Aira And Aria
10. A Satisfaction
I told her everything that happened to Aira's father and BK's teacher at school. Once I saw Rio called the school and given a sentence even though he did not get dropped out. While Mira was still forgiven by not talking about bullies that day. But I let him go through the punishment by the feeling of regret and fear that is sure to come.
Actually the news about Aira being bullied has begun to spread in the school. It also makes me unable to calm down because many are talking about me in the back. Even Bimo and Raka who tried to cheer up never succeeded.
The one thing that made me sick the most was hearing people say that what happened to Aira was my fault. I'm not angry with them, because it's true that way.
It had been five days since Aira had entered the hospital. But I didn't dare to look at him at all. I was immersed in my own thoughts. In regret for making Aira tormented like now. I don't have any face to see him anymore.
“Bro, haven't hung out in a long time. We go to the front cafe yok!” bring Bimo. He still hasn't given up on getting me back to normal. But I still don't feel okay at the moment.
“Sorry, Bim. I want to go home today,” I replied as it passed.
My head is still hanging around a lot. I don't focus when I study in class. In fact, often times dumbstruck to make mom angry because I did not say every called. Actually I don't want to be like this, if only everything that happened had nothing to do with me.
“Hei!” How shocked I was when a man suddenly grabbed me by the shoulder from behind. I turned around immediately until I could see the man in the hat who looked like a college boy. “You're Aria, right?”
“Iya. Sorry, who is it?”
“I Dewa. Her sister Aira,” replied the man, making me start to feel scared. “Someone I want to talk to you about.”
Without being able to refuse, I followed Brother Dewa to the front cafe of the school. The place I should have been with Bimo and Raka. Until I got there, I didn't say anything at all. Even
staring at the face of Lord Sister alone I did not dare.Suasa my feet want to run as fast as possible to avoid.
“Diminum first, Ari,” said Brother Dewa to me who kept his head down.
The longer I stay with him, the more I want to escape. “Sorry, Brother!” That's all I said from my mouth. Makes Kak Dewa just amazed and even laugh.
“Take it easy. I don't want to hit you, kok.”
“Could not. Big brother would want to scold me for making Aira hurt, right?” answer me with complete confidence.
“Hmm.. Yes, anyway.Want me to jok if you can. But too many eyewitnesses.”
I had a little trouble swallowing hearing it.
“But that's not what I mean to see you now. I want to tell you something that you don't seem to know about Aira,” continued Brother Dewa again.
“What's the matter, Brother?”
“You know Aira can't talk?”
Brother Dewa slightly confirmed his sitting position, then put both arms on the table. “Actually yes, Ari. You should know that Aira is not really mute.”
“Means?” Now my fear is changing with a questionable feeling.
“She can't talk, just doesn't want to do it.” Brother Dewa sipped sweet tea from inside his glass. “He was a troubled child from childhood. Actually it's not so, rather, he's always been in trouble. You know that Aira doesn't look like she's a real Indonesian?”
“Iya, Brother.”
“We are indeed mixed-blooded. Our mother is German. Maybe for some people it is an advantage, but not for Aira. All of that is precisely something that makes it bullied since SD.”
Somehow the explanation of Kak Dewa directly makes me understand why Aira became a person who does not like the crowd. Even from the first day we met, he had always been in a quiet place. But I choose not to discuss it. Now I know the reason.
“It turns out all that did not stop and it only got worse when he entered SMP. His friends are much more cruel. Many times I saw her crying and coming home injured or soaking wet. I never thought about why those kids could act like that. Until I was confused because I had to leave him to study abroad. He moved twice, but things never improved. He became increasingly afraid to make friends, and chose to isolate himself.”
“I just heard all this now, Brother. Actually I've sensed there's something that makes Aira always alone. But I never dared to discuss it.”
“And he definitely wouldn't say that either. But yes.. Aria, the worst is not because of the bully.”
“Hm?” I'm getting curious. Somehow the story of Aira's life turned out to be much more complicated than I imagined.
“The real problem is with our father. He is very busy and rarely at home. While our mother had long since died. Aira is not a spoiled child who likes to complain. But he was not that strong for
facing all alone. Until finally he tried to talk to dad about the bullying that happened. Father only responded by saying he would report bullies to school. At that time, Aira begged me not to do it, because all she wanted was to be heard. Because
all this time he always felt like dad never cared about him. At that time my father said that if Aira did not agree with his words, it would be better if she did not have to tell me the problem at all. The night after the big fight, Aira called me crying. And I remember correctly that day became the last time I could hear the voice of Aira.”
I can't imagine how hard Aira has been through all this time. I only live with my mother at home, because my father is gone. But I never lacked the attention of a mother who was always there at any moment. While Aira, she seemed to have no one by her side.
“I heard he wanted to be a painter, Brother. But it looks like something happened until he had thrown away his dream.”
I saw Brother God smiling bitterly. “Iya. He loves painting more than anything. Her talent declined from the mother who introduced her to painting. Even my mother held several exhibitions. But since the departure of the mother, it has become something that I hate. Finally, Aira was the victim. Every time he showed me his work, I didn't praise him at all, not even look reluctant. Gradually it made Aira lose her spirit to throw away her dream.”
Unknowingly my tears fell. I don't know why my chest feels so tight. I'm ashamed to have to cry in front of Brother God like this. But I can't lie about my own feelings. I can't imagine
what is the pain when our own parents do not support the dream we have. They should have been the first to get us up when we started to lose hope of reaching them.
“Sorry, Brother,” I said slowly, still with my head down. “I've added Aira load..”
