Mother.

"Plop!... Click! "

She put the bracelet in the box, locked it up, and hid the box under her bed.

It now contained eight things: a flower crown that had now dried up, a drawing of them holding hands, a card, a coloured bowl, a handmade bunch of dried flowers, an envelope containing a poem Rose had once written for her mother,an origami rose and the bracelet. Each being a gift that Rose wanted to present her mother with, but never could.

Her mother seldom had time to meet her and not once had she come on her daughter's repeated requests.

" Hi mom! ...How are you doing?...Will you come this week? "

She used to ask when her mom called, but that was three years ago.

"Probably not"

Were the words, she always recieved as a reply.

Controlling her emotions, Rose used to walk away pretending that nothing happened.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Four years later...

"Knock!!... Knock!... Knock! "

A worried looking Alberta opened the door.

"Rose!!...Whats wrong? Is the princess alright? Are you alright?"

she asked panicking.

"What are you doing, out of you dorm , so late after curfew ?... How did you know I was here? "

She asked, when Rose smiled at her little.

" May I come in? "

Rose asked.

" Sure you may, if you assure that this is not a prank. "

She replied.

" No it's not. "

Rose confirmed.

Seeing Alberta worried, Rose said,

" Nothing is wrong, I wanted to talk to you. I checked your office but it was locked, so I came here.

You have lived here since forever, so in two years, it possibly could not have changed. Thus, the off-schedule meeting. "

" Did anyone see you? "

Alberta asked.

" No. Nobody... Except you. "

Rose replied with a mischievous grin, then all of a sudden, she straightened and spoke in a sincere tone,

" I'll only take a few minutes, but I'll go if you want, I did not intend to disturb you. "

" Take a seat, Rose, take all the time you need. I am right here. "

Alberta assured .

Tentatively, Rose took a seat on Alberta's bed and requested her to sit as well.

Then she brought out a box.

" This is for you. "

She said handing it to Alberta.

" Why?... What?... Me?... "

Alerts fumbled ..

Rose's jesture had not only shocked but also surprised her.

" Don't you wanna know what is inside it?"

Rose provoked her.

"Common!! open it. Dont make me wait! "

Rose continued, trying to be as non chalant and Rose-like as possible.

Alberta opened the box, to find a keyring in it. A beaded wooden charm was attached to the ring, it said,

'Thank you, for always being there ! '

I have seen the number of keys you have, thus this, I made that charm you know, I guess it'll be useful for you. Happy Mothers day, "

Rose said all of it, mumbling and at once, worried about the fact, that Alberta probably didn't like her gift. Thus she was surprised, when a teary eyed Alberta wrapped her in a tight hug.

Having devoted all her life to her duty, Alberta was respected feared and followed amongst all.

All that was ever given, rather delivered to her were notices, files, orders, reciepts, datas and intel.

For the first time in thirty years, had she been gifted anything.

In other words, she had been cared for and loved, and that in the role of a mother, she was glad to know that she meant something more than the head guardian to someone.

"Thank, YOU! "

Was all she could say to express her gratitude.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Two years later...

" Roza, what are you doing, so early up in the kitchen? "

Asked Dimitri.

"I've been up for an hour an a half. Cooking "

replied Rose, turning to face Dimitri, who burst out laughing in an instant.

"Hey!! That is not fair! I am not that bad a cook. "

Rose said pretending to have been offended.

" Come here. "

Said a grinning Dimitri, grabbing her by her hands and leading her to the mirror in the hall.

Chocolate sauce was smeared on her chin and nose while something resembling flour, across her jaw.

" What a breakfast! Delicious! "

Sighed Dimitri, kissing Rose on her nose and chin, as he licked the chocolate sauce off her face.

" What were you making? "

Dimitri asked Rose minutes later.

" Attempting!... I was attempting to make bilini for Olena and Yes !

It's mother's day after all !!

And, they are not going to do a single work today, only enjoy and rest. "

Rose concluded, authoritatively.

Dimitri nodded with a smile and said,

" Ofcourse!! "

He was always awed by the mere presence of Rose and was overjoyed at the fact that Rose had adopted his family like her own, and so had his family.

Olena had found a new daughter, while the girls had found a mischievous sister.

" I'll help. "he added gleefully.

That morning, when Olena moved into the kitchen to prepare the breakfast, she was welcomed with a loud cheering, greeting, and a table full of breakfast from her children.

" Happy Mothers day mama!! "

They said, while she stood wiping away the tears of joy, seeing their mother cry, they all surrounded her and she was embraced in a group hug.

The sole person standing aloof was Roza.

Seeing the loving mother, her heart ached, she wondered how different her childhood could have been.

Melancholy was about to take over her mood when Yeva moved from her chair and Olena, broke away from the hug, they came to her and embraced her. The motherly affection caused Rose to become teary eyes.

"What are you staring at? Come join us. "

she said to the others, in a very Rose-like manner.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

A year later...

You :'When will you arrive? '

J:' Today around 3'

You :'Will you be free? I wanted to talk to you. '

J:' Yes, in the cafe on the east wing? '

You :' NO! somewhere peaceful , probably private as well. '

J:' In my room, at 5?'

You :'Done. '

She read and re-read the conversation with her mother. She was due to meet her in ten minutes.

Worrying about all that she had decided to do , Rose kept pacing back and forth in the hall of her apartment. She was so deep in thought that she hadn't noticed Dimitri return until he hugged her tightly.

"All will be fine. Don't worry Roza."

He said.

Attempting to calm herself, she buried her face in Dimitri's chest, inhaling his smell, it was particularly his aftershave that soothed her the most.

" Come, I'll walk you to her apartment. "

He said softly, urging Rose to move ahead.

On reaching Janine's apartment, he knocked the door, when she opened it, he said,

" Good Evening guardian Hathaway!

See you later Rose! "

Both the Hathaway women nodded, acknowledging his words.

"Come in, have a seat."

Said Janine, signalling towards a chair.

"It would be better if you had a seat as well, I would like to return your belongings. "

Said Rose.

Janine was surprised as she wasn't expecting anything of this sort.

" Okay. "

Was all she said.

" Here. "

Rose said, handing her the box that contained the presents, that Rose had wished to gift Janine over the years.

" What are these? What for? "

Asked Janine.

" Happy Mothers day! "

Rose stated for an answer.

" O"

Janine replied.

"That's all, see you soon. Bye"

Rose said awkwardly, getting ready to depart , she headed for the door when Janine, spoke,

"Rose,... I am sorry!

I wish to better our understanding of each other. "

Nodding, Rose left, feeling more peaceful and calmer than she usually did.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Well, here it is folks, a mother's day special.

I know I am late, but this piece had to be written.

After reading the amazing compilation, I had to piece this one together, a result of all the inspiration from the compilation.

If you have not already read it, look up for:

"VA10thanniversaryproject"

I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed, as a group of amazing authors are involved in it, and every chapter is unique. Look for it and read it, it's amazing!