Chapter 5: Secrets and revelations

She took a deep breath and continued. "Your mother is the daughter of the prime minister of the state and your existence is a weapon against them in the political world. Your mother wanted to keep you safe even if it means staying away from you."

"What????" My heart sank as I tried to absorb the whole story about my mother and her family. The whole excitement and expectations I had for this day turned into fear.

Because now I'm going into the same world where my identity should never be known. Nothing prepared me for the story I just heard about myself.

"Zara darling, if it gets too hard out there, never forget you're always welcome back here." The mother superior said with a reassuring smile."Remember the birthday gift I always gave you on every birthday? They all came from her, and yeah, she heard about the time you were bullied which was why the girl was let go before her 20th birthday as the rules applied"

"Wait! What??? But y'all said it was her 20th birthday,how come?" I thought I've heard it all,but there were more.

"Yeah, that girl was 18 years old, your mom was so furious when she heard of the situation you were in, and wanted to take things into her own hands, but I stopped her and had to let the girl go earlier than agreed for her own good".

"Oh my God, wait, wait, wait! I don't think I can process all these at once, please let's stop here." I pleaded with her

"I think so too. It's okay, just take it easy, I'm always here for you". She said

"Let's head back inside, it's getting cold. Don't worry about the celebration, you can go and rest. I'll finish up with that."

I spent the night wetting my pillow and trying to process everything I've just heard.

I guess I would've preferred not knowing any of these. Because how do I go out there freely not knowing what awaits me.

I was scared. I stared at the ceiling thinking of what to do once I leave here tomorrow, where to go and where to start from.

I know I've been expecting this day but I guess I never really prepared myself for when this day finally comes.

After the celebration had ended, the mother superior had a hunch that I would be crying after what she heard, so she came to the dormitory to console me.

Her presence helped me a lot, as I buried my face in her shoulders in tears. "What will I do tomorrow? Where do I go from here?"

She gently pulled me up, wiped off my tears and smiled " Don't worry about that, we'll provide you with the support and provision to help you transition. You'll have some savings and a contact of someone who'll help you in getting settled. The world can be overwhelming,but you're not alone".

The moment I heard that, I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of determination rising within me. I said to myself "I need to be strong to face the world."

The mother superior made me promise her never to make myself known to my mother's family. I had to do that to keep both myself and my mother safe.