Light and Night: Across Two Worlds

Chapter 5: Cahaya

Cahaya didn't know who her parents were. The orphanage administrator said that she was found outside the orphanage's door when she was a baby. She is 5 years old now. The orphanage administrator called her Aya for her nickname. Aya was different from other children of the same age who had spoken very fluently. She couldn’t speak properly. Sometimes she just moaned or cried out. She could speak only one or two words, without full sentence correctly yet. Even so, Aya was able to read, write, and did the math. She could understand reading content very quickly. She could imitate any behavior that she saw correctly. Sometimes, she liked to help with cleaning rooms or washing dishes without being asked. She was smarter than any other kids of the same age in the orphanage. However, she still couldn’t talk properly and too quiet.

No one wanted to play with Aya because afraid of her. Other children were unable to understand her. They were used to the teasing and bullied her for fun. They made fun of Aya’s mysterious green eyes. Other children were all black-eyed. None had green eyes as Aya had.

One night, Cahaya awoke from sleep because she wanted to pee. She didn't turn on the lights at all, even though the room was totally dark. Aya could see in the dark clearly. She was not afraid of darkness. In silent darkness, she felt peace and tranquility. Unlike the daytime, the night was peaceful, where there were lots of people and noise that Aya didn't want to see or hear. She didn't feel comfortable in a crowd.

After coming from the toilet, Cahaya sneaked back to the bedroom to continue sleeping. That's when a friend woke up to go to the toilet. Her friend saw Aya’s eyes glowed bright green in the dark. It scared her friend and made him screamed very loudly. The other kids woke up and saw Aya’s eyes. They screamed very loudly and began to cry together. Aya became very frightened and hid into her blanket and refused to open her eyes. Since then, no one dared to bother her anymore. All children did not want to be friends with Aya. They called Aya the child of a monster.

The orphanage administrators had brought Aya to see a doctor. The doctor couldn’t find the cause of the physical abnormality of Aya’s eyes. Her eyes function normally, but the colors were different. Even if Aya’s eyes could glow in the dark, it was only the effect of the eye’s color that functions like phosphorus fluorescent on t-shirts or other glow in the dark products.

By Doctor, Aya was only diagnosed as a gene disorder. There might be an imperfect chromosome in her cell. Aya never told anyone that she could see in the dark very clear as daylight. Since Aya couldn't talk, so the secret was safe with her. As for the delay in speaking, doctors saw this more as a delay in psychological maturity, because physically there was no problem with Aya’s vocal cords. The doctor gave recommendations to take therapy for Aya. But the therapy was so expensive, and the orphanage couldn’t afford it.

Finally, by the caregiver, Aya was left as it is.  She thought it was just Aya’s physical disorder, but there’s no threat from this little girl. Aya was so sweet actually because she was obedient in silence. So, there were no significant complaints about her behavior. The caregiver looked at Aya with pity. Her parents probably abandoned her because of her physically disabled. Maybe the parents feel ashamed to have Aya. Even so, her parents gave her a name and wrote it around her necklace, complete with expensive blankets and enough money to raise her. None knew who Aya’s parents. The caregiver never saw them. This poor little girl was found in front of the orphanage door. Maybe she came from a wealthy family that emphasizes physical reputation and perfection.

As usual, every month, the orphanage was visited by families who wanted to adopt children. If so, children must attract attention, hoping they were chosen for a better life and got the love they need. Unlike other children, Cahaya was definitely trying to hide where people couldn't find it. After she knew the people left, she just came out of hiding. The orphanage staff tried to look for her hideout, but Cahaya was brilliant in hiding. She could never be found if she did not intend to get out of the hideout.

In the beginning, the orphanage staff was still diligent in searching for Aya’s hideout. In the end, the staff had to stop looking for it. She’s believed that Aya would come home when she felt hungry. Aya was a smart kid, so she remembered her way home. Her concern was only if Aya got bullied by cruel people because of her physical abnormalities. Although Orphanage's administrator sometimes looked busy and unfriendly, deep in her heart, she cared a lot for Aya. She hoped, someday, Aya could find a good life with someone who loved her sincerely.

As usual, adults were coming to adopt children. The man looked calm and mature. He said he was looking for a child to be adopted. The man did not say what kind of child he was looking for. He only asked to be allowed to see all children. The orphanage administrator glanced at how luxurious this man used the car and enthusiastically gathered children, except Aya.

"Are all children here already?" asked the man to the orphanage administrator.

"Yes, they are. Please see and interact with them first," said the orphanage administrator. She did not say that one child was hiding. The orphanage management never managed to find Aya's hideout, so she didn't bother looking for it again.

While the man was preoccupied with almost all the orphans, Cahaya kept herself away from the living room and chose to hide in the backyard. She sat on the swing in the backyard and pondered at the sky.

[Cahaya ...]

Someone called her name. The voice echoed in Aya’s mind. The little girl did not hear the voice with her ears but with her mind. She was shocked and turned around. Nobody was there. She was alone. Maybe Aya was misheard.

[Cahaya ... I know you are there. Don't be afraid ...] repeated the voice in a gentle tone.

Aya stopped the movement of her swing and looks alert to her surroundings. This time Cahaya was sure that she hadn't heard wrong. The voice was truly heard in her mind. Aya nodded slowly and seemed to concentrate on listening.

[Cahaya ... If you understand and hear my voice, raise your hands.] The voice was heard again. The man's voice sounded patient and gentle.

Aya turned to the left and right but did not find anyone. Slowly she raised her hands in the air.

[Good girl. You can hear me. Thank God.] The voice said again, sounding relieved.

Aya nodded slowly and paused to listen to the next words.

[Cahaya, I will give instructions. It's like playing hide and seek. Find me.] The voice said again, inviting.

Aya listened carefully and moved to follow the instructions given. Her mind was filled with curiosity. She was curious about the owner of the voice that echoed in her mind. She walked across the yard and found an expensive car parked inside.

A man stood near the car. Aya approached him and looked up. His face was much younger than the man who was inside the house. His face was handsome and looked familiar. Aya has never met this man for as long as she remembered. However, she felt as if she had known this man many years ago. There was an inner bond within them that couldn’t be explained. Aya felt comfortable with this young man she just met today.

[Hello, Cahaya. You managed to find me. Smart kid.] The voice said inside Aya’s mind. The man smiled and squatted while looking at Aya’s eyes without blinking.

Aya looked into the man's eyes and looked for the expression of fear she had always seen on the face of everyone who saw her. Aya failed to find an expression of fear. Instead, Cahaya found a sincere expression of relief and smile on the man's face.

"Your face is looked like your Mother’s face, Cahaya. Your eyes are stunning," said the man slowly in his voice, no longer speaking in his mind.

Aya’s cheeks flushed red. For the first time, someone praised her eyes. Until now, Cahaya hated the color of her eyes because it made others curse her as a monster child. Wait, mother's face? Did this person know Aya’s biological mother? Who was this person? Questions arose in Aya’s head.

[Who are you?] Aya asked suddenly to the man’s mind. Aya didn't know how she could do it. She just wanted to ask questions and communicate with this man.

"My name is Alex. I am your mother's twin brother. I’m your uncle. I come to pick you up. I’m sorry to make you wait for a long time, my dear," said the man.

Alex didn’t approach Aya. He opened his arms wide, waiting for Aya's reaction. Driven by an overwhelming feeling, Cahaya ran into Alex's arms and hugged her uncle very tightly, then cried very loudly.

Alex hugged Aya tightly and carried her gently. He kissed Aya's forehead and let her cry until she was satisfied.