As I reached the activity area, I was greeted with the kids' cheerful voices and faces.
"Kira! We missed you!" They all chimed.
"And I missed all of you as well. Have you all been good while I was away?" I smiled at all of them.
"Yes!" They all beamed in unison.
"I know you kids wanted to make cupcakes this afternoon but right now, we do not have all the ingredients we need. How about we do some art lessons instead? Paper folding, anyone?" I exclaimed.
"Can we make Tsuru again, Kira?" one of the kids asked.
"Oh, you want to make Paper Cranes again?"
"Yes. You said that if we make one thousand paper cranes our wish will come true, right?"
"That is correct! I am glad you all remembered. So, can anyone tell me why you want to fold one thousand tsurus?"
"We wish for Luisa to come back. We miss her already." One of the kids answered.
Oh, my heart. I am happy to see how eager they all are willing to work together for one collective wish, and that is to have Luisa back here. But at the same time, whenever I think of that poor child, my heart is also being torn into shreds. I really pray that she will get through this and that once she regains consciousness, she'll be able to deal with the trauma of what befell her.
"All right! Let's start folding tsurus then!"
Everyone got their papers and started folding tsurus. I am not sure how long it will take for them to fold 1,000 pieces but I know this activity will keep them busy for a few days which will help other volunteers not to stress on what activity to conduct. As we were folding, Sister Therese arrived and came into the room.
"I heard from Sister Elena that you came. How have you been, child?" She lovingly asked me as she wrapped me in her warm embrace.
"Sister Therese! I'm doing well." I rushed up to her and embraced her back.
"It seems like Damascus is doing a good job in taking good care of you." She satisfyingly said.
"He is. He's been really nice to me, a little overprotective and overbearing most times but he is Damascus, after all." I smiled.
"It's been a while, Kira. I'm so glad to have finally run into you here. I've been trying to call you, but it seems like my calls are not going through. Have you not received any of my messages?" Ethan said from behind Sister Therese.
"Ethan. I didn't know that you've been coming here. Since when?" I smiled at him. Ethan was my classmate in three minor subjects back in university and he had been relentlessly pursuing me ever since. Although I already told him that I do not have time for dating, he was still persistent in his courtship. He said, it's okay if I do not answer him right away. He was willing to wait for me. After a year he started pursuing me, we found a lot of similar interests and started to become good friends. That was all I can offer him, friendship. But amidst how I made it clear that this is all I can offer, he still did not stop throwing remarks about how he feels and how he is willing to wait. He said that he knows I will come around in due time and until then, he was willing to stay by my side. After graduating though, I got busy putting up the cafe and pursuing further studies so we somehow lost communication. Well, I actually made some changes to avoid further interaction with him. I was no longer comfortable with his persistent and rather obtrusive courtship.
"I'm not sure what number you have. I have not received any message from you since we graduated."
"Oh. Are you avoiding me, Kira? May I know the number you are currently using now?" He brazenly quipped.
"Ethan... I do not think that is a good idea. But I really am happy that you decided to volunteer your time here at the orphanage! I'm sure the kids are happy as well and the sisters and other volunteers are happy to have more help in running this place. We will be seeing each other again." I politely rejected his request. Knowing him, he will not stop again once he gets my number and I do not want to give him any hope at all. And with me living under Damascus' roof, I feel that it is inappropriate to have another man near me, especially after the confession. Oh my, I still can't even talk to Aki about it. Shrugging off thoughts of Aki's confession, I tried to give my attention back to Ethan.
"I see. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. Yes, I will see you around here then." He smiled dejectedly.
I was not aware how long Tom has been standing by the door with the cupcakes and orange juice. I just hope he didn't hear anything and even if he did, he will not report this to Aki. Knowing Aki, he might do something that I will not approve of. He is one very possessive man after all.
"Ms. Kira. Where shall I put these?" Tom said after looking sternly at Ethan.
"Tom. Thank you for doing this for me. Kindly place them on the table over there. Kids! Time for snacks! Since we could not make cupcakes, I decided to order some from the cafe. Aren't you all excited?" I exclaimed to the kids.
"Cupcakes!" They all chimed as they stopped folding the tsurus and looked at the cupcakes with wide eyes, as if they were seeing gold.
"Wash your hands and faces first." Sister Therese said sternly.
After washing their hands and faces, they all went to the kitchen to get their plates and cups and started lining up near the table where Tom placed the snacks. I have already trained them on how to queue and behave themselves when getting their snacks and meals.
"Remember to take one piece only and if you still want more, you can always come back for seconds, okay?" I reminded them as they started queueing and then going back to their seats.
"Pam added some cookies as well. She said that the cupcakes might not be enough for the kids and she also prepared sandwiches for the sisters and other volunteers." Tom whispered to me.
'Ah, Pam. She truly is the best manager a cafe can ever have.' I praised her silently in my head.
"Thanks, Tom. I'll make sure to call her later. You also enjoy yourself and have some sandwich and cupcakes." I winked at him, knowing full well that he would decline, which he did. He went back near the door and stood there, with the eye of a hawk, observing everything. No wonder, Aki trusted him and decided to make him my personal bodyguard.
At around 5:30 pm, after saying our Love and Gratitude Prayer, I bid farewell to the kids and the sisters and decided to go to the cafe to personally thank Pam. I also decided to order dinner for Aki.