The Last Letter from the Maestro
Chapter 4 The Last Letter from the Maestro

Happy Reading

...

THE DOG LOST

It was a cold night as white snowflakes fell and began to pile up, covering every trace left behind.

" Hey, don't think too much, remember you've tried." said a man with a black coat covering his body.

" I know. "

Luke walked down the quiet streets, it was early morning as he sat pulled over under a tree. His eyes stared at the pile of snow in front of him with a blank look, the flashback of the incident this afternoon again made a sense of tightness in his chest appear.

" I should have tried more.."

This afternoon there was a middle-aged man carrying a small child coming to the hospital where he worked, the middle-aged man was so panicked and started crying.

Luke approaches the two and sees what happened to the little boy, but unfortunately when Luke's hand starts touching his neck to confirm his pulse, he feels nothing there. No heartbeat, no breathing.

This was not unusual at the time, given the outbreak. A deadly flu.

The child was not the only one in the hospital who was exposed to the outbreak, there were already more than hundreds of children with similar symptoms. And some of them died, due to slow handling and also lack of knowledge about the outbreak.

Luke, who had only been doing practical work a few months ago in the hospital, felt a bit devastated by the fact that he was unable to do anything. In that short period of time, Luke had seen dozens of victims killed by the plague.

Seeing a patient who has been stiffened without life, is a severe blow to every medical personnel.

" I think I should take a break" said Luke, rising from his seat.

As the first step of his legs swung, his eyes unintentionally glanced at a girl who was also staring at him from an open window.

Luke was amazed by the girl's face, but there was nothing else but he was pensive for a moment.

It was his first meeting with the girl who would become an important figure in his life.

***

Early in the morning Maria was busy in the kitchen, Lucas and Nolle were awakened by the pleasant aroma that filled the house.

" Good morning !" greet Mary cheerfully.

Lucas and Nolle nodded and sat across from each other at the dinner table, Maria chuckling at how the two sisters looked so cute with their hair sticking out.

" Well, you have dared to laugh at my brother, yes" said Lucas playfully.

" A that, of course not" said Mary.

" Anu, is there a job today ?" asked Nolle with a hoarse voice.

" no. "

" I want to look around, and I also want to keep a dog, is that okay ?"

Lucas nodded in agreement, there was nothing wrong with going around his new neighborhood. After all, for the next two days, he is still on holiday.

" Why do you suddenly want to keep a dog?" asked Lucas while he ate his breakfast.

" that.. The neighbor next to our house had a dog that was big enough, I thought it was really funny. "

Tuk

Pancake pieces rolled on the dining table with his fork, Lucas' hands suddenly stiff after hearing Nolle's words.

" Who is this a sign ?" asked Maria playfully.

" Are you not sick ?" asked Lucas with a worried face.

Nolle looked at her brother's face and let out a tired sigh, she knew what made her two brothers behave like that. Once when they were children, Nolle was chased by a dog belonging to his neighbor, the dog was a type of golden retriever and it was a tame dog, he said, but because Nolle was still very small about 5 years, when chased by the dog Nolle cried while running to avoid the pursuit of the dog. As a result, little Nolle fell and her knees were chafed.

Nolle who was crying hysterically was even more when the yellow dog was getting closer, but the dog just wanted to invite him to play. Evidently when it was near the dog sat down and wiggled its tail with vigor, even the dog licked the arm of Nolle.

Since then Nolle has always avoided one animal, but now suddenly she asks to keep a dog. That's a little bit beyond belief.

" Okay, okay, well we'll keep one, I think this house is too quiet with just the three of us" Lucas said with a small smile.

" Can I pick the dog ?" maria asked with a look towards Nolle's face.

Nolle nodded, "Okay, it's up to you. "

Maria squealed happily, from the beginning she was very fond of the animal.

*** ***

" Good day, what animal do you want?"

