Seven Years Later

♧

Lena Foster was in the middle of teaching her students in the music room doing all a few hearty little clapping, singing, and dancing. A cluster of kids took half of the space in the room, and nearby the window, a blue oceanic sky was spreading against the white-puffy clouds. Little girls and boys gathered in a circle and began to sing the melody in a high-pitched voice. Their lively voices reached the top of the ceiling, and the people on the upper floor heard their muffled sounds.

All of her children, which meant her students, were deeply admired by the young teacher since her motherly nature had finally won the children's hearts. A fine womanly character she was, unique and tender in her own ways, and there, her old soul would reveal.

There was something about her love for the world that even darkness could not conquer it with fear. If anyone ever wondered how she got in this state, her life was brimful with ever so many hopes because she took every little thing as a blessing in her life. It was for her, after all, a key to open the door of happiness. Lena valued her time more for the people who are below her rather than above. A solicitude creature that many were even touched by this wonderful young woman who never refused to lend a helping hand.

Every time when Lena was always on her way home after her long hours of work, she tried her best to earn goodness in every form and clung to it so dearly. Whether it be a smile to her neighbour, a greeting, sharing a few kind words, and sending off some foods to her neighbours, the workers, and the street musicians, it was something she would most regularly do in her free time.

Every so often when Lena came back home, her father and her little sister would always be there by then. Mr. Foster came home earlier than he used to and took most of his spare time with his daughters. Serena, a freckled little girl of seven soon to be eight years of age, jumped up from her chair the minute when Lena came inside of the house.

"Lena, Lena. Look what I made in school!" Serena urged her in feverish delight. She showed her small canvas that was painted with glittering colors. It wasn't bad for a girl of her age to do this kind of masterpiece.

"You did this? I am surprised you can do this so well, Serena," Lena was much impressed by her work. "Do you want to hang it on the wall later?"

"No, I want to give it to you," Serena shook her head.

"For me?" repeated Lena.

"Yes, it's for you. Because you are the best sister in the whole entire world. I don't think anyone can replace you, so that's why I want you to have this gift." Serena made a contented nod and looked up at her sister who was now on the verge of tears.

This caused a long deep pause in the room.

"Oh, you darling. Come here," and Lena knelt in front of her sister in return to give her a warm embrace. "I love you." she kissed her apple-cheeked sister.

After they had both released from the long hug, Serena asked, "Do you like it?"

"I love it just as much as I love you." Lena's face brightened.

"Hey, I am not your gift," grumbled Serena, suddenly disappointed with the words she chose.

Lena chuckled lightly at this funny spectacle. "You are a special gift in my life, Serena. You are the most dearest gift, and no one shall ever replace my love for you." as she spoke this, her heart agreed.

"If you love me that much, let's play dollhouse!" suggested Serena, erupted in full of alacrity. "It's so long we haven't played."

"Don't you want me to cook dinner for you first?" Lena looked down at her watch. "We'll play dollhouse, okay? But in the meantime, you must eat first or else you'll starve yourself, little sister."

There was a sigh from Serena, but without any word of complaint, she followed her and dutifully helped her sister in organizing the plates on the table. She was tall for her age and didn't find it the least bit of problem when picking up things from the kitchen counter.

Once all the food was neatly prepared, Mr. Foster came to the dining room and sat on the chair with a newspaper in his hand. His mouth was firmly sealed until he was about to convey his news just when his daughter got up from her seat.

"Lena," He called, looking very composed himself. "Do you remember a friend of yours by the name of James Allan?"

"Yes, of course, dad. Why do you ask?" Lena asked in a change of tone when the familiar name was hardly ever mentioned until now.

"It seems like he's coming back to town."

"Is he? Why so sudden?" Lena tried to gather her thoughts.

"I just got a call from him today. He told me on the phone that he got a promotion from his work and intends to spend his remaining holidays here," Mr. Foster announced. "We can invite him to dinner again, like we once had years ago, remember?"

Out came Serena a few seconds after, who overheard the conversation in the dining room. "What kind of a boy is he, dad?" she flung herself to her father's lap.

"I would say a good fellow, my dear. He is a friend of ours in the family," Mr. Foster smiled and patted his daughter's silken hair. "I'm afraid you forgot all about him because you were a little tot back then when he met us."

"How come I can't remember?" Serena frowned, a little indignant about it. "I'm always good at remembering things."

"Yes, but not this one." her father pinched the little nose as his smile grew.

"Do you know when he'll arrive?" Lena suddenly asked. Still unable to believe if this was all true.

"Tomorrow, actually. That's why he told me today so that I can inform you." as he said this, Lena couldn't believe what she was hearing.

All these years, all these years she thought he would never come back. At least not in this way. Yet underneath her veiled heart, she herself hoped that he was doing this for the sake of returning to his old sweetheart whom he had left her with only a farewell kiss which was still marked upon her lips. Their history together was strong in her memory, just like the memories of her mother. The news elevated her hope for once without any disheartening feelings because she knew for certain after all these years of waiting was not in vain.

"That's great, right?" said Olivia on that particular day when she invited Lena over to come by at a cafe. "If I am not mistaken, he was from our school? The name does ring a bell to me."

"Yes, he was," Lena nodded. "I've been waiting for this to happen and yet the idea of him coming back never crosses my mind until now. For some reason, I can't think properly because of-"

"Because of the idea of him being here, Lena-goody-Petite?" cut in Olivia, getting the habit of it lately.

