My Wildest Desire

The morning sun pierced through the thin curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Lila groaned softly, stretching as she reluctantly opened her eyes. "Morning already?" she mumbled. Just then, a heavy knock echoed through the small room. "Lila dear, are you planning to spend the whole day inside?" came the familiar voice of Lady Maya, the senior caretaker known for her stern yet caring nature. "I'll be down in a minute!" Lila called back, quickly jumping out of bed and rushing to the bathroom. Today was the day she had been eagerly anticipating – the day of the scholarship examination for higher college. The orphanage had no provisions for higher education, and this was her chance to step outside the only world she had ever known. Three years had passed since she completed her senior secondary school at the orphanage. Lady Maya and the other children were the only family and friends she had ever known. Despite the challenges, she had always found solace in helping Lady Maya train the younger kids. The thought of seeing the world beyond the orphanage walls filled her with excitement and a hint of nervousness. As she hurriedly brushed her teeth and splashed water on her face, she mumbled to herself, "I can't believe I'm finally going to see what lies outside the orphanage." Her dream of attending a higher institution and becoming a medical surgeon felt within reach. She wanted to make everyone at the orphanage proud and happy, especially the children she had grown to love. "Lila, you need to come outside now! The bus that will take you to the exam center is here," Lady Maya's voice called out urgently. With one last glance in the mirror, Lila grabbed her bag and dashed out of the room, her heart racing with excitement and determination. As Lila stepped outside, she was immediately confronted by a group of girls led by Anna. "Look who we have here, a dog who always wants to compete with its master," Anna mocked. Lila ignored them, trying her best to avoid any confrontation. This wasn’t the first time Anna and her group had tried to get under her skin. They were always looking for opportunities to taunt her because she was loved, respected, and admired by everyone for her kind heart and hardworking nature. Their jealousy was evident. "Who's the dog barking now?" came a voice from behind. It was Sapphire, Lila's best friend and like a sister in the orphanage. Sapphire always stood up for Lila, knowing her friend's gentle nature and tendency to avoid conflict. "This is what we call the pot calling the kettle black," Sapphire added, provoking the girls even more. "Mrs. Spokeswoman, who invited you to talk?" said Aria, one of Anna's followers. "And I know some local dogs will still add to the barking," Sapphire retorted. "Very soon you two will start kissing her ass." Her words made Anna and her group fume with anger. "You! I will..." Aria began, but Sapphire cut her off. "You girls don't need to waste your saliva on these local dressers. Let's move, girls. I don't want them to design my sexy clothes for me before we get to the center," Anna said, leading her group away. Lila gave Sapphire a grateful smile as they boarded the bus. "Thanks, Sapphire. I don't know what I'd do without you." "Anytime, Lila. Now, let’s go ace that exam!" Lila felt a surge of gratitude for Sapphire's unwavering support. They made their way to the bus, where other students were already seated, buzzing with nervous excitement about the upcoming exam. As they found their seats, Sapphire leaned in and whispered, "Don’t let those girls get to you. You’re destined for greatness, Lila." Lila smiled, appreciating Sapphire's words. "Thank you, Sapphire. I won't let them ruin today for me. This is my chance to make a difference." The bus ride to the exam center was filled with chatter and laughter, but Lila remained focused, mentally preparing herself for the challenge ahead. She knew that this exam was a stepping stone to achieving her dreams. Upon arriving at the exam center, Lila was in awe of the grand building. It was unlike anything she had ever seen in the orphanage. The large, imposing structure seemed to symbolize the world of opportunities that lay ahead. As they entered the building, a feeling of determination washed over her. She was here to prove herself, not just to the world, but to her own heart. She knew that succeeding in this exam was the first step towards fulfilling her dreams of becoming a medical surgeon and making a difference in the lives of the children back at the orphanage. The exam hall was a large room filled with rows of desks. Lila found her assigned seat and took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. She glanced around and saw familiar faces, including Anna and her group, who were still throwing spiteful looks her way. But Lila was unfazed. She had come too far to let their negativity affect her now. The examiner called for silence, and the room hushed as everyone prepared to begin. Lila focused on the exam paper in front of her, blocking out everything else. She read the questions carefully and felt a wave of relief. The preparation and hard work she had put in were paying off. With each question she answered, her confidence grew. She knew she was giving it her best, and that was all that mattered. Time seemed to fly by, and before she knew it, the examiner announced the end of the exam. Lila placed her pen down, feeling a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction. She had done it. As she left the exam hall, she found Sapphire waiting for her with a hopeful smile. "How did it go?" Sapphire asked. Lila smiled back, her heart filled with hope. "I think it went well. Now, all we can do is wait and see." Two months had passed since the exam, and Lila stood in front of her mirror, all dressed in her new college uniform. It was a crisp white blouse paired with a tailored navy blue skirt, and a blazer with the emblem of Preston High College on the pocket. She had to wear this uniform from Monday to Wednesday to stand out in the midst of other students as future doctors. She was thrilled. She had passed the exam with flying colors and earned the title of the best scholar of the year. This achievement had earned her a scholarship to one of the best universities in New York, located in the prestigious neighborhood of the Upper East Side. Lila's heart swelled with pride, but a pang of sadness lingered. Her best friend Sapphire had also passed the exam but was posted to a different school, still close to their orphanage city. Lila, however, was going halfway across the world. She glanced at the clock—it was just past 4 am, and her flight was scheduled to take off at 6 am. "I can't believe I'm going to college, and outside the country too," Lila whispered to herself, excitement tinged with nerves. She was currently in Singapore, but soon she would be embarking on a new journey in a place she had only read about in books and seen in movies. "Dear God, thank you for this great opportunity," she prayed inwardly. "I promise to make the best out of it." There was a soft knock on her door, and Lady Maya entered, her face beaming with pride. "Lila, it's time to go. The taxi is waiting." Lila grabbed her suitcase, took one last look around the room that had been her sanctuary, and walked out with Lady Maya. The entire orphanage had gathered to see her off. She hugged each of them, tears of joy and sadness mingling together. "You've made us all so proud, Lila," Lady Maya said, her voice choked with emotion. "Remember, no matter where you go, this will always be your home." "I will, Lady Maya. Thank you for everything." The drive to the airport was quiet. Lila gazed out the window, taking in the familiar sights of Singapore for the last time. When they arrived, she went through the formalities and soon found herself at the boarding gate. As she boarded the plane, a mix of excitement and nervousness filled her. She found her seat and settled in, clutching her ticket tightly. The flight attendants went through their pre-flight routines, and soon the plane took off, lifting her away from everything she had ever known. Hours later, the plane landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. Lila disembarked and went through customs, her heart racing with anticipation. She collected her luggage and stepped outside, the bustling energy of the city immediately enveloping her. A representative from Preston High College was waiting for her with a sign bearing her name. "Welcome to New York, Lila. I'm Mrs. Thompson, and I'll be taking you to the campus." The drive through the city was mesmerizing. The towering skyscrapers, the hustle and bustle, and the iconic yellow taxis were all so different from Singapore. They drove through the city, finally reaching the Upper East Side, known for its elegance and affluence. Preston High College was an impressive building, exuding a sense of history and prestige. Lila took a deep breath as she stepped out of the car, ready to embrace this new chapter of her life. Mrs. Thompson led her through the campus, showing her the dormitory where she would be staying. The room was cozy, with a window that offered a stunning view of the city skyline. "Get settled in, and we'll start the orientation in the afternoon," Mrs. Thompson said with a warm smile. As Lila unpacked her belongings, she couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. This was it her wildest desire was coming true. She was in New York, ready to start her journey towards becoming a doctor and making a difference in the world.