Amala's Heritage

Forget Me Not

Amala sat on the bus, looking out the window. She watched the green trees rush past, their leaves fluttering in the wind—the trees blended as if they were all part of the same thing. The buildings in the distance were blurry and unclear, like mirages. They seemed to wobble. Amala had been happy earlier, but now she looked lost in thought. She could hear a voice saying, "Forget Me Not"

Sitting across from Amala, Isla noticed a shift in her friend's demeanour. Where there was once a glint of joy in Amala's eyes, now there was a distant and pensive expression. Concerned, Isla reached out and gently placed her hand on Amala's, her voice filled with compassion as she softly inquired, "Hey, what's on your mind?"

Amala gestured towards the delicate pendant hanging around her neck. Isla's eyes suddenly widened as she recognized the familiar pattern near the Sakura Tree. Amala believed that the pendant held the key to uncovering the secrets of their past and her family. Isla listened intently, her gaze locked onto Amala's pendant as she spoke. "This is my only link to my past," Amala emphasized.

The memory of her family's last moments together was seared into Amala's mind. She could never erase the day her world was shattered. It began like any other day, with her and her parents following their usual morning routine. Then, in a heartbeat, everything changed. The shrill, piercing sound of sirens shattered the peacefulness of their home. As they hurried outside, they were met with the harrowing sight of their house consumed by flames, the familiar walls and everything they cherished being swallowed by the relentless fire. While her parents guided her to safety through the chaos, Amala remained frozen, overwhelmed by the destruction of everything she had held dear. Placed on a waiting ship, her parents promised to return as soon as they could, their urgent voices ringing in her ears. Entrusting her to a compassionate family onboard, they parted ways. During the arduous journey, the ship capsized, leaving Amala nowhere to turn for refuge. Huddled Inside a basket, she clung to hope as she reached the shores of Esplana.

Ms. Relisi glided gracefully through the lively market, her arms brimming with vibrant bags of fresh produce and aromatic spices.  Amidst the whirl of activity, her sharp eyes landed on a small, intricately woven wicker basket on the shores. Curiosity piqued, she approached and delicately raised the lid, revealing a fragile, trembling girl nestled inside. The girl's wide eyes reflected fear, and her tattered, soiled clothes spoke of her dire circumstances. Ms. Relisi took the young girl under her wing, ensuring she had everything she needed to survive: food, shelter, and, most importantly, love and guidance. As days stretched into weeks and no one came forward to claim the girl, it became clear that she was alone in the world. The Esplana School community welcomed her with open hearts, offering her a place among them and enveloping her in the warmth of acceptance and belonging.

Amala quickly became the heart of the school, her presence radiating joy and positivity. All adored her; her infectious laughter and kind spirit brightened the campus. Whether it was a festival, a cultural event, or a simple gathering, Amala was always at the center of all celebrations at school.

After the big yellow school bus stopped with a gentle hiss, Isla eagerly rose from her seat and reached into the overhead compartment. She carefully retrieved her brand-new skates, a stunning combination of baby pink and blue that she had meticulously painted with the words "Happy Times."  With a steady hand, she activated the electric skates, and her friend Amala hopped on behind her as they glided away gracefully, the gentle hum of the skates blending with the sounds of their laughter as they made their way toward their dormitory.

As they glided through their school. It was a picturesque campus with a winding water track that resembled a small river. On one side of the track stood the middle school building, adorned with vibrant posters and filled with students' laughter and chatter during breaks. On the opposite side, the tech lab houses state-of-the-art computers and robots, where glimpses of students testing their futuristic inventions can be seen through the windows, reminiscent of scenes from a sci-fi movie. Adjacent to the tech lab, the towering high school building stands proudly, housing a wealth of knowledge within its walls. Next to the high school, the science lab hums with activity as experiments are conducted, occasionally emitting the faint smell of intriguing chemicals. Finally, at the end of the water track lies the Arts building, a hidden treasure trove brimming with paintbrushes, clay, and musical instruments. The air resonates with someone strumming a guitar or creating a masterpiece on canvas. Finally, the dorm area was at the end of the school grounds, completing the school's environment.

"Let's go back on Saturday," Isla suggested one afternoon. Excitement filled the air as they marked the date on their calendars. Isla took out her phone and saw the train schedule for the museum. "Let's start early and take Train M at 8:35 a.m.," she proposed. It will take an hour to reach there, and it stops in front of the museum."