Marrying a Classmate
Ch. 2: Grief
“Mama don't worry, I'll be fine, Ma. Already, yes, I want to take a shower.”
Not finished the mother spoke, Angkasa prefers to go to the room. He had to clean up after almost half a day in a workshop full of vehicle fumes or other debris. Being a final-level student in High School, does not keep Angkasa busy learning. He still often pacing back and forth to the workshop on holidays.
“Tu girls are fine, right?” Just putting the phone on the study table, Angkasa recalled Myria. He doesn't usually care about other people until then. However, for some reason, since seeing Myria's grieving face earlier, there was a slight sense of unease in her chest. “Already, later also on the storm in GC class.”
Water soaks the body of Space. He was flushing from hair to toe. Each eye closed when it can be flush, the shadow of an accident crosses the mind. The Space Chief was always filled with events last year that resulted in him in a coma for two weeks and lost his taste for life after waking up.
Madam Nasita as a mother does not allow Angkasa to ride a motorcycle like before let alone race. When asked, he will answer the fear of the incident that befell his first son, also happened to Angkasa. It made Angkasa feel depressed. Not to mention, losing a girlfriend at the same time.
However, aware of the sadness of the mother since losing her brother figure in her life, Angkasa can never argue. He became obedient even though he had to swallow lonely because he moved away from friends who were a hobby and no longer dating.
“Kasa.”
The sound from outside made Angkasa aware to immediately finish business. He turned off the shower and grabbed the towel from the hanger. “Yes, Ma!” he shouted from within and hurried to open the door.
When the door opened, a glass of milk was already in front of Space. Who else if not the mother who made it.
“Ma, no need to bother. I can make it myself. Anyway it's still afternoon, time already have to drink milk?”
“You have broken a bone, so what's wrong if you drink milk more often?”
“But most lactose is also not good, Ma.”
Mrs Nasita fell silent, but kept putting the glass to her son's study table. The woman in the house dress the flowers approached and ruffled Angkasa's hair. “Mama is only worried about you, Kasa.”
Angkasa pursed his lips and raised his hand and pulled the arm of the mother. “Ma, what happened to Brother is destiny. Do not keep looking at something bad. I know how sick Mama was when she left, but now it's me, Ma. We can only pray from here.”
Every time she discussed her late eldest son, Mrs Nasita was unable to hold back tears. No matter how much time passes, the earth is turned round and the day turns night, still it does not remove sorrow. Losing a family figure is a wound that will never heal even though the lips can already embroider a smile.
Space rubbed the mother's cheek, then gave a gentle smile. “Maybe I'm not as good as Big Brother, but I'm trying to be a good boy. Mama can see, I'm not racing with the kids anymore, right? What else does Mama want? I'm ready to fill.”
The gaze as calm as the well given by Angkasa was able to stop the melt of tears from the eyes of Mrs Nasita. The woman clasped the back of her son's hand, then returned the smile she received. “Be good according to your own version, Kasa. Mama never forced like your sister. Although you were born from the same womb, Mama knows that you are certainly different.” He breathes a lot of oxygen. “Drink your milk and don't forget to come down later for dinner.”
The door closed. Space rushed to drink milk made by his mother. Every gulp that entered the stomach, at that time he also swallowed the pills. No matter how strong a man's heart, it will still be fragile when he sees the precious woman in his life crying. No exception to Space. He felt the deep sorrow every eye the mother looked at him.
Not much different from the state of Angkasa who was sad, Myria both felt that way. Abandoned the only person who has been in his life for 18 years is a wound. He who used to share everything with his mother, now can no longer. God had fixed Myria's mother's life ration enough until the child grew up.
After dinner with the Friska family, Myria was busy copying the lessons she had left behind a few days ago. He decided to go to school tomorrow for fear of falling behind. Actually, the leave ration obtained from the school was still two days left, but Myria felt she did not need it anymore. After all, he had nothing to do.
“You didn't lie about my question earlier, did you, My?”
Jemari Myria stopped writing. He looked up at Friska who was picking up the bag from the wall. Myria asked, “What question? Really, really, I got kicked out.”
“Not about that, about ... eum Angkasa. Yeah, him. Is it true nganter you?”
Friska mangosteen as a sign of understanding the conversation of her best friend. However, not enough to get there, he said again, “Chat what is he?”
Friska's question again made Myria stop the busy learning. She shook her head. “No chatting at all. You also know, Fris, if Kasa wasn't like it. After the second-class accident, right, he has not talked much. Children until no one dares to disturb him if he sleeps again, right?”
“Bener also.” Friska tapped her own chin with her index finger. He seemed to be thinking over what was being talked about with Myria.
“Already, why, anyway, discuss him? See you tomorrow at school.”
No longer refuting, Friska joined and prepared the lesson. Sometimes she had to explain when Myria asked about the notes she wrote yesterday. However, it is not difficult to give understanding to his best friend. Myria is a figure who easily digests things.
The phone alarm goes off along with the morning azan. Myria slowly regained her senses while trying to reach her phone which was on a small table near the bed.
“Friska, it's dawn. Salat,” said Myria while shaking the body of her best friend. Last night, the two girls slept too late due to a lot of chatting after studying. As a result, drowsiness has not completely faded when the time to wake up.
“Times, My.” Friska's reply was thrown as her movement flipped over her back to Myria.
Seeing Friska still objected to wake up, Myria chose to pray first. He left Friska and would wake her up again.
While heading to the bathroom in the back, Myria coincidentally met Friska's mother. He greeted, but the response of the adult woman was just a flat gaze. Whether it was just an assumption or indeed he did not like the arrival of Myria in the house.
Being underestimated even hated by others was nothing new to Myria. He experienced it from childhood until he grew up to the age of adulthood. The status of the children of canteen traders and the poor is indeed the cause of people to judge one eye. It was not something rare in this world if the weak would be easily oppressed and difficult to defend themselves.
After the prayers and Friska's awakening, Myria instead prepared for school. The day soon was bright and he had to head to the side of the road to take public transport. However, before leaving, breakfast was ready at the dinner table.
“Myria when to search index?” In the middle of breakfast activities, Friska's mother chirped until Myria and her child stopped bribing food into the mouth.
“Bu, Myria is still grieving. Why rush to find a hostel? Leave it here.” Friska answered.
“Not Mom won't, Fris. But you also know that our family also does not have a lot of food supplies.”
Myria's heart was beating hearing that. Food that is still in the mouth feels heavy to swallow. She understood Friska's mother's intentions without being explained.
“Bu—”
“Tante, later go home from school, I around find index.” Quickly, Myria cut off Friska's words. Although her best friend snickered and seemed to be in disbelief, there was nothing Myria could do.
“Thank God then. Not the intention of Aunty to expel, but you also know that the condition of this family is not better than the condition of your mother first.”
Myria nodded and smiled bitterly. “I get it, Kok, Tan. Thanks for being allowed to stay and eat from yesterday.”
.