Secret Denis
Twenty-two

Breakfast with fresh grilled fish feels very delicious even though simple. Three people who are isolated in this quiet place are always grateful for whatever they get. Even a second of the air they breathed, it was more than anything.

To those who had been on the verge of death, treasures and luxuries were nothing at all. Even so for Alex, a man who has never lacked before. Have a wealth and have a high social position in the previous life. Now he must feel a very simple life under the mercy of people he does not know. What a valuable lesson in his life.

In this place of deprivation, he learned many things. Observe and imitate what Darman does. There's no sense of humour. He did so with great sincerity and curiosity.

The sound of an ax splitting the wood rang out beside Darman's cottage. It looks like Darman is making firewood. Charging free time because he could not sell fish, he took advantage of it by making firewood. Coincidentally not far from the hut there was a large tree that fell. He cut it into small sizes and split the trunk of an oversized tree.

"May I try sir?" Denis who had been watching approached Darman. His long hair at the top had been tied together and he had a short haircut at the bottom. Looks very macho plus round earrings in his left ear. Behind his left ear was a small tattoo other than his right hand.

Darman hands the big axe to Denis. Teaches how to hold it and also the position of Denis's legs when swinging the axe. Denis followed the man's lead and started swinging his axe. The sharp axe-eye collision split the wood instantly. Denis smiled with satisfaction. Darman praised Denis' work for the first time.

Alex noticed not far from them. He seems interested enough to try it later.

Again Denis swung his axe and split some wood into pieces.

"You look like an expert, Denis." Darman pats Denis on the shoulder while laughing. Denis grimaced, wiping the sweat that was dripping on him. His face did not show any fatigue at all.

"This is the first time I've held an axe, sir."

"You're great. It is true Alex said. I believe his words now." Darman laughs. Denis frowned.

"He said that? Why?"

"Yes.. Because you are so. All the things you can do. You also have a very good heart behind your quiet and haughty attitude. I also like your attitude." Darman said frankly.

Denis was silent by supporting his hand at the end of the axe support wood. His deep eyes stared at the old man for a moment.

"I'm not that good until I have to be liked by everyone." Denis swung his axe back. His hands look very powerful.

"I'm sure everyone around you will always like you, both men and women."

"Sir Darman is wrong. I was never liked even by my own mother." Denis hit his axe with all his might so that the axe's eye stuck on the ground. The split wood bounced away in a different direction. Denis left the ax in his place and passed from there. Darman stared at Denis back who just left.

Alex, who was just listening, came closer to Darman.

"Why him?"

"Leave it. He might need to be alone."

*****

Sitting on a fallen tree trunk in a ravine overlooking the view of the river below. With legs open and elbows on both knees. Denis' eyes stared far away somewhere.

"I was left by my mother when I was five." Alex's voice shook his consciousness. But he did not show his surprise. As usual, he always looked flat not much like showing his expression. Glanced at it slightly with the corner of the eyes of the man who had now sat beside him.

"He died in an accident. I was with him when the accident happened. I lost her so much and I felt like I wanted to go with her at that moment." His voice was carried away by his childhood memories. Denis pulled out a piece of grass growing in front of him and twirled in his hand. He was silent, but his ears listened to every word that was spoken from Alex's lips.

"As a result of the accident, I was so traumatized that I had to undergo psychological therapy. My mom is someone I love and I love very much too. I can clearly remember the days I spent with him. He was always there when I needed him. He was also very devoted to my father. She was the perfect woman I remember."

Alex took a breath. Looking down at the river with foggy eyes. A moment of silence between them. Not a word came out of Denis' mouth. His tongue is locked. Only his hands were endlessly playing the grass agitatedly.

"You know?" Alex is back."When I experienced that trauma, what was needed was a interlocutor. We just need to express our problems to the people we trust. We need nothing but friends who listen to us. Before my mother left, she was the one who faithfully listened to my chants, she was my friend. Besides listening, he is also a good advisor. Everything he said was always right in my opinion and I was very dependent on him. So that when he left, I felt so lost that figure."

"I thought that if my mother had come back, I would never have wasted it. I will obey all his words. I'll be filial to him and won't let him down."

"And I kept my promise when I got my mom back. Although she is not my real mother, but I respect and love her as much as my own mother. I don't want to lose my mother's figure a second time."

"As long as we have time to be filial, then do it. Do not regret coming at a time that is no longer useful."

Alex breathed out. Rise from his seat and leave Denis still pecking.

"Alex." Denis' voice restrains Alex's steps. He was silent in his place waiting for Denis's next voice.

"You're lucky to feel affection."

Alex turns his body back up and his legs approach Denis. Stand next to him and put his hands in his pants pocket.

"All children must have felt affection. As small as that."

Denis laughed a lot.

"You're wrong. I have never felt such affection from my family. You won't believe it because you don't know what I'm going through."

"yeah. I can't imagine it's really happening." Alex took a breath. Sit back in place. He swept his gaze across the mirage.

