Milky Way: VALLENA's
Chapter 14: AnaNina
At exactly 3 a.m., Nina exited the house carrying two large bags in her small hand. Looking at the way he walked, he explained that the bag containing some of the food was very heavy for him.
Some of the houses he passed in the garbage village he always shared some small packages. Although she was 16 years old, Nina seemed to have more kindness than some of the surrounding population. While others were drunk at night, Nina always took the time to cook and distributed it quietly to some of the locals.
While passing the riverbank road, Nina tried to find Vall who she used to find was on the move not far from the other side of the river. Until his sweet smile looks widened when he sees Vall from a distance. Nina whistled and waved her hand towards Vall.
Some pineapple cakes that Nina brought, immediately given to the man in front of her. Vall who was trying to regulate his exhausted breath slightly smiled happily. He did not expect that there were still children who were so attentive to him and also to Lena when everyone in the village excommunicated them.
“let me come home to Lena's. I have fish leftovers and some seafood for me to cook this morning” pinta Nina on Vall.
“you can go in and out all you want in that house. No one will ban you.” Answer Vall
“not good to enter people's homes without knowledge. That's why I always wait for you in the morning here”
Nina looked so cheerful walking behind Vall. Looks like his little legs are trying to compensate for Vall's long steps. Nina was shocked when her small body hit Vall's back. Vall who looked a little contemplated turned his body and looked towards Nina
“10 years ago, since the incident in my room, has something similar ever happened again?” ask Vall
Nina who heard Vall's question was a little nervous and confused to answer it. Everything about his family only the three of them knew. Even since little Nina was used to hiding something about her family.
Vall began to caress Nina's head as if admiring a child.
“as long as you guys are fine, that's enough. I'm just a little scared if it gets you in a trouble”
Vall's words were immediately returned with a sweet smile by Nina. Some of the items in Nina's hands were immediately taken by Vall. A few vegetables and a large piece of fish appeared to be stuck out of the bag.
At Lena's house, Nina looks happy to wash and clean some parts of the kitchen that look dirty. Suddenly, Nina's tiny body was embraced by Lena from behind. Lena who was half conscious from her sleep embraced and put her head on Nina's shoulders.
“Nina, be my daughter even for a moment. I also want to know what it's like to be a mother” said Lena Lirih.
Vall and Nina who heard that were silent. They felt like Lena was desperate even from just a few broken lips.
“I will leave all my property to you one day. I will also pass the statue to you” continued Lena while pointing at Vall.
As usual, Nina just smiled sweetly at those around her. That smile that Nina always used to get closer to anyone as long as her mother and sister kept away from around. Nina hoped that, one day, there would be people who would be able to accept the three of them like normal humans.
******
In the morning, Nina who was in a school uniform sat in front of the dining table. With three bowls of warm rice he had prepared at the table complete with the dishes he had cooked at Lena's house this morning, Nina wished her mother and sister would sit together joking around in the morning like a family.
For a moment he saw his mother sitting at the window with a glass of warm tea in her hand. Her gaze turned to her sister ANA who tied her shoelaces. Without saying anything, Anna left the house.
Nina breathed a sigh of disappointment. Today is the same as the day before. There is no warmth in a family.
“hopefully tomorrow is much better” said Nina slowly.
Nina leaves for school to follow Ana after greeting her mother. Lyra looked at her two daughters who were walking out of the yard from the window. He lifted his glass to the sky and said the same thing.
“yah, hope tomorrow is much better”
Nina walked 10 meters behind Ana. Although brothers, their relationship is not as good as family in general. Although she wanted to, Nina did not have the courage to greet Ana. Nina's a nice, gentle child. Instead, Ana was much colder and rougher on anyone.
Two weeks had Ana spent under a tree near a river rather than going to school. Take a little courage Nina to rebuke him.
“ you can't be like this keep”
Nina's words sounded like the wind was passing in Ana's ears. Ana laid her body on the grass under the tree.
“ if you know, it will only be a commotion again”
“ just go you!” sela Ana
“ I don't want you to fuss again with mom”
Nina pulls Ana's arm. An angry Ana, pulled Nina hard hard. Nina fell down on the grass hard. Ana sat on his body. She clutched Nina's neck firmly with both hands making Nina difficult to breathe. Even Nina was trying to grab something to save herself. But there's nothing around him. There's only grass.
“why am I so sick of seeing and hearing all of your words?. I thought, maybe because I envy you. Why do you love me so much but not me?. If the opportunity takes my side, I will remove you from my face and memory” threatened Ana to her twin sister.
Ana releases Nina to make Nina cough and try to take her breath normally. Nina stood up half crying.
“just as you like” said Nina.
Nina took the rice packet she had prepared in her bag. And put it on top of Ana's bag. I hope that my sister does not forget to eat. As soon as Nina walked away, she threw the package into Nina's head.
“ actually I'd rather throw a knife in your face than trash it!!”
* * * * *
The sound of birds in the morning was heard faithfully accompanying Ana who was sleeping under a tree beside the river where Vall used to spend time.
