CHILDREN FROM POOR ORPHANAGE

There has never been a single child who wants his life to be neglected. In fact, some of them have ambitions to master all the love of their parents. Often this triggers a small feud between brother and sister, eldest and youngest. Common spices adorn the life of a happy little family.

Something closely related to parental love was the only thing that Rio longed for. God never cares, at least that's the thought of a nine years old boy who as a baby was dumped at the door of the orphanage. Rio lives his life full of stress, suffering, even worse misery.

Living in the poor orphanages at Kotabaru does not leave much choice for him. Everyday provided is only a plate of hard rice and salted fish. Even if he's lucky, there will be children of rich people who celebrate birthdays and share delicious food. Without it, the hard rice and salted fish will continue to be on the menu.

His social life was not much different, bad and bitter. Nobody knows why Rio always gets into trouble with some naughty children, or rather the old residents of the orphanage who don't accept the arrival of new people in their house.

Sometimes he became their butt (beaten, pushed into puddles, stripped naked). In fact, one day Rio was tied to a wooden pole, then the enemies should take turns throwing stones at the poor child. Bruises and some wounds, that's the welcoming souvenir they gave.

Complaining to the caretaker of the orphanage is also useless. Adults never understand, never even want to care how serious the problem is. In their eyes, everything children do always seems like playing. And most regrettably, the dilapidated financial level makes them human without feelings.

Going through all the suffering in every aspect of his life made Rio grow up to be a timid and always anxious child. He was always on the lookout for everyone, in case they meant something bad to him.

Rio's appearance was probably not attractive. Only a skinny boy with a knee sticking out. The black bangs on his forehead looked unkempt from being grabbed by the orphans. Wearing old clothes and worn-out shorts is fine. The only thing Rio could be proud of was his tenacity—that was all.

~~o0o~~

Today is the anniversary of the orphanage. As in previous years, the place was simply decorated. All the orphans were also offered a more decent meal menu. Sour vegetables with a pinch of fried fish. This should be a big change to be grateful for. However, there are some people whose hearts are filled with greed.

"Let me go, Don!" Rio struggled as three teenagers held his limp body.

Doni, the leader of the delinquent group, looked happy when they managed to get Rio into the old house behind the orphanage. His blotchy face grinned widely. The stocky youth kept pushing Rio, who insisted on leaving. That hand was no exception, which hit Rio's stomach until he was forced to give up.

"Shut up, Weepy brat!" He said with a smirk on his face. "If you're hungry, just eat dust and termites!"

The door was immediately closed, then propped up from the outside. After committing the despicable act, the three people competed with each other to enter the orphanage. Of course because the special food will be distributed in a few minutes. Portions made as small as possible make it difficult for anyone to cheat. There is no smarter way, other than eliminating competitors, one of which is Rio.

Being alone in a haunted house wasn't a big deal for him. Rio is not a child who is afraid of mystical things. The reason is simple, there has never been a ghost who slapped him in the face, or spirit who pushed him into the sewer water. Nothing, except for a bunch of bad humans who were never satisfied with bullying him.

Rio was silent as he rested on his elbows on the windowsill. The boy's black irises noticed how festive the orphanage was with all the celebrations. Rio's saliva dripped when he imagined the pleasure of fried fish and fresh sour vegetables. However, this is how it is, always. Doni and his cursed group often imprison Rio in this house.

Nobody knows what reason they gave when the caretakers of the orphanage asked Rio's absence. Even if trying escape through the window, the result is not much different. Besides, the window sills were rotten. The boy's sparkling eyes narrowed as a parrot perched on the windowsill, showing off its sweet chirping and beautiful plumage.

"Come again and again," Rio muttered with a faint smile. "If you understood my language, I would definitely tell you how cruel humans treat me."

His hopes certainly didn't come true. Parrots are still parrots. Not talking, but chirping without knowing what the interpretation is. However, just hearing his chirping was already fun for Rio.

