A ROSE FOR MOM

A ROSE FOR MOM 08

Aryo was still pensive on the terrace, when Ratih came out followed by Nastiti. 

"Sir Aryo, I want to go home first, Angga is asleep" said Ratih

"Eit, wait, let me drop you off" Aryo said as he stood and without waiting for Ratih's answer immediately retrieved his car keys.

"But...."

"It's okay, Mr. Ratih, so be it. Aryo felt bad for always bothering Nlak Ratih, so let him do something for Nak Ratih. Not much, but he's not disappointed."

Ratih had to accept it.

"Let's wait, Ratih, let me deliver."

Ratih kisses Nastiti's mom's hand, then walks Aryo to her car. Aryo opens the door, then lets Ratih go up.

Screaming Ratih when going to close the door, his hand came into contact with a slightly hairy hand. Hiih..why also I am, the mind of Ratih who then arranged his seat. He was shocked when Aryo opened the car door again.

"Ma'af, the dress clasped the door," Aryo said as she pointed towards her dress which was still partially out.

"Eh, yes, sorry." said Ratih as she pulled her dress inside.

Then Aryo closed the door again and sat behind the wheel.

Ms. Nastiti waved her hand towards Ratih, as the car passed. Then go inside, look towards the room Angga. Seen Angga is still slumbering, Sleeping while hugging his roll. Ms. Nastiti rubbed her tears as she looked at her granddaughter. 

"May your mother return soon .." Then another drop of her tears trickled down and she was wiped out immediately.

***

Aryo stops in an alley when Ratih asks for it.

"Where's the house?"

"Get in there sir, already, here."

"Well, here, it can't be, time to drop him on the road."

"That's okay sir, thank you very much" said Ratih as he opened the car door and exited, then walked into the alley.

Aryo followed him down, then walked behind Ratih.

Ratih turned his head and was surprised to see Aryo following him.

"Oh Mr. Aryo, it's here."

"Can't be Ratih ma'am, later if it turns out that Ratih ma'am did not come home I was scolded by his father," said Aryo joking.

"My house is ugly" he said after walking side by side.

"That's not important, what matters is that the person is beautiful," just slid Aryo's words, making Ratih deg-degan. The praise was enough to make his heart flower.

Ratih did not answer, keeping the happiness behind the thin smile he was singled out.

In a not-so-broad courtyard, Ratih stopped.

"This is my home, thank you very much."

"I have to see you."

"But..."

"I have to leave the daughter in one piece to the father."

Train smile. Aryo likes to joke. He stepped towards the house, Aryo followed him. 

The simple house that was neatly arranged looked unsightly. There are small pots of ornamental plants lined up along the terrace fence that is not so high. There were some roses that were in bloom.

"Why is the love of flowers between them the same? Ratih and Arum.how did God create such a similarity, both face and behavior? Did God send Ratih as Arum's replacement? Noooo.. Aryo rejected his own feelings.

"Have you gone home yet?" the heavy voice of an old man was heard and Aryo turned his head towards the house.

He saw that Ratih was kissing the man's hand. The man who looks still strapping and neat appearance with a circular batik glove on his body.

Aryo came closer and kissed her hand.

"Who is this?" ask Mr. Pardi, Ratih's father.

"Father, this is Mr. Aryo, Angga's father," said Ratih introducing Aryo.

"Yes Father, I am Aryo. Sorry for always troubling Mrs Ratih."

"O, it's okay son, Ratih said that he's happy to do it. Let's go in."

"Sorry sir, next time I'll visit for longer. I'm sorry, I haven't had a shower either" Aryo blushed.

"Alright, next time I wait for Nak Aryo to play here. But yes this is how the rubugnya Ratih, unlike the house of Aryo boy who is certainly very nice and luxurious."

"Oh, no sir, for me what matters is not the house, but the inhabitants. Now I beg you, glad to meet you."

"Thank you for delivering Ratih Nak."

"Together Sir, and I all ask permission to Mr. Ratih, perhaps Angga much trouble Mr. Ratih, so it must go home until the afternoon."

"It's okay, son, go ahead, pity that little boy lost his mother. Hopefully Nak Aryo's wife will be home soon."

"Thank you very much" said Aryo while kissing Pardi's hand.

"Bu Ratih, I go home first," Aryo said as she looked at Ratih, a look that made her nervous.

"Thank you, Mr. Aryo.

*** 

Ms. Nastiti was making hot tea for herself and Aryo, when she suddenly heard Angga crying.

Miss Nastiti half ran towards Aryo's room.. At each step, Nastiti thinks, what answer will he give when Angga asks where his mother is. He saw that Angga was sitting crying,

"Where's mom? Where's mom...?"

Tuh.

"O, handsome granddaughter, the mother was sleeping with Angga, but suddenly .. suddenly. The school key is carried away, so tomorrow if the school cleaner wants to work, confused deh. Hence. mother is now delivering the key."

"Will you come ?"

"Mm. if you can meet a cleaner later. If not, you have to wait. Come on, now Angga take a bath."

"Same mother..."

"Lho, if mom gets to the night she goes.. ?"

"Wants to be with mom.."

"Angga. Wouldn't it be if the smart kid had to what the parents said? Let's take a shower together, later make milk. Yeah." yeah."

Angga was silent, but did not move from where he sat. Face grim. His lips pouted. 

"Figures, later after drinking milk, get in the car again. Do you forget you have a new car ?"

Hearing that Angga got up and came down from the top of the bed.

