LIFE SECONDS
CHAPTER 8: HITOTSU NO AI
“Kak Valencia, Brother see my blue jacket no?”
“Kak Valencia, the water is dead.”
“Valencia, car keys where ya?”
“Kak Valencia, Kak Erland took a long bath!”
“Kak Valencia, please get me andukku!”
“Valencia, is the coffee at home exhausted?”
“Valencia?”
“Kak Valencia..”.
“Kak Valencia?”
That's the atmosphere at Ravenell's house this morning. The noisy atmosphere was accompanied by panic from his other brother. Whether it's the panic about finding their personal needs or the need to travel later, surely Valencia is always called by name.
Valencia who was currently combing Rei's hair could only sigh long. I thought he had just sat down about 5 minutes ago. He also imagined how it would be if he was not in this house even for 5 days. Must've been so fucked up.
“Kak Valencia?” Call Rei slowly.
The call made Valencia aware, he immediately responded.
“Hm? Am I brushing too hard? Sorry yes.” Say it while slowing down the movement of the comb.
Rei shook his head slowly, “Not that. Sis Valencia is it okay to comb my hair every morning?” Say it while slowing down the sound.
“Do you feel uncomfortable with that?”
Rei was silent at the question. Not that he's uncomfortable. Only, he was afraid that it would trouble his sister. Because his brother is always sought and needed in this house, especially when there are events outside as it is today.
“Rei? You okay?”
The gentle whisper broke his daydream, made him come to his senses and immediately answered a question from his sister.
“It's not uncomfortable. But, am I not too selfish asking for Brother time to always comb my hair every morning?” Sluggishly.
There was no response from Valencia. Her brother was just speechless as he continued to comb his sister's black mane. Pretty long, Rei also felt that his hair was slightly pulled to and fro.
“Well, done! As I suspected, the ribbon and braid model must fit you.” Valencia exclaimed with a satisfied smile while giving a glass to Rei.
Rei just smiled looking at her. A new hair model that Valencia has never made before. The Half Side Braid braid model that looks so adorable.
Valencia also looked at him and continued his words, “Nah, look, Rei. For Brother, combing and styling hair is also part of affection. Just like when your other brothers are looking for Brother and asking to take their goods, it is also one form and form of affection. And because Rei has often been independent looking for Rei's belongings, so, the form of affection for Brother will be conveyed through other things. For example, helping Rei to do Rei's hair.” Valencia was soft.
As soon as Rei fell silent, there were no words he could speak at that moment. There were no sepuitic words that could match the explanation earlier and Rei was also aware of that. There is only one word that can explain everything. One magic word that Valencia always teaches when we receive good things from others.
That word is none other than, “Thank you, Kak.”
Rei said that softly. As gentle as the man who gives good things to him.
Valencia replied with a smile. A warm smile like the sun this morning.
“Alright, let's help Sister prepare for other needs.” Bring along.
“Ready!”
They got up and immediately continued their preparations. Prepare themselves and their other brothers.
With Valencia intervening to help prepare, now everything is finished faster.
“What's left?” Felix asked them.
“Complete!” Answer them in unison.
“Nice, let's go!”
During the trip, they did not talk much. In fact, Erland who was usually enthusiastic about talking to Rei was now only speechless as she continued to look towards the window while propping her cheeks.
“There's something awkward.” That's what they think.
Valencia and Felix started to feel anxious. It was very interesting that they asked his sister's condition. But, after they thought about it again, they finally did not ask him and preferred to be silent while trying to hide his anxiety.
The simple reason, they did not want his sister to be anxious because of their questions.
After about 30 minutes of travel, they finally arrived at an Orphanage near the city border. Orphanage known as Hitotsu no Ai or if interpreted is One Love.
Valencia was the first to go down. He immediately looked to the right and left side of the Orphanage.
“Satisfaction looks so fun ya!” Enthusiasticity says.
“I understand. But, you have to help your sisters first before playing, huh?” Felix's ejek to him.
“Sure Brother Felix.” Reply Valencia while taunting him back.
Rei who saw his brother's behavior also smiled.
“But his age is over 20 years old. But, who would have thought Kak Valencia was also still happy to play.” Say it in the heart.
He began to imagine how Valencia's childhood might also be as beautiful as other young children.
“Hoy, Rei. Don't just dream there. Come on way.” Take Erland from a distance.
“Ah, yes-yes. You can never be patient, Mr. White Hair!”
“Stop taunting me with that designation.”
“Who cares?”
They followed Felix asking for further permission to the Orphanage manager. Fortunately, the manager has a soft heart, until the licensing business is finished faster and easier.
He also did not forget to introduce the five of them to the children at the Orphanage. They look so happy without any burden. They were so enthusiastic about welcoming the Ravenell family with smiles.
“Well, Erland, Rei, Zuito. Let's get to work. Remember, don't take this as a burden, yes. But, consider this as a form of your affection for others. That humans basically must need each other.”
The short motivation of Valencia was able to burn their spirit. They nodded steadily and in unison replied, “Siap, Brother!”
Erland, Rei, and Zuito immediately launched the action. Of course it was helped by Valencia and a few other children. Because incidentally, that day was a schedule for cleaning the environment.
They all look to each other shoulder to shoulder, in completing the work. The spirit they showed was no joke. In fact, at the age of those who are classified as children, their spirit, perseverance, and cooperation must be given more appreciation.
Valencia will not lose. They also work harder than others. So you have to fall while running to throw the garbage.
Felix who was sitting in the distance saw them. Her happy eyes could not be hidden at that moment.
“You didn't come with them?” Ask the manager while bringing him tea.
“No.” He replied, sipping his tea a little.
The manager sat beside him. He looked at Felix as he occasionally turned his gaze towards the direction where Felix's eyes looked.
“Did you think about it again?” Suddenly chirped it.
“Slightly. I've never seen her smile this happy since she stayed with me.”
“So?” Ask the manager to convince him.
“Hm, that's it. Because to be honest, when I first met him, he did not show his smile at all. He was not smiling in front of me. And maybe, if I remember, he was the only one who didn't smile at the time."
The manager smiled, “I understand how you feel. However, you should try to understand this, Felix. For some people, the best house will not come twice.”
Felix looked at the sky with a long sigh, “I know that, Emilia. I really know that."
