Burden

The rain pours down relentlessly, adding to the weight of the burden Sarah carries. Her umbrella shielded her from the downpour, but it did little to alleviate the heaviness in her heart.

Her lovely Chinese-American features glistened with raindrops, but her tired eyes reflected the weariness of her soul.

In one hand, she holds the handle of a large umbrella, trying to shield the stack of boxes she carried on the other. The boxes were filled with various items, from groceries to household supplies.

As she trudges on, Sarah felt the weight of the boxes and her responsibilities pulling her down. But she refused to give in to exhaustion, her spirit resilient despite of the heavy weight in her arms.

Finally, she reached the ornate gate of the village where the Lui mansion stands tall. Just as she was struggling to open the gate, a guard came to her rescue, holding the enormous iron grill open for her.

"Here you go, young lady. Let me help you with those boxes," he offered kindly.

Sarah managed a tired smile, grateful for the gesture. "Thank you," she said softly.

With the guard's assistance, she made her way through the garden path, the rain-soaked ground making the journey even more arduous. As she approaches the entrance of the mansion, she was met with a look of disdain from her step cousin, Adelle.

"Ugh, Sarah, finally. My gown box better not be ruined because of your clumsiness," Adelle, her cousin sneered.

Sarah's heart sank as she carefully placed the stack of boxes on the ground. "I'll make sure it's okay, Adelle. I'm sorry," she replied apologetically.

Before she could inspect the boxes, she felt a sharp pull on her hair. Huifen had appeared, her face contorted with anger. "You're such a disgrace, Sarah. Always messing things up," she scolded.

The pain in Sarah's scalp was almost unbearable, but she swallowed her tears, determined not to show any weakness. "I'll fix it right away, Aunt Huifen," she said, her voice quivering slightly.

"That's right, you better," Huifen retorted, releasing her grip on Sarah's hair.

With a heavy heart, Sarah opened the gates and started unloading the boxes. As she placed them inside, one box accidentally slipped from her hands and fell to the floor. The sound of shattering bottle of newly purchased condiment echoed through the mansion.

All parts of the tasks were entrusted in to her by her aunt Huifen. The Lui mansion was formerly owned by the late actress, Daisy Lui, who adopted her when she was still an infant.

Sadly, she died mysteriously when she was just ten years old. According to her aunt, the coroner reported it as food poisoning. The mansion before was a haven of laughter and happiness, where she played as a child. But those are just memories now. Something to reminisce, whenever she's lonely or maltreated by her aunt and cousin.

"Hey, Sarah, can't you do anything better!?" Her cousin kicks her back while she's picking the box of gown.

Sarah felt a stinging pain in her back caused by Adelle's pumps. But she still tries to move quickly, so the broken fish sauce bottle won't soil her cousin's birthday party gown.

"Mom, Sarah dropped my gown box, and had the  fish sauce soiled it," Adelle whined, her tone filled with annoyance.

Sarah's eyes welled up with tears, but she quickly wiped them away, unwilling to give her cousin the satisfaction of seeing her cry. "Please, I'm sorry. I'll be more careful next time. The fish sauce didn't catch with your gown fabric," she apologizes, trying to keep her voice steady.

Huifen marched towards her, displeasure evident in hers eyes as she pulled her hair again. "You clumsy girl! Clean up that mess, immediately," she ordered.

With painful back and hairline, Sarah's hands tremble. After keeping the gown in safe, she starts cleaning up the broken pieces, her heart feeling heavier with each shard of battle she picks up.

She longs for the day when she could escape the oppressive atmosphere of the mansion, and find a place where she would be valued and treated with kindness and as a human being.

Finally, when the mess was cleared, Huifen continued her list of instructions. "Proceed to the kitchen and help with the dinner. And make sure you don't break anything or mess up there as well," she said sternly.

With tears still lingering in her eyes, Sarah followed her aunt's orders, and thread her way to the kitchen. Despite her weariness and the pain in her back and hairline, she knew she had to continue carrying on.

The weight of her responsibilities was immense, but her determination to endure and overcome was even greater.

"One more month, and I'm out of here," she comforts herself.

In the kitchen, she found herself assisting the cook, Mira, in preparing dinner. Mira's warm smile and kind words offered a glimmer of solace amidst the harshness of the mansion. As they work side by side, Mira noticed the tears in Sarah's eyes.

"Hey, what's the matter, child? Why do you look so sad?" Mira asked gently.

Sarah took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "It's nothing, Mira. I'm just tired," she replied, her voice soft.

Mira placed a reassuring hand on Sarah's shoulder. "You work so hard, my dear. Don't let their words get to you. You're strong and capable, and one day you'll shine brightly beyond these walls," she sincerely encourages her.

Sarah smiled gratefully, her heart warmed by Mira's support. In that moment, she found a sense of belongingness, even with the intoxicating family she has. With Mira's encouragement, she knew she had to keep moving forward, to overcome the atrocities of her aunt and cousin.

At the dinner, Mr. Alfred Lui invites Sarah to join the dinner because he has something important to tell her.

"Congratulations, my dear. You are truly amazing. You got a scholarship at Harvard University. And this morning, the head master of your school called me up, and announced that you'll be recognized as the top awardee in your Senior High School graduation rites."

Her uncle was filled with genuine appreciation. "I'm so proud of you!" Alfred Lui reached out for his niece's hands and squeezed them as form of congratulatory.

