r 4 –

rning came

simply didn't know what to do with it. Without meetings, decisio

... was

skyline, coffee mug in hand, dressed in his usual black joggers and a plain w

gainst the edge of his

remem

t yet-but enough.

the orphanage. The cake. The laugh that had fel

and a wall around his family at the same time. Discipline had been love. Achievem

hat g

knees, who told him he was terrible at boa

feel something

ay, completely unaware of the space she

-

– Nadira's

h a cold cup of tea beside her b

remembe

re how to fee

arely opened. It was filled with memories she'd wrapped in thick layers

hat b

who didn't know how to talk to other children but handed her hi

he would grow up

she worke

besid

g was beginn

't ready

-

ffice Floo

. Her beige blazer was replaced with a navy on

ays no

older waiting

t, in Reyhan's di

e at 9:00 a.m. We'r

for a moment, h

nd he certainly didn't invite people unless i

in a slate-gray suit, no tie. Casual for him.

ea

idn't know wher

dn't ne

s usual private driver. Instead, Reyhan unlocked the d

adira asked, m

n I need

's streets bustled around them, but

e going?" sh

'll

ow, coming from him, it felt less

Jakarta, the car pulled into a narrow stre

quiet.

ili

a sti

got out without a

a small, well-kept buil

KECIL O

eath h

why are

gain," he said, his v

ble. The sound of children's laughter floated from the back garde

gasped. "Is

ssion Nadira had almost never seen on him. He h

woman who used to chase me around with a wo

lways stubborn. And you!" She turned to Nadira, eyes warm with recognit

ked. "You r

t under the mango tree and arg

a a look. "Still

n once," she

rts thanks to donations. Reyhan stopped beside

red. "This bench. That tree. The sound of laughter f

m. "It was the sa

ng p

ed, quieter. "I neve

ng his. "You didn't even

and big glasses who gave me half her cand

rustled the b

aid n

me feel.

art cl

know. Maybe a year la

been moved to

I made you up. Sometimes..

him. "I reme

t she saw the reli

ling me this?" s

o know if you're

wed. "And

e to learn who

-

contin