If I loved you

Million feelings million thoughts

10 years ago.............

'You promise?'

'I promise.'

'I will be waiting.'

'I know.'

'If you don't come back before the festival.....I.....I....won't talk to you again.'

'I'll be back as soon as possible. Then we'll celebrate together. Just stay put here for the time being okay? And please don't argue with those boys.'

'You have 7 days in your hands......if you don't come back before......'

'It's not gonna take that long.....5 days max.'

I nodded and turned my head to look at the night sky. This rooftop is the only place where we can spend some time without any disturbance. Otherwise there is so much noise everywhere. This two storied building is not in a good condition. The ground floor has three large rooms. There are a few baby cribs without any baby along the wall and it has cement flooring. there are no other beds apart from the cribs and we have a giant straw mat that they lay across the middle of the room and all of us kids would line up and lay down. They would then lay one giant sheet over us all. The kids are all unruly and don't want to shut up until and unless someone comes and shouts. This is really not a place for us anymore.

I don't want him to go with them but......I can't stop him either. The order came directly from big brother.

'I am feeling hungry again.' New sighed.

'Dinner bell will ring soon.' I patted his shoulder.

In this orphanage everything and everyone under the strict control of the gang. They do whatever they please and we have to follow their orders. Yesterday they selected Newiee for their next "job".

I closed my eyes and tried to shake off that uneasy feeling. Newiee is going to be fine. Nothing will happen to him. I tried to calm myself down.

'Don't worry Tay. They said that it's nothing tough. I just have to help them picking up some stuff from one location and deliver it to another. That's it.' New was trying his best to comfort me but his usual smile wasn't there. He was suppressing his anxiety.

'Be careful okay? If you get caught.....'

'I won't. I won't.'

'Hmm.'

'It's chilly outside. Let's.....'

'I hate them.'

'Tay...'

'Why are they using us in their illegal activities? We are just kids.'

'I am not a kid. But .....you sure are.' New bumped his shoulder into mine playfully.

'Stop making jokes. I am serious.'

'Come on! Don't be so cranky. We just have to bear with them for next few months. After that......'

'No one is going to adopt us. Those families don't want us. They always choose those who are below 10. No one wants to adopt a 13 year old boy.'

'Maybe this time.....'

'Stop being so optimistic all the time. And I don't want a family. I already have you.'

'Maybe this time someone is going to adopt both of us together. Then we'll be brothers forever.'

'Who wants to be your brother? Get lost.'

'Ow! I thought you.....'

'You are an idiot. Stop talking.'