My Only Sunshine

chapter 9 : The Memories I've Kept From You

//???s' POV

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FLASH! BOOM!

The rain poured down heavily, surely creating a flood. The winds pounded against my bedroom window angrily, as if demanding to come in. But I didn't care. I was lying down on my bed, all wrapped up comfortably in blankets with ibu and ayah lying by my sides. Sure, the heavy rain and wind scared me, but I knew I was safe in ibu and ayah's arms.

Suddenly, someone banged on our front door. Hard. It scared me, ibu, and ayah for a second. But then, an unfamiliar voice rang out from outside.

"Sir Malaya, Royal Golden Kherosene, please say you're home..."

Ibu and ayah looked at each other, their eyes wide in shock.

"Impossible... Wasn't she... Weren't they...?"

What's going on? Who's at the door at this hour, under such weather?

After a few more seconds of staring at each other, ibu got off the bed, grabbed a lamp, lighted it, and hurried to the front door.

"Sayang, wait!-" And with that, he hopped off the bed and ran to ibu.

"Ibu, ayah!" I cried put as I got off the bed and ran to them.
("Mom, dad!")

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Ibu slowly opened the door, just wide enought to take a peek at our unexpected guests.

The lamp lights were dim, and I couldn't make out our mysterious guests' facial features and determine who they are. So I looked up at ibu and saw her eyes widen. Did she recognize them? If so, who are they?

They both stood out there on our front steps, soaking wet from the heavy rainfall. Their eyes beaming in desperation.

But for what?

Within the womans' arms was a mere newborn wrapped in a pink towel, crying its lungs out.

She looked at ibu with pleading eyes and reached the baby out to her. "Please, oh royal Golden Kherosene, I beg of you, treat and raise our precious daughter as your own blood!"

I tugged on ibu's nightgown and looked up at her, anticipating her response.

Ibu looked down at the bawling newborn for a few seconds, then asked for her name.

"Singapura..."

Ibu looked down at the newborn once more, who's still bawling, and to me and ayah's surprise, took the newborn into her arms, looked at her, and smiled.

"I... the royal Golden Kherosene, accept your plea, Lanfang Republic... Strait Settlement..."

The woman fell to her knees and sobbed loudly. The man with her quickly rushed to her side and comforted her.

"May the heavens bless you and your family for years to come, oh royal Golden Kherosene." She bowed her head, and the man with her struck a fist to his heart and fell to one knee, head down.