Look at the dreamy Ana with the cutter knife she played with in her hand. At first glance there is a little sweet smile on his face when he looks at the bird chanting the beautiful song of the morning song. The silence and peace in Ana's heart vanished as a motorized man approached Ana. Not that the motor is turned off, the man even plays the noise of the motor. With a step she made, she approached Ana and lay down her body near Ana lying down.
“today is really fun. Luck has sided with me.” Said the man by looking at Ana Beside him. “thankful, because I will take you, accompanied by my happy day.”
“you have 15 seconds to get away from me.”
“kalo I refuse??”
With that man laughing. Crawling on top of Ana's body that is still lying on the grass.
“your words are so rude. You are not . ..”
The man's words came to a halt as the tip of Ana's cutter blade entered on her lips. Without hesitation, Ana tore it apart 5 cm wide. The unbearable pain made her scream. He covered his blood-filled lips with both hands.
Seeing the man in pain, Ana grew wild. The cutter knife was ready he plunged into the eye. But, a man held Ana's wrist from behind.
“ you really look like your mother, very scary” said the man.
Looking from afar, Vall looks at them. Vall's gaze led to the man beside Ana. The man Vall had never seen before in this garbage village. The face of the stranger was like a handsome prince. His body was tall and wrapped in many strange writing patterns. On his back was a white stick like an animal bone.
Knowing Vall saw him, the man bowed slightly and smiled kindly.
“I'm his mother's friend” the man told Vall
* * *
Nightfall. In-house. Ana looks like she's watching TV. Not far from him, the man who introduced himself as Lyra's friend was seen leaning against the wall.
“ why uncle prefers standing?” ask Nina
“why yes? Maybe because I am a guard. Which only sits when your mother orders”
Nina nodded in understanding. His gaze also turned on the 1-meter-long bone-like object on the man's back. An object wrapped around a few pieces of cloth bearing strange letters like an ancient mantra.
“why uncle always bring this thing, every uncle come here?”
“ini?it's my pride”
“self price?”
“right, self-esteem a man.”
Nina looked at the man before her with a confused face.
“I have a little fairy tale for you, in this world, there is a hidden country. You could say this country is actually forgotten by humans as time goes by. A Country in which its people, especially the men, raise the height of its so-called Self-esteem. Wars without reason often occur. Until the country split into two parts. A ridiculous deal was made. The two halves have a war every year. The war that took place in the city of the dead. The City of the Patriarchs and the City connecting to the two parts of the State. Almost all men leave their families to fight. Those who die on the battlefield will be honored as heroes. And the one who returns safely, will receive the title of knight in the kingdom. And in the gift of a mystical stone they called Adamant”
“ uncle from the Country?”
“. . . ”
“does the uncle come from the country that uncle means?” ask Nina
“not. I'm just a guy who's crazy about the story,”
***
The sound of Lyra's car was heard entering the courtyard of the house. After solving the problem of Ana's actions, Lyra went home full of frustration. An upset Lyra turns off the TV Ana saw.
“ini is already overboard! Wanna see when I'm gonna have to find a new place to live if you're always causing trouble. We can be calmer while living in this village.” said Lyra
Without hesitation and caring for her mother's babble, Ana turns on her TV again with the remote. Lyra turned off the TV for the second time. But Ana turns on again and raises her volume with the intention to disguise her mother said. The frustration that peaked, making Lyra throw the 50-inch TV to the floor.
“pronounce your regrets, shut up like proof that you're a disabled child” maki Lyra on Ana
It was clearly visible on Nina's sad face. She hated hearing her mother and sister quarrel. No matter how hard he tried to unite his family, it was all in vain. Both Ana and her mother have absolutely no desire to get along more.
“if you don't like it, go to your room. Close your doors and ears. Tomorrow morning, you'll assume all this is just a dream.” Sara uncle to Nina
“already at 9pm” said Ana “you don't want to miss your date night because of this disabled child right?” continued
Without warning, Lyra slapped Ana hard in the face. It made Nina turn her face away. He could not bear to see violence let alone this happened to his own brother and mother.
“if later make out with a mottled nose, I suggest, don't make any more mistakes. I don't want any handicapped child like me you'll beat one day.”
Ana's words made all speechless. Moreover Lyra, she looked very sad.
“you know what PAIN is?“ Ask Lyra “most valuable lessons for those who feel alive! And you should know, what PAIN really looks like”
Lyra who was about to beat Ana, was stabbed by her fork in the back by Nina. Lyra shouted as the fork. It was on his back two cm deep. That's when Nina pulls up and takes Ana into her room. Room door in meeting lock.
An angry Lyra kicked at Nina's room door. Nina tried to hold the door with her back. There was a faint faint sound of the uncle's small laughter behind Lyra
“it looks like they don't know what about you. Is a prince a shameful person to tell?” ask the uncle
“go” Lyra's orders
The uncle who had been standing against the wall answered Lyra's orders. He casually left the room.
In Nina's room, Ana picks up a box of Nina's bread. He ate the bread while sitting in the window.
“for a day only, can we smile and joke like family in general?”
“funny once” replied Ana laughing while insulting
“if can't at least pretend!”