After He's gone
thirty-five is handsome

Alana's back in Ananta's ward. Throughout the hallway, his mind floated. He had not expected someone as happy as Arkan to have done those things in his past. Well, but everyone must have their own wounds. What is different is just the way they deal with and cope with it. It's everyone's choice, whether to linger in painful memories of the past or rise up to make it a force to face tomorrow.

Alana approached Ananta as soon as she arrived. Although he finally hesitated, willing to tell what he just knew or not. He still did not know the prejudice was true or not. So, it seemed like Alana was going to harbor him again, waiting until she was completely sure.

"have you?" ananta asked as soon as he saw the new Alana coming and immediately sat down beside her.

"have.satisfied you?" alana asked a little annoyed. Remember, he went to visit Arkan also at Ananta's insistence. Ananta just laughed looking at Alana who looked annoyed.

"not yet, I haven't been able to see it myself." continued Ananta. His smile faded a little. Making Alana hurriedly want to find something to cheer her up.

"oh, I was taking pictures of Arkan" he said excitedly. He took a picture of Arkan and Bella before leaving. Now Alana hastily pulled out her phone. He showed the camera shots, seen there Arkan who was lying on the bed in a state that is still weak. His neck was in a cast, his body was full of bandages.

"huft, what a pity" said Ananta showing his sympathy. She swiped the screen to look at the other photo again. In some poses Arkan looks smiling making Ananta shook his head slowly.

"in such a condition he can still smile?" he commented.

Is Arkan that happy? no. That smile might have been to hide Nanta's wounds. Reply Alana in heart.

"ridiculous of your friend" Alana responded to Ananta's astonishment.

You might be even more surprised by Ananta's gray past.

"but he was still very lucky, his face did not get many wounds" Ananta said again, smiling to see the face of Ananta who only had a few cuts on his temples and right cheek. Although the bandage on his head that sometimes scarred it must make anyone who saw it grimace like that feel the pain.

"If his face is injured I feel even more sorry for Bella who can no longer boast that her boyfriend is handsome." this time Alana commented. Well, Arkan himself also often boasts that his face is handsome. But now he doesn't see his own face. Only Bella saw him because she had to wait for Arkan during the night. Alana guess, Bella must have seen Arkan's messy face when she woke up. That way, he'll get used to seeing Arkan if they get married later.

"basik. the woman was always looking at appearance huh?" this time Ananta interrupted. He was a little upset, as his words made Alana notice Arkan's face once again.

"one of them. But that's an important factor too." replied Alana seeking a defense. Even so, women cannot survive if only because of appearance. They need a lot of other things right, like attention, understanding, a lot of things other than physical that they think before choosing a man. Although, now Alana makes a little exception because she still likes Ananta with his current condition.

"you should be thankful for being born with a nice-to-see face." Alana said, covering up the fact that many other things made her like Ananta. But if asked to mention one thing, it felt like all the reasons he thought about would disappear one-on-one. He likes Ananta, that's all.

"i'm lucky, huh?" ask Ananta again. Alana looked at him. Alana nodded with confidence. Sure do. Alana is also lucky to have met Ananta since childhood. So much time they can spend together. A lot of time he could go to see Ananta's face every day.

"not just because of your face anyway," said Alana hurriedly when she saw a disappointed look appeared on Ananta's face.

"continue" If there really is anything else, he is very curious now.

"don't know, falling in love at first sight maybe?" alana broke her hopes. Falling in love at first sight is due to appearance as well.

"when you were a kid, you weren't this handsome." Ananta looked up again. Yes, but his words were more like a consolation for Ananta.

"just look at my face first." Ananta said annoyedly. So in conclusion, indeed Alana likes Ananta because of his appearance first.

"whatever you say anyway I like" said Alana final.he was lazy to think of the reason again, to be honest also he was confused to choose which reason. It has been said that if you have to mention one, it comes out that Alana loves Ananta for no reason. And he thinks it will make Ananta even more disappointed.

"oh yeah, next time, I drop something if you want to see Arkan again" said Ananta who suddenly remembered something else after observing a photo of Arkan once again.

" don't want to, who said I want to go there again" replied Alana annoyed. Even though his guilt had lessened, he was still not comfortable if he met Arkan often.

"i'm forcing you again?" Alana shook her head in panic. Ananta's compulsion was even more annoying because he wouldn't be able to resist it. And finally there was no choice for him but to obey all Ananta wanted.

" it's not fair" replied Alana again, throwing her face away. Although some time later he turned to Ananta again who still looked at the photos in the gallery Alana.

"you hunt disgrace, when I sleep?" said Ananta saw many pictures of himself sleeping with a strange expression.

"funny tau." protested Alana who wanted to immediately seize the phone before Ananta deleted his valuable collection.

"just don't show it to anyone else." Ananta replied. He himself would not remove it. Who knows, those pictures will be a precious memory later.

After a few more strokes he found photos from that day. As they walk around with Arkan and Bella.

Time seems to go by so fast. That smile that felt free a moment ago turned into a cry from the fear of loss. It seemed ironic indeed, how everything changed just because of him. Good until the worst happens around him.

He steals a glance towards Alana again, as the tired Alana waits finally to play her own nails. He seems agitated. Always has. Until he made her think, if Alana had not met him would Alana be happier than now?