept the fact that I had a family.
“Some time later, God blessed your mother with you.
However, this joy went as fast as it came. Your father was called up to join
the army when your mother was pregnant with you. He died as a hero. For our
today, he gave his tomorrow. Your mother was a determined woman. She was
persistent to bring you to the world. I remember she said that you are all your
father left her. I’ll never forget how the determination burned like fire in
her eyes” said Aunt May. I was slowly losing my focus. I can feel my emotions
taking over me. Tears started to blur my vision. All these while, I wrongly
assumed that they didn’t want me. I blamed them for all my misfortunes. I
blamed them for how I suffered the bullies from kids at school when they found
out I have no parents. I hung my head low with guilt.
“Your mother tried to go back to her family. She swallowed
her pride and knocked on the front door. However, Lord Spencer was a man with
no mercy. He gave stern orders not to let your mother in. He said he have no
daughter like your mother. He rejected her from the family” said Aunt May as
she wiped tears from my cheek.
“Before
she left us to rejoin Him, she told me to give you this pearl necklace. She
wants you to know that she loved you and she would do all she can to be able to
look after you and hold your hands through your life. But how was a young lady
like her stand long working hours being treated like a servant washing dishes
and doing laundries?” said Aunt May as she shook her head. She looked up and
wrapped me in an embrace. She looked at me straight to my eyes.
“Please don’t think ill of your mother. She was the
greatest woman I’ve ever known. I am sure your parents would be very proud of
this fine lass standing before me. Uncle Peter and I are so proud of you” Aunt
May said with a soothing voice.
I spent a week in college thinking about what Aunt May
said. I imagined my mother being treated like a slave. These images seemed to
keep flashing before my eyes and every time they do, tears would roll down my
cheeks unknowingly. I have parents and they do love me. How very wrong of me
for think that they left me.
I pulled myself back to the present. I was still on the
couch waiting for the Chancellor to announce my name. I was about to go upstage
and receive my top student award from my college. I rehearsed my prepared
speech in my mind.
“The prestigious Lumen Christi Award is to be honored to
the top student for this year. May I present you, Cosset Iris Moncrieff!”
exclaimed the Chancellor over the microphone as the audience clapped and
whispers of admiration are passed. I adjusted the microphone and began my
speech with full confidence knowing what I want to say and to who my many
thanks will go to.
“First and foremost, I would sincerely thank my parents because
they went the extra mile and sacrificed a lot for me to achieve what I have and
made me who I am today” I recited my first line as I unconsciously ran my
fingers through the necklace. The audience were looking around trying to
identify for signs of a couple beaming with pride but were confused as none
appeared to be my parents. I smiled and left it that way. Then, I continued my
speech.
