Avoiding Each Other

Quarter to 12 o'clock when they reach the Flower field Orphanage. There are some vehicle and food track outside the premise. Some are preparing a catered food in the field and on the other corner there's a buildup tent for those group of doctor to check up each child. There are some staff from the orphanage who are helping them.

One of the old woman who came from inside wearing a long sleeve pleated dress walk towards Molly to greet her. They talk some stuffs and laugh before they all headed inside. Raven and Nianan come with them, but Kinrue tells her boss she'll stay and help others instead. The truth, she doesn't want to be in a same space as those two. Besides, it's been a long time since she came out of the city and travel to rural areas. The air in this place is fresh, unlike the city which is full of pollution. She slaps her face to focus on what's in front before walking straight to those caterers and ask them if there's a work for her to do. It doesn't take long since they give him something to do for some time.

Kinrue busy herself with works, communicating with other staff and even seeing the child who's preparing for lunch time. There are small children, around 3-7 years old and some are in 10-12 years old. Inside of the private rooms, are a group of babies less than one-year-old. It's more than what she expects. She continues to look around with the help of a staff who tours her around the Orphanage.

In the middle of walking in the hallway, Kinrue notices a child inside the playroom alone. She stop for a moment to make sure and saw a girl around 3 or 4 years old drawing something in the sketch pad.

"She's Zea. There's a few months left before she'll turn 4 years old. A new orphan and can't get along with others." The staff said when she notice her looking inside.

"Does something happen? The other child looks kind,"

"Zea's father died last year and no one from their relatives wants to take her," she said. "She's still emotional and in pain. We also received news that the relatives who took her for a month hurt her bad. It might lead to a trauma."

"Can I talk to her?"

"Sure but..."

"Don't worry, I won't force her to do anything against her own will."

"Okay, I'll look for the other children first."

She nods her head before walking inside. The child glance at her for a second before going back to what she's doing. For unknown reason, she sees herself as the child. A young child who lost her father and came to her own relatives just to get harmed, but in the end they just abandoned her. She knows the pain building up inside. A slight smile form into her lips before sitting in front.

"What are you drawing?" She asked.

The child looks at the sketch pad and turns to her. "Family, house, pet."

"Is this you and your father? He looks happy, but why are you sad? The pet turns his back to both of you too... Do you mind saying it to me?"

"Dad will never pain and always smile in heaven. Our pet leaves the house when he's sick and I'm now alone and sad."

"You're Zea right?" The child nod. "Do you know your dad won't be happy if their child is not happy? If you keep being sad and alone in the future, then dad will be sad watching you from above. He's not happy."

"D-dad. Dad is not happy? I want dad to be happy. Are you kidding me?"

She smiles at the child, caressing her cheeks. "Big sister lost her daddy when I'm in your age, against my will. Some relatives took me away from him and now my father. I don't know about my father anymore," a tear falls down from her eyes. She wipes it and laugh.

"Does your dad die too?"

"I don't know. Since I'm not happy, I'm sure he's not. He's living alone somewhere wishing to see me again, but I'm a terrible daughter for not remembering his face or name. A daughter who forgets about their own parent is such a big bad kid." She said. "So, Zea, you should be happy and let your dad see how strong and good a child you are. He'll be proud of telling others how brave her child is to overcome this obstacle. Being an orphan doesn't mean you're not a child of your father anymore. He'll be your biological father for the rest of your life. It's the truth that will not change. The difference is you've given another chance to feel the love of a family. Don't forget your father. It's the best honor and gift you can give him."

"Is it true? Dad will be proud if I'm brave? If I'm happy, then father will be happy in heaven? I won't forget my dad. I'll interact with others and be happy while waiting for a family to adopt me then."

"Don't forget to be grateful for what you have now. As long as you have the freedom to do what you want, then everything is easy for you. You can laugh, cry, be sad or mad. Freedom is the best you can give to a child after love."

"Then, Big sister is not happy because you're crying a lot. Do you want me to get a tissue?"

"I'm not crying because I'm sad. Well, instead of a tissue, why don't we draw another happy family again?"

"Dad, me and our dog. Do you want to draw too? It will make you happy since I don't have any pictures of Dad. I'll remember him through my drawing."

"Okay, after this, let's eat and play with your friends."

They draw and talk about other things.

It's way too easy to coax a child because they are innocent. Kinrue wants to help the child in a way that she understands or else Zea will end up like her.

***

They spend the rest of their time interacting with kids and helping the other volunteers to lessen the work. Throughout the time, Kinrue never glance towards Raven and makes sure their paths will not cross. She got close with other child, even read them a story and play a piano in their leisure time. Some want to learn, so she teaches them the basic. In a short time, she'll feel a true freedom and forget about her own problem.

On the way back, the silence inside the van kick in again. Like before, Kinrue looking outside the window while Raven is on the opposite side. Nianan, who is not good at this volunteer work, takes a nap on the back. In front of them, Molly and the driver talk about work.

After a few hours of rides, the van passed by the Asura Town. It's still as bright and colorful as before.

"A-ah, boss, can you stop the van? I'll get down here." She said.

"What? It's already dark. You should get a rest."

"Let me go down. I want to stroll around for a while. Besides, I want to be alone."

They stare at each other for a second before Molly surrender and told the driver to pull over. She came down and bid farewell to them, and went inside. The entrance fee inside is quite high, but she still uses some of the money left. She didn't eat or take a ride, rather walk around watching a street performance. She takes off her eyeglass and be Shenrue Himura for once. It's awkward, somewhat feels nervous even though she already got caught. And wearing a glass gives her a comfortable feeling.

Cienfuegos is her father's surname that even the Himura Family didn't know and Kinrue is the name her father gives. This is the reason Kinrue Cienfuegos is a much better fit for her than Shenrue Himura. She shrugs her head because of the thought and continues strolling around without direction.

Around past midnight, when she goes home. She already brought her things to Raven's house yesterday afternoon while not busy, but regretted after a few hours. After a long thought, she takes it back and live somewhere. They will never get along with whatever happens. A chuckled escape her mouth and take a bus home.

It's around quarter to 1 o'clock in the morning when she came home and unexpectedly saw Raven standing beside the door with cross arms. He glares at her like a madman about to scold someone.

"What do you think is the time now? Going home at this hour? Don't you feel scared walking alone on the road?" He said, but she didn't speak.

"Don't scold me like a parent. You're nothing but an annoying sh*thead. I can do whatever I want." She said, about to enter inside, but Raven grab her arms and pull back. "Let go. If you don't want me to come, just say so. Let me take my things and I'll leave."

"You're the one who made a terrible mistake but acting like a victim now? How long do you plan to maintain this childishness? Forever? Let's see if there's someone who'll tolerate that kind of mindset."

"First, I never told you to apologize. Second, you don't care if I act childish for so long. I never exist to please others and third, I don't need anyone to tolerate me. Did I answer you loud and clear? Now, let go of my arm."

They stare at each other before he let go of her arm.

"Go inside, change your clothes, and sleep on the bed."

"Don't worry, I'll leave tomorrow morning as soon as possible."

"What? Did I tell you to leave? Stay here."

"Why? You need someone to humiliate?"

"Kinrue!" She flinch when he said her name for the first time, but ignore him and went inside.