"Once upon a time and a very good time it was, there live a beautiful lady named Cinderella who was loved by everyone. But a tragic knocks at the door when she is left with her step mother and sisters who made her life as miserable as they could. Then a prince who was in love with her took her away to his castle and they live happily ever after.....
That was a bed-time story mama used to narrate before I go to sleep. I don't know why but out of all Disney stories this one's my favourite and it turns out that Iam the Cinderella in this world but it is no a fairy tale like story because there is no Prince charming here and the villians are my dear Step Brothers!
"I can here mama's voice. I missed her. I miss her voice and her warm scent. But...why do my body feel so tired?" I barely could move on my own. Then I hear a young man's voice, "Amehana Chan! Your brothers are here to see you." And a tender hand held on one of my pinky finger and I could tell because it was a young boy's scent.
I calmly opened my eyes, "Who called my name beside mama?" Gently rubbed my eyes as though I had just woken up from a sleep. I see very dazzling golden eyes, a handsome young boy and three other young man whom I thought for a second had came out right from a manga.
"This must be a fate. We thought you had eternally went to sleep, heh ." The second sentence was in a more of a teasing tone as he lean on his elbow. I watched him curiously, not understanding what he meant while he smiles at me like he knew all the wonders and mischief of the world.
A river where there is no turning back I was tangled in a world of the past, life seem to have been paused the moment I was trapped in a sleep for hundred days until I was told thereafter.
How would a young girl feel when she is suddenly waken up by unfamiliar faces only to find herself in an unusual manner. They were still a stranger regardless of how appealing they were to my eyes. I push him back off from me and ask curiously, "W-who are you?"-
"Oh good Lord, how long have I waited for this miracle !" Mother appears exclaiming whom I thought her to be somebody else for a minute. All it took was the warmth familiar scent of hers to bring me back.
"Mama!? Why are you crying? Where am I? Who are these people?" I still had this belief to have woken up just from yesterday yet it feel to have been a long time ago.
"Iam sorry honey, I know this gonna be difficult for you.." She waited to breath. "And it might take a while to accept it but-" She looks at them. "Meet your step brothers. We are going to be a family!" Cautious eyes filled with passion to prevent the confusion waiting for me to respond.
"W-what!?" I gasp in disbelief.
"You had always wanted a family right? Remember you would whim everyday to have a sibling?" She went on to tell me stories to settle me down and bring back the old fond memories.
"Yes mama." I nod my head as I expressed my pleased with a smile. I have always wanted a large family so I thought why not embrace what the reality has brought for me and move on.
"I always knew you were fond of brothers." She chuckle a bit as to show her bliss. She began to introduce them one by one to me. Here, the one just a while ago is your fourth brother Aito and the one sitting beside you is your third brother Sora." She smiles at me.
"Aito? Sora kun?" I blink my eyes and smiles.
"Yes, and the other two brothers are Haruto and Daichi. Daichi is the eldest brother so call him brother Daichi am I clear Amechan?" A tear escapes from her eyes.
"Yes mama Ame-chan will obey you so please stop crying.." I wipe up her tears. "Dear Iam just very happy." She then shift her eyes to the handsome old man standing by the door. "And your new dad..."
"Father?" I ask. She nod her head in reply.
The man replied approaching towards me, "Yes AmeChan call me father." Unaware of my movement I lift up my arms, wanting to be embraced when I recalled my real dad was no more and he hugs me in an instant.
"Father!" Voice cracked as I hug him back and emotions overwhelming me. Just how long did I yarn for a father's love and care?
He is such a gentleman. The last time I was embraced by my real father was when I was about eight. Only some fragment of my memories remained. And how strange I find for not able to remember the face but his scent, given that I have a really sharp nose. But if he were to be alive Iam sure he will be at this age... I wonder why he smells so much like father maybe because of the desire to see him and how I wished if I could feel him for the very last time after his sudden passed.
They then took me to a castle-like mansion. The place was so large and beautiful to the extent of giving me the reflection of my dream world. Iam beyond grateful to have been taken in by these amazing people because if I remember, before all this great drama it was only a fantasy I read in story books.
And a really weird coincident when I was told that it was my tenth birthday.
