Anjani Darling
The Boy Who Brings Fireflies

I don't know how long I've been here, it feels like my legs are getting sicker. Likewise with the head that pulsates. But I could not move anywhere for fear of colliding with rats and cockroaches. Can only cry bitterly.

Suddenly there was a knock from the wall where I was leaning. Spontaneous I shifted in shock. Suddenly the wall made of wood was wallowing as big as a head.

"Hey, who are you?" a boy with blue eyes smiled at me.

"Ka .. who are you?" I asked back.

"I'm Philip, you?"

"Anjani,"

"Hey, you're human, right?"

"Yes!"

"Hehehe, don't be angry. I was just kidding. But by the way, what are you doing here?"

"Mother Chief locked me in here because I've made Brother Zein fall,"

"Oh, pantesans. The grandmother did not like any child who dared to disturb his favorite child. You dare to also yes make Zein hurt, indeed he made a mistake what?"

I shook my head. Actually I didn't mean to hurt Brother Zein, everything happened all of a sudden. I was angry with him because he also said that I was a discarded child, but since the first time I came I have believed in Brother Zein. I thought he would be a good friend to me.

"I also had Zein hurt. We're one school. During sports hours, I was playing basketball with friends, then he passed by and was hit by a ball. Zein's head is directional. And you know what his mother did? He came to my house. Angry at me. Zein's wounds were very small. Since then you have never been friends again because her mother forbade me from being close to her beloved son!"

"really?"

"Yes, Zein is too pampered. I think he's a pretty good kid. After this incident, I'm sure you won't be allowed anywhere near him either."

As I was talking, suddenly my stomach rang from hunger. I've had two meals I've been through.

"You must be hungry? Not having lunch yet, huh?" ask brother Philip.

"Also no breakfast" I said.

"Oh my God, your little boy doesn't deserve this much punishment. Then wait a minute." brother Philip disappeared behind the coffee garden, not long ago brought back one big plastic filled with food and drink. "Eat Anjani!" said.

"Thank you very much, Philip. Brother is like a guardian angel to me." I said, devouring the burger and chocolate milk he brought.

"You're smart to take other people's hearts, too." We both laughed. "Anjani, it's getting dark. How much longer are you gonna be here?" tanyakanya.

"I don't know, Brother." Suddenly I came back scared. If it was night, the sky would get darker, here too would be so. Brother Philip will definitely come home, then who will accompany me here?

"Don't be afraid Anjani, I'll be here until someone gets you out!" brother Philip said, as if understanding the unrest I was feeling.

Philip's brother caught some fireflies, he put them in plastic, then gave them to me. The firefly was twinkling, so beautiful.

Brother Philip really did not leave me. We talked a lot, and heard footsteps. Philip's brother quickly went into hiding after closing the hole he had made in the wall.

"Auntie!" my peek. We both hugged.

"Mother, you really are, how is it possible to lock a little child in this dark and filthy warehouse all by yourself. What kind of punishment is that? If anything happens to Anjani, I will never forgive you, Mom!" said aunt Desi, while guiding me, re-entering the parlour.

Before leaving, I had a glance towards the warehouse, from the side, I saw Jak Philip smiling while giving his thumbs up.

I didn't dare tell anyone about her, including Aunt Desi, for fear of getting into trouble.

"Anjani, you must be very scared to be there. Yeah, right, baby?" aunt Desi asked, while accompanying me to eat. "You take it easy, baby. From now on no one will dare to punish you anymore. Aunty will try to protect you as much as possible."

The sky had been completely perfectly dark-colored. I was on the bed, thinking about many things. Including about Philip. How to meet him again. I don't know where he lives yet. Or maybe he lives in a coffee garden?

Then about the new school plan. Aunt Desi said I'm going to a new school next week. If I go to school here, what about my old school. Teachers, and friends too. Do I have to stay here forever?

My heart rebelled again. Don't want to be here forever. This place is so foreign to me, even though here is my aunt Desi who loves me so much. I want to reunite with my father, mother, teacher and friends.

***

This morning, I was ready to wear a red white uniform, no matter whose marks, the color was clearly yellow and there were some stains on it. Aunt Desi said, if you have money, you'll buy me a new uniform.

"Anjani, are you ready, baby?" ask aunt Desi.

The first day at the new school, Aunt Desi herself will drive me. Usually other children will be delivered by the head mother, but because they do not like me, then the task was replaced by aunt Desi.

"Let's go!" bring aunt Desi. "You should really go to school. Aunty wants you to be a champion so that you can be a successful person later!" said aunt Desi.

In front of the home we passed by the head mother who was releasing the departure of Brother Zein. He immediately threw his face when he saw me.

"Anjani!" call brother Zein. "You want to go to school? Come together!" bring him.

"Zein, remember what you said!" reprimand mother head.

"Mother, we're leaving first!" aunt Desi pamphit on head mom. He told me to shake hands with the head of this home, but was greeted with ogah-ogahan.

Along the way aunt Desi kept telling me about the region we lived in. Aunty keeps reminding me of places that are the benchmark when I go home later.

At the front of the gate, I stopped. It feels heavy to go inside. But aunt kept forcing me to go to school, because if I refused it could be the reason for my head to scold me.

Although it was heavy, I finally got into the school building. Mixing with children in red white uniforms.

I don't know if I should be happy or vice versa, when I can go back to school. It's just that I feel, my distance with my father and mother is getting further and further. Maybe I won't be able to see them again.

Then do I have to be here forever? No one likes me.

"Dad ... Mom." I ran away from school, with tears flowing. I want to go home. I want to meet dad, mom. I miss home. Please take me back home.