Down the Road

CHAPTER 2: Elisse and Tristan

12 years later…

“Elisse! Tristan! Come down this instant! "Mother Superior said loudly as the 12-year-olds hid in the bathroom from her. They accidentally broke the expensive vase that was donated years ago in the orphanage which happens to be one of the most favorite things of Mother Superior.

She is a 60-year-old lady who is the head nun of the Bluebird Orphanage. She is considered strict but genuinely cares for the orphans. She treats every single orphan as her children and disciplines them like her own.

“hihihi,” Elisse chuckled silently.

“shh. Mother Superior might hear us,” Tristan said in his low voice as he held Elisse's hands while they are hid inside the bathroom.

“let's just give up. It's our fault anyway,” Elisse said.

“No way, I don't want to clean the garden again,” Tristan recalled making mistakes and being punished by cleaning the garden back then. This is not the first time he will be punished.

Then, all of a sudden, the door burst open, revealing Mother Superior, who appears agitated and ready to punish the two. Tristan then tightly gripped Elisse's hands and whispered to her, "Don't worry, she won't hurt us."

Elisse formed a small smile as a result of Tristan's gestures to her. She had no idea it was the first time she had a crush on him..

“We’re sorry Mother Superior, I promise it won't happen again,” Tristan apologized.

“I knew it, Tristan! It's you again! And you even involved Elisse!” Mother Superior said while her other hand is in her waist and the other is pointing at Tristan.

Mother Superior brought the two to the office of the Director. “What is it this time Tristan that made Mother Superior mad at you two?” the Director of the orphanage asked.

“It's—” Elisse couldn't finish what she was about to say when Tristan interrupted.

“I and Elisse were just playing and I didn't notice the vase and it got broken,” Tristan said then the Director asked Elisse, “Is it true?”

Tristan looked at her with the signal that says she just say yes, “Yes, Director” said Elisse.

“All right, then we have no choice. If someone made a mistake, he or she should pay for it, since both of you did it, you will clean the garden, is it good?” Director asked then the two nodded.

“How about you Mother Superior?” he asked while looking at her.

“I'm fine with that, Director,” Mother Superior said then they leave the office.

When Mother Superior left, Elisse suddenly talk.

“Why did you lie?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” Tristan answered while Elisse is holding the trash bag and Tristan is the one who sweeps around.

“You know that I'm the one who broke it,” Elisse said. They were indeed playing when the vase accidentally broke, but it was because of Elisse’s stick that she was using since she is blind.

“You know how scary Mother Superior is when she gets mad, right? Besides, I'm your superman and whatever happens, I'll be at your side,” Tristan said and pose like a superman where his right hand is in the air. Elisse couldn't see it but she can feel how much Tristan cares for him.

Elisse and Tristan grew up together and became inseparable as the years go by.

“What did you do this time, Tristan?” Sister Linda asked as she approached the two cleaning the garden.

“Hello, Sister Linda!” Elisse exclaimed.

“Hello, dear,” Sister Linda as she kissed the tip of Elisse's forehead.

Since Elisse is living in the orphanage for a decade, she knows already who is the person talking by recognizing their voices even if she's blind. Except those who visit the orphanage.

“We didn't mean to break the vase sister, it was just an accident,” Tristan said and pout.

“Right. But keep in mind that Mother Superior is already old and it is not a good idea to cause her problems. Furthermore, you are older than Elisse, so you should act as such and avoid involving her in any further problems, is that clear? "I understand, sister Linda," Tristan said.

"After you clean the garden, go to your room; something is waiting for you there," Sister Linda said before leaving the two whose eyes glistened when Sister mention those words. They already knew what it meant, so they finished cleaning as soon as possible and went back to their rooms..

As they went to their rooms, Tristan was surprised when he saw a gift box on his bed.

“Wow!!” he exclaimed and immediately open the gift box in which there is a red t-shirt inside.

He immediately removed his shirt and put on the shirt in the gift box, which fit him perfectly. He beams from ear to ear, as if he has just received the best gift ever. He left his room as soon as he put it on and went to Elisse..

“ELISSE!!!" Tristan screamed as he run towards Elisse's room. He was about to knock on the door but it was not locked so he open it and was surprised to see Elisse.

“Wow!” he said and his eyes are wide open.

Elisse was wearing a red maxi dress paired with a red ribbon on her hair.

“Tristan? Do I look okay?” Elisse asked while she’s standing but facing backward to him. While beside Elisse is Nurse Janet who was the one who assisted her to wear the dress.

Nurse Kim is no longer working in the orphanage since she started her own family and resides in States, so Nurse Janet was the one who replaced her who is 22 years old.

“This is the gift that I received, what about yours?” she asked once again when Tristan is not responding.

“Tristan?” she called again.

So Nurse Kim flip her fingers to grab the attention of Tristan

“Oh. R-Right I'm sorry I dropped something. Wow you look… wonderful,” he stuttered, and luckily he was able to find words to excuse himself.

Today is both of their birthdays. The caregivers don't know when their real birthday is, so they made one up. Their birthdays were supposed to be determined by when they arrived at the orphanage, but Mother Superior insisted that they be the same, so the celebration would take place on the same day. They decided on the day they discovered Elisse.