Chapter 5

Chris 

After speaking with Mr. Callisto about the recent changes told him there's a new boy named Sam whom they rescued a few days ago. He is alone and still in trauma. So he decided to pay a visit to Sam. 

When he reached Sam's bed he saw Sam was not eating properly and had a gloomy expression. He went over and caressed his head and asked " What happened strong man? Are you not feeling well? " 

Sam looked towards him astoundingly for a few seconds then asked "Who are you ? You don't look at those uncle's who serve lunch. Are you new here ? New habitant?"

Chris smiled softly and replied in negative. "I just came here for a visit. But are you not feeling well ?" 

"For a visit ? Are you a doctor? I don't want anymore needles. I'm absolutely fine" Sam said "No Sam I'm not a doctor but you don't seem fine. What's wrong won't you share with me ? Consider me as your friend" Chris replied patting Sam's back 

"My friend ?" Sam said "Yes" "How do you know my name? "Friends know each other's name right ?" Chris said. " But I don't know your name"

 "Mr. Evanson , here's the file you asked for," Callisto said, handing him a file and asking, how Sam was feeling. " I'm fine Mr.Callisto. Thank you for asking. I just miss Valeri. When will I see her ?" Sam aksed being impatient. "She will be back after lunch. Finish your lunch and you can meet her by that time" Mr Callisto said.

"Thank you Mr. Callisto. I would like to spend some time with Sam. I will get back to you later" Said Chris. "Sure Mr. Evanson. I will be going to my office then. Bye Sam" "Bye Mr. Callisto" 

" So you are Mr. Evanson. I have heard your name from your uncle's and Aunts. `` ''What have you heard about me ?" Asked Chris with a smile.

"That you are very rich and you donated to rebuild HOME. And you are very handsome which I can obviously see. How old are you?" Sam asked, while trying to act like a gentleman. 

Chris chuckled and so did Sam. "I'm twenty six .How old are you, strong man? " "I'm six but will be turning seven soon. Can I call you brother Evan? You don't look like an Uncle to me. Even though you're older , you still look too young to be my uncle." 

Chris felt something hearing brother Evan. He has always longed for a sibling. A wave of warmth hit him . Even though God blessed him with his amazing parents who adopted him but he never had someone calling him brother this way. He was experiencing this foreign feeling. With watery eyes he replied " Sure Sam. I will love that. Now shall we finish your lunch ?" 

" I like it only when Valeri feeds me and she is not here" Sam said in a disappointing tone 

" Who is Valeri? Never heard anyone with that name before" Chris said, feeding Sam. 

" Oh she is the best person I have come across. She is so pretty and caring, " Sam said with a bright smile on his face . " You seem to like Valeri a lot." Chris said while patting his head. '' Yes. I love her. I will marry her when I grow up" Sam said with great determination in his eyes.

 "Haha. You may. But you need to grow up, you need to eat and sleep well and do as the doctor says and mistress aunty's advice. Or else you will be a weak man and not be able to protect her . Right Sam" Chris said wondering who is this Valeri who can make this gloomy kid so happy. Sam finished the whole food talking about Valeriana. How she feeds him and sings to him. 

After lunch Sam said to keep this secret from the caretakers. Let this be their little secret. Chris agreed to that and played with him for a while till Sam got tired and asked him to sing for him. Chris was bewildered hearing such a request. He didn't know what to sing. So he found a loophole and took his phone and played a lullaby from youtube while caressing Sam's hair. After Sam fell asleep he kissed his forehead and left towards the old age side. 

Valeriana 

Maria was having her favourite cookies n cream ice cream like she asked. It was Valeriana's treat. Valeriana was confused which one she should have so she asked Maria to choose for her. Maria picked pistachio . That's my second favorite. Also I can have some from you as well. You won't mind that right Valeri ? " Sure you can have from mine as much as you like Maria '' Valeriana said ordering pistachio cones.

 They were having ice cream. Maria was talking about Rebecca , a seventy five years old lady in HOME who always wants to go to the rooftop even though she has terrible joint pain. Valeriana feels sorry for. Rebecca's grand-children used to build small tent houses on the roof and play there. She used to play with them as well. One day her grandson fell from the roof and died. Her Son blamed her for carelessness and left her in the old age home. She stayed there for five years but she was mistreated there so she fled and was rescued and shifted to HOME afterwards. It's been seven years since she has been living in HOME. This is all they know about her. So she often goes to the rooftop and cries alone. She has not been able to get over the pain of the death of her grandson. Even she blames herself for that like his son. 

Valeriana felt she (Rebecca) should not blame herself. It was an accident. The guilt itself might kill her inside. She has already suffered enough.

Maria said that the doctor strictly forbade her to climb so many stairs. It's bad for her knees. And she might not be able to walk in future as well if she continues to do so. Rebecca's grandchildren will be teenagers or grown ups by now. It's been twelve years since that incident and she still blames herself. 

Valeriana felt sad for Rebecca . She got an idea she can take her Grandma to visit HOME. Rebecca and her Grandma are of close age and they can have a good talk. Valeriana made a mental note to ask her Grandma as soon as she reached home .

While having ice cream Maria ate more than half of Valeriana's pistachio cone after finishing her cookies n cream saying she loved pistachio. Valeriana didn't mind Maria having more than half from hers. Maria was like a chirpy bird and she liked how she was smiling having her ice cream. After they were over Maria said we can take some from Sam as well. 

Valeriana said " No way Maria, how can you forget Sam just recovered from a terrible cold. He can't have ice cream " "Oh no my mind skipped that. " But this reminded Valeriana of Sam. How could she leave him alone? Sam doesn't eat without her. And it was past lunch time Sam might be really hungry and angry as well. Valeriana feels guilty for avoiding Sam even though she did nothing intentionally. 

" Maria" Valeriana called in a troubled tone. " What happened to Valeri ? Lost in your thoughts again? " 

" Do you think Sam has eaten? He doesn't eat nor rests until I feed him and sing a lullaby for him. I'm worried for him, Maria. How can I be so careless? He might be looking for me now. Valeri said with teary eyes.

" Calm down Valeri. Don't stress yourself. There are other helpers as well. And Sam needs get acquainted with other. He can't rely on you entirely. Let's get some hot chocolate for him since he can have ice cream. I think he will love that "

Valeri agreed. Even though she cared a lot about Sam she understood Maria's point. Sam can't depend on her entirely. It's not healthy for his growth. And his condition might deteriorate without Valeriana; that's not a good thing at all. So she decided she needs to get Sam acquainted with others and let him learn to be happy by himself. Valeriana will always be there for him. He is such an adorable kid. 

They packed hot chocolate for Sam. Valeri asked to draw a pikachu over the hot chocolate. Sam loves pokemon special pikachu. 

They already exceeded lunch hours. After taking the hot chocolate she and Maria headed towards HOME.