Chapter 17

Night time has come, Jarren and I were left here in the receiving area for new survivors. They took the kids away from us to be adopted into families. The people that assisted us said we weren't forbidden to see them, that'll be on their new guardian's discretion. But despite knowing we're still allowed to see Kelly and the others, it still hurt me. We were orphans from birth. Jarren couldn't take it in and he burst into tears. He hugged the kids tightly before letting them go. I too would have cried but I had to stay strong in front of them, I'm their Kuya. I promised them that we will all see eachother again. I didn't want to be separated from them, I've protected them since the first day of the outbreak. I have no family left but them.

Jarren and I were left because no one has come to adopt us. They said it'll be harder for us to get adopted because we're almost legal adults. I don't blame them, but in the back of my mind it just reminds me of how unwanted I am.

Not long after our rescuers arrived. The only one I really remember was Ms. Pheene. She looked tired out of all the soldiers around here. All the staff and the soldiers stood up upon her appearance. She caught a glimpse of Jarren and I, then she turns to walk towards us.

"Captain Ogram, welcome back." said the woman that assisted us.

"Why are these two still here? No one adopted them?" Ms. Pheene asked.

The woman sadly shook her head. Ms. Pheene then looked at us. She then walked towards us.

"Tell me your names." asked Ms. Pheene.

"J-jarren Jortalin" Jarren stuttered.

She then turned to me, waiting for my answer.

"Permission to speak, Captain?"

"Granted."

"I asked him several times too earlier but he couldn't give me a name. All he said was that he didn't have one."

Ms. Pheene looked aghast. Then she frowned. Our saviour requested the woman to be left alone with us. The woman nodded and she left. Ms. Pheene then took a chair and she sat in front of us. She then took the papers on the desk and she read the inscriptions.

"Orphans huh, interesting..." she mouthed.

She then lifts her gaze to us and leaned forward.

"You two are very brave young lads. You, Jarren, looked after the kids on your own. While you...you risked your life to scavenge for your group, I applaud that. Now tell me, do you still wanna see those kids?"

Jarren and I were flabbergasted.

Ms. Pheene seemed satisfied with our reaction.

"I have the most power here, I can make that happen without breaking a sweat. I will adopt you both and you won't need the kids' new guardians' approval to meet them." she smiled.

But she seem to be more interested in me than Jarren.

"And you, I'll give you a name." She took the papers and a pen. "Jarren, Nigel, let's go home."

Ms. Pheene signed papers here and there. After that, she motioned us to follow her. We followed her to a condominium. While we're walking, I kept thinking about how she adopted us so simply. I wonder if she's got any motives behind her adopting us. But above all else, she gave me a name...Nigel...Nigel Ogram.

We arrived at her unit at the higher floors. Her unit was large, maybe because she's the captain. She removed her vest and armor on her legs and forearms. She went to the kitchen sink and washed her hands before drying them. And then, she went in a room and after a few moments, she came out with a set of clothes and towels. She offered them to us.

"You boys go on take a bath then change into these, I hope they fit. Don't worry too much though, tomorrow we'll go get you new ones."

We accepted the clothes but we stayed immobile.

"Go on, while you two bath, I'll fix us dinner."

She pointed the bathroom to us. I let Jarren take a bath before I do. While I wait outside the bathroom door, I traveled my eyes in the unit. First thing I noticed was a large book shelf filled with big and small books. Ms. Pheene must really love reading, I guess she's really smart. I looked at the books, I wish I can read this much too. I wonder  if she'll let me read these. And then, I heard a doorbell ring. I looked at the door, contemplated if I should open it. But out of a sudden, Ms. Pheene got it. She opened the door and I saw a familiar face, it was the tall pretty lady. They chat for a bit until she saw me standing by the bookshelf.

"Oh, wasn't that the boy earlier? The one with the kids?"

Ms. Pheene looked behind her and she saw me.

"Uh-uh, its him. I adopted him and the other one."

"Hmm, I see. Well, I just wanted to ask you if you have bay leaf? Danin's cooking Chicken Adobo. He insisted that bay leaf is a must."

"Nah, ask Larn. That guy's got herbs n spices, he probably got em."

"Aight, thanks."

Before she left, she quickly glanced at me with a smile on her face and she waved her hand. Ms. Pheene then closed the door and turn to look at me.

"Her name is Etil Sagurn, she's my best friend. You can call her Aunt Etil." said Ms. Pheene.

I nodded shyly and she heads back to the kitchen. I stayed by the bathroom door, waiting for Jarren to finish. I try to avoid sitting anywhere because my clothes were dirty. After moments passed, I heard the jocking of the doorknob. Jarren came out wearing a baggy grey shirt and green loose board shorts. His hair was still wet and his wiping it with his towel.

"First bath since forever, sorry if I took too long, Kuya."

"No worries."

I stepped in the bathroom and locked the door behind me. There was a tub and a shower. Her bathroom was so pristine, I almost didn't want to bath because I'm scared I might soil her clean tub and tiles. I undressed and stepped in the tub. I turned the shower on and I found out it's the adjustable kind. I adjusted the temperature of the water into a cool one. Cool water felt great on my grimy and oily skin. I looked around for shampoo and there was a bottle of Head & Shoulders. Sweet, this one is menthol. I applied an adequate amount in my palm and began to clean my hair. My hair grew long after a long time. And then I searched for body soap. I saw a blue bar soap. It was rectangular and smells like soap and mint. I then washed and scrubbed my skin. It felt really nice as it's minty and I feel myself getting clean after a long while. I took my time in the shower and by the time I'm done, I felt lighter. As if I had pounds of dead skin lift off my skin. I dried myself with the towel Ms. Pheene gave me and wore the clothes she provided me. It was a baggy blue shirt and white jersey shorts. I stepped out of the bathroom with my dirty clothes still in hand.

"Nigel, you done? Come here and sit." Ms. Pheene called.

I followed her voice to the dining table. There, Jarren is already seated. On the table where three plates, three empty glasses of water, three pairs of silverware, a water pitcher, a big bowl of rice and another big bowl of Chicken Tinola(Ginger Chicken Soup). Ms. Pheene noticed I'm still holding my dirty garments.

"Oh just put it in that basket over there, I'll take care of that later." said Ms. Pheene.

I dropped my laundry in the basket and I sat down by the dining table.