Maybe This Time

Pieces of Puzzle (Part 1)

"Thank you for the food!" The children said in unison and dig in the food in the table. The clattering of plates and spoons can be heard all over the dining hall as the over fifty children enjoyed the festive like dinner. Tonight is one of those once in a blue moon nights where the nuns went all out in serving mouthwatering food. A raven haired boy eyed everybody and marvel at how enthusiastic the other children were. The jam-packed table of foods were slowly gone, pieces by pieces yet he hasn't had his own fill. Wetting his chapped lips, he grab everything his tiny hands could grab. Chicken legs, a bowl of soup and many more. He then stood up and back away in the far corner of the room, away from the group. Sitting down in the floor he eat his dinner peacefully and for the first time he can remember, his hunger is sated.

"Obi? Why are you here, alone? You could have eat with them in the table. " A mellow voice came from behind which startled him a bit. Wiping off the stains in his mouth, he run his hand over it and answered.

"Uh. I... just wanted to eat alone... " Was all he can say. The woman clad in all black smiled at him which shows the wrinkles in her forehead. She ruffled his unruly locks and pinch his cheeks lightly.

"It's better to eat with someone Obi. Besides, don't you want to be with your friends? Perhaps Ria? Look, she's lonely over there... " The boy's eyes followed where the woman's finger is directed. A blond girl is sitting in a corner near the window while eating silently. Truthfully, Ria looks lonely eating alone. Like him. Guilt struck him and all he wanted for that moment is to be with her.

"See? You should go and eat with her, okay?" He nodded and pick up the plates and went to her direction. The woman just smiled widely and eyed the two children as they got along.

"Sister Mabel? I have a word for you. " She turned to the woman and gesture for her to lead the way.

"Children! Listen up. I need to go upstairs so after you eat, clean everything, okay?..." 

All attention is now on the nun. Obi stopped eating and consciously, he roam his eyes around and the glaring eyes of a boy found his. He trembled and diverted his eyesight elsewhere.

"Do your assigned tasks. Everybody had to do something. No cheating, okay? You guys know that I have eyes and ears everywhere, right? Eat well and no fighting!"

Sister Mabel won't be here to watch over us. This could means...Obi frightened at the thought of the nun not around at this time. His light aura change a bit as he slumped back in his chair and move away the unfinished dinner.

"Obi? Obi? You... Okay?" A sweet, tiny voice got his attention. The girl across him smiled and eyed him knowingly.

"Ah... Yeah. Yeah. I'm already full so I'm setting this aside. " He laugh awkwardly and scratched his neck. The girl knows it is a lie so she shove the plate in front and gesture for him to eat.

"But, you shouldn't waste food right? We're lucky enough to taste all of these so we should savour this moment where we can eat all of these delicious food serve to us tonight!"

"Yeah. You're right. I should be thankful and eat all these up. " The girl in front smiled widely when Obi started to finish his food.

Ten pm and the whole room is dark and quiet. Despite being lulled by the swishing of rain and the cold air, Obi can't seem to sleep. He was tossing and turning this whole time yet his whole system is wide awake. He decided to gwt out of bed to fetch himself a glass of water. As he treading his way in the hallway, he heard murmurings not far from where he stood. He can feel the hair of his neck stand.