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I don't know what's going on with Dwyne's mind, and he suddenly want to go here in the aprk.
In many places in the world, it's the park, where many many people visit. Tsk! Tsk!
This man is confident that none of his fans will chase, because I'm with him. His fans are afraid of me enough not to even approach him for an autograph.
He sat on the swing, so I sat on the swing next to him.
“Now, what are we doing here?” I asked him.
“Nothing. Just think of a stroll”
“Oh, really. Stroll in this kind of place.” I said with a hint of sarcasm.
Except from the playground and children's playing. There are teenagers and adult enjoying eating dirty ice cream. It's not bad here tho, it's just that I don't see Dwyne as a kind of person to go to this kind of place.
It's good that they are busy with what they are doing and ignore our presence. But of course the others still can't help it, but look at us.
He touched his nape. “Okay, you got me there.”
“So, what's the reason?”
He sighed. “It's just that—this was used to be sister's favorite place”
“Oh, really? Where is she now?” he averted his gaze and looked away.
“She ... S-She died because of a brain tumor. We just saw her in her room, lying on the floor ... lifeless. We still took her to the hospital, because hoping there's still a way to revive her. But ... we're late. She... died” he said sadly. I feel sorry for him now.
Looks like he didn't fully moved on. I can see through his eyes the pain, sadness, regret, and longing.
I felt sorry for him. If only I now, I didn't asked that. He seemed to be sensitive to that topic.
“I'm sorry for asking. I-I didn't know I—” he cut me off.
“It's okay. It's been a long time since that happened. I already moved...on” he said and forced a smile.
Action speaks louder than words. I know what he really feels.
“Would you like to eat ice cream?” he asked me.
I'm sure the ice cream he's referring to is the dirty ice cream that the vendor's selling.
'It's been too long since I last ate dirty ice cream'
I just nod at him. He smiled. This time it's a smile he always wears— a genuine wide smile.
He stood up on the swing he was sitting on and walked towards the vendor who's selling dirty ice cream.
I just watched his back as he walked away. The feeling of nostalgia suddenly filled me. That person...
~Flashback~
“Era! Come here! Didn't m-mom and d-dad say don't t-talk to strangers?” I call my twin Era (Xiera). She was talking to a boy who was the same age as us. Eh..it's just that maybe he'll hurt Era. I don’t want to lose a twin, huhu.
“Wait, Xyn! Don't worry 'bout me! Wayne is kind. Besides, he didn't seem to harm me, because we're at the same age” Era defended.
I just sighed and pout. If Era wanted to talk to him then I let her. I want my twin to have some friends.
Maybe I’ll just sit on this swing and just wait for Era to come back.
I sat on the swing and gently swung it with my feet.
But, I looked at the swing next to me when I felt someone sitting on it.
“Hey, kid. Why are you alone? Aren't your parents here? And why'd you look so sad” the boy on the swing next to me, spoke. I looked at him sadly.
“T-They're not here. They have work, so my twin Era and I are the only one here. She's talking to a boymright there” I said and pointed at the boy Era was talking to.
I was surprised when the boy handed me the ice cream he was holding without any hesitation.
“I'll just give this to you. So you don't feel sad anymore. Momma told me that when someone is sad, you can make them happy if you give them an ice cream!”
My eyes were shining as I looked at it. It's the first time someone cared about me aside from Era!
I took the ice cream the child was handing. “Thank you! You know, it's the first time someone has given me something, whole...heartedly” I said with a sad smile.
“Really? Why? Don't your parents give you ice cream?” astonished the child asked me.
“No. B-Because you know, t-they don't actually really like me,” I averted my eyes.
I burst into tears when I remembered what they were doing to me.
“H-Hey, sorry. I-I shouldn't have asked. W-What's your name?”
“Xyna Devon Alegre. It's up to you what do you want to call me” I said and smiled widely.
“Your name is cool, I'll just call you Nadea. I'm Axzciary, it's also up to you what you want to call me” (Nadea came from Xy-NA DE-von A-legre)
I thought about what to call him.
“Ah, right! I'll just call you Axry!” (Axry came from AX-zcia-RY)
"Okay, Nadea. From now on we'll be bestfriends”
I was stunned for a moment, but I also smiled sweetly.
He also reciprocated with a wide smile.
~Emd Of Flashback~
I suddenly smiled when I remember those times. Axry was... my very first friend. But, sadly they migrated to Japan after 2 years of our friendship.
I suddenly felt someone poked me on my left side so I stared at it.
‘Oh! It's a kid!’
“H-Hello, sister. P-please give me s-something to eat. We haven't eaten for the two days. P-Please, I b-beg you” the girl said who looked unkempt. She seemed to be fainting but she's fighting it, I immediately felt pity.
'She is too young to experience such extreme hunger!'
Out of pity I took a hundred dollar from my wallet and handed it to her.
'Maybe that's enough, right?'
“Is that enough, kid? If that's not enough, tell me. Don't be shy” I said genuinely.
Suddenly her eyes lit up. “T-That's m-more than enough, sister! T-Thank you very much! I-I can now buy food and medicine for mom and Claire! T-Thank you very very much, sister” the girl with teary eyes. Maybe because of happiness? I smiled.
“What's your name, kid?” I ask her. While looking at her face I suddenly think of something...
“A-Aria, sister” she replied. I decided. Yeah, I'll do that.
“I'm Xyna Alegre. I will help you and your mother and sister. I will treat them both, and I will let you live in my old house. Food is also free. I will also make you and your sister study for free, as long as you promise that you and your sister will study very well in exchange” I said to Aria with a smile.
Her eyes widened and she looked at me with disbelief. “A-Are you sure, sister?”
“Of course! I believe that one day you will also succeed, and eventually get out of this poverty.” I answered.
I was surprised when he suddenly hugged me. “Big sister, thank you so much! Finally, my sister Claire and I can study! We've been dreaming this for long time. To be able to study. We promise, big sister! We'll going to study hard, until we succeed! W-We won't let you down!” Aria sniffed. I smiled. “Good”
It feels really good to be able to help someone. You may be wondering why would I help her.
I love kids. And I don’t want her to experience not being able to study. She was too young to struggle to take care of her mother and sister.
I will only give a little help about their future, because they will be the ones to decide what their future will be.
In a moment I saw the people who were smiling widely while clapping at me. I even saw Dwyne proudly grinning at me and gave me a thumbs up.
***