Alfred was the brother of her adoptive mother. Upon her death, he has become her guardian since she was still a minor, when she lost her Mama Daisy, as she fondly calls her.

Her uncle continues, "You were also asked to play at the governor's ball on the end of the month. I never knew you were into piano."

"Thank you very much uncle. I play piano during class breaks at the music room. Mama Daisy taught how when I was a kid." The memory of them playing piano side by side, gives joy to Sarah's heart.

"Huifen, Adelle, aren't you happy for Sarah? Why don't you say something?" Alfred asks his wife and daughter, who are seemingly silent and with poker faces all the while he was phrasing and talking with his niece.

"Dad, we all know she is bright. Listen dad, people say that daughters of prostitutes sired by Caucasian men usually come off intelligent or talented. But I'm your daughter, right? And you are a respectable man." Adelle replies mockingly but in a sweet tone.

"What?! Who told you Sarah's mom was a prostitute? Was it you, Huifen?!" Mr. Lui was furious and looks at her wife and daughter with anger in his eyes.

"My dear, you are over-reacting! It's just a social cliché. It usually happens in movies and even in real life. Besides no one knows Sarah's real parents, not even the nuns at the orphanage. Judging by her looks, she is with Western blood, so don't blame your innocent daughter." Huifen, with her viciousness added injury to the insult.

Sarah bows down her head and tears again are swelling on her eyes. She couldn't take it much longer, the insult of her character and to the parents she never knew.

"Excuse me, I think the dessert is ready. I'll get it for you." She stands and turned her back immediately for tears have successfully damped her face.

"Hey, Sarah, don't forget my chocolate pudding. And yours, too." Adelle commands her cousin sweetly in front of her father.

"See how your daughter is nothing but a very thoughtful and supportive sister to her cousin. Isn't that sweet?" Huifen serves red wine on her husband's goblet.

"I'm glad she has developed affection for her cousin." Alfred replies while taking a sip of the wine. "This one is good, honey," referring to the wine.

"I'm happy you appreciate your daughter and the wine I have chosen for dinner." She looks at her daughter and winks at her.

Huifen has mastered her skills on playing a dutiful wife while in reality she is a wicked woman with so much envy with Daisy when she was alive, and with enormous greed in her heart.

As the night wears on, Sarah continues her work in the kitchen, scrubbing the floors. Her thoughts consumed by the dreams she held close to her heart.

She longs for the day when she would be free from the heavy burden she carries. The day when she would be recognized for her worth and given the opportunity to pursue her dreams.

"Sarah, my child, you should be sleeping now." Mira tells her. "Tomorrow is Saturday, continue it in the morning."

"I'm ok, Mira. There's a lot of things to be done tomorrow. Sunday is Adelle's 18th birthday party."

"Oh, that witch cousin of yours. She complained that the chocolate pudding was not as soft as she expected it to be."

Sarah sat on the floor and looks up at Mira, " You baked so yummy. I ate a part of it. Thanks for everything. Go to sleep now. I will be done in few minutes time."

Mira planted a kiss on her forehead. "OK, my child. Good night. By the way, congratulations! You've always been a bright kid. I'm sure Daisy up there, is so proud of you," raising her point finger up, signifying heaven.

She got up and hugs Mira's plump body. Mira has played the mother role in her life for almost eight years. Protecting her from the mean Lui ladies, whenever  she could. The kindness of Mira gives her the strength to carry on.

And in her heart, a flicker of hope burns bright, a reminder that one day, she would break free from the maltreatment of her aunt and cousin. So, she must really work her way to earn a college degree.

She hopes her uncle Alfred would help her financially as well. But sometimes, there a doubt in her mind, if he would truly support her. Because he made a promise to make her as part of the family but it never happened. He was always under the shadow of his vicious wife, who loves to make things difficult for her.

After her Mama Daisy died, her uncle told her that the court has decided, she will be under his care, and they will live together in the mansion as a family. Her wife Huifen, will treat her as a real daughter and would take care of her. While, Adelle, will be like a sister to her.

During the court proceedings, her aunt and uncle were more like real parents to her. Unfortunately, after a week, everything changed. Alfred Lui's promises never really materialized. Sadly, she was never treated by Huifen as a part of the family...

She recalls, as a child, she innocently asked her uncle what does Last Will and Testament means, because she heard it from her nanny. On the following day, she found her nanny crying at the front porch, and was sent back to her hometown in Fujian. Leaving her tending to all her needs even when she was sick, and longing for her Mama Daisy.

Thankful enough, Mira has been there for her, and old Peter, the family driver, has always been helping her, to the extent of giving her additional allowance. 

Until this time, no one knows whether her Mama Daisy has a Last Will and Testament or none. Her lawyer, was on a business trip back then, when she passed away. According to Atty. Richard Wane, Daisy never really considered, making one, since she was a very health conscious person. Death was never in her vocabulary.

So, Alfred Lui being the closest kin, stands as the guardian to his sister's estate until Sarah reaches the age of 18.

However, that's not how they explained it to Sarah. Huifen and Alfred told her that Daisy was in the brink of bankruptcy, so it was her uncle Alfred who bought out Daisy from her loans. Her Aunt Huifen always brags, that Lui Canning Factory has been successful under her uncle Alfred's management.

Needless to say, her future isn't clear, though her scholarship is the closest hope she has to reach her dreams.