"Female want to pee first," he said still with a grim face.

"Alright, pee, take a shower. Angga will be able to choose his own clothes that Angga likes" he said persuading the grandson..

The memory of the car slightly eased Angga's disappointment because Ratih was not on his side.

"Those who don't flush Angga's knee, still hurt."

"Well young master, you will be careful" said Nastiti, holding Angga to the bathroom.

After bathing and changing clothes, Angga ran forward to approach his car.

"Drink the milk first."

"Those who asked the mother first, gave her the key long time no."

Miss Nastiti is confused. But he then took his phone, then called Ratih, maybe Ratih can calm Angga.

"Hallo Ma'am," said Ratih from across.

"Son Ratih, Angga is fussy. The confused mother had to answer what when she asked Nak Ratih. My mother answered that. Mom says Ratih's delivering the school keys that were carried home. But he seems to keep hoping for Nak Ratih to come. What better do you say?"

"Let me talk to Angga Ma'am."

Ms. Nastiti handed her phone to Angga.

"Female, it's I want to talk.."

Angga received it with a radiant face.

"Hallo Mother.."

"Hallo Angga, have you got your handsome son?"

"Here, this is just gonna drink milk."

"Good, finish the milk, baby."

"Have you met the school cleaner?"

"Oh, no son, listen, Angga don't have to wait for mom, because mom has to prepare anything that we can make tomorrow to play."

"Mom didn't come home?"

"Female, tomorrow morning mom will come here, then we go together to school. How's it?"

"Mother's coming home tomorrow morning? Angga don't want to shower, I'll take a shower tomorrow."

"Oh, good, I'll be here early. Now drink the milk, and don't fuss about it."

Angga. Ms. Nastiti smiled as she received back her phone. Angga sipped her milk until it ran out.

Miss Nastiti breathed a sigh of relief. Grateful because Ratih turned out to be a replacement for Arum.

*** 

After delivering Ratih, Aryo did not return home immediately. He's circling around town, maybe he can see Arum. He remembered Rini's words, he said he saw Arum. Although doubtful of the truth, but Aryo will try to find it in this city. But if it's true, why won't Arum come home soon? If she was so angry with her husband, wouldn't she miss her child?"

"Arum, remember your son Arum..."

He suddenly recalled what Rini had said. He said he saw Arum in the central hospital. Can you ask the hospital about someone who has had treatment? In what part? Internal, general, or what diseases. Can ask?

Aryo drove his car towards the hospital. Perhaps someone can tell about his wife who has been on medication. What Rini said was true. But if it only exists?

Whatever happens Aryo has to ask. 

"Can't you?" he murmured when he entered the hospital yard.

With doubt he walked inside. Aryo didn't know where to ask. But looking at the registration counter, he headed there.

"Good afternoon" he said.

"Good afternoon, how can I help you?"

"Can I ask mmm... someone who has been here for treatment?"

"I mean father?" 

"I was looking for.mm.one of my brothers, was he really treated here about three or four days ago."

The guard looked at each other with his co-worker.

"It's hard, huh ? Called Arum. Arumsari," continued Aryo.

"But yes sir, it is difficult. Try asking the medical record section, maybe it can help you."

"Medical records part? Where is mbak?"

"If it's this afternoon, close sir, try it tomorrow morning."

"Oh, that's it."

Aryo looked pensive. There is hope to ask, meaning that it is not closed the possibility that he can find information here, once again if what Rini said is true.

"Yes, thank you very much, good afternoon."

"Good afternoon, Father."

Aryo stepped out. 

"May tomorrow there be a clear description of Arum. Rini said her face was pale, was she sick? Lord, let me find him" he whispered slowly as he got into the car.

*** 

The air began to dim, Aryo remembered his son. Was Angga fussing when he did not find Ratih beside him? So troubled is Arya's heart to think of the child alone puppet.

"Arum, can you see your son like this? He still needs you Arum" he whispered throughout the run of his car.

Worried about her son, Aryo calls her mother.

"Yes Aryo, where were you, so long ago?"tegur bu Nastiti's.

"Aryo's still on the road. Is Angga fussy?"

"Yes, it was fussy, but then I asked Ratih to talk to him, now it's quiet. Go playin' in the car."

"Ah yeah, thank God, Aryo is coming home soon Mom, just muters."

Aryo breathed a sigh of relief. Time and time again, she can calm her child. Can comfort her, please her, be her mother. Oh my God, be his mother? Aryo's heart was pounding. If Ratih becomes his mother.

Aryo runs his car very slowly, because his mind is really messed up. But there is as much hope, that hospital. Tomorrow he has to go there, maybe Arum's name was found there so he can trace his whereabouts.

Suddenly Aryo felt his head throbbing. 

"Why is this my head, too" he lamented.

Aryo wanted to get home soon, but he remembered, the headache medicine at home seemed to run out. He should buy it. Then find a pharmacy.

Aryo almost parked his car on the side, when two women passed in front of him. Aryo stepped on the brakes in shock. He saw one of the women fall.

Aro opened his car, but the other woman helped the man who had fallen, then walked to the front. Aryo wants to follow her to apologize, but the two rush into the car. Aryo closes his car and walks to the pharmacy.

One of the women, looking back, towards Aryo's car.

"What's wrong?" ask the older one.

"I know that car."

" Oh, if the driver, knows no?"

"Of course, his face is not clear." 

Then the car passed. If only Aryo knew who the woman he almost hit.

***

tomorrow again yes