Actually, the bird is quite unique. It has a small black gem-shaped mark on its head. Whenever Rio is confined in a haunted house, the parrot always comes and presents his melodious voice. In the past, when Rio was first locked up in this place, the bird suddenly perched near the window while jumping up and down. Her green fur looks brilliant in the morning light, so does the happiness it brings.

Since then, Rio has never been lonely in a haunted house. The special parrot always accompanies him when others try to destroy him.

"When will God's help come? I'm always waiting for Him," said Rio accompanying a drop of water seeping from his eyelids. He sobbed, unable to bear the weight any longer. "I wish my life could be repeated. If only my parents were still around. If only I wasn't born. Huh, no way, right? God never agrees."

The parrot, who was engrossed in chirping, was now approaching his gloomy face. The bird didn't seem to care at first, but the next moment it stroked Rio's wet cheek with its red hairy head. Rio was suddenly shocked. The boy decided to remain silent, even though his heart felt strange. At least, someone is still grieving over his grief.

"Thank you. Who should I call you?" He thought looking up. "Ah! How about Revan? Yes, although I don't know if you are male or female. Obviously, you must have a name."

The parrot chirped loudly as he jumped up and down for joy. Her chirping broke the silence in the haunted house, dispelling the silence in Rio's heart. Now their friendship is getting closer. So close, that the bird was willing to perch on Rio's outstretched palm.

"Listen to me, Revan! From now on we are friends. Let's survive in this cruel world," said Rio enthusiastically.

When he thought parrots never understood human language, Rio was wrong. Since the promise was made, Revan always perched on the windowsill whenever he was confined in a haunted house, chirping loudly because he had a friend to play with.

Rio is the same. He was never lonely. Or at least, the child's hurt can be cured with Revan's presence. They chatted for a long time before Doni and his gang opened the door to the old house. For the first time, they were surprised to find Rio was neither irritated nor sad after being expelled—the boy's face beamed as he waved at the parrot that flew into the sky. It's a priceless friendship.

~~Several Years Later~~

Eight years passed without much change. So many people consider the turn of the year as a normal phenomenon that does not really matter, except for the celebration.

After all, as the year progresses, Kotabaru's economy declines, so many expect there to be fifteen months in a year. However, for Rio it was different. The boy who is now growing up is always watching time. The small calendar hanging on his round table was full of ink scribbles on each date.

Today, the streak ends on the thirty-first of December. This means that tonight everyone will celebrate the New Year's Eve. It's nice to see the flash of floodlights, hear the sound of trumpets blowing, and the sound of firecrackers blaring. However, once again the great wall limited Rio's freedom.

The head of the orphanage forbade its residents to go out at night. Instead of filling the streets with unclear goals, he prefers to put the children in bed while listening to the sound of firecrackers.

"Hi, Rio."

Suddenly the young man's thin body jerked, as soon as a large man with a thin beard arrived. His bald head seemed to reflect the light. He is Doni, the child who used to enjoy bullying Rio.

"I'm going out tonight, enjoying the New Year's party. Want to come along?"

For a split second Rio was really tempted by the offer. However, in the next second the young man's heart was filled with fear if the caretaker of the orphanage caught them and sentenced them to severe punishment. Eating twice a day with hard rice and salted fish is enough for him.

Rio's head which was covered with dull black hair began to look down—considering all the possible risks. If they act in the middle of the night, they probably won't find out because all the occupants must have fallen asleep.

In addition, there was already a stipulation for the children to be put to bed at ten o'clock. It was two hours before the celebrations started. If they're lucky, they can sneak off and come back without being caught.

"So how?" Doni rubbed his bald head, pretending to be busy. "It doesn't matter if you don't want to. However, you've always been a coward," he added, igniting Rio's emotion.

"I'll go with you!" Rio said angrily. "Where we will meet?"

"Big tree across the street. Just wait for me there," He said then walked away.

Rio's thoughts were jumbled between fear, enthusiasm, anxiety and something else inexplicably. In fact, he himself knows that no matter how convincing Doni's words are, they must end up lying too. The only reason why Rio agreed was his curiosity towards the new year celebration. The desire of a teenager entering puberty is too great.

