The last day of December arrived with laughter and color. The orphanage was alive with excitement — paper lanterns hung from the ceiling, bright streamers crisscrossed the hall, and the smell of fried noodles and satay drifted through the air.
Outside, the sun dipped low, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Children ran around the courtyard with sparklers, their faces glowing with joy.
Siti stood by the window, watching them with a soft smile. She had spent the whole morning helping Safura and Safuan decorate the orphanage. Balloons were tied to the gate, the tables were covered with food and drinks, and a small stereo played cheerful Malay songs in the background.
This was her first time celebrating New Year away from her parents, but she didn't feel as lonely as she once did. The children at Rumah Kasih Sayang had become her brothers and sisters, and the twins, Safura and Safuan, felt almost like family.
"Hey, Siti!" Safuan called out from the kitchen door. "Come help me bring out the drinks!"
"Coming!" she replied, hurrying over.
Together, they carried trays of orange juice and syrup ice to the tables outside. Safura was helping the younger kids prepare for a short performance — a little singing and dancing to welcome the new year.
When the sun finally disappeared and the first stars appeared, everyone gathered in the courtyard.
"Alright, everyone!" Safura said, clapping her hands. "Let's start our celebration!"
The children cheered. Music filled the air as they began to sing. Their voices were loud and bright, full of joy and innocence. Some danced awkwardly but happily, others clapped along.
Siti couldn't stop smiling. She clapped to the rhythm, cheering for them. Even little Amir, holding his toy car tightly, tried to dance, making everyone laugh.
After the songs, they played games — balloon-popping contests, musical chairs, and guessing games that made even Safura laugh so hard she had to wipe tears from her eyes.
When the clock struck midnight, everyone gathered around the table, counting down together.
"Ten!"
"Nine!"
"Eight!"
The children's voices grew louder with each number.
"Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!"
The courtyard erupted in cheers. Sparklers lit up the night, tiny stars flickering in the darkness. Siti waved hers through the air, drawing shapes of light as laughter echoed around her.
In that moment, surrounded by love and warmth, she felt truly happy.
---
After the games ended and the little ones started to yawn, the group slowly went back inside. Some of the children fell asleep on the couch, clutching their balloons. Safura smiled as she carried one of the smaller kids to bed.
Siti, meanwhile, stayed behind in the courtyard. The sparklers had burned out, leaving only faint trails of smoke in the cool night air. She took out her phone and opened the camera app.
She turned toward the building, where lights from the orphanage windows glowed softly. The laughter of the kids drifted faintly through the walls.
She snapped a picture — the orphanage under the starry sky, balloons still hanging on the gate, and the faint shimmer of fireworks in the distance.
Then she opened her messages and began typing to her parents.
> Siti:
Happy New Year, Ibu and Ayah 🎆
I celebrated with everyone here at the orphanage!
We had games and sparklers, and everyone was happy.
I miss you both.
Hope you're safe and doing well ❤️
She attached the photo and pressed Send.
The message went through immediately. She stared at it, waiting for the little "read" mark to appear beside it. Just like before, her heart filled with quiet hope. Maybe this time, they would see it. Maybe this time, they'd reply.
She went back inside, sitting on the couch where the children had fallen asleep. Her phone was still in her hand. Every few minutes, she checked the screen. Nothing.
One hour passed. Then two.
Safura came downstairs with a blanket in her arms. "Siti, aren't you going to bed? It's already past two."
Siti smiled weakly. "I will soon. Just… waiting for something."
Safura tilted her head, understanding instantly. She sat beside Siti and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You sent your parents a message again, didn't you?"
Siti nodded silently.
Safura sighed softly. "I know it hurts when they don't reply. But, sayang, don't let that stop you from being happy tonight, okay?"
Siti's throat tightened. "I just wanted to show them… that I'm doing fine. That I'm not sad anymore."
"And I'm sure they'd be proud if they saw," Safura said gently. "But if they can't right now, then you still have us."
Siti smiled faintly. "I know. Thank you, Kak Safura."
Safura smiled back, tucking the blanket over Siti's lap before standing. "Come to bed soon, alright?"
"I will," Siti said.
When Safura went upstairs, Siti checked her phone again. Still no reply. The message sat there quietly, unread, like the ones before it.
Five hours had passed since she sent it.
She sighed, leaned back against the couch, and looked at the sleeping children. Amir was curled up next to the toy car she'd given him, his face peaceful.
Siti brushed away a single tear that slipped down her cheek. "At least… I'm not alone anymore," she whispered to herself.
Outside, faint fireworks sparkled across the distant hills. Their light flickered through the windows, glinting softly on her face.
Siti watched them until her eyes grew heavy. The phone lay still in her hand, the unread message glowing faintly on the screen — a silent wish carried into the new year.
And as she finally drifted into sleep, her heart whispered one last hope into the quiet night:
Maybe next time… they'll see it.