One of the caretakers stepped forward, smiling warmly as he addressed us.
"Today," he said, "you won't just observe. You'll be part of their day."
The group went quiet immediately.
"You'll be able to feed them," he continued, gesturing toward the elephants behind him. "Help bathe them. Touch them. Spend time with them."
For a second, no one spoke.
Then—
"No way."
"You're kidding."
"That's amazing."
The excitement spread instantly. Everyone started talking at once, eyes bright, faces lit up with disbelief and joy. Even the ones who'd been quiet all morning couldn't hide their smiles.
Non practically bounced on his feet.
"We get to wash elephants?" he asked, sounding like a child on his birthday.
Taeng laughed. "I don't think I've ever been this excited in my life."
I felt it too—that lightness in my chest, the kind that comes when you know you're about to experience something unforgettable.
Before we could move any closer, Kit raised his hand.
"Before any of that," he said calmly, "there's something I need to give you."
He set his bag down, opened it, and pulled out a stack of thick, white folders.
One by one, he handed them out.
I took mine, surprised by its weight.
The moment everyone had one, curiosity buzzed through the group.
"What's this?" Pim asked, already opening hers.
I opened mine too.
And froze.
Across from me, Anamarija did the same.
She looked down at the contents, then slowly lifted her gaze to Kit, clearly stunned.
"…What is this?" she asked, her voice softer now, confused but intrigued.
Kit smiled.
"Congratulations," he said. "You've officially become their parents."
The words didn't register at first.
"Parents?" Non repeated.
Kit nodded.
"Each of you has been assigned an elephant. These files contain their names, histories, medical records, and everything about their care."
The silence that followed was heavy—then completely shattered.
"You're joking."
"No way."
"This is real?"
I looked back down at the folder in my hands, my fingers tightening slightly around the edges.
My eyes landed on a name printed neatly at the top of the page.
I swallowed.
Somehow, without Chak being here…
it still felt like this was something he'd wanted for me.
And suddenly, the day didn't just feel special anymore.
It felt meaningful.
Very meaningful.
I slowly turned the first page, my heart beating a little faster than it had any right to.
There was a photo clipped neatly inside the folder.
A young elephant.
Still small, her ears slightly too big for her body, her eyes gentle and curious. She stood close to her mother in the picture, trunk curled inward like she wasn't quite sure what to do with it yet.
My chest tightened.
Under the photo, in clear letters, was her name.
Tisa.
I didn't even realize I'd smiled until Taeng leaned closer.
"Oh wow," he whispered. "She's beautiful."
"She is," I said softly, barely hearing my own voice.
Around us, everyone was reacting the same way—soft laughs, surprised gasps, hands covering mouths. Pim wiped at her eyes. Amara was already taking pictures of the folder like it was the most precious thing she'd ever held.
Non blinked at his papers, then looked up at Kit.
"Wait. So… this is our elephant?"
"Yes," Kit replied simply. "From today on."
Non stared back down at the folder again.
"…I'm a parent."
That earned a laugh from the group, easing the tension, but the weight of it all stayed with me.
Anamarija flipped through her folder slowly, then closed it and pressed it lightly to her chest.
"That's… incredible," she said quietly. "I didn't expect this."
Kit watched us for a moment, then added, "This isn't just symbolic. Your support helps with food, medical care, protection. You're part of their lives now."
Part of her life.
I looked up again, just in time to see Tisa lift her trunk curiously, as if she'd sensed us watching. One of the caretakers guided her gently closer, his hand resting against her side.
"She's calm," he said to me with a smile. "You can come closer if you want."
My feet moved before my thoughts could catch up.
I stepped forward carefully, the world narrowing until it was just me and her.
Tisa's dark eyes met mine.
I swallowed, then slowly reached out.
Her skin was warm beneath my fingers—rougher than I'd imagined, alive, real. She let out a soft sound, almost like a breath, and leaned into the touch.
I laughed quietly, overwhelmed.
"Hi," I whispered. "I guess… I'm yours now."
Behind me, I heard Anamarija speak, teasing but gentle.
"Careful, Niran. Looks like she already likes you."
I smiled, my hand still resting against Tisa's side.
For the first time that day, I wished he were standing right here beside me—so I could share this moment with him.
But even without him, I felt it.
This wasn't just an outing.
It was the beginning of a bond.
The caretaker smiled at my reaction and gently guided Tisa a little closer to the shallow water area nearby.
"In a moment," he said to all of us, "you'll be able to help wash them. Slowly. Calm movements. They feel everything."
That alone made everyone straighten up.
"Wash them?" Non repeated, eyes wide. "Like… actually?"
"Yes," another caretaker laughed. "With brushes. And water."
That was it.
The group exploded.
"You're kidding."
"This is the best thing ever."
"I'm not emotionally prepared for this."
Amara bounced on her toes. "I'm going to cry. I know I'm going to cry."
Pim was already rolling up her sleeves. "I don't care if I ruin my clothes."
Kit clapped his hands once, amused but firm.
"Alright. One at a time. Respect the caretakers' instructions. These are gentle animals—but they're still powerful."
I nodded instinctively, my hand still resting on Tisa's side. She shifted slightly, her trunk brushing my arm by accident—or maybe not by accident at all.