~~o0o~~

Since the sun was hanging on the west, childrens in orphanage were asked to gather in the hall. The reddish-orange sky could be clearly seen by Rio who was peeking from the window, along with about fifteen other children.

The spacious room had an old wooden floor covered with a dusty red carpet. The yellow-painted walls seem to be peeling off due to the ignorance of the occupants' hands. There is nothing that attracts attention, other than a few dull photos hanging on the left and right.

"They've gone mad in the world!" croaked the woman hoarsely as she walked into the hall.

Who else if not Mrs. Dahlia, the head of the orphanage. The three-quarter-century old woman was always nagging about anything that didn't go her way.

Once, he had fury all day just because the orphanage children forgot to clean the yard after it rained. His shrill voice was piercing, like a collection of needles piercing ears.

The woman of Pakistani descent has a sharp, crooked nose. His tanned, wrinkled skin and square glasses let everyone know that he was both assertive and emotional at the same time.

"Keep your voices down, Kids!" her scream silenced Rio and the others. "After dinner, I want all children go into their room. Don't let the sound of the firecrackers lure you to doing anything wrong." Mrs. Dahlia spoke, showing some of her missing teeth.

Ceramic plates were immediately distributed. Each child gets a portion of hard rice with salted fish. Dinner was quiet until eight o'clock.

After that, everyone was led to the room. They were not allowed to roam outside, not even to look through the living room window. Rio lay down on his feather bed. Not a special bed, but an old one-story bed with a weathered staircase at the end. Anyone is at risk of falling when riding it.

"Why do you think Mrs. Dahlia hates New Year's Eve?" Rio said to his roommate who was lying on the top bunk.

"Not hate. He just doesn't want us to be too wild tonight," said a shoulder-length black haired teenager, his name was Zaky, Rio's only friend.

For the first time in his life, Rio could have a friend, even though they rarely spoke. Zaky is only afraid that other children will catch him with the most oppressed person in the entire orphanage.

"Shouldn't we be grateful that we're still allowed to live here, even though we're seventeen?" He continued.

Zaky's right. Usually at the age of ten many orphans will be adopted by new families. For example, Doni's two gangs who often bullied Rio as a child, Akbar and Reno.

Akbar is very lucky to have been adopted by a husband and wife who are said to be unable to have children. Naturally, he had a sharp nose, skin as white as cotton and an athletic body. Who wouldn't want to have a child like that?

If Reno is different again. The German-blooded youth has always been an attraction because of his emerald green iris eyes. His blonde hair is attractive too, of course. Two years ago a man came to the orphanage and said he wanted to adopt a half-blood. Suddenly, Mrs. Dahlia happily offered Reno. After signing the adoption papers, they immediately left leaving a million envy in the hearts of other children, including Rio.

"In your opinion, why haven't we been adopted?" Rio started to wonder.

"Unlucky, perhaps," said Zaky while sticking his left leg down. "Or because we are not as attractive as those who are adopted."

Again, Zaky's answer was right at the same time leaving Rio's heart uneasy. Is it true that adopters are reluctant to adopt them because they are not attractive?

Rio's body is indeed thin, and his face is decorated with several red pimples. However, his tall body probably has its own charm. Maybe some parents need a son who is taller than them, thought Rio.

Even so, at least Rio's fate wasn't as bad as Doni's—appearance-wise, of course. When it comes to the social aspect, he is definitely the worst. The twenty-year-old bachelor seemed to have become an eternal resident of the orphanage. Nobody ever wanted to adopt Doni. Perhaps because of his unattractive, blotchy face and rough nature. When looking at his appearance alone, other people will think that Doni isn't type of child who is easy to manage.

Sad, indeed. But that is the reality in this cruel world. Rio only hopes that in the next three years, the title of "orphanage perpetual resident" doesn't fall on him. Even if the nightmare really happened in the future, Rio would prefer to leave this place and try his luck in the outside world. Even though he was only desperate, his heart seemed to say—often—that he would have a big role in the future. Not just huddled in this rotten orphanage. Rio was sure of it. Very sure.

(To be continued)