FORBIDDEN TO FALL IN LOVE

14. New Friends

Valeda got out of his car, followed by Daniel and his two younger siblings. Kris, who came out last, had two shopping bags in her hand. "I help you" Daniel said, taking one of the shopping bags in Kris's hand.

Kris smiled. "No need. It's not heavy," he said.

Daniel was worried for a moment. She's not feeling well. Really not feeling good, because in addition to not helping anything, Valeda bought most of the groceries, even for the next week.

"There's no need to feel bad" Valeda said. "That's all I want."

"Thank you, Miss," replied Daniel.

"Come, we're in" Valeda ended the conversation that made Daniel uncomfortable. "Your sisters say, your cooking is good. I'm hungry."

Daniel leads Valeda into his orphanage. Valeda had circulated a glance to the area of the parlour. "The pleasure is comfortable and quiet. It's near a big road" he commented.

"I didn't expect it either. We've only been here once. That was unintentionally, too" replied Kris.

"It's a great place for kids" Valeda added.

Arriving at their doorstep, Valeda is struck by a toddler running naked. He laughed out loud while screaming.

"Roses!" snapped Daniel. "How many times did you say, don't run naked like this? If it hurts, how?"

The child named Rose immediately silently heard Daniel's nagging. Not long after, a girl caught up with Rose to the front door with a towel. "Rose, Brother said you can't run, right?" his protest.

"Nana, get the rose ready! We have a guest" Daniel ordered.

Valeda smiled. "I'm not an important person. You guys just relax," he said. Valeda nodded at Vio who was holding his hand, asking Vio to take him inside.

As if understanding Valeda's bodily cues, Vio went inside while holding Valeda. "Miss Valeda can sit here" Vio said as he patted the living room sofa.

"No need to call 'miss'. You can call me brother Val" replied Valeda. He complies with Vio's offer to sit on the sofa.

"Son Val stay here first, yeah! Vio wants to take a shower to get clean" said Vio. Valeda answered him with a nod.

"Till go to the kitchen first. Want to prepare the ingredients for dinner," Orange open the sound.

"Let me bring it to the kitchen" answered Kris, who saw Orange looking at him. "It's heavy for the size of a little girl like you."

Orange scratched his head, he felt confused because Kris spoke politely to him. "Through here, sir," invite Orange.

Valeda chuckled amusedly hearing Kris being called 'Pak' by Jingga. "Call him Brother Kris. She's twenty-five years old and doesn't have a boyfriend."

"Miss Val, the part of not having a boyfriend doesn't seem to be worth mentioning" Kris protested. "Come on, little girl! Let's just go to the kitchen. My missus is gonna babble it's not clear if she's hungry."

Orange just laughed softly hearing Kris grunt like a child. "My name is Orange, Brother. Not a little girl," replied Jingga as she led Kris to the kitchen.

Valeda leaned against the living room sofa that was already somewhat worn and torn in some parts. Daniel sat down straight across from him. "You too, Mr. Daniel. Please take it easy," continued Valeda.

"Ehem!" Daniel cleared his throat. "Then I asked for the same thing. A call like 'master' doesn't suit me."

"All right" replied Valeda. Then, Valeda circulated his gaze again. "How long has this orphanage been standing?" ask Valeda.

"It's been twenty years. My father founded it when my mother died of bleeding during the premature birth of my sister. He said, so that I wouldn't be lonely because I wished I had a sister, but I didn't."

"I'm so sorry" Valeda said quickly. He felt bad for bringing up the sad past.

Daniel shook his head slowly with a smile. "I'm okay with that" he replied. "Many orphans have become my sisters. I don't have time to be sad right now."

"So, you run this orphanage with your father?"

"Then, you managed it alone?" Valeda changed the subject. Although Daniel says he is not too bothered by the talk about his parents, Valeda can catch a scarred look on Daniel's face.

"Yes. From the age of nineteen."

Valeda nodded in amazement. He was amazed at Daniel being able to manage an orphanage at his young age. Valeda opened her mouth, about to continue their conversation, but the ringing of her smartphone delayed it.

"Sorry, I'll pick up the phone first" Valeda asked for permission.

"Please" replied Daniel.

Valeda caught a glimpse of the name on his smartphone screen and immediately replied. "Yes, Cel?"

"Have you reached your apartment, Val? I'm on my way there" asked Celine.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Right now I'm at the orphanage I told you about. There was this and that, so now I'm going to have dinner here" Valeda replied. "What's the matter of bothering to catch up with me?"

"It's not important. I just want to tell you about the guy who got the raffle you made." Celine laughed from across the phone.

"I'll hear the full story tomorrow. What point?" valeda asked impatiently. He didn't expect much, but it seemed like Celine would tell him something interesting.

"It was completely unintentional, Val. I asked one of the people I met on the street to meet the man. Apparently, they are husband and wife!" Celine was blown away, almost making Valeda's ears deaf.

"Geez, Celine!" Valeda could imagine how excited the atmosphere was where the couple met. Of course, they will blame each other and accuse each other that their partners are cheating. Valeda breathes a sigh of relief. In his heart he prayed to God, thanking him for avoiding catastrophe. "We're talking about this tomorrow."

Celine relaxed her laughter. "OK, okay! Bye, Val!" pamit Celine in between her laughter.

Valeda hung up from Celine and put the samrtphone back in her bag. He looked up and saw Daniel still sitting quietly in front of him. Daniel smiled awkwardly as their gaze met.

"Sorry, old," Orange appeared carrying a tray containing a cup of warm tea. "Please, Brother Val," he said, holding out a cup at Valeda.

Valeda accepted with pleasure. He could see how shiny the cup was in his hand. It was definitely a cup that was rarely used and had just been taken out to greet Valeda. "Thank you, Orange."

Valeda was about to sip some tea when he saw a few pops of heads behind the door where the orange had appeared earlier.

"Who?"

"Beautiful!"

"White as a ghost."

"Hair is long."

"Temen Kak Dan?"

"I think a new theme. I never saw."

"Ask Brother Dan, yuk?"

"You speak of people, not in front of people" said Daniel, astonished to see his brothers whispering but still being heard.

Valeda sipped his tea again, then smiled at the orphanage children who still did not dare to come out of their hiding place. "Here, you know Brother!" call Valeda.

Hearing the call of a beautiful girl, one by one the orphanage children came out and sat down to fill the living room sofa. Valeda was somewhat shocked because of which appeared over ten people.

"Big, huh?" Valeda wasn't sure he could remember all of their names.

***