I am used to live alone. I don’t have friends nor anyone to rely on except to my gramps. My gramps is everything to me. No one knows how he treat me as his own son despite of already having one. He is my mentor and my second father, even though it is rude of me to ignore the presence of my own birthfather. Because, at the very beginning, he already left me alone, like I do not exist in this world after my mother died.
But, the pain of being alone and friendless slowly consumed me when I woke up one morning, that my gramps left me alone… permanently.
I cannot help but to tremble. I cannot help myself but to bite my lips until it bled because of the sadness that already invaded my system.
I am all alone now. No family. No gramps that will always sit beside me no matter what.
"I believe that you will be a successful man in the future, because after all, you are my grandson!"
"I may not be like gramps, nor be at the same height like gramps and my old man. But, because you believe in me, gramps, I will try my best to surpass the both of you!"
"Good boy! I will be looking forward to witness that!"
"That is why, you need to stay strong and live for a hundred years to see what I am capable of!"
"Remember this, do not live up in everyone’s expectation. But, live up by following your heart and what you think is right."
"Yes gramps!"
Is this my retribution?
Is this the payback of being aloof and indifferent to everyone?
I am not a social person, nor a friendly person.
Maybe, this is now my lesson.
Being alone and being an outcast boy among everyone and feeling the pain alone. I know that I will never forget this feeling until I grow up.
I hate this feeling.
"Are you alone?" I looked up and saw a little girl with the same age as mine, with a pair of amethyst eyes and brown curly hair, staring at me.
I looked to left and right, checking if the one she is talking is really me.
"I am talking to you. Are you alone?" She asked the second time while clarifying herself.
I do not know how to talk with others. I am used to talking with my gramps. I feel a bit embarrassed in front of her. I just looked down while watching her small leather doll shoes.
"What is your relationship to grandpa Johnnie?" She asked, after taking a seat beside me.
Hearing my gramps name from her, I took a glance toward the urn beside of his picture portrait. I smiled bitterly and found myself talking with this bold little girl beside me.
"He is my gramps." I almost choked as I suppress my tears.
No! I cannot cry in front of a girl! It is so embarrassing!
"Oh! So, you are the Dhan?" She asked again.
I nod at her as my answer.
I don’t know how to respond to her because this is my first encounter to a person aside my gramps. I feel stiff until a warm hand patted my back like its trying to comfort me.
"I am Sunny. Can we be friends?"
I suddenly looked up at her.
Seriously? Someone wants to befriend with me? Am I dreaming or what?
She chuckled that made me blush. She is pretty especially when she smiles.
"I am being serious here. Let us be friends!"
She grabbed my hand and hold it to shake hands. I gasped but never let the opportunity go. I smiled a little and… that is how I met my first friend I made.