The next morning, we went back to the beach. It was our last day.
After bathing in the sea, we sat on the same bench.
Then I saw her again.
This time she wasn't holding any shells. She was walking aimlessly, biting her nails.
I called her loudly.
She turned—and that same radiant smile spread across her face as she ran toward me.
"Brother, how are you?"
"I'm good. How are you, little sister?"
"I'm good."
"Not selling shells today?"
She shook her head. "One necklace broke this morning. The owner said I don't need to come anymore."
"What will you eat for lunch?"
"I don't know. Maybe I'll beg."
That was it.
I couldn't hold back my tears. I pulled her into my arms.
She looked confused. "Brother, are you hungry too? Do you want something to eat?"
From her pocket, she took out a half-eaten packet of popcorn.
"Here, you eat. I saved it for a day when I wouldn't get food. But you look hungrier. You eat it."
Such innocence.
She thought of my hunger before her own.
I wiped my tears and said softly, "Aniya… I don't have a sister. Will you be my sister?"
Without hesitation—
"Yes, brother."
She smiled.
And in that moment, something inside me felt complete.
I took her to a restaurant. She ate whatever she wanted. At one point, she even fed me with her own tiny hands.
After paying the bill, I turned to Jack. "Check if there's an extra ticket for today's evening flight."
Jack stared at me. "You're taking her with you?"
"Yes. I'll raise her like my own sister. I'll educate her."
"What about your mother?"
"If she scolds me, I'll accept it."
We bought her new clothes. When she wore them, she looked like a little fairy.
At the hotel, she wouldn't leave my side. Perhaps she was afraid of losing me too.
One ticket was arranged.
We were going back to city .
On the way, she asked quietly, "Brother… you won't leave me somewhere like my parents did, right?"
I couldn't hold back my tears. Still, I quickly wiped them away and said…
"Never," I promised.