"Please, Olivia. Don't ever call me that again in front of the public." pleaded Lena, a mortified expression passed over her face when they were having a momentary discussion.

"Ha, I won't. But ain't the name funny? Lena-goody-petite sounds perfectly fitting for a young lady like you! I have known you for a long time now, and there is no doubt. I am not the goblin in the movie who does humbug you know." she ridiculed, smirking in the corners of her mouth.

Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw her friend in a flat moody expression. Olivia thought she might have uttered something that triggered her friend from her tongue, so she owed her an apology.

"Alright, alright. Out of all people, I didn't know you were that sensitive when it comes to this subject." she gruffly replied.

"I know this seems petty for you, Olivia. But truly, I never seem to like it when people praise me with these names especially coming from my own friend. Just don't imply as if I'm perfect," Lena insisted, fearing about this particular subject. "Don't you remember I said this a few years back?"

"Wait—To whom might I ask? I've never heard of any warning from you, anyway. Alright, look—what I meant to tell you is that you have a kind soul. How do I know this? As a longtime friend of yours, that is. Come on don't act stupid," Olivia gulped the cup of coffee she was holding. "Can't you just take a damn compliment?"

"No, I can't." Lena stared down for a while, and a shadow of sorrow clouded her face.

"Why not? I mean look at you. You are a hard-working lady, and attractive as well if I might add. What makes you fall into a guilt-trip if I were to say you are the best person I have ever met, hmm?" Olivia slightly leaned forward to examine the look on her friend's face.

"I need another drink, please," Lena ignored the question and beckoned the waiter. "It's too early to explain, Olivia. Too long if I tell you."

"We have a whole day—" Olivia reminded, slightly taken aback. "You sure are sensitive. Don't be like this," she reassured. "Just let it out. You ain't gonna keep this secret for the rest of your life when it comes to me."

Lena looked up at her this time.

"You sounded like my mother," she straightened, staring at Olivia.

"Whenever there's a time I feel down, she would always tell me the same thing." Lena told, struck by the sudden flashback she once knew. Memories came floating in the air again. "You really want to hear it do you?"

Olivia sighed then snorted then turned to meet the green eyes that were filled in a pack of secrets. "Of course, if you don't mind—" she sighed. "Now, fire away."

And so, Lena did.

The dark clouds covered the evening stars as they sparked the world in their form. In the bright room of the hospital, Lena sat nearby the deathbed of her mother. There she lay in her last breath before she was about to be taken away.

"Lena, I want you to promise me something, dear," she croaked in her unusual voice that was apparent enough to consider it foreign and deep. Even Lena didn't recognize the voice. It always sounded music in her ears and tonight the voice utterly changed.

Lena held her mother's feeble hands and she gently caressed it on her cheeks. She dropped a few sorrowful tears as it streamed down.

"Anything, mom."

"I want you to take care of your little sister. Be her guardian. Take care of her just as much as I took care of you. You are the only daughter I can put my trust on—my sweet thing, don't cry."

She wiped the droplet of tears from her face.

"It's hard, mom. But I promise to look after her, and raise her just the same way you raised me. I won't break it."

She kept her mother's hand placed like that, and even the last moment of her hours, the dying woman smiled so beautifully. She was proud to hear those words from her daughter.

"I know I can count on you," she took an effort to lift a smile. "Since the day you were blooming into your early teens, I knew you had a knack." Both were now holding each other's hands. "You were such a beautiful baby back then. Everyone loaded me with full of questions about your appearance. I, however, ignored their question, of course, because it was unnecessary and very foolish if I had answered their questions. Dear me, I have never been fussed in my life before. Especially when it comes to my own daughter's beauty! If any mothers were to say the same thing to me again, they should consider themselves lucky to have beautiful daughters of their own. We can't compare others merely by their looks."

Lena couldn't help but agree. "Funny." was all she responded in that vital hour.

"Yes, funny, indeed," Her mother shook her head deprecatingly. "Ah, those moments! I cherish them dearly. How I have treated you unfairly these past few years. Forgive me, Lena. I know you deserve a lot better." she whispered, solemnly. A few moments later, it was time for her to leave, and her soul departed from this world so soon.

Looking back at the memory, Lena never had the chance to plead for forgiveness to her own mother. It was supposed to be her in that spot, asking for pardon and imploring for forgiveness. After all those years, she knew she wasn't a perfect daughter in her life. It washed over her with remorse that was building inside of her. The slip of the tongue where she used to argue, bicker and caused small fights with her mother. The memory made it even worse and somehow it would never seem to mend the situation she was in.

This was the reason why it hurt Lena if anyone praised her. Ever since the death of her beloved mother, a pang of guilt burdened her soul and it tormented her own existence. No matter how happy she was, there was still a sad part of her life that still remained.

Lena Foster was seeking redemption and she found humbleness would keep her away from the mistakes she had once done.

Author's Note

Thank you for the support everyone. I will try my best to post and update frequently. I want to inform everyone that I have changed my mind. Instead of making this as a short-story, I will be making this as a novel. Yes, I have been thinking about it lately because I got so many requests to write this piece of story as a novel. Henceforth this shall be my final decision. Anyhow, thank you once again for all the feedbacks. I do really appreciate it :)