The After The Rain
Hero

At home, Kinara waited for Papa's return in the living room in an agitated motion. She still refuses to talk even though Mama has repeatedly urged her to tell stories.

The scene of his meeting with Papa this afternoon again turned clear in the head. How Papa seemed to try hard to hide the sadness has managed to tear Kinara's heart many times worse than before.

Then, when Papa finally walked away leaving her with no explanation, Kinara felt like she was being thrown into a long dark maze and she was too blind to find a way out.

Meanwhile, beside him, Mama was following along uneasily. He was preparing dinner when Atha suddenly appeared from behind the front door with Kinara who looked like he had lost half his life. The girl walked lethargic, her gaze was blank and Mama could barely see any hue on the princess's face.

And since his arrival, until finally Atha said goodbye to go home and now they both sit side by side, Kinara still did not want to answer a single question he asked. The girl just told him that she wanted to wait for Papa to come home from work. That'sallthatis. It was really just that, then nothing else came out of his lips.

The clock has shown at half eleven in the evening. Mama also started to worry about Papa's condition, because usually the man will not go home until this late. Most nights may only be half ten, that's also the reason there is additional work to be completed first.

The hour hand keeps on spinning, moving from one number to another without caring that in the living room there are two people who hope that time does not pass that fast.

"Well, Ra, you sleep, don't wait for Papa." Persuade Mama once again. For nearly three hours they sat in the living room, Mama had repeatedly persuaded Kinara to go inside her room. But repeatedly persuaded, the girl also repeatedly refused with a headband.

"Mom don't know what's going on, but whatever it is, it can still be discussed tomorrow." Mama still did not give up on persuading Kinara. "Well, you have to sleep."

But then again, Kinara just shook her head. He kept glancing towards the door, hoping that Papa's figure would appear soon and he could end his long wait tonight.

And, that wait finally paid off when the real Papa figure appeared from behind the door. The look of his face is tangled, inversely proportional to his shirt suit that still looks clean and neat.

Kinara had to desperately refrain from crying as Papa walked slowly towards her. Then, when Papa's big hand was stretched out and in an instant managed to bring him into a hug, Kinara was no longer able to withstand the pace of tears that had been jostling for out.

Kinara crying. It was in Papa's arms.

While Mama who still does not understand the situation can only remain silent while guessing.

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

"Sorry, yes, Ra."

Kinara almost cried again as Papa said that while clasping her hand tightly.

"It's the only job you can do for now." Papa said sadly. The choice to accept a job as a driver is certainly not easy for him. She had spent many nights discussing with Mama, until they finally came to an agreement because there was no other choice.

"I'm sorry that Papa embarrassed you, Ra." After saying that, Papa lowered his head deeply.

Truly, it had never been imagined by him that he would be caught this fast. More than that, Papa is increasingly sad because they have to meet in the Kinara campus environment, anywhere there could be another student who knew Kinara and would put the girl to shame when people found out that her father was working as a driver.

But in fact, far from Papa's estimation, Kinara did not think so at all. He was crying and shocked not because of the shame of Papa who now works as a driver. Kinara felt sad knowing full well that Papa had never been in that position. Kinara felt pity because Papa had to plunge free from his former position as a boss in a large company, becoming a driver who had to submit to the orders of superiors.

"I'm sorry, Ra.." lirih Papa once again.

Having been unable to bear to hear the apology being spoken repeatedly, Kinara inched closer towards Papa. The large body of Papa then he hugged tightly. He put a pat on Papa's back, trying to tell the man that he was okay.

"Papa need not apologize." Kinara's whisper was still patting Papa on the back. He felt Papa's body tremble slightly, making him think that Papa started crying.

"Kinara is not at all ashamed of Papa's current work. Kinara was proud that Papa would take this job for the sake of our little family to survive." The trail of tears that had dried up on the cheeks, was now wet again. Clear threads fell back from Kinara's eyes, bringing with them the pain that filled her heart.

"Thank you, Papa. Thanks for being a hero to our little family." Kinara's voice trembled along with his attempt to hold back the sobbing.

Then, when Kinara felt that she was capable enough of self-control, she distanced her body from Papa.

Just as his eyes clashed with Papa's now reddish-looking one, Kinara reached out, cupped Papa's face wet with tears and then wiped the clear hairs with her thumb.

"You know, right? That you're the hero. Papa is a hero to Nara and Mama." Kinara turned to grab Papa's two hands and grasped them tightly. He squeezed the two hard-working hands and planted a kiss there. "So, you don't have to feel guilty. You're the greatest, Papa."

Nothing could warm Papa's heart more than the smile that rose on Kinara's face at the moment. Though tears still flowed down her beautiful face, but she wore a smile that was not at all pretend. Papa could feel the sincerity of that smile, which in the end was able to make him cry even more.

So, Papa re-adopted Kinara's small body. Hugging her tightly while patting her daughter's narrow back while continuing to whisper the soothing words Kinara had previously told her. That he was a hero. That Kinara never considered him a loser.

Seriate