Our Love Was Never Scripted

CHAPTER 14: THE COST OF A LIFE

The Sunlight Hope Orphanage was a graveyard of broken promises. As Arav and Aisha walked deeper into the facility, the polished exterior gave way to a grim reality. Cracked floor tiles, flickering lights, and ceiling fans that groaned as if they were taking their last breaths.

They sat in the Principal's office, an elderly man with weary eyes and skin like weathered parchment. Aisha couldn't hold back her anger. "I don't understand. I heard a major entertainment firm sends millions in funding here. Why is this place falling apart?"

The Principal let out a hollow laugh. "Young lady, we've heard the rumors of millions too. But we've never seen a single yen of it. Whenever we try to visit the corporate office, the middle managers block us at the door. They tell us the 'Boss' is busy. We only survive on the kindness of local strangers. The corporate funding? It vanishes before it ever reaches the children."

Aisha felt a surge of cold fury. My company. My employees. She stepped away and dialed her secretary, her voice trembling with suppressed rage. "I want a full audit of the Sunlight Hope fund. Now. Find out who is signing the checks and where the money is going. If I find out someone is eating the children's food, I'll personally make sure they never see the sun again!"

THE GIRL IN THE CORNER

The Live Stream was off today. It was Sunday—the official "Holiday" for the crew—which gave Arav a rare moment of true freedom. He was sitting on the floor, surrounded by kids, laughing as he handed out the toys he had bought.

The Principal watched him, turning to Aisha. "Look at him. Many people come here to sign checks and take photos for social media. They want the world to see their 'kindness.' But this boy... he didn't bring a camera. He brought happiness. He's giving them the one thing money can't buy: genuine time."

Aisha stayed silent. She watched Arav walk over to a small girl sitting alone. She was bald, her skin pale, and she looked far too fragile for her age.

"Hey, little princess," Arav said softly, kneeling beside her. "Why aren't you playing?"

"I'm tired, Brother," the girl whispered. "My body hurts today."

The Principal sighed. "She has leukemia, Arav. Blood cancer. At her age, it's treatable, but the surgery and medicine cost more than this orphanage sees in a year."

Arav's expression went from warm to iron-cold. "How much?"

"At least 100,000 Yen for the first stage," the Principal replied. "It's a mountain we cannot climb."

Arav stood up instantly. "Wait here. I'll get the money."

THE CALL TO THE 'TREASURY'

Arav walked out to the courtyard and dialed Sonic. The call connected on the first ring.

"Wow! The sun must be rising in the West today!" Sonic's voice boomed. "You said you wouldn't call me for a month. Did the Japanese food give you a stomach ache?"

"Sonic, I need 100,000 Yen. Right now," Arav said, skipping the small talk.

The line went quiet for a second. "100k? What did you do? Did you accidentally crash a luxury car? Or did you get arrested for being too handsome?"

"I'm buying a bike," Arav lied, his voice flat.

Sonic burst out laughing. "A bike? Arav, you hate bikes! You'd rather walk ten miles than ride a scooter! Stop lying to me. You don't call for money unless it's a life-or-death situation. Tell me the truth, or the transfer doesn't happen."

Arav looked through the window at the little girl clutching the doll he had just given her. "There's a kid, Sonic. Cancer. She doesn't have a 'Big Person' to pay for her. She only has me."

Sonic's tone changed instantly. The playboy persona vanished. "Say no more. I told you my dad's card has a 5-million yen limit, and I've only spent half of it on parties. I'll send you 200,000. Use half for the kid and keep the rest for her recovery. The money is moving now."

"Thanks, Sonic. I owe you one."

"Shut up. You owe me nothing," Sonic snapped. "Just make sure she smiles, okay? I'm sending the link to your phone. Catch you later, Hero."

Arav stared at his phone as the confirmation buzzed. He turned back toward the building, but he stopped. Aisha was standing in the doorway, her eyes wide. She had heard the whole conversation.

"You're lying to your friend... for a girl you just met?" she whispered.

Arav walked past her, his eyes fixed on the Principal's office. "Some lies are worth more than the truth, Aisha. Now, let's go save a life."