A Wandering Ronin

The Promise

The fire continued to gush so as to make a beautiful light. Several people who happened to pass by suddenly turned and approached out of curiosity. Berna felt happy when the people gathered praised her as a magician.

"You're great," said one man.

"Yes he is great," said a mother who was holding her child.

After Berna showed some tricks, the gathered people dispersed as it was getting dark.

"Great!" Ellie smiled and gave a thumbs up after everyone left.

Berna smiled shyly.

"Let's go home, Ellie," said Zaru as he grabbed Ellie's hand.

"So, I can be your friend?" asked Berna.

Zaru didn't answer. He kept walking while pulling Ellie's hand followed by Weda and Nandi. But Berna was not sad. He was very happy today because people finally acknowledged his existence. But also he was sad that he was alone again. Berna returned to the orphanage and was immediately treated to household chores such as sweeping, mopping, and cleaning the bathroom.

Until the next week, Berna could not leave the orphanage. Everyone is busy because there are several prospective parents who will adopt. And it turns out that only two children can be adopted. Friday, is the last day in a series of prospective parents who come to adopt. Already from dawn, all the children prepared such as cleaning themselves and wearing proper and formal clothes. Including the nanny.

At exactly eight in the morning, all the children lined up. When the hooves of horses were heard, the nanny prepared to open the door.

"All of you get ready and don't make any noise," said the nanny.

After the sound of the horse's hooves stopped, there was the sound of approaching footsteps followed by a knock on the door. The nanny opened the door and saw two not-so-old married couples. The husband's clothes wear a suit and the wife wears a dark red dress complete with a bag that always hangs on her right wrist.

"Welcome, Mr. Marudi and Mrs. Merna," said the nanny.

"Oh Erma, you dressing your children too much in this formal way," said Merna, a woman with a sharp chin, curly hair but neatly curled and tied with a flower headband.

"It's all right, madam," replied Erma.

"How long have you been a nanny?" asked Marudi, who was stocky, with big cheeks and a thick mustache.

Erma replied, “Ten years, sir.”

"That’s a long time. Here are you alone taking care of them?”

"Yes. After Aunt Orin retires, I will take care of this home,” Erma nodded.

Erma then invited Marudi and Merna to sit and they were served warm tea and some bread. They both drank a few sips then chatted.

"It must be a hassle taking care of this orphanage alone," said Marudi, playing with his mustache.

"Only ten children is not too much trouble. But two have been adopted so now there are eight left. So it's lighter," replied Erma with a warm smile.

"Where did you find them?" now it was Merna's turn to ask.

“Most of them are children that residents found when they were babies. Some were sent here because they were orphans and often wandered the market.”

"Where did you get the funds from?"

“The village often allocates funds for our orphanage. So indirectly this orphanage is funded by the residents.”

Marudi then looked at the children who were still lined up neatly. He then stood up and approached them then took a closer look at each one. All the kids are nervous. Except for Berna. Because he was thinking about Ellie because he hadn't seen her in a week. When Marudi finished taking a close look at the children, he sat back down.

"We want to adopt a child who is good at academics," said Marudi as he sipped his tea.

"Can we take a look at all of their academic books?" Merna asked Erma.

“Sure,” Erma stood up and walked into a room.

When she searched for the academic books of all the orphanage children, her heart felt cynical. She had thought that Berna would be chosen to be the foster child of the noble husband and wife. All this time, Erma hated Berna because of her intelligence. So did the other orphanage children. So sometimes they bully Berna. Erma was also an orphan and was raised by Aunt Orin in this orphanage. And already considered her own child by Aunt Orin. When a wealthy family wants to adopt a child, it should be Erma who is adopted. But because there was another child who excelled academically, she was not adopted. That's how Erma started hating Berna.

Erma had found the orphanage children's academic books. After that she came out and gave it to Merna.

"Hemm..." Merna muttered while looking through all the academic books.

"So how's it going, Honey?" Marudi asked his wife.

"Looks like we found a suitable child," Merna replied, handing her an academic book.

Marudi saw the book. He just nodded.

“This kid has a hidden talent. Could you please call this child?” Marudi asked Erma while showing the name written in the academic book.

"Damn," she said to himself. Her guess was right, it turned out that Berna was the chosen one.

Berna was then called. He stood in front of Marudi and Merna.

"Your name is Berna?" asked Merna.

Berna nodded politely.

"You have another name?" asked Marudi.

“I dont have another name, sir,” Bernea replied with a shake of his head.

Marudi and Merna then discussed in whispers. After a while they both nodded.

“We chose Berna for adoption. We will pick you up tomorrow in the morning," said Marudi.

“W... well, sir. I will prepare the adoption agreement documents when you pick up Berna,” Erma smiled sweetly. In fact, in his heart he hates Berna even more.

Meanwhile, Berna is sad because she will part with Ellie. He was afraid that he would never see the girl again.

Marudi and Merna then said goodbye. After that Erma approached Berna with a look full of hatred.

"Why?" asked Erma as she glared at Berna.

"Why what?" asked Berna who was confused by Erma's question.

"Why do smart kids always piss me off?"

"What do you mean?"

"I should be the son of a rich family by now. But because of one smart child, I had to keep my dream under wraps. Why do you always get privileges over stupid kids?”

“Erma, actually I don't want to be chosen either. I can talk to them--”

"Enough!" shouted Erma.

"Erma," said Berna.

"He used to say that too. It's exactly the same as what you just said."

"Erma I..." Berna held Erma's hand but Erma pushed it away.

“Pack all your stuff,” said Erma.

That night, Berna slipped through a secret little door and into the forest where he used to train. He hoped Ellie would come tonight. While waiting for an hour, there was no sign of Ellie's arrival. Berna then grieved. He lowered his head and educated under a big tree. Not long after, the sound of footsteps was heard. When Berna looked in the direction of the voice, she saw the figure she had longed for.

"Ellie!" call Berna.

“Berna,” Ellie ran over to Berna.

"I thought you wouldn't come."

"I often come here when there is a problem at home."

"Problem?"

Ellie looked away and said, “My parents sometimes fight over debt. So when they are arguing, I secretly come here to cheer myself up.”

Berna didn't say anything. But he had to say something.

"Ellie, tomorrow I will be brought by my new parents," said Berna.

Ellie then looked at Berna with sparkling eyes.

“You will be adopted?” Ellie asked, holding Berna's hand. Of course it made Berna's cheeks turn red with embarrassment.

Berna nodded then replied, “Yes. I'm afraid we won't see each other again."

"Where are your new parents' house?"

"I do not know. But from the looks of it, they are like the family of royalty.”

“Ah, that means they live in an elite region.”

“Elite region?”

“It is three kilometers from the village. There the area where the nobles and the rich lived. Let me guess. Surely they came here in a fancy horse-drawn carriage?”

"I do not know. But from inside, you can hear the sound of horse's hooves."

"Congratulations, you're a child of a noble family," Ellie held out her hand.

“B…but how about you? I don't want to part with you."

"I'm used to being alone."

Suddenly Berna hugged Ellie tightly.

“Ellie, I want to get closer to you. You're the only person who thinks I exist in this world. I want to help you.”

“Berna,” Ellie let go of Berna's arms slowly.

"Why Ellie?"

"We can still meet here. How about we make an promise?”

"What promise?"

"Promise that every Sunday, we meet in the village park."

"You're serious?"

Ellie nodded.

"Every Sunday, the morning we will always meet?"

Ellie nodded again. She then raised the little finger of his right hand. Berna also raised the little finger of her right hand. Then their little fingers stuck together and promised to see each other again next week.

To be continued...