Second Road

Episode 35: Orphanage

Standing in front of this orphanage building was like a nostalgia. The outer shape does not change much, almost exactly the same. It's just that the paint has faded and peeling, it looks starting to be unkempt.

The huge building was surrounded by a one and a half meter high iron fence, its surface looking rusty as it was eaten up by age. Meanwhile, the gate was still tightly shut, sealed by

padlocks.

From outside here, the sound of the laughter of the little children was heard, overwritten by some of the cries of other children whining or quarreling. It's normal for an orphanage.

"Do we have to go in?"

Allen broke my daydream. It's been almost five minutes we've just been quiet looking at the old building. Not a single adult could possibly open that iron gate for us.

From behind, the sound of slightly heavy footsteps could be heard. Someone seemed to be approaching us. I covered my head with a sweater hood for a reason.

"Good morning, do you want to visit?"

A middle-aged woman greeted us. There were many bags of groceries he carried, followed by another woman who was both carrying loads.

"Ah, yes. Good mornin. Sorry to interrupt, there's someone we're looking for."

Allen answered the woman's greeting. He is always reliable if it is a matter of socializing with new people. While I just shut up and bowed.

I know the woman who greeted me just now, very familiar. But I don't know who the other one is. Maybe someone new. And they can't recognize me.

"No problem, please come in..."

The woman who walked forward lowered the grocery bag in one of her hands down. Then his empty hand scratched the contents of his pocket and pulled out a key. The gate that was only one and a half meters high was opened.

We entered, walking following the two women from behind.

As soon as the door opened, the sound of the children was heard growing more and more. Some of them were running around in the spacious room with lots of toys strewn on the floor, and there were many more who were playing with their toys.

"Sorry, this place is a mess. We were a little overwhelmed with them" said one of the women, pointing to a crowd of loose-laughing children, engrossed in play.

"Hahaha.., his name is also children," Allen timpal tried to look as natural as possible, as he said that, he really looked like an adult.

"Please sit down and look around first, I will put the groceries. I'll be back soon" said the woman.

The two middle-aged women left us in the middle of the crowd of little children playing.

"Hey, Haru. Take off your sweater hood, isn't it sultry?" reprimand Allen.

She pulled the tip of my sweater hood, but I held her hand. Don't let this go now.

"No, I don't want to. Don't let them see me" I said

"Why?"

"I don't want the person I'm looking for to know who I am and not even want to see me."

"You're so complicated. Did you know that woman?"

"Yes, sure, but the other one I don't know."

"So which one are you looking for?" allen asked directly at the point.

I looked to the right and to the left. The kids didn't care about us and were still playing. While some who are teenagers or maybe my age are watching television on the other side of the room, and some are busy with their books and writings.

The more mature ones look back and forth doing homework, lifting a large pile of clothes and some are tidying up the scattered items. It was nice to share the duties because as I recall, this parlour only had seven adults who handled around more than sixty children without parents of any age.

In all my visions, I still could not find the person I was looking for, maybe he was away or somewhere else.

"Not here" I said.

"What's he like?" ask Allen.

"Why do you want to know?"

"How do we find him if you don't tell me what he looks like?" complained Allen.

Clamps...

Her eyes were shady, her subtle grin and her distinctive way of walking. My eyes could not stop looking at him.

Yeah, he's the one I'm looking for. That girl, the one who saved my life, the one who was so close to me here.

My feelings immediately flailed, it's not about me liking it. No, it's not that kind of thing. It's just that she's precious to me, she's like my guardian fairy.

Wanting it to feel like I ran towards her and hugged her tightly, I missed her warm arms caress and her soft voice, but I couldn't. She can't know that I'm here for now, and she doesn't seem to recognize me either. If he were to recognize me here, it would instantly be a scene. I can't talk to him here.

"Oh, you're the guests? Please follow me, we sit in the living room alone, it's too crowded here."

My heart immediately shook when I heard his voice, like a melody playing in the eardrum. I haven't heard his voice in a long time. And the fact that she looks healthy and well makes me happy is immeasurable.

She was like a sister to me, or maybe a mother even though she was very young. He used to take care of me, accompany me, and also teach me many things.

As if it was just yesterday, various memories of him were pouring out of my head. But I can't just say hello and say that I miss him. Everything was fine, but those days were over.

The girl took us to the living room of the orphanage and let us sit down. This living room is not too big with a sofa and a small wooden table in the middle. There were not many items, only old photos adorning the walls.

The sofa I was sitting on felt a little hard, very different from the sofa at home which is still very soft and comfortable to wear for laziness. But that's normal, usually orphanages prefer the food of the children of its inhabitants rather than furniture like this. Besides, I also know very well that the funds of this home are very limited.

Not much has changed since I entered this room several times. The longer I stay here, the more I feel that this is my real home, an orphanage full of memories. I want to scream "I'm home!".

"Sorry before, this is all we have. Please drink."

The girl invited us to drink the tea she served. The tea water in the cup looks still hot, water vapor rises from the surface of the water. Allen drank it, and I didn't touch it at all. If I open this sweater hood and she sees my face then it's all done.

"Mm. lady, we're actually looking for someone."

Allen started the conversation, but he didn't have to. The man I was looking for was sitting in front of him. I want to tell her right away, but how?

"Is that so? Aunt Eni also said that earlier, she was the woman who had brought you in, and the other was aunt Yen. I hope they come here soon and accompany you to sit down" said the girl.

"Oh, before, introduce. My name is Hana, twenty-four years. I've lived here since I was ten years old" he explained.

"Oh, and you? Looks like you're a student if you see your looks. Did you come for an interview or some kind of assignment?" he added.

"Ah, yes. I'm student. Just call me Allen. And it's not about interviews or assignments. There's someone this kid wants to meet."

Allen nudged my shoulder, coded me to talk. But what am I supposed to do? The timing wasn't right, because he was the one I was looking for.

"Sir Hana!" I screamed in a little loud voice.

My mouth could not bear to speak and call out his name. Those words just jumped out of my mouth without me commanding. Done already, I was rash, I should have used the approach method first.

What happens if it goes like this.

"It's.me," I continued in a trembling voice.

I removed the hood of the sweater that covered my head and part of my face. He finally found out I was here, sitting in front of him.

"Eh? So he's the one you're looking for?" ask Allen.

I nodded, looking back at Allen at a glance. Brother Hana looked at me as if in disbelief. His eyes grew bigger, as if he was really surprised to see me here. And slowly, the surprised expression faded and his face returned to how it had been. Then the longer it looked even more flat, its friendly face disappeared.

"I'm..."

"Why are you coming back here? Didn't I tell you I didn't want to see you again?" before I could continue my sentence.

The atmosphere was so awkward. He really hates me. I should have known from the beginning, but why? Why does it have to be like this?

"You don't remember what you've done? What else would you say if you saw you here?" continued.

I looked down, feeling wrong. This is not what I expected.

"Go! I'll let you go quietly this time. It's the last time, you're no longer welcome here."

Hah.completed already.