Arlyn and Adrian

10

"Oh. You've arrived."

Arlyn opened the door. Appears in front of Adrian who is standing stiff. Still not able to make himself relax when he was near the woman.

Adrian has not responded when Arlyn widened the view of Adrian into the house by pulling the door more open. Makes Adrian can see the figure of Abi, Riel and Azel with their traveling clothes. Azel with sebetis dress and Abi also Riel with a tiny shirt and pants the size of their bodies.

"Come on." Arlyn moved her chin. Tell the three children inside the house to get out.

"Uncle's for." Riel said cheerfully. Adrian was surprised but then nodded.

"Morning."

Arlyn had finished locking the door. Passing the four humans in front of his house to Adrian's car. Adrian realized it was speeding up his pace. Pressing the key and opening the door.

Cclek

Arlyn looked flat at the front car door that was pulled open by the man beside her.

"Come in."

Adrian's voice came out so softly. A faint smile was imprinted on his face.

"Hm." Arlyn only gave a murmur in response. He looked back. Seeing Abi, Riel and Azel stood together. Together had stunned facial expressions staring at the white car before them.

"You guys. Don't stand there. Get in the car."

Riel raised her face towards Arlyn. His facial expression seemed to say what-we-will-ride-car-this-?.

Arlyn clucked. "If you don't want to go then it's okay."

Abi and Riel both opened their mouths in shock.

"Go! I'm going!" Abi exclaims.

Arlyn did not respond and got into the car.

Adrian closed the door and moved to open another door. Riel was the first to get into the car and sit in the passenger seat. Azel did not say much. And Abi, though,

"Pig."

Arlyn opened the door. Take out the side of his head. Look at Abi who did not come in with his two brothers.

Abi turned his face to Arlyn. "Umi," she's closing her lips. "Can Umi sit in the back with us?"

Arlyn accepted the question frowning. "What's wrong?"

Abi bit her lower lip. Arlyn clucked. "Don't ask for troublesome things. It's impolite to let uncle Adrian sit in front alone."

Abi had a surprised expression on his face. He was just about to speak but Arlyn made a sound first. "Hurry in. Let that uncle start the car immediately." Arlyn frowned. "It's hot in here."

Abi who saw Arlyn feeling uncomfortable immediately quickly got into the car. Sitting next to Azel with perfect attitude.

Adrian stood stiff outside. Still surprised by the ridiculous scenario that just happened. But he immediately regained his senses and closed the door, approaching the side of the steering wheel door.

Adrian starts the car and the car finally goes.

The journey passed by quietly. Riel watched the scenery outside the car glass with her mouth open. Azel sat quietly between his two brothers. While Abi, sitting with his head down, linked his fingers with fingers in the other hand.

Adrian opens the door for Arlyn and the three other children as soon as they arrive at their destination. A mall that is not so big. The purpose requested by Arlyn.

"Remember not to be separated. I don't have the energy to watch you guys." Arlyn said to the three children who looked up to her.

"Azel, watch your two sisters."

"Yes umi."

"I won't be naughty I promise!" Riel exclaims.

Arlyn looked at Abi. "Abi?"

Abi silently looked at Arlyn and finally lowered his head. "Yes." Yeah."

"good. Now let's go inside."

Arlyn glanced at Adrian. Adrian realized the glance was surprised but he then immediately followed Arlyn's words. They walked together towards the entrance of the mall with Riel Azel and Abi holding hands near Arlyn. Adrian followed behind.

"Eye." Riel grabbed Arlyn's hand.

Arlyn glanced at it and immediately returned bringing her gaze forward. Letting Riel happily hold her hand.

Abi secretly watches Riel and Arlyn's hand.

Azel realized it was releasing his hand grip on Abi. Abi looked confused and accepted Azel's chin.

Abi's eyes widened. He closed his lips but then his eyes were on one free hand of Arlyn.

He gulped nervously and hesitantly grabbed Arlyn's hand. Arlyn felt something touching and grasping both fingers turned her head in wonder. Abi looked up at him with frightened eyes.

Arlyn sighed silently and released her hand from Abi.

Abi's eyes widened in shock.

