Fatefull Meet

"Sister Ana...?"

I smiled. "It’s been a long time, Sister."

Sister Ana returned the smile, gently caressing Rahn’s cheek. "Little Rahn... You’ve grown so much. How has life been treating you? You look more handsome and healthier than when you were here."

Rahn smiled back, but there was pain behind it. He knew his time in this world was running out.

Noticing his expression, Sister Ana frowned. "Rahn, why do you look so sad? Are you alright?"

The moment she asked, Rahn could no longer hold back his emotions. It had been so long since someone had shown genuine concern for him. Sister Ana had once been like a mother to him at the orphanage.

She pulled him into a warm embrace. "What’s wrong, my child? Tell me everything. Didn’t I always tell you? Whenever you need anything, come back here. I’ll always be here to listen."

Rahn's voice trembled as he tried to speak. "Sister... I-I..."

She gently patted his shoulder. "Come, sit down first. Have some water, then tell me everything at your own pace."

Rahn shook his head and wiped his tears. "It’s okay, Sister. What’s past is past. I actually came here to buy some bread, but fate had other plans... I never expected to meet you again after seven long years."

Sister Ana sighed. "If you don’t want to talk now, that’s fine. Just remember, my doors are always open for you."

Rahn smiled faintly. "Thank you, Sister. It’s getting late. I should head back now. And these children... they’re so full of energy. I pray they stay healthy and strong."

Sister Ana watched as Rahn bid his farewell, gently placing his forehead against her hand before leaving. He walked away, disappearing into the night, heading back to his modest apartment.

Click

The door opened to a dark, empty room.

"Quiet... as always."

He hung his coat and hat on the rack, walked toward the refrigerator, and pulled out a bottle of alcohol. Settling onto the sofa, he turned on the TV and took a deep sip from the bottle.

Placing a hand over his eyes, he muttered, "When will this end...? But even if it does... it’s pointless, isn’t it? My time is running out anyway."

As he sat in silence, memories of his past came rushing back.

At the orphanage, children were constantly adopted, leaving with their new parents, calling them 'Mom' and 'Dad.' But Rahn was different. Born with visual and auditory impairments, no one ever chose him. No one knew why he had these conditions, and no one wanted to take care of a child with them.

Year after year, the cycle repeated. Rejection. Isolation. Abandonment. Over time, Rahn shut himself off from the world, relying on no one but himself.

The memory faded.

The sharp sound of his alarm clock snapped him back to reality. He instinctively reached for his work clothes, but then realized—it was the weekend. With a tired sigh, he slumped back onto the couch, taking another sip of alcohol.

Anger and frustration bubbled within him. A deep, bitter hatred.

CRACK!

The bottle shattered against the floor. He glared at the ceiling. "Why am I still repeating the same cycle...? Haven’t I become better? At least... before my time is up?"

The TV played an adoption campaign—again.

"Do you have no sympathy? Why must these innocent children suffer? If you are willing, please help them through the number below."

Rahn stared at the screen. Something clicked in his mind, He wash his face, and

Without hesitation, he threw on his brown coat and rushed out of the apartment, locking the door behind him. He ran through the car, and drive it, gasping for breath, his thoughts racing.

"If I’m going to die... at least let me bring happiness to someone. At least let someone remember me."

He arrived at the orphanage and knocked urgently on the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

Sister Ana opened it. "Rahn? What brings you here so early?"

Rahn took a deep breath. "Sister... I want to adopt a child. I’ll do everything required. Just tell me what I need to do."

She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Calm down, my child. Take a deep breath first. Alright, come inside."

Inside, the children were still sleeping. Rahn’s eyes immediately landed on Bella and Leon—the two kids he met the day before.

"Sister, I want to adopt them. Both of them. Can I?"

Sister Ana’s expression turned serious. "Rahn... are you sure? I’m happy you want to adopt, but raising children is not something to be taken lightly—especially two of them."

Rahn clenched his fists. "Sister, I’m certain. Please... tell me what I need to do."

She sighed but smiled softly. "You’ve always been a kind and responsible child. Alright, I believe in you."

They sat down and discussed everything—the requirements, responsibilities, and legal process of adoption.

Yawn...

Bella rubbed her eyes. "Leon... wake up... Sister Ana is calling us."

Leon yawned, stretching. "Huh? Why? Did something happen?"

Still half-asleep, they walked toward Sister Ana.

Leon tugged at her clothes. "Sister, why did you call us so early...?"

She smiled warmly. "Go wash up first and get dressed. Then meet me at the front door. There’s a surprise waiting for you."

The two children exchanged confused glances but did as they were told. As they got dressed, they noticed the neat, beautiful clothes prepared for them—something they rarely received.

Twenty minutes later, they stood before Sister Ana, looking puzzled.

Leon asked, "Sister, why are we wearing such nice clothes? Is there a special event today?"

She chuckled. "Step outside and see for yourselves."

They hesitantly opened the door—and saw Rahn waiting outside.

Leon blinked. "Oh? The man from yesterday? Why are you here, Uncle?"

Bella tilted her head. "Yeah, why did you come so early?"

Sister Ana knelt in front of them, her voice warm but tinged with emotion. "Leon, Bella... I will miss you both so much. The man in front of you... wants to be your father. Be happy, okay?"

The children froze. Their hearts pounded. Since forever, they had longed for a family. For someone to call ‘Mom’ or ‘Dad.’

Tears welled in their eyes as they ran to hug Sister Ana, then slowly turned toward Rahn.

Leon stammered, "U-Uncle... do you really want to be our father?"

Bella wiped her tears. "I-Is it true...? You’re adopting us?"

Rahn smiled, kneeling to their level and ruffling their hair. "Of course. From now on, we’ll live together. And I’ll make sure you both get happy life and can have a school!"

The two children giggled in excitement, holding hands and spinning in circles.

Rahn turned to Sister Ana. "Thank you for everything, Sister. I’ll also donate to help support the orphanage."

She smiled. "Just adopting them is enough to make me happy. Thank you for your kindness."

Rahn pressed his forehead against her hand. "This is my way of repaying you for everything. I’ll be going now—I want to take them out for a meal."

Hand in hand, Bella and Leon sang happily as they walked with Rahn.

"It’s the best day ever~"

For the first time in a long while, Rahn felt something strange. Something warm. Despite his limited time left, he could still feel happiness... through the innocent voices of Bella and Leon.