After He's gone

eight farewells.

The days of Ananta were quieter than usual. Although really not angry, Alana still rarely meet Ananta until the semester is almost over. Alana is always in the same condition, looking busy doing something Ananta does not understand. Every now and then she would see Alana's face like she was sleep-deprived due to her severe eye bags.

Alana felt distant, although occasionally they still talked and chatted together. Ananta's message was also answered, but Ananta still felt strange about Alana's behavior.

"Alana, what are you doing?" questions like that Ananta send almost every day but only in reply to short answers such as eating, studying, taking a bath, and others. Alana rarely told such ridiculous things as before. He no longer tried to make Ananta smile or seek attention with his absurd behavior.

But before he could fix his relationship with Alana without Ananta realizing, graduation day is so close. The dizzying tests had passed, the files and entrance tests he had prepared. Even the test results had come out, He was successfully accepted and now it was only a matter of waiting for the graduation day before he would actually be far away from Alana. Time passed very quickly without him noticing.

To this day even the class is busy with graduation preparation tomorrow, everyone takes care of everything related to the event. Some have already talked about graduation gifts and similar things. But Ananta just stared softly at Alana who looked cheerful.

Pock

Ananta's hand patted Alana's head gently. Then rub it slowly.

He approached and shifted the chair that Alana was sitting on to face him. After which put her forehead on Alana's shoulder, making her sit stiffly. He was shocked of course, Ananta rarely did things like this, being spoiled even looking dependent on him. Ananta remained silent for a while without saying anything. Alana silently smiled, she understood the intent of Ananta's worried-looking attitude.

Ananta must be agitated the whole time. Because soon will be separated from him. 'wrong itself, who told suddenly the school in a distant place so' thought Alana while smiling meaningfully. If he could choose, he would choose not to part at all.

"heh, why?" alana asked to keep Ananta off his shoulders, 'if you are tired for a long time too, Ananta is heavy'. Ananta just shook his head weakly. It occurred to her brain to do silly things like cancel her acceptance letter at a new school, so that she could still be together with Alana. After all, Alana was his biggest motivation to stay happy and live to this very moment.

Maybe everyone will tell you that Alana can't part with Ananta. Alana needs Ananta, but what they never know, Ananta needs Alana more. Alana, it's been like Ananta's reason for living up to this moment, the reason for struggling even though it hurts. Alana's that important to Ananta's life. Somehow Ananta lives his life later without Alana. Is he able to survive without his sun?

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

The day passed quickly, the farewell event had already begun a few minutes ago. Everyone looks happy except Ananta who just lowered his head. The feeling is still not good. It felt as though sad things were already visible in plain sight, a shadow as he was far away from Alana. It made him rub his face in frustration.

The farewell songs sung now only made him more agitated. Oh, he's almost desperate now. However, leaving Alana was his own decision. But he also regretted it first.

After the farewell is over. Ananta gets more agitated when he doesn't find Alana everywhere. Just to part properly alone was extremely difficult. The proud smiling face of her parents was unable to make her happy. At this moment Alana's face filled her mind.

"Ananta, let's eat outside after this. We should celebrate your graduation" said her mother with a beaming face.

Of course, his favorite son graduated with good grades and was accepted into an elite school. It should certainly be celebrated.

"Before dad, mom... I'm gonna find someone first." His words left his parents at the school gate who were still staring at his son who actually ran away from them.

"already, let it go. he must be looking for Alana.." said the father no longer heard Ananta who had walked away.

Ananta turned around to enter the school again. His eyes were tracing the crowd. Looking for the girl he will miss. But after wandering around for a long time he still did not find anyone.

Buk!!

"Hey! Find who?" Alana said. He still asked despite observing Ananta from afar.

"You." Ananta's mouth pursed slightly in annoyance. What the fuck. Why is Ananta being so sweet. Inner Alana.

"Why look for me?" Ask Alana again.

This conversation felt awkward for Ananta, he did not find the right sentence for him to say at the moment.

"Just..." Ananta lowered his head, a strange feeling constantly piling up on his chest.

"What's your expression. People who are accepted into elite schools should not look sad like that." Alana raised Ananta's head until she looked straight at him. He scolded her like the mothers out there.

"You should celebrate it with your family right" Alana said again, as if instructing a farewell. Ananta nodded weakly.

"OKAY. Then I'll go home first. You should leave immediately, they're waiting for you." Alana said calmly. Her smile did not fade in the slightest, even wider as if she had already won something when she saw Ananta who was like grieving for going to lose him.

"I'll be home after taking a picture with you." Said Ananta holding Alana's hand from leaving. He asked passers-by to take photos of the two of them through the camera. Ananta stood nervously beside Alana. Only posed a few times before Alana smiled satisfied to see the results.

Ananta also saw the results of their photo, and it made the hole in Ananta's chest feel widened. His chest felt tight to see Alana's face that remained calm.

"See you later" said Alana, still smiling.

'after this it won't be the same anymore, will it.'

"See you later" Ananta replied lethargicly. The energy just evaporated.

'are we really going to split up?'

Farewell is always sad.

But isn't it better this way? rather than us having to part with another more sad story.

...Yep... The story with Alana, it's all over....

The sentence was fixated on Ananta's head along with the footsteps that led him out of the school gate. Leaving Alana who was still waving small towards her distant back. Ananta did not realize that from earlier Alana smiled meaningfully as if hiding something in her heart. Well, behind that smile Alana also felt lost. Because all he knows is as long as he's always himself who loves Ananta more. He always cared more about Ananta. And now he too is abandoned.

There were no tears coming from Alana's eyes. He had just let go of the heavy feeling in his heart after making sure Ananta was not seen again in his sight. Without Ananta knowing, Alana is also injured. Feeling the loss he hid with all his might behind his exhausting fake smile.

~aqika