He was just about to pull back his hand with a bent face. But Arlyn's hand first grabbed her hand. Grasping Abi's hand in his hand.

Abi's eyes immediately sparkled and a wide laugh without a sound immediately adorned his tiny face.

Azel smiled slightly at his place. While Adrian who witnessed the scenario had both lips that were not tightly closed. Surprised by what he just saw.

Riel and Abi both showed stunned faces as Arlyn led them to the second floor of the mall. Where many lined shops show off their sales products.

Arlyn said as soon as they arrived at a toy store. "Father, pick the things you want."

Abi surprised. "Choose?"

"Yes." Yeah." Arlyn looked down at Abi with her usual expressionless face. "Today's your birthday. I'll let you buy something." He paused. "Just for today."

Abi's eyes widened. "Umi, did umi take us away because of this?"

"What else." Arlyn let out a breath. He likes to enjoy his time lazing around at home. Just for today. Since one of her foster children is having a birthday, she will give up her idle time.

"Just pick it up before I change my mind."

Abi was shocked and immediately hurriedly released his hand from Arlyn. Run into the toy. Arlyn turned towards Riel. "You come in too."

"Really?" Riel asked in disbelief.

Arlyn nodded. "Yes. Watch your sister." He looked at Azel. "You too."

Azel. Riel saw it instantly take off her grip on Arlyn and ran towards the disappearance of Abi followed by Azel behind her. Arlyn stood expressionlessly watching the three children inside the store busily touching the goods and flaunting them to each other. Especially Abi and Riel. Azel listened more to the commotion between his sisters as usual.

"What kind of toy do you think the kids will choose?"

Adrian, who was just daydreaming with eyes on the same three children, was shocked to hear Arlyn's voice.

"They? Isn't it just Abi who's going to buy?"

"Yes, but they're smart kids. Abi is a good boy. He would definitely choose an item that his two brothers also liked." Arlyn grinned. Adrian was surprised by Arlyn's words. This does not usually happen to three children.

He takes good care of them.

That's what Adrian thought.

The grin on Arlyn's lips showed her pride for the three children who lived with her.

Adrian was stunned with a sly smile on Arlyn's face.

"Enjoy! This one!" Abi showed off a toy cookware with a face full of confidence. Azel and Riel stood beside him with satisfied expressions.

"That? You sure?" Ask Arlyn. Abi nodded quickly.

"Yes!"

"All right." Arlyn shrugged her shoulders.

Abi closed her lips. "Umi's really gonna buy this? If not, it's okay! Really!" Exclaims. Riel and Azel nodded nodding beside her.

Arlyn raised her eyebrows. "of course. It's your birthday." He grins. He tilted his head towards Adrian.

He's not gonna pay anyway.

It was the young man from the rich family who was beside him.

Adrian was flabbergasted but immediately regained his senses and extended his hand towards Abi. "Give me. Uncle's taking him to the cashier. You guys just wait here."

Abi looked at Adrian and the young man hesitated, then turned to look at Arlyn. Receiving a look of reply from the woman.

Abi emboldened himself and handed the toy box in his hand to Adrian who was immediately taken away by the man.

Abi watches every move Adrian moves towards the cashier. Seeing a woman in an employee's shirt doing a scan on a toy of her choice, and receiving a card given by Adrian.

As soon as Adrian returned he handed the toy box back to Abi who was immediately accepted by the boy.

Abi smiled widely before slowly closing his mouth. Biting his lower lip.

"Thank you, uncle Adrian." Said slowly. Close yourself to the back of Arlyn's legs. Arlyn sighed and patted Abi's head.

"Since when have you been a shy kid?" Arlyn frowned.

Adrian on the other hand was flabbergasted by Abi's thanks. He put on a faint smile. "Together."

For a moment no one spoke. Riel looked confused while Azel only sighed. Arlyn was the first to break the silence.

"Since the thing you're looking for has already been bought, now let's go home." He turned away. Adrian was surprised. And so is Abi. Riel exclaimed inadmissive.

"What?! Going home?! I've been dressed up!" Exclamation rubbed the chest. Show Arlyn the clothes she's wearing. The only shirt Arlyn bought for Abi and herself.

