AURORA

My life starts very soon

       "I was chosen as a stauncher." Elena said eating the peanuts dad had left for me. It's more like we were chosen according to what our hearts desires. I had the dream of working with the councils and I got it. Elena wanted to be a stauncher, and Liya wanted to be a musician. I rubbed my hands and looked outside the window, relieved I still have the chance to. 

Mother I am a councillor now. I will make you proud of me....... 

        "My life starts very soon." Liya said drawing my attention to her. She dropped the glass of water she was holding and rubbed her hands together. "Let's spend a whole day together immediately you get discharged and are released to go home." she added.

        I nodded, "Sure...... Let's do that." I replied.

.....

The vice president walked in to the president's office with a file in his hand, humming to a song. He opened the door and walked in, looking at the president whose eyes were on her computer, typing down a report.

        He dropped the file close to her and bowed a bit, "I have gotten the file you need."

        "Good." she said not taking her eyes off the computer and carried the file on the table. She glanced at it and dropped it back, focusing back on the computer.

        "Is there something I should help you with?"

        "About the miscreants taken yesterday, how about their parents? Are you handling it well?"

        "Yes miss president. Although the mother of the first miscreants kept creating a scene but we will make sure to silence her."

        President Juanita stopped typing and looked at him, "Make sure you handle them. The supreme lords won't be happy if anything goes wrong."

        The vice president bowed, "I will president." he said and left the office.

She did not take her eyes off him until he was out of the office. She sighed and looked back at her computer adjusting her glasses. She clicked a profile and everything about Aurora Lee showed up. She adjusted her glasses again and tapped on her table continuously, with her other hand resting on her chin when staring at the profile without blinking. 

        "Aurora Lee, who are you?" she asked still not taking her eyes away from the girl's picture showing on her computer screen.

.....

Later that day, I was discharged from the hospital and went home along with dad. Who assisted me to my room and helped me lie on the bed. I still had the pill effect, been a bit dizzy and nauseous. But I wasn't so weak like I was at the hall.

I laid on my bed staring at the ceiling thinking about how my new life will be like. The new people I will meet and the new changes I will receive. I am just eighteen and haven't known much about life, will I be able to go through all the changes it will bring to me? My father hid me for five years and even when people knew about me, he still gave me a limit. The only friends I have are Elena and Aliyah and the only people I know are our neighbors and no one else. That is how limited I was from the outside.

        My dad walked in and handed his phone to me. "From the council." he said.

        I took it from him and placed it on my ear. "Hello?"

        "Are we speaking to Miss Aurora Lee?"

        "Yes you are, go on."

        "We are from the council. The council test will be carried out tomorrow. Do not miss it or you miss it forever." the caller said and hang up.

        "The council test is tomorrow." I said staring at dad, waiting for his reply. 

        He said nothing and sat beside me, staring at the pendant beside my bed. "How do you feel about it?" he finally asked.

        "I don't know what to feel anymore. What is the test about?"

        "To find out the department you belong to. It won't expose your identity, so don't worry."

        I nodded and took in a deep breathe. "Our lives will change tomorrow dad. I won't be living with you again. I don't know what to feel. Happy because I am now a woman or sad because I am leaving. I am scared about what to expect in the outside world."

        He placed his hand on my shoulder and smiled, "The outside world will be more than you expect my dear. You will meet a lot of people, work with people. You will learn a lot of things and see how life grows people. But I know my Aurora will live without worries. You are my smart girl."

        "Thanks dad." I said smiling back at him. He patted my shoulder and left.

.....

The night went by and morning came. The day of my test.

I looked at myself one more time in the mirror and smiled in satisfaction. I had a white floral gown on and a light brown coat. My curly hair in a pony tail.

I took in a deep breath and breathed out, calming my nervous self and my muscles. The test is unpredictable and I don't know what to expect. I just hope I don't disappoint my father. I picked my mother pendant and wore it, saying a short prayer. Picking my bag from the bed, I left the room.

The drive to the city hall were the test will be conducted, was a twenty minutes drive. I came out of the cab and paid the driver. I walked into the city hall nervously and scared I might fail and become a citizen, disappointing everyone I love. 

A woman walked up to me and lead me to a large hall on the third floor where other new chosen councillors were seated. Their eyes fell on me and I could hear their whispers to each other. I ignored them and sat down, waiting for whatever the test might be. I closed my eyes and took in deep breath. "You can do this Aurora, you can." I said calming myself.