Luccane
Chapter 28: Finding Excuses

"By the way, why are you getting hurt like that, son? Your temples are broken, your stomach is pierced by a knife, that's where it might happen because of a trivial problem right?" asked Mama who now makes me sweat cold confused should make up what kind of logical reason.

I let out a tired breath. "Ma, Visha is traumatized to discuss that."

"What's? The trauma?! That's a real danger, baby. My mother was worried."

"Then do you want to go see a psychiatrist? Looks like you need a trauma healing process, son," Papa bargained wisely who I hurriedly responded with a coil.

"Visha can face it alone, Papa. Visha promised everything would be fine."

"Well, if that's your decision, baby. Mama and Papa can only hope that everything can be okay," Mama added while peeling the apples for me.

While I was busy conversing with Mama and Papa, Luccane still faithfully stood by the infusion pole connected to me while watching our interaction with a thin smile.

I'm sure Luccane's current feelings aren't as good as he says they are. Something must have happened but he tried to hide it from me, but what?

Again, the young man was full of puzzles that were difficult to solve.

"Papa so think to send you back to Palembang. It's too dangerous that you stay here alone unattended for the same thing to happen again."

Papa's special heavy voice was coming out, making my whole body stiffen in fear.

Oh no! This is what I have been afraid of, really, I do not want to go back home and study in Palembang!

Luccane looked at me worriedly, as worried as I was. It turned out that this happened much faster than my previous prediction, but I was thinking about discussing this matter later after returning from the hospital.

Come on dong, Vishabea! Quickly think of a good reason to escape this dangerous situation! For whatever reason, I do not want to go back to Palembang before completing my education in Bandung...

"Visha will move out of that house, Papa, but please don't bring Visha home before college which is the main goal in Visha's life is not finished, Pa, Ma." I said lethargic, he said, I asked for mercy from both my parents.

"Where do you want to live after this, son? Do you have a definite purpose?" challenge Papa, make my courage shrink a little.

But Vishabea is not the name if you want to give up just like that before trying. I was silent for a moment, thinking about the names of my close friends who I could have made a shield to escape this forced return.

"Already, Papa. I'll stay with Carly in one hostel" I replied confidently complete with a smile.

Where do I want to leave the house I live in now. After all, I've paid for it until my college days are over.

Mang Ujang and the family should also let me compromise after this so that I can secure my position here.

"Why not stay at Mang Ujang's house anyway, baby? After all, Mang Ujang does not have a daughter," Mama expressed her opinion, worried about my choice.

Luccane played his facial expression in a funny face, trying to give me the spirit to get the right reason to make Mama and Papa sure to let go of my continued learning in Bandung.

I shook my head once again. "not a rational choice, Ma. Visha will make Mang Ujang with Bibi bothered."

Papa rubbed his index finger over his chin, looking straight at me.

"Okay if you stay tight with your stance. But Papa has one condition if you really want to continue to study in Bandung until it is finished."

"What's that requirement, Pa?"

"Because you decide for yourself to study here, then you have to get good grades in all major courses," once again Papa gave me a challenge.

Although I had a little doubt, I finally nodded with confidence.

"Alright, Visha accepts the challenge from Papa starting next semester."

...****************...

The day has changed tonight.

Mama and Papa are resting at Mang Ujang's house, because tomorrow Andri is on school holiday so he came to look after me tonight at the hospital.

Since Andri came before the Maghrib prayer meeting earlier, I told him everything that happened last afternoon slowly so that he was not mistaken.

"What?! You're not kidding, are you?!" Andri exclaimed in shock at hearing a lengthy explanation from me.

Quickly the young man covered his mouth which was now gaping wide because it was really surprised.

His reaction was much different from the expectations I had thought, I also even got a small jerk because of his quite loud voice.

"Huh, just relax! I'm surprised to know too!" I was full of emphasis, regretting Andri's attitude just now.

"I had no choice but to lie to Mama and Papa like this, Andri. You want to help me convince Papa and Mama a little? If I go home, it's destroyed all the ideals that I've dreamed of," I said expectantly, looking at Andri also with hope.

There is no one else I can rely on but Andri for now.

Carly where might meet Mama and Papa now considering the schedule of lectures are crowded and again the distance between this hospital and the campus is not close.

So technically, only Andri can help me convince both my parents that he is my cousin.

My parents would obviously trust Andri more than all my friends, wouldn't they?

"In addition to the college majors you choose based on those interests and passions, I'm sure there is one more compelling reason that makes you willing to do this stupid thing," Andri said as she looked towards Luccane with a hard to interpret gaze.

"You can see him too?" tanyaku who was immediately replied with a nod by Andri.

"If for the first reason I would be happy to help you, but for the second reason I wouldn't want to do it" Andri said coldly then passed by, left me and Luccane in the nursery.

My words that are at the tip of my tongue are void. In silence, I just looked at Andri's back that had disappeared being swallowed by the outpatient room door that was lined with opaque glass.

Luccane was also just silent, looking down deeply as if he had a mistake until he could make Andri behave like that.

I'm getting confused about what's going on now. What did Luccane do until Andri looked at him with such a cold look?

What happened while Luccane wasn't here?