Marriage Of Secrets

Change of heart

Karla sat in her system researching and researching until her hands arched. She had lots of questions, and no article brought out news of where she might be from. She hurried back home and checked in her mum's drawer. She checked every crevice she could find, there was nothing. Her mum was so sneaky in hiding the damn information.
As she gave up, her eyes caught sight of her childhood album. She hadn't checked that out for a while. In fact, she was never a fan to look through her baby pictures. She grabbed hold of the dusty album and brushed through it. It looked nice no doubt. The doodle scribbles said a lot about the content of the album. There were feeding bottles and suckers. As she looked through the pictures intrigued, her eyes caught something. She had a childhood picture from the year 1998. She was still a baby at that time, probably a few months old. But she was wrapped in a wrapper she wasn't familiar with. The wrapper was fluffy, and she would sight a writing scribbled on it

"L.T.," she read and hurriedly went to her phone. "L.T. has to be an orphanage or something."

She typed away on her phone and alas! She got the answer she wanted. It was definitely an orphanage. This caused a smile on her lips, and she hurried out with the picture. As she waved down the taxi with full hope, Gabriel called her, halting her movements.

"Baby, he released you," she rejoiced. "I thought that fool would never."

"Your acting was on point until you almost blew the cover," Gabriel said with a bit of disappointment.

"He was about to kill you! What exactly did you want me to do? I couldn't keep quiet and watch him hurt you. And by the way, I felt I had acted enough. I couldn't keep up with it anymore...," Karla admitted.

"Understood, my love," he smiled. "So what are you up to? Where are you headed? I can hear a car engine."

"Today was crazy, Gabriel...," she massaged her forehead. "I don't even know what to say right now."

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I am on my way to the orphanage," she reported. "My mother is not my real mother."

Gabriel gasped in shock.

"That's crazy..."

"I wish, but what can we do? She claims Anderson to be her son. In fact so much is going on now. I do not know what to do anymore," Karla admitted.

"Relax, Karla," he said. "Calm down. I am going to join you at the orphanage. Just tell me the name."

"Your leg is hurt..."

"It doesn't matter. I will stick with you no matter what. Now tell me where you are headed."

In a few minutes, she was before the orphanage with Gabriel. He was in clutches, trying to move smoothly without slowing her down.

"It is fine," she said calmly. "I do not mind waiting."

They both got in and the receptionist gave them an awkward look.

"How can we help you?" She asked even though it was only her standing there.

"I...huh...I am looking for information about a child. I believe I just have stayed in this orphanage for a while," Karla said, placing the picture before the lady. The lady glanced at it and pulled out a record file.

"So what use is the information?" She questioned. "Do you want to come back or..."

"I want to know how I was brought in. It could help me find my real parents," she questioned.

"Alright," the lady nodded and began to type some words on her computer. "Do you remember the year that you were brought in or adopted by your parents?" The lady asked.

"I am sorry, I do not. I..."

"There is no way we can help you without the information. So many children look alike and we cannot just rely on a picture. Please come back when you have..."

"Hold on!" Karla had an idea. "This picture was taken in 1998, and that was the exact day my mum claimed I was born. The child also has a red band tied on her wrist. That should also help in tracing her origin."

The receptionist noticed and nodded.

"Fine...whatever," she rolled her eyes lazily and began typing away on her laptop. As she scrolled through with her mouse, her eyes went back to Karla and Gabriel.

"What proof do you have that the child is you?" The receptionist questioned. "Do you have your birth certificate or your mother to prove anything?"

"I have the picture...," Karla showed her the photograph. "How else would I have the photograph and date of birth?"

"Anyone can easily dig out this information," the receptionist shook her head. "I am sorry, this case was really serious at that time. The child in that picture was a special child brought to us that night. We cannot give elaborate information without any price that she is you."

Karla got mad and banged the table.

"You need to tell me now! I am desperate here. I...,"

Gabriel grabbed her arm to calm her.

"It's fine, let's go..."

"But I need that information now...you do not understand, do you?" She questioned.

"You will need to get that birth certificate. You have no other choice," he advised.