The Old Lady and her flowers

CHAPTER THREE

I’d be lying to myself if I pretended that the place didn’t frighten me at night still; even after being acquainted with it for a long time. It was not some old, broken down mansion which was surrounded by rumors of haunting or a house where a young mistress was murdered whose ghost was believed to frighten the occupants to death. No, it was not scary in the classic sense. What scared me about it was the non-happening stillness of the things around that structure; it is a stark contrast to the bustling life of a city which I had lived previously. It was an old, catholic orphanage which had been my home for two years now; just like it was a home for 30 or so children who lived with me. They say there was a church within a walking distance from the orphanage in the west but what remains of it today are only ruins- crumbling walls of the beautiful elliptical building and its fallen roof which once towered over the orphanage. The dearth of devout populace and funds had put the church in its present miserable condition.

I gaze at it every morning though nothing ever changes about its dull appearance. It maybe out of habit but mostly I think it’s because there is no other structure within sight to stare at no matter how far I gaze across the grassy, sun bathed countryside. The nearest town is about four miles in the north as they tell me through the seemingly never ending veil of the exiguousforest. This abandoned place didn’t bother me during the day; I loved its bare and sparse appearance with tall golden hay swaying along lazily over the wind. It was the Reverend of that now desolate church who had given a shelter to a young Hindu girl like me years ago. I came here with a group of missionaries who were kind enough to let me join them despite the dissimilarity of our religion. I was grateful to be able to travel with them, helping the poor and abandoned as it was their work. And I think I fit in with them pretty well as I too came to be addressed as ‘Sister Maya’ by the children here in no time.

The good thing about the orphanage is that the nuns here who look after the administration of the place and orphaned children don’t ask questions. They didn’t ask me from where I came or what made me join the missionaries or whether I had any family. They simply smile at me every time and only wish that I to do my work with love and affection. What more could I possibly ask for?

At that moment, as a yet another day was nearing the end, I sat on the backdoor steps staring at the setting sun which cast it’s deep red rays in beautiful patterns across the sky. It was at that enigmatic moment that Sister Lisa came running towards me, her long skirt askew and out of breath to say, “Lily’s nowhere to be found again! Oh, that girl keeps vanishing from my sight and Sister Petards will be after my blood if I don’t find her before sundown!” I was startled by her frantic demeanor; she was one of the calmest persons I had known. I got up and set along the foot trail that crossed over the open field and said, “I’ll find her. You go back Sister.” “May Lord bless you,” she remarked somewhat relieved. I smiled and ran along the way and narrowed my eyes to scan the horizon. It was not after a long time that I spotted a small girl sitting near the far edge of the distant forest that lined the country side. I sprinted towards her as the evening air blew around me cool and lovely. I slowed my pace as I neared her and called out, “Lily! What are you doing here?” I half ran, half walked towards her along path that crossed the field. Lily had flopped down on the mossy ground and the hard set of her jaw and unhappy expression on her face told me she was not in a mood to listen to anyone. She was the most rebellious girl of her age, I had to admit. But, I liked the child very much and shared a friendly bond with her; it must be because I saw my own reflection in her when I was her age.  I smiled inwardly and sat down besides her as the fading rays of the sun peeped through the canopy above us. We both stared into nothingness for a long time together. And after a while as Lily sat grumpily, refusing to break the silence, I sighed. “I don’t know why you hide those lovely eyes behind your hair,” I said with a smile as I swept back her hair from her face. She seemed to be crying. I asked her kindly, “You want to talk about it?” “No,” she replied in a beat. This I had expected; Lily was an ‘I can solve my problems on my own and don’t need any help’ kind of personality. So, I sat there along with her humming softly until she spoke for herself.