The sun is out very high as of now, it’s in the height of the afternoon. Usually at this time, Kaya is at Lady Domo’s porch and eating her specially made ice cream for hot afternoons like this one. Instead, she is carrying a small backpack full of stuff that are hers, two pair of clothing that was given to her by Ani, a necklace that has always been with her, a notebook she has never written in but there are words, a pen that seem to be always full of ink, and her favorite blanket that she stole from Doji.
Ice cream, Kaya.
I want them!
It’s so hot.
Can’t Rojin give you something?
Ask him to stop at the next place?
I’m about to die.
It’s so hot.
I want ice cream!
“Shut it,” Kaya mumbled sharply at them.
“Mmm?” Rojin looked back at her, still walking.
They have been walking since they left Lady Domo’s place since that morning.
That felt like such long times again.
Such long times…
The sun is killing me.
Kaya!
Do something!
“I said shut it!” Kaya mumbled again.
“Do you want something?” Rojin asked without looking back. After Kaya didn’t answer, he turned to look at Kaya. “I thought I heard you said something.”
Kaya just shook her head.
Why did you even agree to come with him?
I’m still mad at you for not listening.
Kaya, I hate you!
I still want ice cream.
Kaya, it’s hot.
Kaya -
“Yes?” Rojin stopped this time and turned to Kaya completely. “I feel like you are complaining…” he paused as he observe Kaya’s expression, “yet you aren’t saying anything.” He walked until he was right in front of Kaya, kneel down so he was face to face with her, and reached to rest his palm on her shoulder.
Eeek!
He’s too close, Kaya!
Do something!
Kick him away!
Without thinking, Kaya reached out and pushed Rojin away.
An expression of calmness still remain on Rojin’s face as a small smile appeared. “Are the voices annoying you again?”
Kaya!
Don’t answer him!
No, say no!
Don’t let him -
Kaya shook her head.
Rojin tilted his head side way with a questioning look. Then he sighed with defeat and stood up. “Well, Kaya,” he started. “I can’t be a good friend, or father, if I don’t know what you want. And to know what you want, you have to tell me, ok?”
Ice cream Kaya!
Tell him about the ice cream!
You mean the hot sun!
Kaya just nod.
Then Rojin smiled. “Ok,” he said then turned around and started walking. “You can tell me anything, alright?”
Kaya nodded, then realized that Rojin did not see. So she said instead, “Alright.”
Rojin slightly chuckled.
He’s laughing at you, Kaya!
How dare him!
Who does he think he really is?
He is but a Rojin!
“If you want anything, just tell me, alright?” Rojin continued.
“Alright,” Kaya answered.
“I’m not like you,” Rojin said. “I’m not tire easily and never really hungry nor thirsty. Also I can bare the sun longer and I can walk much, much longer. So if you need anything, just tell me.” After a second, “Alright?”
Kaya secretly smiled at that. After barely forgetting, she answered, “Alright,” back.
Kaya smiled?
How is that smile worthy?
How dare he call Kaya weak?
Kaya is way stronger than you thought Rojin!
You are after all but a Rojin!
“Shh!” Kaya attempted to hush them again.
“Yes?!” Rojin turned to her sharply with worries.
Quickly, Kaya just shook her head.
Rojin looked at her for a couple seconds then turn around, again defeated by her silent.
After the sun moved a little from the height of its fame, Kaya’s leg started wobbling.
Kaya…
Maybe we should stop.
Tell Rojin, please.
“I have to keep going,” Kaya whispered to them.
No you don’t!
Just tell him to rest.
You heard him, anything he promised.
He didn’t promised, I don’t remember that part.
He said anything, Kaya.
Just tell him…
“No,” Kaya whisper softly. “I can’t be the one to slow him.”
Suddenly the sun blurred in front of her and the ground stroke with stars.
“Kaya!” the deep and melodic voice called before arms reached her and embraced her. “Are you alright?”
Kaya tired to open her eyes, but she couldn’t, she only barely fluttered them.
“You must be exhausted,” Rojin said, more to himself than the girl in front of him. “Damn it! Reej would have seen it coming. Damn it!”
Reej?
There’s more Rojin?!
Kaya!
Again, you didn’t listen!
“A rest place, I need to bring you to a rest place.”
Water, idiot!
She needs water first!
Water!
Water!
Water!
“No, wait! Idiot!” Rojin reached around and brought a water bag to Kaya’s mouth. “Water first. Water is the number helper, he said so.”
After Kaya downed the half the bag of water and started coughing, Rojin finally smiled again. With a heavy sighed, he said, “Now on to a resting place.”
Upon feeling Rojin’s touch pulling away, Kaya pulled on Rojin’s shirt, “I - “
Kaya?
Are you alright?
You’re not hurt, are you?
Kaya…
“I - “ Kaya started again.
“You...” Rojin prompted.
With embarrassment, Kaya finally choked it out, “I am tire. I can’t walk no more.” She looked away. “So please don’t make me walk again.”
Suddenly laughter fills the air.
Rojin clipped the water bag back then grabbed Kaya up in his arms, “I wasn’t planning on it, so rest assure, Kaya.”
Kaya looked at him with shock then relief washed by as he said, “I was going to offer a piggyback but then you just collapsed. Guess I still have a long way to go before I can be considered as a father, huh?”
Piggyback?
That doesn’t make you fatherly, idiot!
He called himself an idiot as well.
What? When?
I didn’t hear that part.
“I think,” Kaya said. “I think a piggyback would be better.”
“What?” Rojin said. “You don’t like to be cradled?”
Heat suddenly flowered on Kaya’s face.
Laughing, Rojin said, “I’m just kidding.” Then with power he acquired, he swung Kaya to his back and hold her firmly making sure she won’t fall. “Comfortable?”
Kaya nodded, but then said, “Yeah.”
Rojin started walking, “I’m sorry that I made you exhausted. I didn’t mean to. I’m just not really good at these stuff, though my job requires it. Reej is much better at it. And we are so getting you a water bag if we cross a store.”
There’s that name again!
Who is this Reej?
Kaya, will you be okay?
I still want ice cream….
Kaya, do something.
Kaya just smiled as she lay her head on Rojin’s shoulder. As of now, she need not worry who Reej is or if she really wanted ice cream as well. She felt peaceful on Rojin's back. She felt protected on Rojin's back. The voices can complain all they want, but for now, this is all Kaya wanted… maybe even a father as well.
Him as a father?
Are you kidding?
Kaya!
Again, Kaya. You are not listening to me again.
Ice cream over him any day, Kaya.
Kaya?
Kaya?!
Kaya!
She’s not listening!
Kaya!!!