Chapter 3: Orphanage
Reluctant to take care of her husband's nephew, Maurasika's sister-in-law suggested taking Arjuna to an orphanage. He was still ten, and could still be brought there. The selected orphanage is also far from their city. Deliberately chosen far. The reason was so that Arjuna would not continue to be sad, because he remembered his mother and ended up staying at the cemetery again. Unmitigated, they took Arjuna across the island.
In the end, Maurasika's brother delivered his little sister with a broken heart. Helplessness and a loser attitude, making the only legacy of his sister wasted. He felt ashamed as a man.
"Thank you for taking me. Wish you always happy."
Arjuna's farewell sentence added to the sadness in Maurasika's older brother's heart.
He was the cause of the beginning of his sister's suffering. Just because they want to give the best for their eldest son, his parents owe him a lot. Until they can't pay. Then, her sister became a victim, like Siti Nurbaya. It's just that the one who married was not Datuk Maringgih, but the son, whose depravity exceeded that of Maringgih.
Like Malin Kundang, Maurasika's brother is even more disobedient. He realized that. Malin Kundang even more in this era. Malin Kundang millennial era, modern. It is not their bodies that are cursed to be stone, but their hearts. Like igneous rock.
After his eldest uncle had really come home, had finished his business with the head of the orphanage, Arjuna was ushered into his new room. Similar to a dormitory, sleeping together in one room. One room can consist of ten people or more than that. Each room has a name. Arjuna's room and of course the children who were already there first were named: Arsalan. It means lion.
"It's fine here, friends don't fight each other either!" warned the head of the men's room. On his ID was written the name: Siti.
Arjuna did not answer, but nodded his head.
Arjuna's belongings which only consisted of a few pieces of clothes and a photo of his mother were placed in a small cupboard. A cupboard that is also shared with one other person.
Now and in the future, this is the point of his new life. From now on, he belongs to no one but the Creator. He has no one but the Almighty. He is an unrelated orphan. He's alone. No fathers, uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins or anything like that. He is just Arjuna Ronivanendra, alone.
However, still. Although he hardened his heart, every time he wanted to sleep, his tears always fell on the pillow. Sometimes lamenting a fate that feels cruel.
Living in an orphanage is indeed more comfortable, provided a place to sleep and eat. With other tasks, Arjuna is not a problem. He did what he was assigned, including feeding the cattle or cleaning the bathroom. However, his social life is a bit disturbing. It was only because he was new, and in that room that he was the youngest, that he was treated like a slave. Washing all their clothes to cleaning the room alone. He has been treated this way for three months, sometimes even taking his food rations, or if he is lucky he leaves half of it. To fight, he was afraid to be expelled. Not to mention, this place was foreign to him.
Once he almost killed himself, trying to catch up with his mother. Then, by fate he was saved, awakened from the crooked path he was taking. The person said that there are many more people in the world who are in worse condition, but they are kind enough to the fate of the Creator.
"It's true, every human problem is different. It is not meant to compare, but to guard against evil deeds, we should look at those who suffer more than us."
This, his mother had also said when Arjuna complained why he and his mother were given a pathetic fate. Exactly. Because of that, he canceled the intention to kill himself.
"Destiny. Whether good or bad, it comes from God. If you are patient with this test, then Allah will raise your rank. So, be patient."
Arjuna, unconsciously hugged the person. The one who reminded him of his mother. The person who was hugged, returned the hug. If only he did not cancel the marriage, maybe the age of his son was around Arjuna's age, or not far from that.
"Suicide, if he dies, his place is in hell. Satan will be happy because of his enmity to Adam and his descendants. You are the leader of yourself. Fight that demon whisper!"
Arjuna found out that the adult man was the biggest and most consistent contributor to providing funds for this orphanage. Very noble, he is usually addressed as: Uncle Crescent.
In fact he never got inside where the children lived. However, at that time, his heart seemed to be constantly forcing him to enter. Then he found Arjun holding the knife he was about to slit into his own throat.
At that time, Uncle Crescent recited takbir in surprise. Therefore, the demon that seduced Arjuna, followed for a while, the young boy's nerves did not function. Rigid. So, the adult man did not waste the opportunity to keep the razor blade away from poor Arjuna's neck.
"Say: Astaghfirullah!"
Arjuna followed the man's orders. Sweet. That's what the man pinned on this man. Sweet because in fact he is an obedient child.
Rumors ensued. Then, the conclusion that the person got from this teenager's only conversation was the new kid who was placed in Arsalan's room. Not long after that, the head of the orphanage, along with the staff on duty, came to secure Arjuna. Especially for the head of the orphanage, he invited the biggest contributor to his orphanage to the office. At least the person was relieved that Arjuna had been arrested. He could not linger there either. After knowing Arjuna was safe, he said goodbye, he had a lot of work to do. Considering the five-year target of returning to his hometown, and opening a supermarket there.
To protect Arjuna, he was not given support, or asked what the problem was, and then found a solution. It's never like that.
"Clean all the warehouses! Naughty! Shame on you!"
Not only that, now he is also the subject of months in the orphanage. Not only on that day, but it was determined that he was being bullied older than him, even some of the young, hypocritical staff. In front of the head mother, it looks nurturing and gentle, but it's actually the opposite. When no one knows, he transforms into a demoness, to his true form. We don't know why the image is so perfect. That crazy woman should have won an Oscar.
At first, Arjuna wanted to ignore the voices of discordant ridicule from the children's tongues. But, he changed his mind to be eager to hear the pleas of mercy from the tongues of the children who were looking for trouble with him. Either intentionally or not.
"I have to become stronger, than before. Only to protect myself, not to hurt."
The Crescent Uncle never visited the orphanage again because of his busy schedule. However, the people there interpreted otherwise. Most of them assumed Arjuna was the cause, especially the female staff. It is known that she has a deep love for this mature, well-established and handsome man. Because of that woman, Arjuna was called a monster, without reflecting on who the monster really was.
"I'll show you later, how the monster is, just see!" Arjuna looked at himself shabby in the mirror in front of his room. There are no plump cheeks, his body is now emaciated.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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