Arlyn had a sour face. "What else do you want?"

"Walk! We've never been here!" Riel exclaimed fuss again. Abi beside Riel nodded his nod was was was.

Arlyn pouted but then saw Azel who hooked his eyes on a knick knick shop.

It is true that the three children rarely walk the road. That's because Arlyn feels she doesn't have the energy to supervise three elementary school kids. Although Azel showed a mature attitude, according to Arlyn's request to be the supervisor of her other two sisters, Arlyn still felt it was not enough. Azel was only 11 years old. And Riel, even though she always said that she wouldn't be apart, when she was attracted by something, she wouldn't be looking out for the surroundings anymore.

And Abi, though,

Arlyn looked at Abi who was staring at her with her eyes. Arlyn frowned distractedly with a sour face. But then he thought,

All right, just for today. Because that kid's birthday today.

Arlyn growled without a sound. "alright then. We're not going home yet. You can go around." He spread his eyes around where he stood. Disturbed by the absence of a seat.

He clucked and approached Riel and Abi. Put both hands on the heads of the two children. "Three of you can go. But promise to always be together."

"U-Umi's not coming?" Abi asked doubtfully. Feel fear.

"No. I'mtired. You guys go." Arlyn looked to the side. Towards where the man who was looking at him quietly stood.

"I'm sure you've been here a lot. Can you help me keep an eye on them?"

Adrian surprised. "Y-Yes, sure."

"good. Then you go. I'll wait here." Arlyn left the four others behind and went to the mall wall. Folding both of his hands in front of his chest looked at the four people watching him with diverse expressions. Adrian with gawking face. Azel with a faint confused face. Riel with her impatience to leave immediately. And Abi with a sad face looked at Arlyn.

Abi was the one who attracted Arlyn's attention the most. He immediately shook his hand. Tell Abi to leave immediately with his two brothers and also the uncle who will watch over the three of them.

Abi was a little surprised. He lowered his head gloomily. Hugging the toy box in both hands and following the pull of Riel's hand.

"Uncle! What's in this place?" Riel asked enthusiastically.

Adrian was a little surprised but he instantly gained his self-awareness.

"Is there anything you want to visit?" Adrian asks himself what kind of place would roughly attract the attention of children of Riel Azel and Abi's age. Adrian has never interacted with children. That makes it a little clumsy.

"I want to play a game! I've never done that before. Umi always forbids!" Melas Riel's. Adrian closed his lips in confusion.

If Arlyn forbids, should I also not follow her wishes?

Adrian wondered to himself. But Riel is very clear and he really wants to play. Adrian is not Arlyn who can strictly forbid.

With hesitation Adrian opened his mouth. "alright. We're going to the playground."

Riel's eyes widened sparkling.

"Yey! Really??" Ask ensures. Adrian nodded.

"Yes." Yeah."

Even if Arlyn forbids, Adrian will let Arlyn scold her.

"Sister would too, right? Abi?" Riel asked his two brothers.

Azel had a flat face but he secretly also wanted to play like Riel. Just like her sister, she had never gone to the playground she was used to seeing and had always attracted her attention.

He nodded slowly. Abi hugged his toy box tightly. Stare at a car racing video game seat with lips firmly fixed.

He always wanted to play that. He often sees children who look more mature playing it and they always look excited. Makes Abi feel that playing it will get him excited as well.

He wants to try it. Arlyn always forbids but Abi wants to try it.

He nodded doubtfully. Riel received a nod his two brothers looked up to Adrian. "Come uncle!"

Adrian nodded. Tells Riel that she should buy a card and fill it up first. Riel doesn't quite understand but she does.

Riel Azel and Abi stand together near a playing machine. Watch Adrian's interaction with the cashier. Beyond their expectations Adrian turned around and called them.

"Azel, Riel, Abi, come here."

Riel ran over to Adrian but Abi stayed in his place. Hugging his toy box. Azel saw that and immediately pulled Abi's hand with him.

Abi was a little scared but he couldn't resist Azel's hand.

As soon as the three stood in front of Adrian the man asked them to go up to the box for the children. Make them see what is presented on the glass cashier.

Abi could only see with his eyes on the surface of the glass. See the six cards there.

