BEHIND THE TWILIGHT
Ch. 8

Amara walked up to her husband, who was leaning on his chair. Staring at a computer screen with focus and like not to be disturbed. As Amara passed by, Handoko caught a glimpse of smelling the scent that was so nauseating.

''Tumben Ma's work space, what's up?'' tanya Handoko was still staring at her computer screen. Amara is now sitting on a sofa not far from where Handoko is doing her office work.

''Mas, ever since you fought with Luna, the child has become very quiet.'' complained Amara talking about what made her feel burdened. Hearing that, Handoko shifted her attention from the computer screen to the wife who was also looking at her with fret.

''Hasn't it been quiet since the boy Ma? Then suddenly make a move. Ditch, or come home late, or let alone I don't know. I'm dizzy.''

''Mas, the silence of Luna then and now is very different. If he used to still want to argue, if now he is just what you said, or whatever Lula said always asserted the same Luna.''

''Amara, if Luna doesn't argue it's even good. It's even better if you tell him not to ditch again. School fees are expensive.'' Handoko again pulled her chair closer on the computer screen. Typing this and that dikeyboardnya until the sound of vertiginous sounding loud in the silent room.

''But Mas, is it not outrageous that Luna continues to take the bus? While Lula was even riding in the house car.''

''It was a punishment because Luna had dared to skip school for the sake of courting her upperclassman.''

''Where is the punishment from? Shortly before Luna escapes, Dad asked her to take the bus.''

Handoko remained silent, her gaze still staring at the computer screen carefully. His fingers also remained motionless. ''Mas, please don't overdo it with Luna. He's your son too Mas.''

''Ma, Luna is our first child. Mentally, he has to be strong since childhood. If later we are not there, he can take care of his sister without distress. This legacy will also fall into his hands.''

''If Luna was forged like this, why wouldn't Lula Mas? He and Luna were only 3 hours apart. You're spoiling Lula too much.''

Then Amara glanced at the wall clock that was directly above Handoko's head, attached to the wall there. The clock shows at 9pm local time. The middle-aged woman who still looked beautiful moved from Handoko's workroom without speaking anything more. Don't want to wait for anything Handoko said to him.

Walking towards the child's room located on the upper floor, Amara then slowly opened the door of Luna's room which was always never locked.

Balcony, seen a long-haired little girl who was coiled up to display the neck of her row was standing up to throw her head up into the sky.

''Luna, aren't you asleep yet?'' tanya Amara walked up to the child and gently stroked the head of her daughter.

''Not yet sleepy Mom, '' said Luna still did not divert her gaze from the black sky above.

''What do you think? Many tasks huh?'' Now Luna stopped looking at the sky then sighed for a moment. He turned his gaze toward the front, straight toward the wall of his neighbor's house.

''Why do you love Lula more, Mom? Though right, I'm also the son of the same father Mother.''

Amara smiled slightly then continued to gently caress the child's hair.

''Dad dear also kok same Luna.''

''But, ''' for a moment Luna stopped talking and let out a long sigh. Then he looked at his mother with a faint smile. ''Mom, I'm sleepy. Want to sleep said Luna later.

''Well, don't you say what?''

''No, Luna is sleepy. Mom's out, yeah, mom's sleeping too. Do not stay up.'' Pinta Luna still continues to smile. He began to feel that his mother was very different from his father. He could still feel the warmth of the affection of his mother who loved him from childhood.

''Yes Ma'am.''

***

After exiting Luna's room, Amara stared at the tightly closed door right across from Luna's room. The room with the shut door was Lula's room.

Slowly, Amara approached the room and opened it very slowly. Fear of bothering if Lula had fallen asleep.

But apparently, the girl was still awake by holding her phone. His smile was always engraved, as well as his laughter that occasionally broke. Amara noticed the behavior of the child so that she herself could see there was a young man seen on the screen of the girl's phone. Apparently, the second child was making a video call with a young man.

''Lula.'' called out to her as she walked over to the girl. Lula who did not know Amara's arrival immediately turned off the video connection and then smiled clumsily towards the mother.

''What's up Mom?'' asked Lula nervously You haven't slept? Who called you late at night?''

''Friends Ma'am.''

''There must be a limit. It's 9pm, time for bed.'' Lula nodded without replying, she bit her lower lip to make her look even more nervous.

''Mom came out, you went to sleep.'' said Amara stroking the top of the child's head. ''Yes Ma'am.''

Amara gave a small smile and then left the room. He closed the door slowly and then walked down the stairs to his own room. She breathed out slowly, talking to her husband to be fair to his children was not easy. Not to make her husband immediately submit and comply.

Amara can only talk, but she can't do anything. He did not want to be hated by Lula or Luna. Feeling unable to be a good mother because it has made her children never get along at all. Though it was clearly not only his fault, but also the husband as well.

***

As usual, breakfast is only filled by 4 different generations of humans. The four of them were equally silent without saying anything, making the room so quiet with the sound of clinking spoons and forks clashing with their respective plates.

After finishing his breakfast, Lula then said, Luna, if Lo wants to be together I can ride a car. I'm good at it.''

''No need.'' Luna replied without looking at Lula at all. Of course for him, the annoying girl just looking face to face in front of the father.

''Luna. Lula it's been good nawarin you. Why are you like that?'' handoko said she was upset.

Without saying anything, Luna left the dining room to start looking for a bus or taxi that she could ride to the school which was a good distance away.

''Luna look, there is absolutely no manners.'' said Handoko looking at Amara still with an annoyed look.

While Amara just melengos only, because for him, Luna became like that due to the actions of her own husband.

Lula gave a small smile staring at the departure of Luna who was increasingly disappearing from her sight. In his determined heart, if he can't be the best at school, then he can be the best at home. Isn't the house right to go home and unwind? Then Lula will not give the place to Luna.

'Keep pursuing achievement at Lun School, that way I will continue to pursue your heart to hate you even more.''

SERIATE...