15 15 A LONELY STRAY DOG

St Mary's Hospital was never as busy as that night. At that time, almost all medical teams fought together and did their best to save a malnourished young girl and a newborn baby who was only 3 weeks old. Both of them were in critical condition. The baby almost got hit by a pneumonia and his weight also lack of. So, he must be kept inside an incubator to make sure the body temperature stays warm. The medical team also will monitor him all times. Meanwhile, the baby's mother, the young girl, was in miserable circumstance. She is suffering from acute malnutrition and severe dehydration. The only way to save her was by the infusion fluid which is injected into the body through an IV.

The girl's entire body was covered with bruises. Some of them are still very new. Her knuckles were torn and started to fester, but the nurse had already treated the wound and bandaged it properly. After a while, both of her hands look like a snow ball. Round and white.

Hua let out a deep sigh. Finding the tboth of them in such a pathetic state was either luck or a misfortune for her. The medical and treatment fee for them both are incredibly costly, she was forced to take out all savings that she had kept for years to save them. Initially she was going to use it for renovating the building of her orphanage. Now, she had none. Nothing was left. Even what she has spent couldn't coverage all the expenses. Fortunately, some of her colleagues also helped her to donate some money so that she doesn't have any debt to the hospital.

After spent a month of intensive care in the hospital, slowly, their conditions are getting better. The girl starts to show some colors on her face while the baby has gained weights constantly due to the indicators. Finally, they both were allowed to go home after several rain checks by the doctor. Hua picked them up and brought them straight to the orphanage. There, the presence of the two newcomers made a small fuse and made other children look at them in a deep curiosity. Some greeted them with happily, some were looked at them suspiciously, while the others encourage themselves to welcome and asking questions shyly.

Unfortunately, the girl remained unresponsive. Her eyes were lifelessly blank as she often stared suspiciously at the other kids in the orphanage. She only shows her reaction to one thing. Her baby.

For the rest, she seems didn't care at all.

As long as the two of them lived in the orphanage, the girl and her baby always locked themselves inside Mother Hua's room. She was unwilling to interact with anyone else at all. Beside Mother Hua. Seeing her poor state, Mother Hua turned speechless and utterly silent. Keep all the unanswered questions deep within her heart. She just continued her routines as usual even though her heart longing of hopes that one day, the girl would open up and shared her true story.

Every day, the girl just shut herself inside the room without even bothering to open the door or window for anyone. At night, Mother Hua often waking up suddenly because of her nightmarish scream while she was struggling and her body shuddered in fear in her sleep. Cold sweats dripping off from her forehead and her back. Not only once but almost every night. In that case, Mother Hua just able to embrace her in her arms tightly and rubbed the girl's gently. Trying her best to soothe her pain until she drifted into a deep sleep afterwards.

As the result, just in 2 weeks, her health condition dropped dramatically. Soon, the orphanage was neglected and the situation turned into a total chaos.

...............…

Young Generous Orphanage, 15 years ago

A soft knock was heard at the door when Anne opened it. A tan-skinned man with curly hair was standing and smiled broadly before her.

"Hi ... good afternoon. May I meet with Mother Hua? Is she available? "

The man asked her politely. His hand is carrying a plastic bag with fruits.

Anne nodded and ushered him inside.

Once he arrived inside the room, all children welcomed him happily as they scrambled hugging him one by one.

"Big Brother Jose!"

Jose gave a big hug to a little boy who laughing crisply at him. How long has it been? How long has he been outside and not set up his feet to visit this place? Three or four? Or it was 5 years ago because he was focusing himself to complete his magister program in psychology. Soon, after he heard the news that Mother Hua was seriously ill, he arranged his hectic academic schedules and arrived here shortly.

When she saw her adoptive child come to visit her, Mother Hua's face brightened and beamed happily when she saw that the orphan she was caring for years before. Now, become an independent and mature grownup.

"Jose ... I'm so happy because you visit me today ..."

"How are you, mom? Sorry I have been really busy and hasn't got a chance to visit you in recent years .. "

Mother Hua shook her head lightly and smiled.

"It is all right…"

She understands.

Jose stared at the middle-aged woman in front of him and pulled her into his embrace tightly.

"I heard you are sick so I brought some fruits for you .."

"Well, I'm just a bit tired lately for last few weeks. Just need to get some rest. You know that this old body… is… "

"This is because of that stupid girl!!!"

One of the foster children yelled loudly. His eyes glared at Mother Hua and Jose. While there was a deep scowl on his face.

"A stupid girl?" Jose asked in puzzled look.

"Ah ... she ..."

Sister Hua was just about to answer when the boy who protested earlier pulled Jose's hand to Mother Hua's room and pointed out rudely.

"Shee screams out loud every night!!! Such a nuisance ... "

Jose frowned. His expression baffled. Slowly, he then opened the door and…

......................

The girl was holding her baby in her arms when suddenly she heard the sound of the door creaked a bit. Suddenly, she jolted up and arised from her chair. When her eyes saw a strange man at the door, she stunned and brandished a knife steadily. Her eyes filled of suppressed anger. Her body was shaking uncontrolably while her other arm held the baby tightly. Her body automatically moved an inch in an alert manner. She didn't say anything but with the look and her facial expression was clearly said to Jose not to get closer at her.

Jose closed the door quietly and turned away to look at his foster mom who was sitting in the living room. His eyebrows creased confusedly.

"So ... who is that?"

"..."

.