After twilight

Khennan was a neighbor to Jevaun; she was the third daughter of a well-off family, and she had every week all the freedom she could ask for, which gave her enough time to do what she wanted and enabled her to spend quality time with her friends.

On the other hand, Kini lived two streets apart from Jevaun and Khennan; the only time they spent together was when going to school during school times and when coming back, which came if only they chanced Karalana footing to school, and they'd offer him a ride in Jevaun's car.

Other times they could meet was when they were enjoying some recreations like watching movies in their spare time or playing games, which Karalana would not participate in so much because when they suggested he play, he would always switch to his best skills. Under other circumstances, Karalana would come over when he needed accommodation for the night.

***

In his memories, Kini is remembering how his mother, Amencia, died in a road accident right before his eyes, though he was just a boy when it happened. His mother's death brings a lot of sorrow to Karalana's heart, and he keeps remembering it like it happened yesterday.

That day in question, Karalana did not report home on time like he did all the other days as he went to school; this day it was different, and it kept Amancia so worried to her Core that she became restless over the absence of her son, worrying if something bad had happened to her son. Karalana had an attachment that made him delay reaching home on time. He had severe intestinal pains that confined him to one place without moving for a very long time, and the pain did not leave him until it was very late.

As a result, Kini came very late from school that day, and his mother was walking towards his school. It was unlike her son Karalana to behave like that; she figured something would have happened; maybe his illness would have kicked in because that is the only thing that can restrict her son's movements. At the thought of this alone, Amencia left to find her son running, panicking, and praying for him to be safe.

Amencia was coming to fetch him at that hour; it was after twilight that she saw him coming from the sinking road alone and cold. He had never felt alive after seeing his mom coming at him. Amencia was no less happy that she ran to hug him and meet him smiling. Kini," she joyously called that she

" Hey! work up! Do you think this is your father's church?"" This man disturbed Karalana from his memories as he shook him, thinking he was sleeping, so he decided to exclaim at Kini. As Kini opened his eyes, he was rather disappointed at what he saw looking through the bus window. It was getting dark. What's dark already? he asked himself.

"oh!my God!" He yelled inward, This will be challenging for sure; he does not know this place or anyone else for that matter.

"Stand and get your image out of the bus! Mr. Man Pulling him without giving him any breathing space. Wait! Please." Kini calmly said, wanting to calm the situation a little, "Please, where am I? thinking they'll pity him if he sounds pitiful. " What's this place? What's its name? Where are we? Kini asked all these questions in a roll, and they could only stare at him.

Before he knew it, he was pushed out of the bus by the two gentlemen. Karalana had no choice; he only looked up at them with disappointing eyes, like the cat that's been drenched in rain and is now looking at its owner for warmth.

"Boy !" Said one of the two guys in the bus while giggling, "You're in the Eastern! He taunted him.

and off they went. What's this? What do I do now? At this rate, Karalana was unfazed by them. He joined the street that led him to the treat men of the area sitting around a fire. Some instincts kicked in, and he joined them humbly, "Hello, i am cold? Can I sit beside you for tonight only?" Karalana cupping his hands as he spoke softly to them, he seemed to have his thoughts at him deep. He is not the type to be all soft toward people.

One man responds, "And what do we get in return if we let you sit around our fire? It's not like you contributed anything to it." The man goes near him to analyze his physical state, maybe intimidating him, knowing he might not be from here. He carries on with his questions: "Do you have anything to give us, little man?" Karalana looked at the man with no words in him and tilted to respond to him: "What would you prefer, sir?

Nothing; he prefers my boy, said the voice coming from the sides. Kini turns to look; it's another old man talking like he was trying to defend him. The man adds, "Ignore him, son; come and sit."

"Oh, so he is your son now, huh? The man ignored the question and taped on the seat, saying, "Here, have a seat and warm yourself." Karalana wanted to thank him, but somehow he held his tongue to himself. He went and sat next to the man, wondering why he treated him nicely.

"long way, I guess?

"Yes," Kini answers the man, and they continue chatting to cut the night's hours short.

"May I ask? The man speaks, "There's nothing much really, sir."

"I see, have you eaten, my dear? Your lips seem rather dry."

Karalana smiles a little at it, saying, "No, I am alright, thank you."

In the morning, Karalana got up to continue with his journey. The old man stopped him and said, "Wait, you seem to have a long journey ahead of you, so here the old man handing him some bread. "Eat some on your way."

Thank you, sir. I appreciate your gesture from my heart." The old man smiles and pats him on the hands, saying, "It's nothing, my boy."

As no one knows tomorrow, Karalana leaves for the road.