Weekly Story Writing Contest – Week 6 / The Secret I Never Told Anyone
As a child we all keep secret that we vowed never to tell irrespective what may happen or be. I had a little secret which I had kept it from my parents for so many years. No one knew about it my parents my friends didn't hear talkless of hearing it. I thought I will keep it with me forever
My was is a small black and white photo. I kept the photo inside a book I kept it very far my parents. In the photo is a woman with a soft smile. She was a holding a baby in a blue blanket. She was my mother who actually gave birth to me.
I was an adopted child. Here's the main secret. When I was little my parents told I was adopted. My adopted parents were good and loving.
The secret is that I knew who my mother was where she lives but for fifteen good years I watched her lived far away from me without knowing.
It when I turned ten I discovered this. I found the photo in side an old black book my dad gave me. At the back of the photo, there was a written note saying which statement a name a city and some quoted words saying My little star I will always love you.
When I began to understand things my adopted parents told my mom's name was Elena she gave birth to me when she was young and I given to rich family since my mother didn't have enough money to take care of me so I was given out to be taken care of. Now I had her name and city which made it easier to start looking for her.
When I was thirteen I found good details about her on the internet information like where she was living and bakery she owned. I found out she likes sunflowers knew she had a cat called Mochi and also helped at animal shelter every Saturday. She literally lives alone.
This was my secret. Every birthday and every holiday while I was with my parents who loved me some part of my heart was with her. Late at night I would look at her photos. I would look at her smile and try to see myself in it. I felt guilty. I loved my parents. But I could not stop thinking about her.
I thought I would keep this secret forever. I planned to go to college and start my own life. The secret would stay hidden in that old book.
But that day, something happened. And everything changed.
On a rainy Saturday my parents were away from home for the weekend I felt restless and and decided to go see her. I got in my car and drove off to see her town. I have been doing this for a very long time but that day I told myself that I will just walk past the bakery and get inside the car and zoom off.
I parked across my car opposite the bakery. The bakery had warm yellow lights. Through the window I saw her She was putting pastries in a glass case. Her hair was neatly tied back. She had flour on her cheek probably when make some pastries.
Then a family walked in. The family's daughter with a pinked umbrella pointed at a cupcake and her mother was laughed. The father lifted her little daughter up to see well. A
I watched the mother who gave birth to me closely and her smile changed. It became softer and sad. She handed the little girl a cupcake for free. S
From that day I realized something new. Through these years I thought I was the only one carrying a secret. But she was carrying one too. She was living with her own sadness. She was living with the memory of me. I was her what if.
For the first time I had to decide. Should I finally tell the truth? Or should I hide it again?
My hands were shaking. The rain was falling hard. I could drive away. I could keep the secret. That would be the easy way I said. She looked at the family through the window with sadness in her eyes so I couldn't wait back again and I decided to get inside.
I took the old book from my car. I walked across the street. The bell on the door rang when I entered inside
She looked up and gave me a kind smile.
Hi I said. My voice was soft. I know this will sound strange.
Her smile stayed but her eyes looked at my face carefully. Then I saw it. She understood something. Her hand went to her chest. Her face change.
I opened the book and showed her the photo.
My name is Leo I said. I think you are my little star.
She waited for a moment hugged me tightly and tear full her eyes
What will I tell me parents when I return. But standing in the warm bakery holding the woman I have watched her lived afar and I have been longing to see her so long made me feel a change.
The secret I had hidden for years was no longer a burden to me anymore. It had become something new. It was a bridge between two people who had been waiting for each other.
For the first time in my entire life I felt completely different
I had no option but to tell my parents and they concluded that I should be visiting anytime I want.
I invite @bossj23 @us-andrew and @ninapenda
Best Regards @Sampson01