Song
by Madeline Cruz

          It was the beginning of the New Year…My 14^th birthday. Today mama will present me with a silk dress of sky blue, and papa a white glass porcelain doll. I know, because that’s how it has always been for the past 14 years. In the morning, I will be presented with hot tea and rice, then to my gifts. 

This morning, though, I was not greeted…with smiles…or tea…or a dress. Instead, mama sat in her garden, whispering to blue teardrop flowers, our favorite. 

“Mama?” I said.” Good Morning Mama…”. She has forgotten…I thought simply. But she had never forgotten my birthday before. But perhaps she just hadn’t gotten around to making the tea yet. 

But Mama didn’t look up at me, instead she hummed a soft song and began to pick the flowers.’ Mama!! What are you doing!!” I cry in horror. Papa planted those for her birthday five years ago. Now they had spread and we had a sea of blue and white. 

“They are for you, my dear…they symbols your growth…we planted these together…but you need them…they will go to madam Lee.”. She was crying, tears dripping onto the flowers. By now I was worried and confused. Perhaps I was angry with her, impatient and selfish. But today was my birthday. I did not want flowers. Next year, I will be married…but I wanted this birthday…one last time. “But…Mama? Today…today its my birthday…where is the tea?”. Mama shook her head. “There will be no tea for you…”.

These words shocked me. I have never heard her say this…or sound like this. There was something wrong with mama. 

“You see, Song…Today, you will not receive a dress, or tea, or a doll…you are now too old for such things. But I have something even more special for you…”. Her voice was smooth and kind, but…there was sadness. Her graceful, white hands bound the flowers up in a ribbon of blue…my favorite color. “I want you to take these flowers…”. Before I could ask Mama what she meant, she guided me to the gate and sent me off for Madam Lee. I fought hard to not let the tears spill. Why was I not having a special day? I felt so angry…angry with mama, and papa. 

Madam lee was the governors wife. Papa is one of his head consultants. Once, I heard mama and Papa discussing who I shall marry from the governors kin. I have never set foot in their grand palace like house, so I don’t know what their sons look like. Sometimes, flowers are brought to madam Lee because she often gave the final decision of whether or not something should be done. Often times we had angry lords saying that a woman should not deal with such affairs. But Madam lee does. So as a sign of respect, we give her flowers. I was angry. These were our flowers. 

When I reached the gate, I expected the guard to be there. Extending the bouquet with a tearful gaze, I gestured for him to take them. My favorite flowers. The guard did not accept them. Instead, I was let in. Let in? I wiped away my tears and fearfully took a step inside. My breath was taken away by the grander of the house. A maid led me through the house, me gaping at each small detail. My anger for not having a birthday greeting vanished. Tea and a dress would not matter…I was in the governors house. 

“Madam lee will see you now, Wei Song”. The maid said, bowing slightly before leaving. I was frightened. I was about to see the wife of the governor. One false move and I could be executed. The madam was lovely. Her slenderness apparent, even underneath her robes of golden and rich purple silk. She looked exactly like my porcelain doll. 

“M-madam…’ I stutter, shakily in the knees. I bowed deeply. I was used to grand parties and manners…but never so great as meeting the Madam lee myself. “Song…Wei Song…” she said clearly.” Thankyou…is this your gift?”. I nodded, holding out the flowers, my head lowered. I aren’t look up. 

“Dear child…no-you are not a child…Dear Song, do not be frightened…I am happy to see you…you have grown so beautifully…Mei-ling will be pleased…”.She spoke so softly, and I was so frightened. This morning seemed so simple…A dress...tea…a doll. I did not know who Mei-ling was. 

“You are of age of fourteen summers, yes?”. I nod. “Very good…” she said, taking a sip from a china cup. “And I take it you are highly educated…trained in being a mistress of a large household?”. I slowly nod…paralyzed and frozen. I have never been addressed as a woman…or spoken too in such a way. It was as if I was growing…that I was something more now in her presence.” Very good…continue in your lessens…and-would you like to meet your betrothed?”. Silence followed. I was betrothed. Me…I was going to be married in this next year. Before I could say a word, he stepped out…as if opening a door to a new life… 

“You are no longer a child…” Mei-ling said. He was strong, and firm built…but soft and a graceful like a panda bear. His face was rounder then the moon, and his eyes two fat almonds…like what I would have eaten this morning for my birthday. My birthday mama would not have for me. 

What could you say to something like that? To someone like him? He was not much older…and yet he was addressing me as a woman…and him as a man. Was this how mama felt? To see Papa for the first time? On her fourteenth birthday? 

“Can you not speak? Come, Song…”. 

He wanted me to come. I now know why mama was so sad. Mama knew that this was going to happen today. Suddenly, the dress…the doll…the tea…that was temporary…but today, I understand why mama would not give me those things this morning. She saw me as a woman, and that I no longer needed those blue flowers.