"You can choose one. The pictures are different so you choose what you like" Adrian said.

"Oh!"

Riel instantly took all six cards there and showed them to his two brothers.

"Who do you want?"

Azel researched the images on the cards one by one. Not long after that he picked one up and took it in his hand.

"Pig! Your turn!" Riel thrust the remaining five cards at Abi who was still hugging her toy box.

Abi looked at the five cards hesitantly. Slowly, his hand took one.

The card had a picture of a female cartoon character with blonde shoulder-length hair. Look to the side with flat eyes. The female character was wearing a white hood. Beside him was the view of the palace above the clear blue cloudy sky. Abi saw the female character as an angel. He felt the character on his card reminded him of someone.

He looked at the picture on the card in his hand. While on the other hand Riel has also chosen one and put the remaining three cards on the cashier glass. "Uncle already!"

Adrian nodded. Back to the cashier woman. The woman then smiled and extended her hand to the three children watching.

"Not the card pinfem first yeah.."

Riel complies and hands over her card. Same with Azel. Abi held the card to his chest.

Riel sees that and takes the card from Abi's hand. Give it to the cashier. Abi stretched out his hand unwillingly.

"Calm Abi. The brother will just fill in his cards so we can play. You'll get your card back!" Riel patted both shoulders of Abi with a wide smile.

The cashier chuckled and did his job.

"This card. Happy playing."

"Thank you brother!"

"Thank you."

Riel spoke in spirit and Azel thanked her slowly. While Abi just took a card from the cashier guard without saying anything.

"Let's play!" Riel said to her two brothers cheerfully as she jumped from the maid box.

Azel jumped down while Abi went down in a slow motion. Following Riel's run to a game machine.

The first Riel did was play a doll-taking machine. He instinctively swiped his cards and directly stretched out his two hands moving the lever and pressed the button with his palm after ascending to the ladder box.

He's after a gray stuffed cat and he's got it.

He smiled widely and picked up the doll from the bottom of the machine.

"Sister!" Riel held out the doll to Azel.

Azel's eyes slightly widened but immediately accepted Riel's gift.

"Forku?" tanyakanya. Riel nodded with a big smile.

"Thank you." Azel said slowly.

Riel did not respond and directly swiped her card again. Go after the other dolls and get back what he wants.

"Pig. For you."

Abi looked at the doll in both of Riel's hands. Then take it with one hand. Seeing again.

It was a small dragon-shaped doll. The dragon was black in color and had four-footed, stye cheeks as well. Similarly, the tail is long enough to be looped into the body of the doll. The dragon has large eyes with blue pupils. On his head were two small horns and two large horns.

The wings are not so big and make it look cute. Riel felt the black dragon doll with blue eyes was a perfect match for Abi.

He then went after the doll for himself.

It was a cat doll similar to Azel's. With a brownish red color and a slightly smaller size.

Riel held out the doll towards her brother. "Now we all have our own dolls!"

Abi looked at his two brothers' dolls and then at his own doll.

Only he had a dragon doll. But, she likes it.

He felt a connection to the doll. She hugged him. "Thank you, Riel."

Abi smiles. Riel smiled broadly.

"Together!"

Azel smiled at his two younger siblings. Hugging his own doll.

Adrian stood watching the three children. Feel the unbreakable bond between them.

Arlyn, what a great woman.

He could not distract her from the three children. Until finally Riel realized his existence and looked surprised before turning to swipe the card and playing the doll machine again.

He got one doll and went after one doll once more. After she got the two, she ran a little towards Adrian and held out one of the dolls in her hand.

"Uncle! For you!"

Adrian didn't expect himself to get one either.

He received a doll given by Riel. "Thank you."

Adrian looked at the doll in his hand. Unlike Riel Azel and Abi's large property, Adrian's property is smaller and has a key chain in the tail. It was a stuffed squirrel.

It looks funny because half of its body is gray and brown, while the other half is yellow and white. The doll is the size of an adult palm like Adrian. Adrian held the doll in both hands and felt his heart warm.

He did not understand what that feeling was. But whatever the feeling was brought comfort in his heart.

