Ikinulong Ako ng Aking Ama Hanggang Mamatay

Laying on her small size bed with her medium-length hair spread all over the mattress, Lily felt tears pricking from the two corners of her eyes making her vision blurry as she continued in her trail of thoughts. 

It was hard and unacceptable for us to make peace with the fact that our parents were gone and we will never see them again, making us orphans at this tender age. Life took us unaware and unprepared, still, we have to give it a try to make it out alive. 

The pain I was feeling was so much that I couldn't bring myself to cry anymore, my tear glands seemed to have automatically dried off and breathing became almost impossible.  

Believe it or not, good people exist in this world. Mr. and Mrs. Josh are living example through their works but sometimes, there's just so much people can do for you despite how good their intentions towards you might be. Regardless of being just our neighbors, they've been nothing but kind towards us especially since we lost our parents.  

Mrs. Jane's voice sounded like thunderstorms in my ears when she revealed to us she was taking us to the orphanage. I felt tears prick from the left corner of my eye as I watched her explain. Layla's head was resting on Eddie's shoulder as he carefully stroked her hair trying to comfort her. 

"Honey" their bags are ready. Mrs. Jane's husband voiced out from the last step of the stairs before coming down to the living room where we were gathered.  

" Lily, Eddie, and Layla, my wife and I would have loved to welcome you three in our home but we barely have enough to fern for ourselves, especially after losing my job. " 

He explained as he cupped my jaws in his hands and all I could do was nod my head as another lone tear escaped my right eye.

Eddie being the oldest amongst us got up and thanked them for all they've done for us .it wasn't in their place to worry over us but they did. 

It was just a matter of an hour before our taxi came to a halt in front of the orphanage. children of different ages and sex were playing while others were just seated. I scanned the vicinity again before concluding there were a lot of children living there and we are about to add up to the existing number. I thought to myself as we ascended the few steps that led to the main entrance. My gaze diverted from the children when I heard Mrs. Jane talking to someone I assumed to be in charge of the orphanage. We were introduced to her as well as the other children. 

 Our things were taken to our room where some other children were while Eddie was taken to the boy's room. 

"Hi, I'm Elena", a little girl around my age introduced herself to me, and I did the same in return and we both broadened the smile that formed at the corner of our mouths.

"Mind if I show you around"? 

She asked and I just nodded. Turning to Layla, she was curled up on our new bed. She had not said a word since we left our neighborhood. Not that I'm surprised by her actions but I was just concerned about her. What if she tries to do what she did the last time? I shook my head in denial as I managed to ask her to join us and take a walk which she obviously denied.

"I want to be left alone, you go ahead and have fun "was all she said before resting her head on the small pillow on the bed and shutting her eyes closed.  

It's been five months since we came here and Layla has made little progress in making new friends. We were always fighting and she kept accusing me of being the reason for the way she was. Sometimes I decline to play with the others just so I can keep her company even when she doesn't want to talk to me or wants me around. This attitude made others hate me for it and began bullying me as well which I could handle because of her. 

"Leave me alone, I said leave me alone go away from me " Layla's high-pitched voice reaches my ears Out of the room. I ran towards her to find out what was going on. Upon arrival, some other kids were making fun of her because of the scar she had on her face.

"My goodness, I can't believe you guys. it's not her fault she has a scar on her face can you just leave her alone?" I yelled as I approached them causing them to stop and look in my direction.

Layla immediately fell on the floor and continued crying before I could reach her. 

"Layla", I called in the softest tone ever as I tried to hug her but she pushed me aside and ran out of the room leaving me on the floor. It hurts me to see her hurting especially because of the scar on her face.

I was still pondering on what I could do to help Layla when the kids who bullied her said hurtful things to me and laughed as they made their way out of the room.

"I followed her outside and tried to pull in a hug but she pushed me to the ground causing me to fall and have a sprain on my leg. 

"What do you want from me?" She yelled at me. I looked at her with a confused expression while holding onto my leg. 

"I don't need your pity, "she said in tears as she ran away from me again. Elena, the new friend I made lowered herself to me and wrapped me in her arms and I did the same in return. 

"Lily, your sister's behavior is weird. She's been avoiding you since the last time you two fought. It wasn't even your fault she got bullied and you tried your best to be a good sister to her" 

Elena said a bit annoyed with Layla.

 I just gave her an awkward smile and told her to let it go. She was still my sister anyways. 

Later that evening, the sister in charge of the orphanage told us we will be having visitors and warned us to be of good conduct.

In my view, I told my new friend that whoever was picked among us will be very lucky because all three couples who came in today seemed to be very rich and she nodded in agreement.

I was about to whisper something to Elena again when I heard a voice say "This one " pointing out to me. That very instant, I felt my heartbeat increase as I feared I was gonna be punished for talking without permission. I didn't even wait for them to look in my direction twice as I started uttering words of apology. 

"I'm sorry ma'am I said as I went down on my knees with my hands together. 

" What are you sorry for? The woman asked as she tried to help me stand "

" for speaking without permission, " I said looking up to her to which She just smiled at me and told me it was fine. 

"Lewis, she's adorable, isn't she? She asked the man beside her who just nodded and continued pressing his phone.

I felt my heart sink inside my stomach when my sister Lily was chosen and not me. I felt the need to cry out the sadness in my heart when an idea suddenly pops into my head with a smirk on my face I didn't notice until now.

I just smiled to myself as I took a few steps from where I was standing when I just thought of another possibility and the smile on my face disappeared almost immediately. unfortunately, I didn't have the luxury of time to fully cultivate the other possibilities as I spotted her walking in my direction. 

" Mrs Lewis" I called as I took some steps and caught up to her.

" Can I please talk to you?"

 " Sure of course, what is it that you want to say? She questioned and I found myself playing with my fingers as I contemplated if I should say it and be done with it or not.

As if she sensed my fear of expressing myself, she lowered herself down and took my hands in hers, and gave me an assuring smile that it was ok for me to say what was on my mind. 

Ma'am, I began to speak as I went down on my knees with tears streaming down my face leaving the woman in a totally confused state.

Child, what is it she asked yet again.?