Hear My Wish's
Chapter 2 – Cattleya Park
Edwin glanced at the circular watch on his left hand, ‘There are still two more hours
hearts. With white earphones attached to both ears, he looked back at the notebook screen. His fingers were ready to press the buttons bearing letters on them. Almost five minutes passed, but his mind never called for the idea so that the young man could quickly finish his script. He sighed while leaning his back on the back of the chair he was sitting on.
In fact, this kind of situation is what he wants, being outside the room with a relatively quiet environment compared to other places. Although the weather was quite blistering, at least the shady trees protected it from the sun. Not only that, there was still a gentle breeze that occasionally hit his body.
He was completely unaware of the presence of an eight-year-old child watching him not far from the park bench. His pair of brown eyes sparkled expectantly, looking at the dark brown-haired youth with an appearance that was one hundred and eighty degrees different from him. His striped white shirt was not dull, there was not the slightest tear in his pants, his shoes were shiny black like freshly polished.
It was obvious, this young man must be a rich man.
Glance at the pair of bright brown eyes that moved. Her innocent face was stunned to realize what was before her. Huge opportunity. Unattended, the young man left one of his possessions lying on a park bench. Noel knows exactly, the phone can turn into money if sold. The amount will be huge, even much larger than the amount of money in the wallet.
Like a cheetah stalking his deer, Noel observed the young man's movements. He seemed so focused on his notebook screen. His feet began to step. I don't know what makes this kid so sure that he won't notice his approaching presence.
His little hand was ready to grab that thing.
It is only a matter of millimeters. ‘Come, quick grab, Noel! Fast!’ the boy cried inwardly to himself. As his fingers were about to touch the screen, the young man suddenly turned his head. His face looked shady, implying that he was a friendly person. At first glance, he looks like a kind prince who is separated in children's tales.
Although Edwin smiled at him, fear and anxiety instantly enveloped Noel.
“Where are your parents?” ask her while slightly approaching the shabby-looking child.
Noel was getting more scared, his ears did not heed the questions that were thrown for him. His little body started to tremble. His heart was getting anxious. What if this guy knew he was going to steal?
Without cue and command, he turned around and ran as far away from Edwin as he could, like a predator who would not expect his prey to fight.
His breathing was stingy, as if it would be exhausted at any moment.
“Eh, boy!”
The call made him look. Seen a sturdy and sturdy man sitting with one of his legs raised on a bright blue motor. He was wearing a black T-shirt with a vest and torn jeans. His mustache was thick, clad in silver-colored chains around his neck, his eyebrows swooping sharply. “Lo abis maling here, yes?” looks as if threatening Noel to answer ‘ya’.
“This is my area!” firmly while hitting the motorcycle seat without caring who the owner is, “Where is the money?!” snarled the man with the face. With breath still panting, Noel took out his hard-earned money since this morning from both of his pockets.
A sweet grin was clearly visible on his face, like a satisfied wolf seeing his prey helpless. He handed the whole sheet of paper to her.
He chuckles happily, “Nah, so dong” His tattooed hands snatched the money, “Dah, there you go, hus hus!” throw the thug away while swinging his hand, as if Noel was a wild beast bothering him.
***
The twilight has not yet arrived. There is still hope and opportunity for him to earn sustenance, although the amount will not be large enough to be a deposit.
Although the wind continued to encourage him, Noel was already desperate.
Accidentally, he hit someone in front of him. “Eh, lo kalo pake eye dong!” reprimand the girl he just hit. The girl was wearing a red checkered shirt, her hair was pigtailed like a ponytail, her face familiar.
Sylvians...
Noel was getting dazed.
“Eh, why lo? I'm like a dead man,” Sylvia patted the kid's cheek. “Why, anyway?” the question kept forcing Noel to answer.
“Noel dipalakkin” his face pouted.
“Hah?! Continues?”
“White Noel love all”
“LO LOVE ALL?!”
Noel did not answer, he was busy closing his eyes tightly. He knew exactly, the girl must have gone up in black and was ready to punch her in the face, even though her face was pitying, asking for mercy.
The girl sighed. Lucky fate Noel, this time Sylvia can muffle her anger for a moment.
“Who is lazy? Where?” tanyanya while shaking the waist.
“That's, the brothers who are in the park” parking lot
Sylvia was silent for a moment, she thought. Parkland. The garden Noel referred to must be Cattleya's garden. It's not far from here. “Here, cepet cepet show me the guy,” Sylvia pull the little boy's hand.
