After He's gone
twelve other people

The lake is indeed the most affordable open spot of their current position. It only takes a little walk to arrive at a place dominated by that water.

The lake is not too crowded today. People prefer to go to beaches, malls and other public places on holidays. Now, there are only a few people who take almost all of the existing seats (and indeed very few).

"The seats are full." Alana was disappointed. His favorite spot has been stolen and now he is confused where to go.

"The edge of the lake there like her is pretty good" Invite Ananta to point to the empty side of the lake near the water.

Alana nodded obediently and walked ahead of Ananta.

"Be careful, the ground is slippery" cried Ananta who only sounded vaguely from their distance now.

"Hey... Ananta." Call someone. Ananta turned his head in shock, then looked at the person who called out to him. Someone he once met often.

Alana ignores Ananta who does not follow behind her. After arriving at the place designated Ananta, then he turned around and found Ananta stopped behind talking to others who were familiar enough to him.

After seeing clearly who Ananta was talking to, Alana observed Ananta in the distance with her hands folded in front of her chest. The look on his face was clearly irritated from feeling neglected. Moreover, the people who disturb the attention of Ananta are people who have been close to them before.

While Ananta was having a fun conversation with the person he once knew without looking at Alana at all. This woman before him was the same woman that Ananta had met when they were little, his close friend in the hospital.

"I'm glad to see you again" said the woman smilingly looking at Ananta.

"I'd rather see you." Said Ananta later. A greeting like this actually had a deep impression on them. Many words were implied from him.

People who are equally sick, people who are equally close to death.

Words that disguise the meaning of 'I am happy to see you able to survive...'. They strengthen each other even without the need to show it clearly.

Just by the fact that others who are equally sick are still alive gives a great hope that he will also continue to survive.

"You're still with Alana..." The woman then began the conversation. He pointed to where Alana was standing glaring at him with his chin. Alana who was being talked about now ruffled her waist to see Ananta turned to her. The little girl who looked a little angry looked cute from her point of view now.

"Yes... Still with the same Alana." Ananta looked at Alana with a smile that could have been misinterpreted by Alana. Alana's annoyed rage is getting clearer now, even though she doesn't seem to be trying to hide it.

"You were the favorite couple in our hospital..." Fiola said he began to reminisce about the time when they were in the same hospital. Fiola and Ananta, patients who are more often in the hospital than their own home, and one more person, Alana the visitor who was too loyal.

"You're a miniature couple who love each other like adults." His words made Ananta smile.

"Yes... Long ago.. Day after day I hold out to see Alana. All about him is my power to keep living." Ananta smiled bitterly.

"He's a decent man." Said Fio nodding meaningfully. Ananta looked back at him.

"It's worth it to make you want to live longer." Fio smile.

"You're lucky to have Alana." Fio's gaze deepened, Ananta returned his gaze wryly.

"You also have me expecting you to live on." Ananta's words were thrown just like that when he saw the look of Fio's eyes that looked sad. Fio revealed a smile without looking at Ananta who was watching him.

"Well, people like us definitely need someone like that to hold on." Fio replied, with a wise-sounding sentence.

"But thank you, you did Alana. I don't want to be cheered on by a cute adorable sister like Alana." His speech made Ananta look back at where Alana was standing.

...

Ananta didn't even want to call him brother, he said because they were already friends. But Alana often views Fio as the third person among them.

Alana got tired of just watching that scene for longer. He moved from his original position, preparing to come to Ananta.

But before he could take a step, Ananta first approached him. Fio had already stepped away from them now.

Alana turned and sat herself on the grass.

"Hi, why is that so??" Ananta asked after approaching Alana and sitting next to her.

"Why here... Still care about me? Do you remember me?? It's not more fun to talk to brother Fio" said Alana with annoyance.

Ananta looked at him amusedly. Alana's jealous attitude always looks funny in her eyes.

"Don't be angry" Ananta said.

"Hmph" Alana looked away.

"Sister Fio only said hello for a while after a long time without seeing each other. He was even nanyain you tuh" Bela Ananta.

"Do not get angry. We better have a sandwich..." Said Ananta opened his arms earlier. Alana looked at him for a while then turned her face again.

Only briefly, because after that Ananta forcefully feed a large sandwich into his mouth. Although still nagging, Alana did not seem as angry as before now. They finally ate quietly.

"Ananta... I'm curious." Alana suddenly said in between her mouth. His cheeks began to bulge after eating a sandwich containing strawberries and cream.

"Hmm??"

"Why did you choose that High School to escape?. You really think I'm pretty stupid so won't be able to get into that High School huh?" It seems like an Alana is starting to cultivate a grudge. Well, that thought had been in his head for a long time. But Alana refused to ask. Because he thinks Ananta's answer will only make him more angry.

"No." Ananta answered firmly.

"I thought, when I got into your favorite school, you would still choose not to go to school anymore." Ananta answered a little bit hanging up his sentence.

"Eh, it turns out I even managed to make you go to high school" continued Ananta again finished his sentence. The words sound a little proud. Well anyway seeing Alana back in school is a good thing.

"I know, you're not the one who's going to quit school so easily. You're not good at giving up." Her speech. I don't know if that last sentence just popped up.

"I myself also studied hard to know to be able to escape. Even though at that time you even thought I was faring you" said Alana lirih, very soft.

"Why do you care if I go to school or not?" Said Alana who did not expect Ananta's answer.

"Because I like Alana." Answer Ananta again. This time looking straight at Alana.

"Hmph, I know." Alana turned her face away from Ananta. Refocused on the scene before him that actually now did not look more attractive than the human beside him.

"Thank you... Still here with me" continued Alana... Ananta smiled hearing that.

"Thank you, still here with me" Ananta replied in the same sentence.