"Pig! Let's play the game you've always seen!" Adrian's attention is distracted after hearing the cry of Riel's spirit. The boy pulled Abi's hand so that his sister had to run small enough to match the speed of the steps of the person who pulled him. Azel followed his two brothers without a sound.

"Sit there." Riel sat Abi in the chair. "Give me your card."

Abi hesitantly gave away his card. Riel immediately picked it up and swiped it on the part of the playing machine.

Abi then looked at the screen that started to run. Show car line.

"Three. Two. The one. Start!"

The sound from the screen shocked Abi.

"What are you doing? Hold steering. Stamp it!" Riel gave instructions.

Abi follows Riel's timid instructions. He held the small steering wheel in front of him and stepped on the pedal near his feet. Saw his car start walking on the screen.

Adrenaline Abi is starting to go up. He moves the steering wheel according to his instinct.

"Hijack the brakes! You're gonna hit!" Riel holds Abi's seat playing tight. I felt the tension of Abi. Abi followed Riel's words before stepping back on the gas pedal. Bring the car he played in to the finish line in last order.

This made Abi dissatisfied.

"I want more."

"About? You don't want to try another game?"

"No." Abi replied firmly. "It."

Riel was silent before chuckling.

"alright then. Let's play again." With that Riel swiped Abi's card again and the game began.

This time Abi held the steering wheel and stepped on the gas pedal without instructions. He finished the game until he got third place out of five players.

"Again."

Riel blinked her eyes before laughing.

"alright. This time you'll be aiming for first position." Riel swiped Abi's card again.

Azel watched his two younger siblings from the side. Until a game with an image of a dinosaur on a screen with a needle resembling a clockwork caught his attention.

He looked at the dinosaur picture game until Adrian realized it.

"Would you like to go there?" Ask Adrian.

Azel looked to watch his two younger siblings who seemed to still be focusing on their game and finally nodded.

Adrian smiling. "I'll accompany you." Her speech.

Azel followed Adrian. Leaving his two younger siblings drowning on the game in front of them.

Azel looked at the two buttons on the playing machine.

One reads stop instantly while the other says stop slowly. He knows the meaning of both.

Following what Riel did, he swiped his card.

The clock in the machine starts turning. Azel closed his eyes at the end of the needle and pressed the button on the left.

The tip of the needle stops at the number 25.

Azel heard a voice and realized something was coming out of a horizontal flat hole in the bottom front of the machine.

Instinctively he picked up a line of tickets that came out. He looked at her and saw her numbering twenty-five.

He looked at the row of circular numbers on the screen and his hand moved swiping the cards again.

Once again he focused his eyes and pressed the button with his palm.

The tip of the needle stops at the number 50.

Lines of tickets come out of the same flat hole. Azel took it and rolled it in his hand.

He looked at the number again. Find the bonus at the top.

He sets goals and swipes his cards.

Let the clock turn several times. Before you quickly push the button.

Make the needle end stop at the bonus write-up. And the ticket line came out.

Azel looked at the numbers on the screen.

He got 100 tickets.

Azel was secretly feeling excited.

He let the ticket line dangle to the floor and swiped his card again. This time I was going to press another button.

He pressed.

The hour hand runs for a few seconds before stopping at 25.

The number of tickets becoming longer.

Azel swiped his cards again. Pressing the same button. Make the ticket line increase.

He did it five times until the ticket reached an infinite length.

He took the tickets and folded them according to the dividing line. Make it resemble a stack of tickets as high as five centi meters.

He could have gained more but he felt enough.

Azel turned his body towards Adrian. Adrian had a flabbergasted expression.

Azel is very good at playing that one game. He has sharp eyes, it seems.

Adrian resuscitated himself. Put on smile. "Is there any other game you want to try?"

"Hm." Azel. Stuck his gaze at the game of inserting the ball into a number hole.

He can get another ticket from there.

He played a similar game until Riel's voice drew his attention.

"Sister!"

Riel came with Abi beside her.

"Gee!" Surprised to see the stack of tickets in Azel's hands.

"Don't you get all that??"

Azel.

"I want to try too!" Riel takes over the game machine that Azel played. See a circle with a number that rotates. Pressing the button until a ball rolls down a translucent slide.

