"For the next two years, this will be our home." Stopping the car in front of a house, Mr. Lore spoke to his son, who had been sitting in the back, playing on his phone.
Liam's blue eyes slowly lifted from the screen as he looked at the house. He didn't seem very interested. Having lived in the city since birth, the village wasn't to his taste.
With a disappointed expression, he stepped out of the car and picked up his luggage. Inside, the house wasn't much different from what he used to be.
"Your room is on the second floor the left one." Mr. Lore spoke.
He went to his assigned room on the second floor. Tossing his luggage onto the sofa, he looked around. Everything was neat and clean. Slowly, he walked toward the window.
He opened it, and a gentle breeze flowed in. As he enjoyed it, the sound of children playing reached his ears. He looked around and saw a group of children nearby.
"What are you looking at?" Mr. Lore's voice came from behind.
Liam turned and pointed toward the place where the children were playing.
"That's an orphanage," Mr. Lore said.
"Orphanage?" Liam asked, slightly taken aback.
"How about we visit tomorrow? It wouldn't be a bad idea to make some friends nearby…" Mr. Lore said, gently patting his head.
He would soon be busy with a new company project, and before that, he wanted to spend some time with Liam and help him adjust with the new environment.
"Okay…" Liam agreed.
The next day, Mr. Lore took Liam to the orphanage, bringing a few gifts for the children. The director welcomed them warmly.
Bored with the adults' conversation, Liam wandered outside. Most of the children were younger than him, so he couldn't find anyone to talk to.
Just as he was about to take out his mobile to play, the sound of a piano stopped him.
The melody seemed to guide his steps, and before he knew it, he was standing beside the room where the music was coming from.
More than the music, it was the boy playing the piano that caught his attention.
The boy had calm, angelic features. His light green eyes gently watched the children sitting around him, enjoying the music.
Liam couldn't take his eyes off him.
Suddenly, someone pushed him from behind. Losing his balance, he fell straight to the floor.
The sudden commotion startled everyone. The children burst into laughter at the sight of Liam lying there. Embarrassed, he didn't even want to get up.
"Are you alright?" the boy asked, hurrying toward him with concern.
"Yeah…" Liam's face turned red as he stood up.
Seeing the unfamiliar face, the boy asked, "Are you a new admission here?"
"Huh! No… I came with my father to visit," Liam replied, unable to understand why his heart was beating so fast like crazy.
"Brother Ayaan… play the music!" one of the children called.
"Brother Ayaan!" others joined in.
"Coming…" Ayaan replied.
Just then, Mr. Lore's voice called from a distance, "Liam!"
"I need to go…" Liam said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
Ayaan simply nodded with a gentle smile.
Before leaving, Liam turned back. "You play the piano really well." Giving a small compliment, he left.
"Where were you?" Mr. Lore asked as Liam returned. "We need to leave."
"Alright then, Ms. Fiora, we'll meet again," Mr. Lore said, bidding farewell to the orphanage director.
As the car moves, Liam's eyes silently search for Ayaan. Hoping to catch one last glimpse of him—but he couldn't find him anywhere.
From that day on, Liam began watching the orphanage from his room. He even bought a pair of binoculars to see more clearly.
In his lonely new home, his only source of joy became watching Ayaan from afar.
Ayaan was kind and bright. Being older than most of the children, he was also responsible.
Sometimes Liam saw him reading completely immersed in it, once Ayaan been hit by a ball.
Ayaan's life and his happiness, begun to brighten up Liam's world as well.
Liam wanted to get closer with Ayaan—but how?
He had never approached anyone before. His family background and good looks had always made people come to him instead.
Still, he decided to take the first step.
The next day, he went near the orphanage—but couldn't find Ayaan. Disappointed, he returns but never give up.
The following day, he waited until he saw Ayaan outside. Then he rushed over, trying to act casual.
"Hi…" Liam greeted.
"Hi," Ayaan replied, walking up to the fence.
Liam's heart started racing again.
"What a coincidence… I was heading to the market and ran into you," Liam said.
"I think you took the wrong turn. The market is in the opposite direction," Ayaan said calmly.
"What?" Liam froze, not knowing what to say. He wished he had just told the truth.
"My mistake… I'm not very good with directions. Thanks…" he said awkwardly before walking away.
The next day, he returned again, carefully checking the time when Ayaan usually came outside.
"Hi…" Liam greeted first.
"Where are you going today?" Ayaan asked teasingly.
"I came here to meet you," Liam said.
"Me? Why?"
"You seem to know this place well… so could you be my guide for a few days? Like I said, I'm not good with directions… and you're the only one I feel comfortable approaching." Liam spoke smoothly—he had practiced those words all night after all.
"I loved to help but I need to ask the director for permission first. I'll give you an answer tomorrow. Is that okay?" Ayaan said.
"Okay, I can wait." Liam tried to hide the excitement lighting up his face.
"Children, it's snack time! Come inside!" the director called.
"I have to go… I'll tell you tomorrow," Ayaan said while taking his leave.
Liam nodded and stayed there until Ayaan's figure disappeared from his sight and return home without holding back his excitement.