Orphanages were something that I only read about, in books.

A place where abandoned children find their safety. A place where they can shelter themselves from the sun and rain.

A chance to visit an orphanage was something I never wished to miss.

"Mom, mom I want to visit the orphanage Marina spoke about. I want to see the kids my age living together." I asked mother to allow me to visit the orphanage.

She strongly denied.

"No, it is not safe. We will enjoy the festival with street food and games. Another day let us visit the orphanage. "

I ran towards my dad's arms. "Papa, please. I want to visit the orphanage. "

Turning towards mother and holding dad's hand, I spoke, "Dad will protect us mothers. You don't have to worry."

They were helpless in front of their stubborn little daughter who was excited to explore something she had only read about in books.

"Okay, let us go visit the orphanage, but you should always stay with me or your mom."

Dad warned me. More than the warning, the permission he gave, to visit the orphanage made me happy.

Marina smiled, "Little Miss; now you can go and play with friends of your age."

I asked Marina, "Friends of my age. In orphanages are all children three years old. The book I read clearly detailed about how long can a child stay in orphanages, and it was around fifteen years old for girls and fourteen for boys."

"Yes, young Miss. there would also be three-year-old children, whom you can make friends." Marina spoke with a lovely smile and soft voice. She looked excited about me visiting the orphanage.

We ate candy floss, pancakes, and meat skewers.

We played different stall games.

Dad won some prizes.

Dad gifted me the teddy he won.

It was fluffy and soft brown teddy with a blue ribbon.

We walked towards the orphanage.

Reaching the orphanage, Father told the guards to wait outside, so that the children won't be scared.

Father entered the orphanage first, while Brothers, Mom, Marina and I were waiting outside.

Soon a lady in her fifties opened the door.

Father was standing behind her. She smiled broadly and greeted us, "Happy Festival Madame, masters and miss. Welcome to the Ruby Orphanage."

My mother smiled "Greetings Lady, Happy festival."

"Please. Please don't stand here, and come inside." The lady welcomed us inside with open hands.

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The door was made of wood and was not something that could assure your safety.

As we entered there was a huge hall. Children were running around.

A child around age four rushed towards the Lady and hugged her.

"Mother, are they our new guest." The child asked with an innocent and cute smile.

I was confused, as per the books I read; children of orphanages do not have parents. I was confused, why the girl called the Lady Madame.

I knew it was impolite to ask such a question now, so I kept my curiosity with myself.

The Lady smiled and carried the four-year-old in her arms.

"Yes, little Tresa, they are our today's guest.

There are even friends who are your age.

Bring your brothers and sisters, so that you all can play together."

Tresa jumped down from the orphan director's arms and ran inside.

She shouted while running, "new friends, new friends."

Father smiled at me, "Andrea, you can go with your mother inside.

Brother John and I will talk some matters with the director in her office. Okay?"

"Yes Father, I will play with them." I smiled and agreed to Father.

Andrew who stood beside me shouted, "I will also follow brother johns and father. I also want to learn from Father."

"Okay, okay (turning to director) lead us to your office, Madame. I have to discuss about some financial aid. "Father spoke and followed the director who led father and brothers to the office.

Mother, Marina and I walked to the inner room.

There we saw children coming out of their room.

There were around 6 children.

Tresa who was four, ran towards me, held my hands "Hello, what is your name?" she asked with curiosity and excitement.

"Hello, I am Andrea." I spoke holding onto her hands.

Tresa was a cute little girl, who really knew to make friends.

She introduced mother and me to other children.

One girl was, Rosy, 10 years old.

Martin, who was 8 years old.

James, who was 7 years old.

Riya, who was 11 years old.

Cattery , a baby who was just 1 year old.

Cattari crawled while others stood shyly behind the curtains.

Seeing them all acting shy I spoke.

"Hello, Martin, James, Riya, and Rosy. I am Andrea, and this is my mother.

This is my maid. Please take care of us. I hope we enjoy this festival together."

I realized it much later that the children were stunned, to see a three-year-old speaking so formal."

Mother smiled and knelt down on the carpeted floor.

She spoke in a soft voice and with a warm smile, "Children, I am Hannah, and I also wish to enjoy this festival playing with you all. Will you allow us to play together?"

My mother looked like a fairy, while smiling.

Tresa ran towards me, she looked like a rabbit who got excited seeing a carrot.

"Come; come closer to us, Andrea. She pulled me towards the other children.

Mother sat on the carpet.

While I played with the children.

Marina was standing beside us.

As we were playing, Marina walked towards us. She whispered something to Tresa.

Tresa's eyes lightened up.

She went and whispered something to the other kids.

They stared at me and Martin spoke.

"Andrea, do you want to see per toys?"

"Toys? What toys? " I asked.

"Toys we play with, it is our secret storage area, but as Andrea is a good friend we will show you. " Rosy spoke .

She looked proud.

I agreed. I also wished to know whether, these children would also enjoy playing with soft teddy and running vehicle toys.

I told my mother, "Mom , can you please wait here, I want to see their store room."

"Sure , my child, but don't wander around." Mother smiled and allowed me.

The children led me to a room.

As we entered through the door.

There were hundreds of spider webs.

The rook stank, and was damp.

There was not much light.

Riya, the eldest, lighted up a candle.

Martin ran towards a closed shelf.

Opening it, he took out some things in his little hands, and rushed back to me.

He stretched out his hands and opened them.

He was holding on to some worn-out wooden toys.

This was his and the other children's treasure.

The damp and dark room, soon made me feel sick.

I started to suffocate; it was getting hard to breathe.

The thought of the orphans, treasuring such worn out wooden toys and wearing these wretched dresses, made my mind more burdened.

I couldn't handle the suffocation, I ran outside.

Seeing me running, Mother panicked.

She asked me."What, what happened Andrea"

I couldn't speak; I felt like I breathed some, I shouldn't have. I ran outside, from the front door.

Mother stood up at once and was following me.

She tripped and fell, while following me in a. Hurry.

It was hard to run in heels and dress. I wished to help up my mother, but I couldn't turn back.

I felt like, if I don't go out, I would die from suffocation.