The mistery of Haruna's Star - 40 first chapters

32

I was the first to wake up. Haruna was watching quietly a documentary about Athens, while eating her cake. Consuelo and Max were still knocked out cold. I lightly patted them on their faces. They opened their eyes, looking everywhere. I asked Haruna about the crystal and she said she'd returned it to the pot. "Forgive me, I did not know that could happen," she said. I was glad she'd become more sensible when using words. I couldn't exactly blame her whenever she didn't apply basic social codes. How was it fair to do it to someone who'd only been living in this world for 32 days? On the other hand, the three of us that fainted experienced it the same way. The only thing we remember is that when we saw the glass we felt tired immediately. On waking, we were all so hungry that the cake quickly disappeared.

"I do not know much about the crystal yet. I don't know much about many things. Please excuse me," said Haruna, still watching TV, sitting in her favorite wooden chair. Her feet did not reach the floor, and she swung them while she finished her cake. Haruna had a childish attitude, which was normal. I estimated her to be around six years old. She had enough clothes until she turned seven. I calculated expenses and thought about the upcoming birthdays, especially the last one. Was it a good idea to choose the end of the month to celebrate a stellar year? What would her last birthday be like? The fainting had left me anxious and I dared to ask what I had kept to myself so many days ago:
"Haruna, do you know that you will live only 365 days?"

My daughter unhurriedly stood up and left the empty plate on the table. Consuelo is leaning against the wall; Max layed down on the floor, adjusting his glasses, looking at Haruna expectantly for her answer.
"I know, Mother. I saw the paper in the chest," she said, turning off the television. She clasped her hands behind her back and in a childish but solemn voice added, "But was I really born here? I rather think I have come here and will eventually leave."
Max smiled, Consuelo gasped, and I wanted to ask more questions, but Haruna said she wanted to sleep. I've learned that when she says that, I can only say "good night, sleep well" because nothing gets in her way when she is sleepy.