Xander's POV
"We sometimes need to be to be cruel to others only to bring them back to the right path. We are not their enemy, rather we are the well-wishers we are meant to be."
_ Su Renya.
Today wasn't the best ever day for me and without any doubt I am extremely unhappy.
I know, I overreacted by ignoring Cheng the whole day in the pretext of teaching him a lesson. I was just blinded by anger.
Maybe, I was too harsh on Xander but this time he will hopefully learn to respect time.
Time is very valuable for us. When we lose it, we can't get it no matter what. It helps us to realize the things we cherish to be kept in time. If we fail to cherish someone or something at a definite time, then we may never get it back to cherish again and live with agony and pain.
Whatever shit I did today, was for only Cheng's benefit.
If he doesn't realize the importance of time then he will do things which will cause him to regret in the future. I only mean the best for him even if I have to do impractical things.
He and his mother are the only family I have even if it's not by blood.
When I was living on the streets, it was aunt Mia who took me in at her house.
I actually had nothing with me and everything I have NOW is only because of her. She used a lot for her money in my education, daily supplies etc.
I still remember the first time I saw her, I was looking at the trashcans for food.
~Flashback started~
My hands were shaking as I went on and looked for food.
I didn't take any food for three days, which resulted me being extremely weak and malnourished.
But what could I even do? It has been one month since mom passed away. I sure am devastated and still mourning for her.
To be honest, I didn't have any money to even properly bury her at that time.
Thankfully, some generous people buried her with the necessary supplies such as the coffin, building a grave stone etc, to which I am extremely grateful for.
I still had no place to stay and am practically homeless.
Now, my main concern is to find some food or at least something edible.
Now, what can you find something edible in the piles of rubbish. Still, I had to depend on my luck incase I can eat something.
Till now, I only saw rotten fruits and some molded foods.
No, I won't try to eat something molded as I can't afford to get sick. Incase you don't know, if I get sick then I will literally die as going to hospitals is expensive as heck.
So, yeah I can't eat anything from there.
I wish, I could eat something. - I said to myself.
"Hey there, little one." I heard a voice directed towards me.
I turned over to see a gentle looking woman holding an umbrella and looking at me with kindness. I did, just see kindness?
No, I must be dreaming.
To be extra sure about what I was seeing, I rubbed my eyes.
I saw what I never expected to see, she was really looking at me with kindness.
Not knowing how to reply, I shrugged my shoulders.
She smiled....SHE SMILED at me, despite my RUDENESS!
"My name is Mia. What is your name, sweetheart?" she again spoke out.
This time actually I felt a little bit comfortable and relied back, "My name is Xander."
"How old are you dear?"
"I am nine years old."
"If you don't mind me asking, what are you looking for....in this place?" she inquired.
"I didn't have any food for past three days, so I was looking for some food. I also can't afford to buy anything to eat....that's why I thought why not search here?" I said casually.
She gasped hearing my words as if she could not believe it. I mean it's not a big deal, is it?
"Oh my goodness! How can you have not eaten for a long time!"
"It's ok."
"No dear, it's not ok. Ok, how about we get some food and talk peacefully?" she carefully asked.
"Really?"
"Yes, dear. Now, let's go."
She extended her hand and looked at me expectantly.
"I will not hurt you, my dear," she assured seeing my hesitancy.
I took her hand, now more confidently and we walked away.
~Flashback ended~
After that day, I stayed with her as she took me with her. She provided me with all of my daily necessities, sent me to school and college, fed me my most of my life with food I never thought to eat, put up with all my desires and loved me more than a mother could love her child.
She was always my second mother figure in my life and loved her with my whole heart.
When I met Cheng, at the time I was in college. I still lived with his mother and he just came in our lives after being disowned by his other family.
We both accepted each other and became the best of friends.
I decided to move out of aunt Mia's house after college even if she insisted to make me live with her. But I still moved out and got into real trouble with not having enough money for everything.
At that time, Cheng helped my by giving up all his pocket money just to help me.
Aunt Mia never knew about that little mishap as both of us didn't want her to give her more trouble as she was very sick.
Aunt Mia had stage three cancer which left a quite shock to both me and Cheng.
That's why, Cheng started to work. And I saved up a fixed deposit of 20000 dollars for her treatment. That's why I had to struggle with food and clothing as major part of my money went for saving money for aunt Mia. I never mentioned it to anyone, not even Cheng as he may not let me help...he always wanted do everything on his own.
What a silly fool he is! How can he do everything by himself?
Anyways, I just want to repay my huge debt of gratitude towards his mom.
My thoughts were interrupted as someone grabbed me from behind. I turned back to face with a heavily breathing Cheng.
He shoved something in my hands and walked away after saying something.
I was shocked for a while to react that I didn't hear what he said before walking off.
I opened my hand to seeing that there were some money.
What the hell!