Chapter 73: Dream [1]

“Hurry up or else there will be no food left for us.”

Soi urged the kid beside him.

It was Soi’s ninth birthday in the orphanage. And he wanted to join the rest of his friends for the dinner that the orphanage had arranged for him.

His patience was beginning to wear off as his best friend was taking longer than necessary to get ready for the dinner.

The boy whom Soi was waiting for was currently styling his black hair in the mirror.

And it was for the hundredth time that he had adjusted the white shades of his hair to mix in with the black ones.

Noah had such mismatching hair since birth. But compared to what others believed, Noah liked his hair.

For him, it was something unique that differentiated him from the rest.

“Just a minute.”

Noah shouted from the bathroom.

“That was the twentieth time you said the same thing.”

Soi let out a frustrated groan.

“Yeah. Only a minute.”

Noah whispered in a barely audible tone.

Soi’s shoulders dropped in resignation. He sat on the nearby chair… waiting.

“Done.”

Noah emerged with a bright smile on his face.

“For real?!”

Soi just stared at him.

“Yeah… I guess.” Noah checked his clothes once before making his way towards the door.

Shaking his head, Soi followed him.

They soon reached a small hall, with a worn-out table placed in the centre. Children of various ages sat across the table wearing birthday hats.

Seeing Soi arrive, all of them began to clap in excitement.

As the orphanage was always stretched thin on the funds available at their disposal, celebrating a birthday was a luxury for the kids.

It was only once in a while that someone’s birthday was celebrated with a huge dinner and a… cake.

And there was hardly any kid who disliked cakes.

Soi took his seat at the far end of the table, while Noah sat beside him.

“Happy birthday, Soi.”

“Big brother… gift.”

A kid around five years of age approached Soi with a small toy in her hand.

The toy was neatly packed with ribbons.

Soi had a look of surprise when he saw the toy.

“Hey, isn’t that your favourite one?”

Soi had seen the kid play with it several times.

“My g-gift!”

Stumbling with her words, she placed the toy on Soi’s lap.

The gesture earned a few chuckles from the older children.

Not wanting to upset the kid anymore, Soi took the little toy in his hand and patted the kid’s head.

“Thank you, Nina.”

Nina smiled in return. She had always been an introvert in nature.

It was Soi who had made her open up to the other kids of her age.

Though younger in age, Soi had always been a support for every kid in the orphanage.

Each kid was given a small allowance every two or three months, for them to spend on themselves.

Many times the allowance would be postponed for months when the orphanage had a shortage of funds.

Soi would always share his own allowance with the younger kids without caring for his own happiness.

Seeing others’ smiles was the only joy he ever needed.

Soi was someone that Noah always looked up to. He wanted to be like him someday.

Someone on whom you could rely.

“Oh my! Everyone seems ready for the party.”

A woman entered the hall with a small cake in her hand. She was in her forties, with her hair catching up to her age.

Everyone called her Aunt Jenna by habit. No one knew her real name, but Jenna was a name that she had taken while working for the orphanage.

Only the older kids and the staff at the orphanage knew about her circumstances.

She had been a noble before… but her house had been executed for some crime that she didn’t want to discuss.

The execution wasn’t held in public, so very few knew about its details.

That had made Jenna a mystery for everyone when she first volunteered to work in the orphanage.

But soon her caring nature and motherly vibes made everyone comfortable with her.

Aunt Jenna had become a favourite among the kids in her first year at the orphanage.

Everyone made way for her as she moved towards Soi and placed the cake on the table before him.

“Happy birthday, dear.” Patting his head, Aunt Jenna clapped for everyone to take their seats.

Soi blew the candles and cut the cake… the party began.

The children sang songs in chorus… their tones didn’t match, but they still tried to voice out their excitement in one way or another.

Jenna took a small pouch out of her coat and handed it to Soi.

“Here, your birthday allowance.”

Soi’s eyes widened as he glanced at the sum in the pouch. It wasn’t much, but for a kid in the orphanage it was like a year’s allowance.

“Aunt, this…”

Soi hesitated before accepting the gift. He glanced at the kids, and as he was about to speak—

“Brother, we don’t want it.”

“Yes. I also have my previous savings.”

“Uhh… I don’t like money.”

“…”

“…”

“Hey! At least say something believable.” A nearby kid whispered.

Seeing the little exchange, Soi chuckled.

“Take it. You always give your part to others, so I had to squeeze this from the funds.

And before you say anything, it wasn’t my goodwill but your right. You deserve it.”

Aunt Jenna stopped any resistance before Soi could voice his thoughts.

“Just take it, idiot. I want to eat the cake already.”

Noah grumbled from his side.

Smack!

“Oyy!” Noah rubbed his head in annoyance.

Seeing his theatrics, Soi smiled.

“Is that how you talk to your senior?”

Realising what he said, Noah’s face turned pale.

“No, s-sir.”

Jenna just observed their exchange in silence.

She just wanted these kids to enjoy their lives without worrying about anything.

But reality had always been harsh on kids like them.

Jenna just hoped that such moments of happiness would last forever.

But as always—

Fate had other plans.

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