Prologue

FIVE YEARS AGO

"Please welcome on stage, Liliana Lim!" The host said, alarming me it was my turn to give my speech.

I climbed the stage, walking towards the podium with confidence. I was so prepared for the day ahead. With my head held up high, I stood in front of the massive people in the hall, with a big smile on my face.

I looked at the hall, my eyes looking for one person in particular; my mother.

I could see my classmates in front of me waiting with anticipation to hear what I had to say. My eyes caught a particular person, Dominque, my rival and competition.

Just like me, she was outspoken, intelligent and competitive. For our age, we were sure doing things bigger than us, like learning ahead of our class so as to impress and be the best.

I waited for some seconds believing time was delaying my mother and she was probably coming. The entire hall was silent, they were all looking at me and for the first time in my life, I lost confidence in myself. They were waiting for me to speak while I was waiting for my mother before speaking.

I suddenly felt uncomfortable, the hall was extremely quiet, all eyes were all me. My stomach tightened and I felt pressure on me as all eyes were on me.

I wanted my mother to be here because what I had to say was going to be about her, I wanted to make her proud but I didn't see her shadow.

My eyes welled with tears and I heard silent mufflings from the crowd.

I saw the wicked smirk of Dominique's face and how she stuck out her tongue for me telling me she was going to win this.

She held onto her mother with pride and I felt embarrassed. I wanted to hug my mother in the middle of the speech and tell her how much I loved her.

"Ms Lim!" The host called my name bringing me out of my reverie. I looked at the host and she gave me a look of encouragement.

I cleared my throat preparing to speak when I saw my older sister Juliana finding her way around the hall. My face lit up, she wasn't supposed to be in florida, she was supposed to be in college in New York.

She came for me and I couldn't help but be overjoyed by it. She saw me and she smiled, waving at me and encouraging me to speak up.

I gathered courage, my eyes met with dominique and I smirked.

"Good day ladies and Gentlemen. My name is Liliana Lim, I am twelve years old and I am here to speak on the topic: My mother, my hero...."

I began to speak, talking about my mother and how much she meant to me. The advantage of having a mother and valuing her when many didn't have one, making use of the stage as I walked round giving instances with confidence.

"In conclusion, I will say to my mother; Mother you are my pride, having you is having the world because you gave me the world to see, I love you mom!"

The congregation stood up, giving me a sound clap, I felt overjoyed. Although my mother was not here, having my sister was an achievement.

Juliana ran up to me, to join me on the stage and I wrapped my arms around her.

"You did well lily, and I'm proud of you," Juli whispered, pecking me on my head.

"Why didn't mother come?" I asked Juli with a croak voice. I chose that topic for my mother, she was never around and always away and I wanted to show her how much I loved her but once again, she disappointed me.

"Don't cry lily," Juli said to me, wrapping her arms around me.

I wiped the tears that rolled out of my eyes with my palm, "Thanks for coming Juli," I said to her.