Sherene's Closet's Full Of Suprises
The first time Mr & Mrs Yusoff brought Sherene back was a day that was all too burdensome to forget. Only a week old, Sherene had the rosiest lips that equalled her porcelain skin. Her eyes brought about a deep sense of tranquility, her dimples as deep as valleys, and her little fingers was as delicate as wilting flowers.
The Yussof's had been trying far too long to have a child. 8 years to be precise. Sherene's dulcet cries, aimless smiles, her telling eyes and endless hunger calls in the wee hours of morning all contributed and transformed the Yussof's humble abode into a home.
It's funny how us humans accomplishes so much throughout our lives and often the things that we always remember are the 'Firsts'. The first cry, the first kiss, the first smile, the first tooth, the first step, the first fall and the list just grows.
The Yusoff's documented every 'Firsts' pertaining their only child through photographs. I remembered looking through their photo albums. The collection was more than my lifetime put together. I saw Sherene's first day at home, her first smile, first tooth, first wound on her chin when her mother accidently hit her at the endge of the table.
Then I saw her first birthday cake, and her first orange school uniform in Kindergarten, her first toy car, her first watter bottle, her first Barbie doll schoolbag, her first pair of Velcro Bubblegummers shoes. Through the eyes of these photographs, I can't help smiling and thinking to myself, "What a beautiful and blessed life Sherene is about to go through". She has such loving parents that showered her an abundance of love and affection.
Sherene grew up very much into the daughter that every parent wished for. She is well-mannered, soft spoken, graceful, and spots an undying smile as she performs her household chores. Very much a rarity these days and time.
Then on her 16th birthday, for the first time, her parents decided to throw her a lavish surprise party in their huge garden. There was to be expensive food, loud music and all her family and friends will be there.
Of course, Sherene does not know of this as she came home that day. Her mother was out 'doing groceries' while her busy father's still at work as usual. She set about doing her household chores with that forgiving smile on her face as always. All of a sudden, Sherene decided to take a look at her growing up photo albums. The same one that I told you about earlier.
High and low she searched for it but to no avail. It wasn't among the other albums, it wasn't in the living room, it sure wasn't in her bedroom as well. She then opened her mother's wardrobe and saw it perched up in the top shelf, amongst other miscelleneous stuff.
Sherene groaned as she tip toed and tried to reach for that album. Realising that she was still too short to reach it, she grabbed a stool and tried again. Sherene lost her footing as she attempted to lug it out from the cupboard and the album, along with a pile of other stuff rained on her.
Sherene sighed at the thought of having to re arrange everything nicely again in the cupboard. As she picked up every single item piece by piece, she came across a yellowish piece of paper, folded nicely. She opened it and read its contents.
It was a letter of adoption. It bears her name and that of her 'parents'. Sherene attempted at holding back her tears until she was at the comfort of her own room. She buried her face into her pillow and thought hard. She didn't need that album anymore. In her mind, she pictured her first birthday and her first day at school and whatever first's that life has to offer.
This day marks a series of many 'firsts' in Sherene's life. The first time she cried buckets. The first time she thought of slitting her wrists. The first time she felt so lost. The first time she learned that life is indeed a beautiful portrait.....like those photographs. It was just nice to look at but the emotions of those within the photos remains concealed and untold.
Happy 16th Birthday Sherene....
I'm still real..
I'm still a phone call away..
I'm still real
I'm still Real
I'm still REal
I'm still REAL