The ball walked for a while over a rotating circle, before going into a hole.

Hole with the number 10.

Riel looked at the line of tickets she had, then saw the pile of tickets in Azel's hands. Feeling unsatisfied.

"I want more!"

"Don't make umi wait too long."

Azel's speech made Riel's shoulder decrease disappointed. But then he thought Azel was right. They've been playing for a long time.

Riel nodded. "Let's exchange those tickets!"

Azel nodded in agreement. Riel pulls Abi to come with her and Azel to the cashier.

"Sister! We want to trade this!" Riel. Put 10 tickets on the glass table.

The cashier picked up Riel's ticket and opened her mouth.

"So I can choose the one below."

His hands pointed at the rows of small items with variations of numbers 2 to 10.

Riel had a sour face when she saw the line of items that did not catch her attention.

He would choose with an unwilling heart but Azel's hand held him back.

"Wait a minute."

He put down his pile of tickets.

Look at the tickets for a while before pulling some out and keeping them in his pocket.

"I'm gonna trade this." Azel says. The cashier took the stack of tickets and counted them using a machine.

He took out a small piece of paper and wrote something down there with a pen.

Give it to Azel. The paper says 5100.

"Great brother!" Riel exclaimed in admiration.

"Pick what you want." Azel.

Riel sparkled and began to look at the rows of souvernir that were displayed behind the transparent glass.

"I want that!" Riel pointed at a clock. Mangangguk.

"We want that." Her speech.

The cashier put a clock in front of them.

"There's 3,500 more." She said.

Azel looked at Riel. "What do you want again?"

Riel widened her eyes.

"Can I choose again?" Azel. Seeing that Riel circulated her gaze again and finally pointed at a pillow.

"That!"

It was a portable pillow. Which makes it easy for the owner to take it where. The cashier crossed out the numbers on the paper and wrote the new numbers.

"There's 510 more."

"Sister and Abi choose. I've already." Riel smiled broadly. "Use mine as well."

Azel. He closed his eyes to the souvenir line.

He chose some stuff. He only has 200 points left.

"Pig. Your turn." Azel.

Abi has since noticed every souvenir available.

He has chosen one.

"I want that one."

...***...

Arlyn sighed in the place where she was leaning. Frowning felt that time had passed long enough and the children had not returned.

"Where did they go?" His grunt.

"Eye!"

The familiar voice caught his attention. Riel, Azel and Abi ran towards him. Arlyn let out a sigh of relief. He finally felt he could go home.

He was just about to take the kids to the parking area but something stuck out toward him.

Three things.

A keychain with a black cat doll. A necklace with a small pearl-shaped pendulum (which Arlyn knows is certainly made of plastic), a pillow, and hair ornaments in the form of clips that have flower decorations.

"""Good birthday umi!""" The three children spoke together in their own tones. Riel with joy. Abi was timid. And Azel with a flat.

Arlyn was silent in place before frowning and sighing.

Fight with himself whether he should receive gifts from those children or not.

He hesitantly took out the three objects that were extended to him. Look at those things with a frown. But choose to give up.

"Thank you." He said half-heartedly. Riel and Abi immediately smiled widely. Happy with Arlyn receiving their gift.

"Arlyn."

This time Arlyn looked at one more person.

A young man higher than him. Have a shy smile. Hiding something behind his back.

"This-"

"No."

Adrian gawking at his place.

"Where do you know my birthday?"

Adrian flabbergasted. "Uh, Abi told me that your birthday is just around the corner. Then they told me they'd give you those things because it's your birthday." He said clumsy. "A, I'm buying-"

"Don't try to reward me. Keep that stuff for yourself."

"......." Adrian was silent with a stiff body.

"Now let's go home. I'm tired." Arlyn said and passed away. Abi cheerfully followed Arlyn and clasped Arlyn's lower shoulder. With Arlyn's two hands full of items given to her foster children.

Riel who did not understand anything caught up with Arlyn and also clasped Arlyn's undershirt on the other side. While Azel who could feel Adrian's feelings also shook his head in sympathy.

Adrian fell silent in his place before forcing himself back to his senses and following the four people in front of him.