Unspoken Connections

Chapter 35: On The Streets

LULU'S POV

As I trudged home with my younger siblings in tow, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of exhaustion seep into my bones.

The long hours at the construction site had been taking their toll, and the meager pay I brought home was barely enough to make ends meet.

But at least I had a friend like Lelet to lean on. He had graciously offered to watch over my siblings while I was at work, providing a safe haven for them when I couldn't be there. For that, I was truly grateful.

As we approached our street, I noticed a commotion up ahead. A group of uniformed officers were gathered near our little place, and my heart sank.

Had something happened? Were we in trouble?

Without hesitation, I quickened my pace, ushering my siblings along as we made our way towards the scene. As I neared the officers, I cleared my throat nervously, hoping to catch their attention.

"Excuse me, is everything alright?" I asked, my voice tinged with uncertainty. "Is there a problem?"

As the officers continued their investigation, one of them turned to me with a stern expression. "Sir, we've also received reports that you've been leaving your young siblings unattended on the street while you're away. And all of them are... Children who needed more protection"

I felt my heart sink. This was the last thing I needed on top of the issues with work. Panic began to well up inside me as I tried to compose a response.

"I... I'm sorry, but that's not true," I stammered, my voice trembling slightly. "I only leave them with my friend Lelet when I'm at work. They don't have school right now, and we don't have anywhere else for them to go."

The officer's expression remained unchanged. "Be that as it may, leaving minors unsupervised is a serious concern."

I could feel the fear and frustration bubbling up inside me. "Please, you have to understand," I pleaded, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. "I'm doing the best I can to provide for my family. I don't have any other choice. My siblings have nowhere else to go, and I can't afford childcare."

The moment the officer reached out to grab one of my siblings, my protective instincts kicked into high gear.

"Maybe it's best that they will be adopted by parents who can give them the right life"

I stepped in front of them, shielding them with my body, and glared at the officer with a fierce determination.

"No, you can't take them!" I shouted, my voice laced with a desperation I had never known before. "I'm not giving them up for adoption! They're my family, and I'm doing the best I can to take care of them."

The officer took a step back, seemingly caught off guard by my outburst. "Sir, please try to understand," he said, his tone measured and calm. "If you're unable to provide a safe and stable environment for your children, then we have a responsibility to ensure their wellbeing."

I could feel the anger and frustration bubbling up inside me, threatening to boil over. "You don't understand!" I cried, my hands trembling as I clutched my sibling closer. "I'm working, I'm doing everything I can, but the pay is barely enough to keep a roof over our heads. I don't have any other options!"

The officer exchanged a glance with his colleague, and I could see the wheels turning in their minds. "Sir, we understand this is a difficult situation," he said, his voice softening slightly. "But the safety and wellbeing of your children is our top priority. We need to make sure they're in a stable and nurturing environment."