Trust Lost

Sally lowered her head and looked down at her feet. She was standing before Mrs.Tan, her form teacher who had called her in for a talk. Sally tried to avoid eye contact with the teacher she admired yet feared. Mrs.Tan's persistent questions hung heavily in the air;she wanted to know why Sally's grades had taken a sudden plunge recently. Her tone though firm had a tinge of concern.Sally could sense it and for a moment, she wanted to unlock the secret in her heart. Thinking for a while, she hesitated before hammering out in a hesitant voice, "You wont tell others, would you?" Her pleading tone drew feelings of sympathy from Mrs.Tan who promised to keep all information shared as confidential.
Sally struggled for a while and looking up with tears in her eyes said, " I found out that I was an adopted child last Sunday." she continued to share how the truth was known when her parents told her that her natural parents wanted to see her. Confronted with such a piece of news, Sally had been dumbfounded. To a nine-year-old, abrupt disclosure of a secret kept successfully for nine years had thrown her into a state of confusion. Her adoptive parents had never failed to shower all their love but apparently Sally's parents wanted to take her back. They had engaged a lawyer to see to the legal procedures. It was these uncertain feelings of her future that caused Sally to lose her concentration in school.
Even as she related her story, Sally pulled at her tie unconsciously. She waited for Mrs. Tan's response. Much to her relief, Mrs.Tan nodded, and said she understood her. Sally was then permitted to leave the room.
The next day, Sally was asked by Mrs.Tan to carry a few books to he staff room after the lesson. Feeling much honoured to be given the task, Sally carried the books and followed Mrs.Tan out of the room. Somehow Sally felt uplifted and cheerful that morning. Perhaps, she was comforted that Mrs.Tan her background and had not made it known to anyone else. As they turned around the corner, they met Mrs.Sim, her music teacher. Mrs.Sim saw Sally and stopping by her asked her in a casual voice, "So did you manage to see your natural parents?" What a question! It seemed to shoot an arrow through Sally's heart. She was shocked and dropped the books unconsciously to the ground. Tears of anger welled up in her eyes, as she felt betrayed by Mrs.Tan. Her confidence in Mrs. Tan suddenly shattered and a sense of disillusionment set in.
"Let me explain,Sally", Mrs Tan started, looking at Sally and sensing the uncomfortable and tense moment.
"But you promised me!" she cried. " I will never trust you again." With that, Sally ran back to the classroom.