My breath caught.
She made a soft, curious sound.
"That means she's comfortable," the caretaker said. "She likes you."
I crouched slightly, keeping my movements slow as instructed. Water splashed gently as one of the caretakers handed me a brush.
"Like this," he demonstrated, brushing along Tisa's side in long, steady strokes.
I copied him.
The brush dragged softly against her skin, water dripping down in thin lines. Tisa leaned into it, clearly enjoying the attention, her ears flapping lazily.
I laughed under my breath.
"You're spoiled already," I murmured.
Behind me, Taeng let out a quiet chuckle. "You look… different."
I glanced back at him. "Different how?"
"Happy," he said simply.
That stopped me for a second.
Was I?
I looked back at Tisa, at the way she stood so calmly beside me, trusting without question.
Yeah, I thought. I really am.
Anamarija approached with her own elephant, laughing as water splashed up and soaked the hem of her clothes.
"I officially look like a mess," she said cheerfully.
She narrowed her eyes and looked Kit:"You all knew, didn't you?"
Kit only shrugged.
Non suddenly yelped from the other side.
"HEY—mine just sprayed water at me!"
Laughter rippled through the group.
I wiped my hands on my shorts, then continued brushing Tisa gently, feeling something settle deep in my chest—a quiet sense of responsibility, of connection.
If Chak were here,I thought again, he'd pretend not to care… but I know he'd be smiling.
As if summoned by the thought, my phone vibrated faintly in my pocket.
I froze for half a second.
Then slowly, carefully, I pulled it out.
A message.
Chak:
Did you arrive?
My lips curved upward without permission.
I typed back with one hand.
Me:
Yes. You should see this.
I think you'd love it.
There was a pause.
Then another vibration.
Chak:
Take pictures. I want proof.
I huffed a quiet laugh.
Me:
Deal.
I slipped the phone away and returned my full attention to Tisa, brushing gently as she leaned closer again.
The sun was warm above us. Laughter echoed around the park. Water splashed, elephants moved slowly, peacefully.
And for the first time in a long while, the future didn't feel heavy.
It felt… open.
I was still brushing Tisa when Kit approached from behind, his voice low enough that only I could hear.
"Niran," he said casually, like he was commenting on the weather, "there's something you should know."
I glanced at him, confused. "About what?"
He nodded toward Tisa, who was now happily flicking water with her trunk.
"About her."
My hand stilled on the brush. "What about her?"
Kit smiled—small, knowing.
"She's not just yours."
I frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
He met my eyes.
"Chak is listed as the co-sponsor."
For a second, the world around me blurred.
"…What?" I breathed.
Kit leaned a little closer. "He arranged it few days ago. Told the foundation to put it under your name too. He did it because he loves you and because...
you need to ask him to tell you."
I felt warm in my chest. I have a child with Chak. She isn't human, but she is still ours.
"He did this… without telling me?" I asked quietly.
Kit nodded. "Classic Chak."
I looked back at Tisa—at our elephant—standing there so calmly, so trustingly.
Of course he did, I thought.
Of course.
I swallowed hard, blinking once as emotion crept up on me uninvited.
Kit chuckled and patted my shoulder. "He cares more than he ever says."
Before I could answer, one of the caretakers clapped his hands.
"Alright!" he called out cheerfully. "Time to feed them."
That got everyone's attention immediately.
"FEED them?" Non shouted. "As in—like—by hand?"
"Yes," the caretaker confirmed, lifting a large basket filled with bananas, sugarcane, and chunks of watermelon. "Slow movements. Flat palm. Let them take it with their trunk."
Amara squealed. "I'm going to faint."
Pim grabbed a banana. "If I die, tell my story."
The caretakers handed out food one by one. When it was my turn, I took a long piece of sugarcane, my heart suddenly racing like I was about to do something dangerous.
Tisa turned toward me instantly, ears perking slightly.
"Okay," I whispered, holding the sugarcane out with both hands. "Easy… easy…"
Her trunk lifted, curious, then gently wrapped around the cane.
The contact was soft—but firm.
And then, just like that, it was gone.
I laughed, startled. "Oh—wow."
She chewed happily, completely unfazed, while I stood there grinning like an idiot.
Taeng stared at me. "You're gone. Completely gone."
"I really am," I admitted.
Anamarija stepped closer, watching Tisa fondly. "So… Chak's involved too?"
I nodded, still a little dazed. "Yeah. Apparently."
She smiled, warm and understanding. "That suits him."
I pulled my phone out again, hands slightly shaky, and snapped a photo of Tisa mid-chew, her trunk still half-curled.
Then I sent it.
Me:
She's ours.
The reply came almost immediately.
Chak:
…She looks happy.
I smiled softly at the screen.
Me:
She is.
I think you'd be proud of her.
There was a longer pause this time.
Then:
Chak:
I am.
I slipped the phone away again, my chest feeling too full for words.
Around me, laughter continued—Non shrieking as his elephant tried to steal two bananas at once, Amara feeding watermelon with exaggerated seriousness, Pim talking to her elephant like it was a baby.
I fed Tisa again, slower this time, watching the way she trusted me completely.