An officer approached Lucas with his two younger siblings, Nolle and Maria. As planned at breakfast, they surround the neighborhood to look around and shop for daily necessities, and lastly they visit an animal adoption shop, both cats and dogs and some hairy animals and reptiles that have been domesticated.

" We're looking for a dog to keep" Lucas said.

" Ah what kind of dog do you want ?"

The shopkeeper nodded his head understanding, "Well let's come over here, you can choose the animal here. All dogs are docile and friendly to humans."

Lucas went through the kennel there meticulously, behind which Maria was very enthusiastic to see the animals sticking out their tongues and barking.

" If I may suggest, there are some dogs that are so loved in the community, would you like to see them ?" ask the officer.

" oh really? "

The employee nodded and guided Lucas to a small cage.

" This new breed of dog breed in Japan, its name is Japaneze Spitz, its fur is smooth and petite. This dog has been very popular recently especially among families who have small children as playmates" said the employee explained in detail.

Lucas nodded, the dog was indeed cute with its fine white fur.

" Woahh, the dog is very cute." said Maria suddenly.

" Sister, we can take him."

" What do you think of Nolle ?" asked Lucas to his first brother.

Nolle nodded in agreement, "Yes I think he's funny.."

" We chose this one instead" Lucas told the store clerk.

Lucas follows the store clerk to take care of the payment, while Nolle and Maria lead the dog behind.

After taking care of their payment to bring the dog home, Lucas also did not forget to stop by the store that sells food and daily necessities for the little dog.

*** *** ***

This afternoon it seemed like the snow was not going to fall, Maria told Lucas to take her new dog for a walk outside.

" Sister I want to bring Pompe to play outside yes." said Maria quite loudly from the front door.

" Yes." said Lucas no less loud than the kitchen.

Pompe the name of the white dog now, he walked funny while wagging his tail to the left and right. Seems so happy to take a walk outside.

But then Pompe stopped and barked softly at a tree on the side of the road, looking so agitated.

" Hey Pom, what's up ?" mary asked while crouching beside Pompe.

But Pompe kept moving restlessly, he was seen circling and screeching as a silhouette came out from behind the tree. A small black-brown dog was walking limping, it seemed like Pompe was agitated at meeting the same species as him.

" Geez, where's your owner ? You're lost ?" maria asked the dog after seeing a necklace wrapped around her neck, indicating she belonged to someone.

" Come with me first, I'll help find your owner." said Maria, holding the little dog.

Maria was confused as to where she should look for the owner of the little dog. He just walked back and forth around the park not far from where the dog was.

" How is this ?" asked Mary who she was, she glanced at the quiet surroundings.

" Let's wait a while longer.. "

An hour later, Maria decided to take her home. It was getting dark, and the temperature was getting colder.

But just a few footsteps left the park, the sound of running footsteps rang out behind him. Mary turned her head and saw a man who looked confused and looking for something.

" Excuse me.." said Maria.

As the man turned his head and stopped, his gaze fell on the little dog in Maria's sling.

" Oh Molly !" said the man in surprise.

" I found it there, it looks like his leg was injured" Maria said, pointing to the spot where she found the dog.

" Thank you, " said the man with full force.

" I was so confused when I came home and Molly wasn't there. I'm really grateful. "

" It's okay. I just accidentally found it.. "

" Oh I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Maria" said Maria as she extended her hand.

" Ah, I'm Luke." said Luke, shaking Maria's hand.

They ended up chatting while sitting on a park bench, Maria undo her intention to go home and hang on for a while there.

Maria was so happy that they had a lot of things in common, like liking dogs and liking music.

" Wow I did not expect to meet people who have the same hobby" said Maria happily.

" Sometimes please sing a song for me. "

Luke chuckled softly at Maria's request, but the man nodded his head in agreement. Maria thanked me and said goodbye to go home, because it did not feel dark. Luke stared silently at the little girl's back, her lips smiling wryly as they recalled how they talked to each other.

*** *** *** ***

Tbc..