"I'm not the child anyone wants." Denis' voice was husky and slow. Sounds very heavy. The tightness first burst from the bottom of his chest. Alex silently held his breath. Not wanting to make Denis undo his intention to open up about his past. His gaze was fixed at a point down there.

"Both of my parents made mistakes in their youth. And I was present without being wanted by either. They tried to kill the fetus inside the woman's stomach. But it didn't work. And I was born a disgrace to their family." Denis took a deep breath. Extinguishing the pain that rained down the recesses of his soul.

"There was only a fight for as long as I can remember. I just grew up in the hands of a nanny who thankfully had pity on me. It was the two strangers who had given me affection. As for my parents, they were busy with their own egos."

"Your days are hard." Alex looked at Denis from the side. He clenched his hand in his pants pocket. As much as possible to resist the desire to hold the body into his arms.

"Very. Plus the affair of both. A truly broken family. I hate both of those people. I feel like I have no parents. I don't have anyone."

Alex felt tight in his chest. Imagine the times that a Denis went through. I don't know what he would do if there was that position.

"What about your grandparents? They must still be there, right?"

"They are the same. They never recognized me as their granddaughter. I always get unfair treatment from them. No one ever wanted me there." Denis breathed. Pressing both corners of his eyes.

"Thanks. You want to listen to my story. You're right, this makes a little relieved."

Alex smiles. Even he felt weird when Denis was no longer lo-gue. But turn it into me-you. It's a good advance.

"I'm glad to be the first person you trust to know your life story. We've been through a tough time together. And after this I don't know what will happen to us. I hope you'll keep believing in me, and we'll be good friends."

"Friends?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"Not a bad idea."

Denis held out his fist in front of Alex. Alex takes his right hand out of his pants pocket and pits his fist with Denis's fist a sign their friendship is beginning. A sincere smile was engraved on Denis' lips. A smile that Alex saw for the first time. It looks so sweet.

"I just remembered, long ago, before meeting bang Theo, I intended to go to my nanny's house. I was bored at the time and left home. But bang Theo offered me a place to live and work. I canceled my original intention."

"Then?"

"How about we go to my nanny's house and we set up a plan there? Surely those people wouldn't have thought we were there."

"How do we get there? We don't even have a penny."

The two face each other. Their one heart called the same name. The only person who can help them.

*****

"Are you sure of your intentions?"

Darman stared alternately at the two people sitting in front of him. Alex has shared his plans he agreed with Denis. They're going to the town where Denis' nanny lives.

"We are sure sir. After all, the sooner the better. The longer we are accompanied only adds to the burden of the father. We've had enough trouble, Mr. Darman all along." Alex represents the talk.

"Never talk like that, son. I sincerely help you. I'm glad you're here. You don't feel lonely." Darman's eyes look teary. Haru's feeling suddenly ranted considering that the two people who had been considered as his family would instead leave him.

"We will never forget Mr. Darman's great service to us. Good man Darman will not be reciprocated with property. As soon as our business is done, I promise, I'll pick Mr. Darman away from this place." Alex puts his palm on Darman's back. His eyes were so deep that he looked at the old face of the man who had saved his life.

"That's not what you need to do. You already live here. I feel comfortable and safe here. You go, don't worry about your father. I pray that your business will be completed quickly and smoothly. Be careful out there. Your enemies may be everywhere. You guys need to stay alert. Don't trust people too much even if they are very close to you. Make past events a lesson." At length Darman gave his advice to Alex. Nodding Alex's head shows the seriousness of Alex listening to the man's message.

"Denis, stay with Alex. You guys have to take care of each other. Whatever happens." Darman turned to Denis who had been silent for a thousand languages. Darman no longer feels strange with Denis attitude.

"Yes sir." That's the only word that came out of Denis' lips.

Darman got up from his seat. Take the butut backpack he always carries with him wherever he goes. Groped into it and took out a pack from there.

"Mr doesn't need this here. You need it more. Accept it." Darman handed the package to Alex.

"What is this sir?" Doubt Alex accepted the package. Open it slowly and in an instant can see its contents. Alex surprised. His eyes immediately hit Darman's face. Looking at the same Denis for a moment was surprised to see the contents of the package. But as always, Denis' flat face can always mask his true expression.

"Get it. You're gonna need that."

"We really need this. But I'll take enough. This must be your work every day until it can be collected this much. You will need it to connect with life."

"You said you weren't worried about me. You can get it again while you try. After all, the purpose of your life right now is not that. You're okay even if you live like that. Take everything. It would be more useful if you kept it." Darman's sincere gaze melted Alex's feelings. His heart was so touched by all the kindness shown by the man. Alex clasped Darman's old hand tightly.

"I will never be able to repay all the kindness Mr. Darman. Only God can answer that. May you be given a long life and we may meet again."

"Amen."

Darman smiles. Clapped the back of Alex's hand that cupped his hand. Then turned towards Denis and rubbed his shoulders affectionately. Denis smiled faintly at the man. There was a warm feeling that was channeled by that old hand on his shoulder. It felt soaked to the heart. Denis really likes this taste. I don't want him to lose this feeling. But what power, his life path is still very far and inevitably, he must leave this place to follow his own life path.

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*****