A Wound

Chapter 26's

Ara was lying weakly in one of the rooms in the hospital, unconscious.

As a result of not eating and drinking for two days, making it lack of fluids and nutrient intake. He made his body weak and unconscious.

"Miyya..."

Miya was a little surprised, when she heard Ara's voice saying her name. Miya quickly turned her body on her best friend, who looked like she was gnawing.

"Ara .. Have you realized?" ask Miya haru.

Arumi and Bi Ratih who saw that, quickly ran over to Ara.

"Haus.." said Ara Lirih.

"Wait, I'll get you some water." Miya immediately took out the bottle of mineral water that was on the table, and poured the contents into the glass.

Arumi helps Ara to sit down. And after that, Miya brought the glass in her hand closer to Ara's mouth.

"Still want?" miya asked, after Ara had finished a full glass of mineral water. But Ara shook her head in denial.

"Is Neng Ara hungry?" ask Bi Ratih. And Ara nodded in agreement.

Immediately Bi Ratih prepared the food that had been bought by Arumi.

"Let Miya the bribe, Bi." Miya grabbed the food Bi Ratih gave her and began to feed Ara.

"Ara.." said Arumi lirih.

"Sorry to make you worry." Ara understood the concern of her best friend.

"Not like this anymore. You know we're very worried about you, we don't want you to do anything" Arumi said.

"Yes. Do you know, I thought you were gonna kill yourself." Miya's words succeeded in making Arumi send a pinch to her.

"Why did you pinch me?" miya asked annoyedly, "what if this food falls?" coined.

"You're so stupid!" said Arumi who was not less upset.

Ara smiled slightly at the debate of the two. "Yes, I promise I won't repeat it" he said softly.

"Never feel alone in this world, you still have us."

Arumi's words made Ara bow, unable to hold back her tears. His father's face was back in his eyes.

Arumi hugs Ara, hoping to give her best friend peace of mind. And Miya who saw that, joined hugging the two, after previously putting the plate in her hand.

"Thank you for always being there for me" Ara said between sobs.

"We promise we won't leave you" Miya said.

"Yes, thank you ... thanks .... You're all I have right now." Ara's speech made the three sobbing even more. Likewise with Bi Ratih who witnessed that. Many times he wiped his tears using the tip of the shirt he was wearing.

Arumi slowly let go of her embrace and helped Ara wipe away her tears with her hands, "promise me, this is the last time we cry like this." Arumi turned to wipe away her tears, "after this, we should only cry because we are happy" she added.

"Let's promise!" said Miya, pointing her little finger.

"What are you doing?" ask Arumi.

"We must keep each other's promises. Let's get your little ones," pinta Miya.

"Campage! It only applies to small children."

"You're the only one who never did. In the movies, when lovers promise each other, then they will do the little promise," replied Miya sneering.

"Let's do it!" Ara joined her little finger, then hooked it on Miya's pinky.

"Cehh.." sizzle Arumi. But also hooking her pinky. Making Miya and Ara laugh.

"So, promise me! After this there is no more sadness," said Miya enthusiastically.

***

A month after Hartono's departure. And Ara has returned to her usual activities.

Even though every night when alone Ara always cries because she misses her father. However, he always showed his happy face in front of his two friends.

Because it has been a semester break, then today Ara decided to be home all day and not anywhere.

Ara came out of her room and went down the steps one by one, towards the dining room for breakfast.

Ara sat herself down on one of the dining table chairs, having previously greeted Bi Ratih, who was preparing breakfast for her.

After Hartono's departure, Ara always had breakfast with Bi Ratih. Likewise with today, after serving food on the table, Bi Ratih sat himself down.

Staring at the eyes of the slightly swollen Ara, made Bi Ratih very sure, that the girl was crying again all night.

After the departure of her employer, the house felt empty. No more laughter was heard. In fact, Bi Ratih almost never saw a smile on the girl's face. The eye beads that were always sparkling, now always look cute.

***

After finishing her breakfast, Ara helped Bi Ratih to clean up the leftovers on the table. And after everything was clean, Ara walked over to Bi Ratih who was in the kitchen.

"Bi Trainer..."

"Yes, Neng. Does Neng Ara need anything?"

Ara shook her head, grabbed the middle-aged woman's two hands and grasped them.

"Bi, Ara apologized in advance. But it seems that Ara can't hire Bi Ratih anymore."

"I mean, Neng Ara?"

"Aunt me, it's not that Dad's restaurant now belongs to someone else. So Ara can't pay Aunt anymore."

"Miss..." Bi Ratih pulled out one of his hands, gently rubbing the back of the girl's hand, "if it's a matter of money, Neng Ara need not worry, let Auntie work without pay."

"Don't, Bi. Aunty can work somewhere else," Ara refused.

"No, Neng. Let Aunt stay here. Bibi just wants to take care of Neng Ara," said Bi Ratih with teary eyes.

"Don't worry about Ara, Bi. Ara has invited Miya to stay with Ara. Aunty can get a better place to work, than having to keep Ara." Ara pulled one of her hands and quickly brushed off her tears that were about to fall.

"No!" Bi Ratih shook his head, "Auntie won't leave. Auntie doesn't really need the money anyway. My aunt has a lot of savings. Both of my children are married too. They have a husband who takes care of their lives. They don't need anymore, money from Auntie." Bi Ratih's tears had fallen so hard.

"But, Bi..."

"Already, don't worry about Auntie. Aunty will leave when Aunt is no longer strong."

Ara hugged Bi Ratih's body, rested her face on the middle-aged woman's shoulder, and shed her tears there. "Thank you, Bi. Auntie was like a mother to Ara. Other than the two of them, it was only Auntie that Ara had right now."

Bi Ratih nodded and continued to rub the back of the girl who was inside his arms at the moment.

And the sound of repeated knocking of the door made the two of them take off each other's embrace and stop her crying.

"It looks like there's a guest, Neng. Let Aunt open the door first."

"Yes, Bi. But her tears were wiped away first. Later people will think, if Ara hurt Auntie." Ara smiled as she wiped away Bi Ratih's tear marks.

"Yes, Neng." Bi Ratih chuckled and wiped away her own tears.

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