After He's gone
thirty-one hope

It's been a week, Alana's days are still the same. Back and forth from dormitory rooms, schools and hospitals. The hospital was the place she visited the longest.

Alana had very often permission to the teacher, until finally she was honest that she really had to go to the hospital because Ananta's condition was getting worse. He was forced to explain at length about Ananta's history and how precious each second of time is today.

He is well aware, he could lose Ananta at any time. Plus, Arkan is still in a coma. Alana could only hope for a miracle to happen for the two boys.

On Sunday, Alana came to the hospital early this time, this time straight to Ananta's room which looked limp. The intensity of the pain in his chest has decreased, although his father said his condition has not really improved.

Alana watched the boy closely. Ananta is eating right now, a little tasteless because the menu is almost the same every day. Moreover, it tastes bland makes him want to ask Alana to smuggle food from outside for him if Alana's father does not forbid it.

"Hummm, your food looks really good." Ananta peeked at the rice packet that Alana brought into the room, Alana had not had time to eat this morning. Finally he had breakfast with Ananta in the inpatient room that slightly smelled of drugs to reduce appetite.

"What. Eat your own food" said Alana distanced her rice package when she saw Ananta as if he was going to take it by force.

"I'll eat fruit then" Ananta replied. Well, the taste of the fruit is much more palatable than that tasteless dish. Even chicken tastes bad.

"Eat rice too." Alana's turning into fierce mothers now. Ananta's mother who was sitting next to him just smiled looking at his behavior.

Ah, if their destiny was better than this thought the middle-aged woman staring softly.

Shortly after, Alana's father came to check on Ananta. This was a routine thing that he always did every day during Ananta's treatment.

This time he glanced at his son who was staring anxiously at his patient. This morning a little miracle happened, but he was not sure if this included good or bad things for Ananta.

After he finished checking on Ananta, Alana's father gestured for Alana to follow him into his room. This needs to be heard by Alana before she tells Ananta.

Alana stared fixedly at her father who sighed harshly. He was doubtful, very doubtful. Can he break the hopes of others like this?

"Your friends... It's conscious." His words were answered by Alana's difficult to understand gaze, even Alana herself was not sure if she was happy or disappointed.

"It's been stabilizing since last night. And according to the hospital procedure, we can't ask him to be a donor." Alana's father explained the situation.

"The situation changed Alana. I don't know where else to look for hope." He said in despair. The treatment that now lived Ananta was not fully treat, can only help his heart function even though still Ananta disease becomes a time bomb that can explode at any time.

"I have to be happy, right" Alana stared blankly, making her father stop her sentence.

"My friend survived." Alana's tears were dripping again. I don't know, he's not sure what caused it. Alana cried long enough in front of her father. He just stopped when his cell phone ring reads, It's Bella who wants to give happy news, news that just heard by herself.

Alana wiped her rough tears before moving from where she sat. He moved to a fairly quiet hospital terrace before picking up the call.

"Well..." Call bella who also sounds crying... Blissfully.

"God...." Bella gave a long pause before continuing her words.

"Arkan wake. Hope was not in vain Alana. Arkan woke up" Bella said between sobs that still sounded vague.

"Thank God..." That's all Alana can say. He's the same... Crying out. Although because things are much different from the cause of Bella's cry.

Alana asks her father to tell Ananta about this. Better be honest about everything. After all, the donor heart is definitely not doable anymore.

After making sure she doesn't look messy, Alana returns to Ananta's room. He saw Ananta eating the sweet cake he bought this morning. He only bought it for Ananta's mother, because he wasn't sure if Ananta could eat it.

"Hey... That's not for you, aunt." Alana smiled seeing Ananta hurriedly stuffing the cake into her mouth.

"Huh. Not much" continued Alana. The more forbidden the more it becomes. Better to be left but restricted.

Alana smiled faintly as Ananta whispered thanks in a soft voice as her mouth still did not stop chewing.

Alana knows, Ananta must be tired of everything about hospitals. Consider this cake to be a little entertainer for him.

But the atmosphere returned to silence when Alana's father entered the room to tell the bad news. Once again the middle-aged man let out a long sigh before speaking.

"The "pendonor that we were hoping for, had already recovered from the coma. And we can't ask for the donor anymore."

"I'm sorry, I didn't think this would happen. Forgive me for giving this empty wish to Ananta." Her speech. Alana just lowered her head deeply. He did not dare to stare at Ananta's expression now.

"Thank God. That means the guy survived." Ananta said in silence.

"I was worried at first because I had to take the lives of others for my recovery. But this way, I don't have to worry about it anymore." Said Ananta smiling. Alana glanced a little as Ananta finished his sentence.

But that means missing another hope for your recovery Ananta...

Alana wanted to say it out loud but she could bear it. He doesn't want to be evil here.

"And the identity of the patient is one school with you." Furthermore Alana's father, Ananta glances at a glance towards Alana who looks wrong. Alana doesn't look surprised at all which means Alana already knows who she is.

"The name is Arkan." He continued with a bitter smile. Ananta turned his gaze completely at Alana. Now he understands the reason Alana cried a few days ago. The girl must have thought a lot of things in her head, again because of Ananta. Ananta feels guilty for getting Alana involved in the dizzying scenario.

"Hmmm. Thank goodness." Say it again. Honestly, he said it sincerely. Ananta is not stupid, he knows he has given up his life expectancy again. But the moment he found out that it meant his friend had survived death made it even easier to accept fate once again.