Feng Mian's POV:
I rushed to open the door, as the person couldn't remain patient. He kept on smashing the bell. It was my father but something about him wasn't right. His clothes looked dirty and he smelled funny. It was almost perfumy and rotten at the same time.
"Papa!" I held him tightly.
He looked down at me and saw tears in my eyes. I wasn't aware of what the feeling was, but it felt great to find a loved one return safe. Almost similar to how the land feels when a lost wave touches it.
"Papa is here for you and your brother, Feng Mian."
That was the first time Papa had mentioned Feng Yun. However, he didn't know his name yet.
"It's Feng Yun, papa."
I was on the verge of crying. My father kneeled down and wiped my tears. He embraced me tightly and softly caressed my head.
"Papa is sorry, please forgive me." His voice choked.
"Let's go to mama." I said as I broke off the hug and grabbed his arm.
We rushed to the hallway where mama was resting. She looked very tired and simply sad. I tapped on her shoulder as I couldn't wait to present her the gift.
"Mama, look who's here." I softly whispered in her ears.
She looked back at me. Her round face had sagged down and her doll like black eyes were surrounded by dark circles. Even so, the motherly love didn't seem to decrease.
"What is it?" She pursed her dried lips.
"See above me."
She noticed a shadow on my shoulder and looked up to see who it was. The look on her face was almost indescribable in words. She had a sudden glow all around her face and her eyes seemed to brighten.
"You are back!" She exclaimed as she rushed to hug my father. He embraced her, which caused me to get flustered.
"Papa, don't do such things here." I pouted my lips.
However, he continued kissing Mama's face all around. Love had blossomed again. They both pulled me and Papa picked me up as mama kissed me lightly too.
"I am sorry." He muttered to her and hung his face low.
"As long as you trust me, I am always ready to forgive you." Mama held Papa's sharp jaw and pulled him closer.
I was expecting something else but what happened wasn't bad either. They pressed their noses together as they continued to stare into each other's restless eyes. Love was definitely in the air, along with the funny smell from Papa.
"Where's Feng Yun?" He asked as he put me down.
"Papa, he has been sleeping for long. He must have woke up by now." I interrupted.
"Why don't... You know where Feng Yun is?" He looked at my mother, who was hanging her head in shame.
"I'll get him now." She ran into the room and brought out the little baby wrapped in fleece blanket.
Papa picked him up and looked at him with tears of guilt brimming in his eyes. "It's my fault, Yun." He said he held the baby close to his chest. A warm feeling rose up in my heart. It was the first time both my parents saw Feng Yun. I was genuinely happy that day.
But fate had something else in store for us.
At around midnight, the doorbell rang a couple of times. I knocked on Papa's door, and he immediately opened it.
"What happened?" He asked sheepishly.
"Someone is ringing the doorbell." I answered.
"Who could it be at this time?" He shut the door and walked out. I decided to stay in the corner.
We had been exhausted that day and Mama was fast asleep. Papa got out of his room, half drowsy and staggered his way to the main door.
"Yes? What do you think you are?" I could hear Papa yell from the door.
The atmosphere was tensed. Mama woke up due to all the noise and ran to Papa, who was now being choked by a tall man. She tried her best to free him, but got no avail. At a point, she fell on his knees and I could see her wail loudly. The man pulled her by her hair as he tossed her aside along with Papa.
I could see him walk towards me.
"What do you need?" I asked as I tried to cover the entrance.
"Move aside, kid." He pushed me away and walked into the dark room, searching for something.
"Found it." He said while picking up Feng Yun without any care.
"You can't take him!" I yelled loudly and tried to stop him but he was too strong for me.
I ran behind him as he walked out of the main gate, stomping Mama and Papa on the way. They let out a loud scream, partially deafening me. Tears had brimmed in my eyes as I saw my happy family break right in front of me. It was truly devastating for me and my throat had gone silent. I couldn't speak.
"Ah... I..." I tried to speak but couldn't.
I saw the man take Feng Yun to the community intersection, where most of the neighborhood was gathered. Mama and Papa came behind me, wincing in pain, as I noticed a blaring light in front of my eyes. It was a warm light as the burning wood sustained it.
"No!" Mama yelled as she saw Feng Yun being tossed into the fire. She slumped on the floor.
"Feng Yun!" My father ran to the people but they pushed him away.
I could just stand and watch as the smell of burning flesh filled the air, along with a raging despair. The only happiness I could see was on the faces of my neighbors, the same neighbors I had once called my extended family.
'It's your mistake.' I said to myself as I landed a tight slap on my cheeks.