The After The Rain
The Late Night Conversation

Tonight, Kinara decided to sleep together with Papa. For the first time in her life, Kinara numbers Mama and chooses Papa to accompany her through the night.

After finishing some work that had been neglected because he was busy crying with Papa, Kinara walked slowly towards Papa who was now sitting with hers on the living room sofa.

The man seemed to focus on watching a movie playing on a small television screen in front. Not much has changed from the appearance and behavior of Papa Meksipun now he is no longer a boss in a large company. Papa still always keep both feet to stay on the floor, instead of lifting one as usual fathers in general do. Papa never wears only a scabbard while at home. The man prefers to wear a rather oversized plain sweatshirt combined with shorts slightly above the knee.

Kinara smiled as she found Papa visibly muttering comments on the course of the film which she thought was illogical. Then, the man practically silenced his mouth alone when he realized that he was being noticed by the princess.

"Have you finished your job?" ask Papa while upholding the back that was originally leaning on the sofa.

"Udah." Kinara replied while taking a sitting position next to Papa.

"You want to sleep now?" ask Papa again.

But instead of answering, Kinara instead laid her body on the sofa, using Papa's thigh as a pillow and slightly bent her legs so that she looked a little curled up like a baby in the womb.

"Well? Even sleep here." Said Papa. But the man still could not help but smile and instead landed his big hand on Kinara's head, fondly stroking her hair.

Kinara closed her eyes enjoying every caress Papa gave her. The affectionate caress that he had not gotten from Papa for a long time because the man was too busy working.

"Papa," call Kinara quietly with her eyes still closed.

"Hmm?" papa answered while bowing his head, watching every corner on Kinara's face that reminded him of the figure of the wife many times more than before.

"I love you." Chirps Kinara suddenly which made Papa chuckle softly.

"Tumbens?"

"Not a collision." Kinara corrected her sleeping position, then grabbed Papa's hand which stroked her head and grasped it tightly. All that he did with his eyes still closed. "Kinara always loved Papa. Just never said it clearly. And I know you feel the same. Am I right?"

"Yes. Papa always love you."

"I know, I know." Kinara nodded her head in a funny way, making Papa again chuckle.

"You are Papa's favorite..." Kinara was already big-headed when Papa said that, her smile had already risen as wide as an ear and she almost opened her eyes to be able to stare at Papa's beautiful face. Until then, the smile was instantly gone as Papa continued his words. "... but number two, the first is Mama." Ending the infuriating ruckus that made Kinara unable to hold back from throwing a punch at Papa's shoulder.

"Evil!" his protest. His eyes were wide open, his lips were pouting and he immediately took off Papa's hand. "Wicked Father!" reworked.

The free-throwing rarity over time turned into a blaring laughter. At half-hour and two in the morning, people were already sound in their sleep, while Kinara and Papa even laughed at something trivial.

"Ra," called Papa after painstakingly easing the laughter.

"What?!" sahut Kinara ketus. Despite this, the boy was still reluctant to distance himself from Papa's lap.

"If one day Papa is no more in this world, please take care of Mama, huh?"

Can Kinara tell you one more thing he hates most in this world besides that jerk guy named Sebastian? It was the moment when Papa started talking about death.

It's not the first, trust me. As long as she lived, Kinara had heard Papa say this a thousand times. Even when he was only seven years old and Papa should be able to say sweet sentences like those in his favorite cartoon films, the man even gave him advice and tips to take care of his mother.

Discussion like this is not fun, because it will always end with Kinara overthinking overnight.

So, in order to make the discussion of death that is actually a secret of God, Kinara again closed his eyes and pulled Papa's hand to re-clap his head.

"Nara doesn't want to hear Papa talk about death anymore." To be honest. "But not necessarily Papa who died first, really. Could it be, right, if Kinara actually went first than Papa or Mama?"

"Bye,"

"Stop It." Prevent Kinara before Papa continues his sentence. "Nara knows death is certain, we just don't know when it comes. So, Papa doesn't have to talk about when we're going to die. Nara just wants us to do our best as long as we're together. Can we?"

There was a long breath that sounded after his sentence was finished. The gust of breath hit the surface of Kinara's facial skin, making it warm.

"Yes, Papa listen."

"Good."

For a while, no one spoke. Kinara was trying to calm down her feelings that were restless due to Papa's words. While Papa can only be silent to look at the face of the princess only wayangnya severed peace in his lap.

Until finally, Papa moved his hand slowly to bring Kinara up from her sleep.

Kinara had to follow Papa's orders. He opened his eyes and rose from Papa's lap. He looked at Papa for a moment, before being taken aback as Papa suddenly crouched down before him.

"Why what?" tanyanya.

"You take you to the room. It's night, you have to sleep." Papa turned his head over the shoulder, smiling faintly while patting his own back.

"Nara's heavy, Papa's gonna poke." Reject Kinara. He was afraid that Papa would even get hurt if he still forced to carry himself.

However, Kinara forgot that his stubbornness was down from Papa. So, no matter how hard he refused, as hard as that Papa forced him.

"Buruan, ah, early morning." Urge Papa.

Eventually, Kinara relented. He immediately climbed onto Papa's back, draping an arm around the man's neck as his body slowly lifted up.

"Aren't you eating, Ra, on campus? How come your body is so light as a chicken feather." Papa's chirps as soon as the man managed to lift Kinara's body and his legs began to swing towards the room.

"I know Papa just wanted to show off that Papa's body is still strong, but sorry, in my eyes, Papa is still old."

"Two years old doang, Ra. His stamina is still like ABG's son."

"So, what the fuck."

"No believe? Want proof? Papa can, loh, throw you on the tile if you want."

"Have a son! His son's time was thrown on the tile!" Kinara slapped Papa's shoulder which shook as the man began to swerve.

"Who knows you're bored, keep hanging out on the tile." The original Papa.

Kinara. Is he so short of work that he wants to hang out on top of the precarious? There's just this Papa thinker.

The debate over hanging out on the tarmac did not continue as they had reached Kinara's room. Carefully, Papa lowered Kinara and directly led the girl to sleep in her tidy bed.

"Sleep, don't worry about tomorrow's college break so you can stay up late." Papa said while removing the strands of hair that covered Kinara's forehead.

"Mr,"

"What?"

"From now on, if there's anything Papa feels Kinara can help, please let me know." Papa's hand movements that had initially rubbed Kinara's head were practically stopped. "Don't take all responsibility for this family alone. Nara knows Papa is a hero, but the hero is also a labor partner to solve problems. For Papa, Nara's willing to be that partner."

Kinara pursed her lips for a moment. Just to take a deep breath and exhale slowly. Then, he clasped Papa's hand again. "You got me, Papa?"

In that instant, Papa nodded his head. The tears that stirred tried hard to be held so as not to spill. "Thank you, Nara. Papa promises to run to you whenever Papa needs help."

"Good."

"Now, sleep."

After one kiss docked on her forehead, Kinara closed her eyes with a faint smile on her back accompanying her sleep.

Seriate