He said I was a lucky boy.
When I was supposed to be out on the streets with no one to care about, a nice person came up to me, and held out a hand.
Sis Lein — the person who takes care of us in this old house — just said in disbelief, “God has finally sent an angel for us.” Then we — Me, Sis Lein, Cia and Pia — went with that person to a place that said everything was better.
I certainly don’t know where this trip is going. I only heard the sound of the streets that were originally noisy with the sound of horns and the shouts of merchants, suddenly became so quiet. Even Sis Lein’s voice, which usually kept on talking, I didn’t hear for a long time.
We then arrived at that place, an orphanage — which Ms. Lein said — very big and clean. We were placed in a room with 2 bunk beds. When Sis Lein led me to lie down on one of the beds, I was like sleeping on a pile of cotton that was so soft. I imagine, now there is no more open nature, no more bed bugs that always attack in my sleepy nights. Really, I’m sure, tonight I will sleep well, just like Brother Lein, Cia and Pia.
Our surprise didn’t stop there, but also when it was time to eat. We headed to the dining room — which Sis Lein said again — which was very spacious with long tables lined up and filled with dozens of other children the same age as us. It only took us a while to wait in line to get our food. My tongue immediately recognized everything completely: rice, side dishes, vegetables and meat, milk, also a piece of fruit. Seriously, this is the most delicious food I’ve ever eaten. Pia even said, “It’s like a dream, Sis.”
But Brother Lein replied, “This isn’t a dream. We have suffered for so long. Now God avenges all our suffering so far.”
I was just silent. Actually, all this time, I have never paid attention to what Sis Lein said when he talked about God. It’s been a long time, I’ve stopped praying. My last prayer was years ago, when my mother was still around. At that time, my mother was tortured by 4 men who were collecting debts from her. He was slapped many times. Even when his body fell, he still received kicks incessantly. He was crying as he kept moaning asking for more time. I, who was told to hide under the bed, could only silently cry and keep praying to
Lord. Really, I was so hopeful. Every word that comes out of my mouth is mother’s cry, every pause is mother’s moaning, and every tear that comes out of my eyes is mother’s blood. But God didn’t come either. Until the men hung it on the window, God still never came.
But today, I agree with Sis Lein’s words. Even when he asked us to pray for the owner of this orphanage, I silently prayed for him.
But, just a few days living here, I already feel some strangeness. I actually started to feel it when we were eating with the other kids in the dining room. I thought they were too quiet, unlike us who kept talking. I don’t even think they are as happy as we are.
When I was in the room, I asked what I was feeling to Sis Lein. And Brother Lein only answered briefly, “Maybe they’re just bored.”
I do not understand. How could they be bored? Here everything is perfect. The rooms are nice, the food is also good. So, I can’t understand how they can get bored?
Until one day, came a medical check-up for me. I was taken to the back of the building where there was a strong medicinal smell. Several doctors and nurses then examined me in silence. They looked cold, and didn’t answer my question. But at the end of the examination one of the doctors said, “Miss Imari, you are a lucky girl. Being born to help others is kindness. You should be proud of yourself.”
I really don’t know what that sentence means.
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