It's not hard to find the person Noel meant. The burly thug full of tattoos was busy counting his money, his mouth muttering, mentioning the nominal money in his hands. The clothes he wore were not too shabby, even spelled out ‘still clean’ when compared to the clothes of the girl. Sylvia guessed, this guy must have just become a thug.
“Eh! Who else is counting money!”
The man turned his head, looking at the waist-rigged Sylvia before him. Her supposed pretty, sweet, and graceful face looked very far from those three words.
“Lo who was last temen me yes?!” snapped at the girl, as if no matter her opponent was twice as big as her.
“Temen?” He scrunched his forehead, then laughed when he realized the girl's intentions. “So, you met the boy who was?” Laughs getting louder, “Lo want what? Stumpy? Come, here! Opponent!”
Not too long ago the man finished speaking, Sylvia took out a folding knife from her pocket. “Patan balikin duitnya if you do not want to see the neck lo sobek”
‘Sialang. He's got a gun!’ swearing the man in the heart. The man tried to calm down. Of course he doesn't want to lose. Losing to a girl would be a great shame to him.
Laughter forced out of his mouth. “Lo dare my opponent? Don't you know who I am? I'm a thug of the area here!”
“Oh, you want me to call my friends here, so you can fuss over being gang raped. I happen to like hanging out around here, anyway. The body is not much different from lo, the gedenya the same. Sometimes they like to carry guns. Yes, I think this is”
‘Ouch! Lothawat! Girls have no fear at all! Even now he wants to call his friends!’
Realizing that ‘new thugs’ was panicking, the girl felt victorious from him.
The man in black sweatshirt hurriedly put the money aside and gave it to Sylvia. “Nih, here, take! Bye, there you are, spit go!”
Sylvia counted the amount of money. Seventy-three thousand, exactly as Noel said. The man was really afraid of Sylvia's false statements. He really thought Sylvia was part of some thug around here. Be fat!
His dark brown eyes glanced towards the rest of the money sheet the man was holding.
“Duit lo kayaknya many also”
“Enak aja lo! I've returned the money temen lo!”
Sylvia smiled, she pointed the folding knife at the burly man sitting before her. “Gue just asked for a little. Yes, at least half of it”.
The man snorted in annoyance. It was so bad he tore this girl apart. But it seems impossible. This girl had people ready to help her just in case she did that, while she was alone? He's the new guy here! Of course no one will help him!
“Nih!” The man handed over half of the result with a sense of sincerity.
The girl smiled with satisfaction. “Well, that's dong. If you're good, I'll be good. Okay, I unplug first. Make it now, lo aman”
Noel who was hiding far enough away from there was waiting for Sylvia's arrival. He really knew, the girl was shrewd and clever. His style of speech and behavior convinced the crowd that he knew no fear. Unlike her, she was not at all as smart and brave as Sylvia. He was too stupid to live in such an environment.
“Nih, lo” money The girl is thrusting the money she just got. “Lain times if it is being chopped, opponent! Don't be a fool to be a person!”
The boy's hand welcomed Sylvia's gift.
“Diem again, say what lo?”
“Makasih” Noel said while bowed.
***
Thought of the watch, exactly at twelve noon.
Come to think of it, Edwin shouldn't be here. He should be in the mall with his friends in the cool and comfortable, just to chat, strengthen the friendship rope, while watching a movie that awaited for weeks.
Human behavior is limitless and sometimes unexpected. Edwin actually prefers to wait for street children who are not clear news and his arrival. Though, of course sitting quietly here without certainty is boring.
Waiting in this park is like gambling, risking time and patience. But, the confidence of the young man's heart was strong. Much stronger than the scorching heat of this broad daylight.
Pinching a white plastic bag in his left hand, he walked towards the same bench he had occupied yesterday. The young man had always chosen to sit there, because the surrounding area was relatively quiet, even on an ordinary day, there was no one around. No wonder, he can let his valuables spread without fear of being lost by people.
Fortunately. This afternoon, luck sided with Edwin.
He does not have to wait until the sun makes all his skin burn, like the crops in the fields in the dry season.
The child he was looking for was sitting quietly in front of him, counting the sheets of his money. ‘Still grubbing enough’ Noel closed both eyes and raised his head while leaning on the chair. He felt the sunlight that did not penetrate his eyelids. Circumstances become dark. ‘Don't want rain?’
Noel opened his eyes, intending to rush to find shelter. He was surprised when he realized that there was someone in front of him.
“Sister makes a surprise, huh? Sorry,” Edwin chuckles softly at the cute behavior of the boy.
He saw the young man from top to bottom. His hair was straight dark brown, his clothes were very clean and tidy, even smelling fragrant.
Noel. He had seen that young man.
