Chapter I
In about two weeks, my final exams would be over, after which I shall leave this orphanage school, forever. I feel sad at the thought of leaving Father Mathews and all others of this orphanage with whom I had been for about fourteen years.
“Time waits for none”, I’ve heard Father Mathews say. Fourteen years back, when I was about four years old, I was brought to this orphanage and now it was time for me to take leave. I’ll never forget this school, my friends, the fun we’ve had in the box room and in the mess.
Although I keep preparing myself for the final parting, I am aware of what the future has for me. It’s going to be the start of a new life, a life I had been longing for, life with Aunt Rachel and Lady Ashford.
I don’t know much of my life before orphanage school and all that I know, I owe to Aunt Rachel. Aunt Rachel now in her late forties was more than a guardian to me. All these years, she had cared so much for me that its time for me to repay her, the only person I know outside the orphanage boundary. She kept visiting me regularly, at least once a month and spent a couple of days in the orphanage. Anything I wanted, I only had to tell her and I had it during her next visit. I had a clock and a small radio in my room, things that no other students had. She had a constant eye on my studies, my habits, my spending, in short, everything. In fact she had molded a large part of me, of what I am today. Every time she advised me not to spend much, she gave me more money.
Aunt Rachel had such affection and control over me that her presence or absence was immaterial. Her frequent letters addressed to me or to Father Mathews substituted her well, during her absence. Father Mathews had to give me his special attention for he knew that Aunt Rachel would question him for his role in my failures. She was a wonderful person and she loved me so much that at times I feel sad, that Aunt Rachel is not my real aunt. Yes, she was no relation of mine and was well paid for all these services by Lady Ashford, with whom she stays.
I remember Aunt Rachel telling me that Lady Ashford had picked me from the streets when I was about four years old. I was alone and crying for food. Lady Ashford took pity on me and ordered Aunt Rachel to put me in an orphanage and take a special care of me. Since then Aunt Rachel was every thing to me and I never heard from Lady Ashford. She only sent her occasional greetings or messages through Aunt Rachel. I too wrote to her thanking her for her kindness and all these messages reached her through Aunt Rachel.
I’ve always wanted to see Lady Ashford and let her know personally that I am indebted to her, forever. But Lady Ashford is not interested in seeing me, for she is so busy looking after her property. She manages her estates all by herself as she trusts none and has chosen to remain unmarried all her life. She donates generously and has over a hundred girls and boys like me under her sponsorship. It was therefore natural that she was very far from me. But Aunt Rachel saw to that, that this distance did not affect me in any way. Seeing my yearning for Lady Ashford, she accepted my request and gave me a photograph of the Lady.
In that photograph, I saw the Lady for the first time. She was old, very old, probably in her seventies with a round, wrinkled face and a gentle smile. I gradually began to realize that the face in the photograph was not very far from the face of the God, I worshipped. This face had given me a new life, provided me with every thing, does not expect any thing from me and lives in a world, I know very little of. Anyway, I would be seeing Lady Ashford; very soon I take leave of this school. I’ll ask her for employment in her estate which she will surely give and I’ll tell Aunt Rachel that’s its time for her to retire and for me to take care of her. I’ve already spoken to Aunt Rachel about these plans of mine and she had replied that she would discuss it with the Lady and let me know during her next visit.
I was anxiously waiting for the visit like never before and finally, one fine morning I saw Aunt Rachel entering by the orphanage gates. She now had my future with her. As she approached me, she asked me, in a low and calm voice, “Hello son, how are you?”.
I remained silent and she understood that I was eager to hear more.
“I am sorry, but Lady Ashford has different plans for you. She insists on you to go for higher studies and I am to continue my services for you”.
I was shocked to hear this. All my dreams of leading a different life suddenly seemed to be far off. Higher studies would mean boarding life again and I was already tired of studying, not to mention the boarding life. I didn’t like this idea a bit.
