*Chara's POV*
My mother told me to always smile. Why? Well, she said that if you smile, people will also smile back at you. She said that it's contagious that it makes people feel at ease and happy for a moment. That's why I always smile. That was when I was still a kid and I still remember that time clearly in my mind. I'm not so sure what my age was but I'm so happy because my mother and father are always with me. I've felt the best love I could ever have. I thought that our happiness would never end but... that's what I thought.
One night, I felt too much pain in my head. At first, I thought it was just a headache but the pain suddenly became worse. I cried in pain. My shout woke up my parents and they rushed me to the hospital after asking me what's wrong.
After a couple of tests, I heard they said that there's nothing wrong with me. My mother saw my suffering and tears fell from her cheeks. The pain still didn't go away, pain that I couldn't stand anymore. Then, I fell asleep without me noticing.
I woke up in the morning and the pain in my head was gone. I'm so happy but when I opened my eyes, it's all blur... I tried to rub my eyes to check if there's something but I still can't see clearly. That's the time I panicked. I felt a warm hug from nowhere. Even with my eyes can't see clearly, I know that it was my mother. She's the only one who can hug me this warm.
She asked me what's wrong again and this time, I told her that I can't see clearly. So once again, we ran some tests but they said again that there's nothing wrong with my eyes. I heard my mother argue with the doctor because they are paying a lot of money for the tests but they can't find anything. We are not rich so money is really an important matter.
My dad held my hand. He told me that whatever happens, they will never leave me because they love me so much that they would do anything for me, a love that no one can ever give me but them. But day after day, my eyesight is not getting good and my body started to get weaker for some reason. It's getting worse and worse every day so they decided to confine me in the hospital. My father worked really hard and my mother did her best to borrow money for the hospital bills and other expenses but the doctor still can't find what's wrong with me. Every night before I go to sleep, my mother always smiles at me. I can still see it even with my poor eyesight and weak body. She told me not to give up. She told me that I just need to smile. So I did, pretended to be asleep but I know my mother cries every night. The most painful is when you know that you're the reason why your loved ones suffer.
"Mom? Where's Dad? I haven't heard of him for a while now." Another gloomy morning comes, my mother is helping me eat food.
"He's working really hard for us. So get stronger, ok?" My mother replied but she's having a hard time talking. It feels like she's trying to suppress her feelings.
"Why don't we go on the rooftop and have fresh air. You need to have an exercise from time to time."
"But I'm not allowed to walk around because I'm too weak and I can't move at all," I would love to, but I'm too weak.
"No worries. I'll just carry you. Let's go, my daughter." She held my hands. I can't see it but I know that she tried to smile. She's really doing her best not to cry.
My mother carried me to her back and we finally reached the rooftop. It's cold but refreshing. It's been a while since I felt this.
"Mom? Are you ok?" I asked her because she didn't say even a single word while carrying me.
"Yes, my daughter. Just remember, your father and I will always love you. You will always be our most precious daughter." She said to me with all her love.
"Mam. Please stay away from the ledge. It's too dangerous." I heard a voice not that far from here. What ledge?
"WAIIIIIIT! STOOOOOOP!" The man suddenly shouted. That time, I felt like I'm falling with my mother. I knew what's happening but I guess... this is the end for us. I'm happy that I'm with my mother till the end...
I can never see my mother smile again...
*BAAAAAAAAAM!*..
It was really an end yet another start of a new life.
I woke up and I thought I'm in heaven but unfortunately, I'm still alive. The doctors said that I've only got a lot of broken bones. They say it's a miracle that I'm still alive after that fall but my mother didn't survive. I don't know why she did that but I know she wants to end my suffering. Earlier that tragic accident, I heard that my father died while working... Maybe that's the trigger why my mother did it.
I cried and I cried for every single day. My never-ending smile finally ended. I stopped eating. I decided to stop living and be with my family once again. I felt like I'm on my way to them but one night, I heard a conversation of two nurses looking out for me. They thought I'm already sleeping.
"Have you heard about the family of this girl? Why is she alone?" One of the nurses asked.
"I heard that she doesn't have her parents anymore, no relatives too." The other nurse replied.
"I really feel sorry for her. What happened to her parents?" She once again asked.
"I don't know the whole story but I heard that her father died while working. But the worst part is her mother tried committing suicide with her daughter because they can't afford the hospital bills." She answered. I want to say that it's not true but... I'm too weak to even say anything. I just cried.
After a couple of months, I really thought that I'm going to finally die peacefully but I guess it's still not my time. Suddenly, I was adopted by a scientist and a world-renowned businessman. They are married to each other. They also have a child the same age as me at that time. Her name is Petula.
At first, I thought they would never adopt someone when they already have a child then the female Scientist talked to me.
"You know, you look like my mother. All of us here were amazed by your smile every single day even when you are not feeling well. You gave us courage and hope. I'm very sorry for your loss. You might think you're alone but we are here for you. Maybe it's hard for you but we would love to see you smile again." She said... and then my tears won't stop. I cried myself out.
That's the time I started becoming happy again. I know my parents are smiling and happy for me. I miss them so much but I have to do my best to get stronger so I can fight this unknown illness of mine.
After a couple of months, I was able to regain strength after several tests and rehabilitation with my new mother. Well, I still call her by her last name, Miss Ebonywood but I guess I'm going to get used to calling her first name sooner or later.
That's what I thought... then she died from an accident after I started living with them. It broke my heart but not as what Petula felt. She was devastated and I can't even do anything to help her. Weeks and months have passed and I did my best to give it all I have to cheer her up and so thank God, we became close as real sisters. After that, she dedicated herself to help me cure my illness. We did our best but she told me that the only problem is my eyesight. They still don't know what's the cause or reason why this is happening but she told me, there are a lot of same cases like mine, unknown illnesses that can't be cured. But they said that there's a way for me to see again, but not in real life, in New Life.
-Order of Light South Path-
"Hey Banana Girl! Why are you dozing off again? I told you we have to keep on moving!" I heard a nagging voice ahead. It's our captain and he calls himself Cool Jay. But seriously, he's not cool at all.
"I told you not to call me that name! It's just my username and I regret using that!" I replied a bit annoyed.
Yes, my in-game name is Banana Girl. I don't know what I was thinking that time but I really regret it. Oh, and my real name is Chara which means happiness.
Where are we going? We are going to help a city in distress because that's what we do.