Maya stared at Evan with an expression that was hard to explain. On one hand, she wanted to laugh because the boy looked genuinely sorry for her. But on the other hand, she wanted to yank his ear because his words were incredibly annoying.
“Thank you for your pity,” Maya replied, crossing her arms over her chest. “Now get out of the tub and grab the water dipper.”
Evan wrinkled his nose.
“The water dipper?”
“The heart-shaped thing.”
“Why does a bath tool have to be heart-shaped?”
“Because the person who made it likes yellow and heart shapes.”
“Poor people have such weird tastes.”
Maya closed her eyes for a moment, holding on to what little patience she had left.
“Evan.”
“What?”
“If you keep insulting me, you can bathe with rainwater.”
Evan immediately looked up at the bathroom ceiling. His expression turned serious.
“Is rainwater clean?”
“Cleaner than your body is right now.”
The boy lowered his head and inspected his own arm. There was dirt on his elbow, his hair was tangled, and his skin felt sticky after going three days without a bath.
He let out a long sigh.
“Fine. But when I get home, I’m going to ask Dad to buy you a new bathroom.”
Maya picked up the bottle of shampoo diluted with water.
“Not necessary. Just buy yourself some soap.”
“I have lots of soap.”
“Where?”
“At home.”
“Too bad you’re not at home right now.”
Evan fell silent. He still had no idea where his home was. After escaping from the kidnappers, he had simply wandered around aimlessly until Maya found him near the market. The boy didn’t recognize the way home and had nothing with him except the clothes that had already gotten dirty.
Maya had briefly wanted to report finding him to the police. But the boy refused because he was worried the police would cause trouble for his father. He also said that his father had many enemies, so no one could find out that he was Thomas Mahardika’s son.
Maya didn’t really believe what he said, but she went along with it and waited until Evan was willing to look for his parents. It was better than forcing him, because she was afraid he might become traumatized.
“Stop spacing out,” Maya said. “Come on, take a bath.”
Evan began pouring water over himself. After just one scoop, he jumped in surprise.
“It’s cold!”
“It’s water.”
“The water at my house is warm.” Evan pouted irritably.
“Does your house also have shampoo that hasn’t been diluted with water?”
“Lots.”
“Good. Take a proper bath, so when your family comes for you, they won’t think you just crawled out of a chicken coop.”
Evan rubbed his face in annoyance.
“I’ve never been in a chicken coop.”
“Judging by the smell, the chickens might think you’re one of their brothers.”
Maya left him with a quiet laugh. From inside the bathroom, she heard Evan grumbling.
“I’m going to remember every single insult you’ve made!”
“Go ahead. And don’t forget to remember how to use the water dipper, too,” Maya called back, not expecting the boy to be so talkative.
A few minutes later, the sound of running water stopped. Maya, who was preparing clean clothes in the living room, turned when Evan came out of the bathroom.
The boy’s hair was still wet, dripping water onto the floor. He was wearing one of Maya’s loose T-shirts, which nearly reached his knees, along with a pair of shorts that had to be folded twice so they wouldn’t slip down.
Maya looked him up and down.
“What?”
“You look like a lost child who was just found by the side of the road.”
“I am a lost child.”
Maya’s smile slowly faded.
The words sounded simple, but they held a sadness no six-year-old child should have to carry.
Maya quickly grabbed a towel and rubbed his hair dry.
“Don’t say that.”
“Am I wrong?”
“No. But you’re not alone.”
Evan looked at Maya through the gap in the towel covering his head.
“I’m not alone?”
“No. For now, you’re staying with me.”
“Your house is small.”
“Evan.”
“Fine. This house is simple.”
“That’s better.”
“And the bathroom is like a chicken coop.”
Maya tapped his head with the towel.
“Ow!”
“Still brave enough to insult me?”
Evan held his head and pursed his lips. But a few seconds later, he let out a small laugh.
Maya smiled too.
For the first time since she found him, Evan seemed a little more relaxed.