Chapter 35：Little Beings

***

Writer's POV:

As the days flew by, Asahd got closer to Allison but even closer to Saïda. After the birthday issue, their 'friendship' bond had grown stronger and they literally confided in each other without any hesitation. Who would've thought.

On the other side too, things were positive. He actually started to grow deeper feelings for Allison which made the girl very happy. His heart wasn't completely hers yet and she knew it. But she also knew that things were getting more serious between them than they were at the start, giving her the courage to try harder and make Asahd completely hers.

*

Asahd's POV:

It was the weekend and the boys and I went strolling around town. I'd gotten closer to both of them and we even confided in one another, though I couldn't tell them my secret. Who I really was. Other than that, they weren't afraid of sharing their problems with me and telling me what they were going through. We supported and advised one another.

Sometimes I would listen to their stories and realise that I'd been a spoiled brat all my life! Complaining about what was more than enough and demanding much more. Whenever I heard their issues, I felt like punching myself in face.   Both guys were nothing like me. They were humble, very friendly with everyone and satisfied with the little they had. The only things I actually had in common with them was the fact that we were of the same age group and all took school seriously, though I'd already graduated from a professional college.

"I go there every Saturday to go help the donators share food to the children." Derrick explained.

On weekends, he always went to the orphanage where he grew up to help the workers there with the kids. He'd been adopted by good people at the age of seven. He'd explained how he never had hopes of leaving that place because most people that came would adopt the white kids. But one fortunate day, a couple came for him. Ironically, they were a white couple and they took perfectly care of him until he was fully grown.

"Oh, you went today?" I asked.

"In an hour's time."

"C– can I come and help too?" I asked, swallowing a little.

"Sure, man!"

"I'm in too." Alex smiled.

"Great. We always need a helping hand. Some kind store owners, nice people and donators bring some snacks, water, toys and little necessities for the kids. Some schools too donate their old but usable textbooks to the orphanage, for the children."

"That's great."

"Yeah. If y'all want, we can go now." he proposed and we agreed.

**

My heart threatened to break into two when I saw the cute little kids and toddlers that had either been abandoned or had lost their parents, playing around. My heart ached so bad when I saw them.

"Derrick!!" a little girl of about five, squealed happily and ran up to Derrick who lifted her up in his arms immediately.

"Lucyyyyy!!" he laughed and playfully threw her in the air. Her happy giggles were the best sound ever. My eyes actually prickled.

"How are you??"

"I'm fine! I learnt how to spell more words today!" she squealed and I almost melted.

"Really?? Who's a good girl??"

"Me!"

Alex and I didn't even realise how dumb we looked, smiling like idiots.

"Who are these?" she asked shyly, covering her face with her little palms and referring to us.

"My buddies."

"Are they nice?" she asked with a shy smile.

"Of course. This is Alex, and that's Asahd."

"Hellooooo." she chanted and I lost it.

"Can I carry her?" I asked without thinking twice.

"Sure." Derrick chuckled and passed her to me. I carried her and she giggled happily, touching my hair.

"Your hair looks like noodles!" she laughed and I chuckled at her cuteness.

"Really? You like noodles, right?"

"Uh huh!" she giggled, covering her eyes.

"Well how about we become friends and give each other nicknames, what do you say?"

"Oki!"

"You'll call me noodles and I'll call you, giggles!" I tickled her a little and she laughed.

"Okay, noodles!"

"Hey Lucy, you like candy?" Alex asked her and she nodded happily.

"Well, today is your lucky day!"

He took out some sweets and gave them to her. She took them happily and leaned in to hug him. She was just the cutest!

"Thank you! I'll call you candy man!" she said and we laughed. I put her down and she rushed along to go play.

"Sad story. Her father was a gang leader and mother a cocaine addict. She died of an overdose in her apartment. Neighbors found two year old Lucy, hungry and crying for attention, her mother's lifeless body not far away."

The sting in my chest.

"Man, I'm ready to help here every Saturday with you." Alex said.

"Same here." I added.

"Great. Let's go meet Mrs Jonson. She's the owner of the orphanage. I'll tell her about you."

"Alright." we replied.

--

Mrs Jonson happily accepted our help.

We spent the entire day, playing with kids and helping the employees to take care of them. I just loved being with the kids. What irony. Some while ago I couldn't stand kids because I found them too noisy and playful. This time it was completely different. The moment I carried Lucy, played ball with ten year old henry, fed little Sheldon who was only three years old, read stories to all the toddlers and tucked them in for a nap, everything changed. Every single thing changed.

We finished helping when it was 7pm. It'd been a tiring day but I'd enjoyed it very much. I was sure to return every Saturday for as long as I was there.

**

Writer's POV:

Back home, Djafar had been worried that Asahd had been out for hours and had not sent any text about his whereabouts like he usually did.

"He is still quite stubborn. Why hasn't he texted? I'm all worried over here." Djafar complained.

New York was still a big city and Asahd was still a Prince. He had to be careful of his whereabouts because if the wrong people discovered who he really was, who knew what they might do to him in exchange for money or so.

"I'm sure he's fine, father. He'll be home soon." Saïda told her father, though she was very worried herself.

About ten minutes later, Asahd finally walked in through the apartment's door.

"Asahd, where were you?" Djafar immediately asked, worry in his tone.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Asahd gasped a little, "I'd been so busy today, I forgot to text or call, Djafar. Sorry." he sat with them, pleading with Djafar.

"You got me really worried."

"Us." Saïda corrected.

"I'm sorry." Asahd said to her.

"What kept you so busy, as you say."

"I had a wonderful day." he told them with a happy smile, remembering the cute children. "I was with the most beautiful and pure little people. It felt amazing. Honestly."

"What?" Father and daughter asked in confusion.

"You know derrick right? Yeah. He helps to take care of the kids at the orphanage, every Saturday. We asked to go with him and we did. I saw beautiful children, Djafar! Little angels. We helped take care of them and..."

While Asahd was happily carried away, explaining his story, Djafar and his daughter stared at him like they were seeing an alien or something.

"I played with them until it was lunch. I helped feed the very young ones. It's shocking to see such beautiful children who've been abandoned or made orphans from birth or so. They are such happy little beings you know. There's this very funny little boy..." he laughed out, remembering the kid in particular, "...he made us laugh throughout and..."

Saïda was now smiling and staring a Asahd in surprise. She was amused and pleased at how enthusiastic he was, speaking about the children. She looked at her surprised father who was now smiling too and had forgotten about his anger.

-

"So," Asahd concluded, "I'll be helping at the orphanage on Saturdays, if I have nothing else important to do that day."

"That's amazing, Asahd." Djafar said happily. "You have pics of the place and kids?"

"Of course." he gave his phone to Djafar who scrolled through the pictures.

"Sometimes I'll follow you." Saïda said to Asahd, putting a hand on his. "I'm so happy you are going to be doing that. They won't mind if I come, will they?

"At all." he smiled at her and she smiled back, loving the new person she had in front of her.

They stared at each other, a little longer than usual, Asahd looking her straight in the eyes until she finally looked away, her cheeks growing pink. She went to her father to look at the pics with him.

She looked up once and Asahd was still staring at her, a little smile on his lips. She blushed and smiled a little at him before nervously tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear and staring at the phone again. He still watched her, and she knew it.