Luccane
Chapter 31: End of Recovery

I enjoyed my dinner in silence even though Luccane was watching me while sitting to the right of my body.

It was raining again outside, just like the days before that made me so upset about not being able to go to the hospital park.

This hospital does have a pretty garden with shady trees and several types of tropical flowers that thrive in the middle of the building. During my stay here, I often spent time there just to refresh my mind.

Since these few days it rained almost all day, I no longer had time to refresh my mind outside of the ward. It's really annoying to just be able to stay asleep all day like this.

Tonight I was left alone again because Mama and Papa had a sudden interest that could not be left with business, while Andri was busy with his college business the last few days.

I actually hate being in the hospital for too long like this but I can't do anything and can only wait for my body to fully recover. Lucky for Luccane to be here, I've never seen a creepy entity like before.

"What did the doctor say about your health condition?" Luccane broke the silence with his straight gaze fixed on me.

I scooped up the sweet corn soup that was served in my eating bowl, swallowing it slowly so as not to choke.

"It's been very improved. The puncture wound had also dried up so I could go home tomorrow or the day after tomorrow" I explained after feeling the corn soup I had eaten had arrived safely in the stomach.

I'm grateful that hospital food today is better than yesterday. Although not so obvious, but I can feel the presence of spices in hospital cooking throughout the day.

A smile of relief flashed on Luccane's beautiful face.

"Thank God then. So what about your college? Are you going to continue your studies here?"

I was gloomy, looking back at Luccane after getting rid of my cutlery.

"You can say it's not too good news, Papa said if I can't get perfect grades in all the major courses then I'll be forced to go home to Palembang."

"That's not a bad thing. Your mom and dad still want to give you a chance to continue your dream so pursue it earnestly" Luccane said, trying to cheer me up.

His smile was broken, gently rubbing my cheeks that felt cold because of the cold weather out there. Our togetherness this time was accompanied by traditional Dutch music that flowed softly from my phone.

I don't know when exactly, I started to like listening to traditional Dutch songs without me understanding also what the reason is. I didn't like the music from the west.

"Indeed, but the problem is am I capable? You know for yourself, the competition in my college is very intense so it won't be easy" I replied skeptically.

Luccane grabbed my hands, looking at me so gently as the traditional Dutch rhythm of music that accompanied me and him tonight.

The two corners of her lips were drawn in opposite directions, forming a smile that I loved so much, a beautiful arch that always managed to make me crazy.

"I'm sure you'll always be able to face whatever challenges come your way if your own determination is much greater. I believe you can make your Mom and Dad proud."

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

After being a patient in the hospital for a long time, it was finally time for me to go home.

Over the next month, I was required to return to the hospital once a week.

Mama and Papa returned to Palembang a while ago after taking care of all the administration of my hospital.

While I was already in Mang Ujang's car on the way to my house.

"Neng, sure you don't want to stay at home with Mamang and Bibi?" Aunty asked again for who knew how many times.

"Visha sure, Bi. The house that Visha occupied will be big can invite friends to stay overnight as well in case to be safe," I replied trying to convince Auntie.

While Mang Ujang just smiled at me from the rearview mirror, it seemed to have understood very well the concerns of his wife.

Mang Ujang is just like Mama who tends to relax and let me make my own decisions.

"Neng Visha is an adult. So appreciate whatever decision he takes," Mang Ujang chimed in his signature soothing voice.

"But if there is anything always contact Mamang with Aunt as soon as possible, Neng," added Bibi while looking at me.

I nodded obediently with a smile, agreeing with Auntie's words.

I can understand that Aunt has been very sincere about me all this time.

The day that was near the afternoon made the streets in a crowded condition creeping especially we were forced to pass through the protocol road because it had departed from the airport delivering Mama and Papa.

Mang Ujang's classic white sedan car runs slowly, splitting the Asian-African street crowd that afternoon, a road that is thick with the beauty of typical European architecture of Dutch heritage.

My eyes are directly fixed to the beautiful old buildings with the dominance of white heritage of the Dutch colonial era that lined up at several points of the road.

The old buildings reminded me of Luccane.

The difference in time and dimension between us made me unable to unite with him no matter how much we loved each other.

Maybe all this time Andri had a point.

But I also cannot deny that my heart has always longed for Luccane even though this common sense knows that we cannot possibly be united.

I let out a long sigh, closed my eyes for a moment trying to get rid of the burden of this piled up mind and refocused my attention on the old buildings that were still standing solidly along the way.

"Miss Visha?"

"Eh, why Mang?"

I gasped a little after hearing Mang Ujang's voice coming out, calling my name.

"Neng just saw that there was a guy with a pisan case like a Londo man wearing a black shirt passing in front of our car just now? All of a sudden, when it's raining heavily again but why is his shirt not wet at all huh?"

My forehead frowned confused at the long question from Mang Ujang.

"Huh? A londo? black clothes are not wet? Mama's wrong look at the times."

"No, Neng! auntie's people also saw her passing in front of our car with a smile!"

The aunt who was sitting next to Mang Ujang also chimed in.

After Bibi expressed her argument to make me believe, somehow suddenly my head and both shoulders felt very heavy.

I don't know what and what purpose 'he' is doing this for.