His heart is beating fast. Cold sweat began to pour out along with the appearance of fear and anxiety in him. All he had in mind was one. Run. He has to run.
Although his face looked almost expressionless, this child was quite easy to read. It was as if she was screaming in fear. Edwin knew, Noel was afraid of him.
“Do not be afraid,” persuade him with a thin smile, “Kakak has no intention of evil kok”.
Free. The child cannot be calmed by words. The sweat kept flowing.
Edwin took out a sterofoam package from white plastic he had tote, “This is for you” then thrust the object at Noel, “Ma-ka-nan,” he spelled the words so that Noel understood his point.
Noel stunned.
‘Food? This guy fed me?’
He looked at the young man once more. His face looked sincere, without any implication of ill intent behind it.
Hunger seemed to force to take the food, defeating the fear and anxiety in him.
Noel's two tiny hands slowly welcomed Edwin's feeding.
Such a pleasant aroma was smelled when the sterofoam package was opened. The pair of bright brown eyes widened, looking at what was in front of him. A serving of chicken fried noodles. That simple meal looks like a fancy meal from his point of view.
Seeing the boy was about to grab his food by hand, Edwin quickly pulled out a chopstick, “Do not use his hands, dong. Nih, wear this”.
Noel turned his head and took the chopsticks. The shape of the two small bamboo blades was no stranger to him. He often found it lying on the side of the road or in the trash. But, he had absolutely no idea how to use it. During his life, he was taught to eat with his right hand, nothing more. Without such tools.
The young man finally took the initiative. “How to use this,” he took the chopsticks from Noel's hand. Easily, he clamped down on a piece of chicken and fed the boy. Then, Noel mimicked the same thing, but failed. The boy bowed. His behavior is exactly like a Kindergarten child who can not write letters properly. Edwin tried to hold back his laughter, then pulled out a plastic spoon.
“You know how to use this not?” ask him while showing the spoon to Noel. He shook. “Well, if this, how to wear it like this. No need to clamped”, he explained. This time, Noel was able to use the eating aid Edwin gave him easily.
The boy swung his legs in turn. It was obvious, even without a smile. Noel was happy. His fear and anxiety were gone no longer.
“What's your name?” edwin asked, looking down a little.
“Noel” replied the child briefly while continuing to chew.
“Noel, yes... Where does Noel live?”
Only the sound of leaves carried by the wind was heard. He did not answer Edwin's question. How could Noel answer that? He doesn't know where he lives. The place has no clear address. Even if there was a clear address written in the mouth of the alley, Noel still did not know. He is not good at reading the letters that are plastered there.
Edwin should have known. Communicating with Noel is difficult. These questions are like a test for the child.
“Noel” call the young man. He broke the silence by asking. Noel. “Where are your parents?”
“What old man?” the boy asked back with an innocent face.
The young man's expression changed. He's surprised. That was not the answer he expected.
‘How bad is it to be a street kid? To the point of not understanding such a simple word?’
“The old man was the one who gave birth to Noel. Also a greatin Noel”
The boy nodded slowly to sign that he understood the explanation that was thrown Edwin, “Mean, Noel's parents bang Gondrong, Sylvia, Denis, Azri, Ryan, and others, same Galang the old man Noel dong?”
“Too them it's Noel's friends. The parents were only two”, Edwin said, pointing his index and middle fingers to form the letter V.
“But they are greatin Noel”
Edwin. Suddenly his heart was sad. This child cannot even distinguish the meaning of friends and parents, just because he was raised by strangers who do not have blood ties with him.
“Noel if it is big want to be what?” the young man suddenly shifted the subject.
Noel pensive.
“So high as big” he replied.
Again Edwin held back his laughter. He did not want to laugh at the wishes of an innocent child who understood almost nothing about this world.
The head of Noel.
“Yes, you take it easy. Later it will be granted, kok”
No need to wait long, a serving of fried noodles was eaten by Noel.
“Noel want to go home?”
He shook.
“Noel can not go home if the money is still a little”
“Normally Noel why so much money?”
“Stolen”
Edwin took out a red note from his wallet.
“This is for Noel,” he said while thrusting the hundred thousand rupiah sheet to Noel.
The boy was surprised again. The money and Edwin's face. In his entire life, no one had ever been willing to give him that much money for free.
“Noel, stealing is not good. Noel can't steal anymore, can he? If Noel has to bring home a lot of money, I can give you. Noel just needs to ask for something. Okay?”
Without saying much, Noel nodded and took the money.
“Tomorrow at noon, Noel is here again, huh? Brother Edwin bring more food for you”
