PART 03

My House

A week later, the condition of that boy get better and better. I mean physically. He can eat by himself, he can walk properly and he also understand how to clean himself correctly.

He can do everything independently but only one thing he has never done until now, speak. He never speak to everyone in there. Not with the doctor, nurse, Julian or me.

When the doctor asking him, he didn’t asnwer but only shook his head. All he has done so far to communicate is nod and shake his head. Nore talking or crying.

Seeing this, Julian proposed to refer that boy to a therapist or psychologist at the hospital. Is not bad idea so I agree with him.

On the first day meeting with the psychologist not much information was obtained. The psychologist concluded that the boy experienced a traumatic incident which impact in his speech ability or it names as Elective Mutism.

Day to days it's seems nothing change. That boy still can't or wants to talk.

“Or maybe he couldn’t talk? Speech impaired?” Julian guessing.

“No. He can speak. I heared him asking my help back then. Even his voice so lower.”

“So why he wont to talk?”

“I don’t know. The psychologist said he might scared of something.”

“What?”

“I don’t know Julian. Geszz.” I walk and sit near the boy. Peeling an apple for him.

“So, what should we do now? Almost two weeks he been here.”

“Right. My class would be open next month.”

“Nah, how if we called-” Before Julian finished his sentence, I glare at him deeply.

I know what he want to say. He must said something like give that boy to the police or that kind of things.

“I don’t think we will make it. We don’t have any information. Even I was distributing pamphlets with missing kid and information about this boy. There are no parents or people who know this child.”

“Then we should wait longer.” I give him a peace of apple that was separated from it skin.

He received it stiffly but then ate it according to my directions. It's so cute watching him eat like that.

“Hei, is there anything you could tell me? Anything is fine. Hmm?" I look at his eyes. He stunned a moment while look at my eyes.

“I would not hurt you. I just wanna know about you. Like how old are you maybe?” I grab his hand and gently stroke it.

“There is no used asking that. Psychologist already did and he didn't-" Julian stunned.

Unexpectedly, the boy suddenly raised his hands. Then spread his ten fingers in the air.

“Ten? You are ten years old?” I asking with tremble voice.

The boy didn’t speak yet but he nodding when I confirm his age. it's mean he know something about himself!

Both me and Julian get excited. We try to asking another question.

“Then, did you remember about your mom or dad?” My eyes looked at him expectantly.

Again, without speaking he also shake his head.

“How about your name’s? If you don’t want to talk, I will grab some pen and paper.” Julian busy looking for a paper in this room.

Then again, this boy only shake his head.

“Julian, I think he olny remember his age.”

“What? How come?” Julian stop looking for a paper and walk near me.

“Who knows? At least we know he is ten years old. Cause all this time I thought he was six.”

“Yeah you right.”

I continue to stroke his hand and smiling at him.

Silent for a moment.

“Julian.” I turn at him. He silent look at me.

“How about we take him home-”

“No. No. That’s not our deal.”

“Just until he know who is he.”

“That’s imposibble and how you could bring him home? He is under police surveillance.”

“Then I will asking him. If he willing to go home with me then we should bring him home too.” Julian still protest but I do not care.

“Do you want to go home with me? I will treat you as my little brother.” I smile at him.

“But it's ok if you don’t wanna. I didn’t force you to come with me. Even you don’t come with me, I will keep visiting you like now.”

silence returned.

I could see the confusion in his eyes. Then he looked down, as if in deep thought.

At first Julian thought he reject my invitation but it's not. For the first time, he grab my hand and give me a nod.

“You want to follow me? For sure?” I asking again to make sure.

He nodding again.

“Yey. Okay then. Let’s go home!” I look at Julian who has confused face. He didn’t expect that I could win in this games.

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