The next morning, Siti woke with butterflies in her stomach. She hadn't slept much, tossing and turning as her mind replayed Safura's promise: "Tomorrow, I'll go with you to the ATM."
She dressed in her neatest baju kurung, tied her hair back, and slipped the bank card into her small sling bag. For the first time, it didn't feel like a useless piece of plastic—it felt like a key.
When she arrived at the orphanage, Safura was waiting at the gate. Beside her stood a man who looked almost identical to her, except he was taller and wore glasses.
"Siti," Safura called warmly. "This is my twin brother, Safuan. He helps me with errands and sometimes with the children."
Siti's eyes widened. "You're twins?"
Safuan chuckled. "Yes. People often confuse us when we were younger. Don't worry—I'm the calmer one. Safura's the fiery one."
"Hey!" Safura nudged him, laughing.
Their sibling banter made Siti giggle. She hadn't laughed like this with adults in so long.
"Ready to check your account?" Safura asked gently.
Siti nodded, clutching her bag.
---
The bank was cooler than the morning sun outside. They walked to the row of ATMs, and Safura guided Siti step by step.
"First, put the card in," she said.
Siti slid it carefully into the slot. The screen lit up, asking for the PIN. Her fingers shook as she pressed 2446.
The machine accepted it with a cheerful beep. Her heart leaped.
"Now, press here—'Balance Inquiry,'" Safura instructed.
Siti tapped the button, and the screen blinked before displaying the amount in her account.
Her eyes widened. The numbers stretched across the screen like something from a dream.
"Th-that much?" she stammered.
Safuan leaned closer, whistling softly. "That's quite a lot for someone your age."
Safura placed a reassuring hand on Siti's shoulder. "See? The money is really there. Your parents may be careless, but at least they've been providing something."
Siti stared at the screen, torn between awe and confusion. She had never imagined having so much money in her name. For months she had struggled to cook rice and fried eggs every night, and here was more money than she could spend in years.
Her eyes prickled with tears. "All this time… I thought I had nothing."
"Now you know," Safura said softly. "But remember, Siti—money is just a tool. What matters is how you use it."
---
After withdrawing a small amount for practice, Safuan suggested, "Why don't we buy her some new clothes? Look at her bag and shoes—they're worn out. She deserves better."
Siti blinked. "Oh, no, I don't need—"
"You do," Safura interrupted firmly. "Come on. Consider it a fresh start."
---
The three of them walked to a shopping complex nearby. It wasn't fancy, but to Siti it felt like stepping into another world. Bright displays lined the windows, mannequins wore sparkling outfits, and the air smelled faintly of new fabric.
Safura guided her into a boutique filled with colorful baju kurung and dresses. "Pick something you like," she encouraged.
Siti hesitated, fingers brushing against a soft blue dress with tiny embroidered flowers. She had never bought clothes for herself before—her parents had always chosen.
"Try it," Safuan said gently, handing it to her.
In the fitting room, Siti slipped into the dress. When she stepped out, both twins smiled.
"You look beautiful," Safura said warmly.
Siti blushed, staring at her reflection in the mirror. For the first time, she saw not just a lonely girl surviving on her own, but someone who belonged somewhere. Someone worth caring for.
They continued shopping—new shoes that fit snugly, a sturdy backpack to replace her fraying sling bag, and even a small hair clip shaped like a butterfly. Each item felt like a piece of a new life being stitched together.
"Are you sure it's okay to spend this money?" Siti asked nervously as they paid.
Safura squeezed her hand. "Siti, this is your money. It's meant to take care of you. And now, you finally can."
---
After shopping, they stopped at a small café for lunch. Siti bit into her chicken rice, the flavors richer than anything she had cooked alone at home. She looked across the table at Safura and Safuan, their easy laughter filling the air.
It almost felt like sitting with family.
"Thank you," Siti said softly.
"For what?" Safuan asked.
"For… today. For helping me, for… everything."
Safura reached across the table, brushing Siti's hand. "We're not doing anything extraordinary, Siti. We're just making sure you don't feel alone anymore."
The words struck deep into her heart. She lowered her eyes to her plate, blinking back tears.
---
By the time they returned to the orphanage, the children ran up to greet her as usual. But this time, Siti carried her new backpack, her steps lighter, her smile brighter.
"Wah, Kak Siti looks different today!" Aina exclaimed.
Siti laughed. "Do I?"
"Yes!" the children chorused, circling her with admiration.
Safura watched with a soft smile, whispering to her brother, "She's blooming already."
Safuan nodded. "All she needed was someone to stand beside her."
---
That evening, when Siti cycled home, the air felt different. Her new shoes pressed against the pedals, her new bag rested on her shoulder, and her bank card felt no longer like a mystery but a key to a future she could shape.
At home, she placed her old clothes and worn-out bag into her wooden box, alongside the card and treasures of her past. They weren't useless—they were reminders of how far she had come.
As she looked at her reflection in the mirror, wearing her new dress, she whispered to herself, "Maybe… life is changing."
And for once, the thought didn't scare her. It made her smile.