CHAPTER 5 "THE FREEDOM"

23,12, 1985

The driver passed away.

Alan approaches the corpse and peers down at it.

When he used his stick to see whether he was still alive, it didn't move, indicating that he had passed away.

Alan turned to see that the children and nuns were coming outside of the orphanage, and he could sense fear in their eyes.

His gaze pauses on my Maria.

He moves in her direction and pauses three feet away.

Disgusted, she took a step back.

He asks, "What is your name?"

"Maria.... Maria Linda"

"Okay, Maria Linda, I appreciate you saving my life. You are very courageous; I had no idea a teenage girl could be that self-assured," he said. He sounds extremely courteous and sincere.

Shawn's eyes were fixed on Maria.

Shawn was staring at Maria in disbelief because he had no idea that she was capable of such bravery—standing in front of the headmaster with assurance.

Alan saw right once that this youngster was unique.

Her eyes betray resolve.

"Is there anything that I can give back in kind?"

"You are free to inquire about anything."

Alan is curious to know what Maria will decide.

The necessities or gave in to her greed and demanded more.

Well, we all know Maria's desire for freedom.

Freedom from this prison of animals, where nobody gives a damn if you survive or die. where her only chance of survival is by being self-centered.

(Being unconcerned with others does not make you selfish; rather, it makes you difficult to control.)

My darling Maria has always wanted to go outside, but if she tells Alan this, he'll probably murder her.

********

Senin was the name of the girl who was always wanting to escape this location.

Maria was informed by Senin that there is a breathtaking world outside, complete with mountains, trees, and an endless supply of water.

Senin was Maria's best friend at the time.

One day they were discussing about going away.

They were in class by themselves.

"Why don't we just escape from this place"

"Be quiet someone will listen to you"

"Don't act foolish, Maria."

"Only because you see in your dream that nuns are aware of our intentions and they killed me."

"Dreams are dreams"

...

'That was the day my nightmare became reality.'

'I see Senin's dead body hanging by a rope in her room.'

Teachers and nuns claim that she committed suicide, and everyone believes them, but I know she never will have done so since, as I mentioned before, she was always joyful and never once shown the deepest sadness.

********

After that day, she realized that if she wanted to live.

She have to turn into a selfish person, she had to keep her lips shut. and consider her dream carefully in every manner.

Thus, she has no escape route but for fleeing.

To my Maria:

"YOU ARE MY FIRE AND FLAME.

I WISH I KNOW WHAT YOU TRULY DESIRE "