Fictional Story Unfolding the Past

It was in January 14th 1988,cold breeze was laying its icy hands through the rooftop of the office.

"Good morning Stella!", a large stout figure was standing towards the chair where Stella was going through the reports of the freshly recorded new entry of candidates. "Morning John!" ' I have been going through the reports and it seems these eligible candidates would be able to complete their tasks on time as the new project demands fresh minds.'

"Perhaps, Stella!", 'Good work John, I am happy and this demands a celebration, "she said sipping the last drop of coffee from the ancient handcrafted portuguese porcelain cup gifted by her sister on her birthday.

" You see the smile on my face, but I am also tensed up as I will be turning forty nine next month.,but I still have no one after me to turn this big empire, my pride" Mansion of Deluxe", for which I have been working so hard for years now." "I know! I know Madam," John was hesitating, "I have some information which is of little suspicion nevertheless but I have to unfold this."

"Oh what is it John? Speak up, Stella demanded... I have got the information on who your father and mother were. A set of lightning flashes were coming back in Stella's mind as her hands started trembling. She now jolted back to reality and keeping her expression to herself, she said "Please give me the full news John. "

Madam! As soon as you drafted me the work on Saturday, I sent a spy to bring the news from where it all started. Cambodia  a nice place. Her eyes were widened and glued to his face as he spoke.. "There is a well decorated town called Vigan, a historical place you know."

"34Alington Road at the end of the bridge running over the lovely waters. Oh! What a beautiful sight it is with a pleasant weather." Now his tone was again serious at those stern eyes looking straight at his face. The look in her eyes as John's words ended were of a pure shock.

That was enough. The next moment Stella was ringing up jack, the spy to know in details about every information she could grab. Her childhood has been disastrous and now after years of such ignorance she had to know the truth of her life.

"Hello!" 'Yes Madam I have been trying to take out as much information l could. ' 'Thanks Jack!, Your cheque is ready, kept on the table, will be sent to you via post. John will take care of the responsibility drafted to him.' Fifteen minutes later Stella was on her seat in her private Jet with her suitcase by her side. Flying to a completely unknown native place, situations brought about sweat on her forehead. She had envisions at night probably nightmares during her teenage days. Life without parents had been hard but then she chose to rise above those ashes like phoenix.

This place was really beautiful as John had mentioned. She was walking through that bridge looking forward to meet Mr. and Mrs. Parker who stays there. Knocking the door, she was eagerly waiting outside. An old man, slightly bent forward with grey hair was standing in front with a stick in his hand. "Hello!" 'My name is Stella, I have come here to know about my parents.' "parents!" Yes, my father Brad and my mother Maria. "  'But I don't know your parents!' replied Mr. Parker . 'oh! How come you don't? huh?'

Then suddenly Stella stopped thinking it baseless to argue,"can I have water please, I am all tired because of the journey." 'oh yes Madam why not? Please come in as the sun is about to set and it's already getting dark outside' She was been invited by Mrs. Parker to join them in the dining room and they had delicious meal comprising of all sorts of delicacies in that region. She was offered offered the guest room after they finished eating. The room was not a very big one but tidy enough with one bed and a carpet on the floor. The curtains were of luxury in satin of white and blue combination. The side table had a bowl of water in which freshly cut carnation of white colour was laid. The white colour was soothing for the eyes and the fresh aroma filled the room. But Stella was not able to sleep that night. Opening the window, facing the moon she stood there till about 2'o' clock. Cool breeze, was blowing and she felt a sense of comfort but her mind was racing towards the fact on how she could found out her parents truth.

Just then she started roaming about in the room. Opening the door she came down the stairs, loittering about in the veranda, her mind was somewhere else at that moment. She started feeling a little sleepy and started walking towards the stairs, just then she saw a door was slightly open attached to the veranda, She tiptoed towards the door.. .. She opened the door to find it was completely dark, it might be a store room not used for ages. It was filled with empty boxes and cards all scattered over here and there, the was were not painted and there were ruptures on the wall. Stella was unpacking, looking at those papers and envelops with torn stamp cards.

She saw a letter and as she was continuing to read the words, she stopped at that one word where her father's name was mentioned. "Brag" it read. Stella went upstairs to her room that night with that letter. Her mind was racing on the fact that whatever queries she had, would be solved in here then why did Mr. and Mrs. Parker deny the fact that they didn't know who her parents were? The following morning Stella decided to ask them.. "Good morning, Mrs. Parker!", "Good morning" she replied with a smile.,"Did you sleep comfortably?", "o yes Mrs. Parker, where is Mr. Parker?"  asked Stella.

"O he has gone to the market to buy bread and other necessities some pork if you would like to have dearie", 'ah, no thanks she smiled starting to ask, I have something to ask you!' "oh yes sweetie" 'I had been in the store room last night and this letter grabbed my attention mention my father's name Brad!'

Mrs. Parker looked a little blank and started taking a quick look at the letter . She looked a little confused, "Are you Brad's daughter?" She asked keenly.' 'Yes I am the daughter of Brad and Maria Andrews, Stella Andrews.', replied Stella." Oh! What a miracle God's blessing you are .Your father was a  great business man of his times. Your mother Maria a beautiful educated woman, he fell in love with and they married. Two years later you were born, a sweet blessing you were to the couple but the year was a cursed one to have taken them away from you. They died while protecting you. They were flying during vacations after you were born to celebrate the occasion with their family and loved ones. But the weather was too bad that day. The jet crashed as the thunder struck the vessel and it crashed into pieces on the land. Your mother, father and the pilot died but you suffered minor injuries to be able to live as you were in your mother's arms. She died to protect you, held you to protect you tightly till she breathed her last ".

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, Mr parker was back home. 'oh! Dear you are up!' ' good morning'. 'Yes morning!' Mrs parker then continued, ' you my child, were given to us by a man who was almost dying that day but thought to do the needful responsibility maybe out of respect for your parents or for the little affection he had for you. He was Mr. David, Thompson your father's most trusted secretary. That day it was raining heavily and he came to our doorsteps finding us. He gave us you to look after you and unveil all the facts only after you were a teenage. That day the clouds were firece as if the whole sky was shedding tears. We couldn't save him. We looked after you as our very own but one day we had to let you go as a man came and told himself to be your uncle,,so we let you go and your were only two years then..your real name is Lucy Andrews. '

' Your uncle didn't want you to know so he changed your name maybe and so we had difficulty in recognizing you. We came to know the whole story from your aunt Rosy Andrews through these letters in your hand'.

Stella was both heartbroken but satisfied too to know the truth. She immediately left to her own place bidding them goodbye. "Hope to meet you soon Mr. and Mrs. Parker!"

                                              - Vanita Shaw