AMEERA'S LOVE STORY

PART 18'S

Today I went back to work. But my body is here, not my heart and my mind. A short message really changed my life. I walked around like a zombie. There is no job I can do well. My friends think I'm still sick. They eventually took over my job and gave me another lighter job.

Whenever anyone asked me about my situation, I could only cry. I have no interest in answering their questions. I live without purpose, without hope. The break I used to wear for lunch, not this time. I spent time in a corner of the factory that not many people went through.

Holidays are arriving. Nita was with me in the room. There was worry on his face. But he didn't ask much. Nita just offered me some food, but I refused. Even Nita brought me my favorite piece I rejected it. I don't know why I don't taste to eat.

I never told anyone about my past. The past that I thought I had managed to forget, but the reality is not so. Habibie and I have promised to keep our relationship a secret. Shouldn't secrets be secrets?

“Ra, mumpung holiday we take a walk? Sunday at home.” Nita finally opened her voice.

A sunday? Is it sunday? I realized one thing. And I shed tears again. It's that day, right? I'm the stupid one crying over someone else's happy day. They must be happy right now. Both are at the seleaminan.

Seeing me cry again, Nita looked wrong. He patted me on the back to comfort me. Even though I was not amused by her way, I was really grateful that she was beside me when I was in a bad state.

The sound of a motorbike is heard outside the boarding house and appears to stop. A few seconds later, there was a knock on the door. Nita moved from her seat to open the door. Umar's face was behind the door.

Seeing Umar I re-awakened to the present. And yes, I owe him an apology for my birthday. Umar smiled at me and I smiled at him. I'm a little proud of myself who can still control my emotions so as not to do something I'll regret later.

We both sat in the chair in front of my room. A special place to receive guests. While Nita took the initiative to buy us drinks and snacks.

“You okay Mom? Your face is pale, and your eyes are also puffy.” Umar seemed to notice my situation.

“I am not feeling well,” I replied, “oh yes, I want to apologize to you. Nita said on my birthday you came here huh?”

Umar slightly lowered his head. He seemed disappointed at that time. Or at the moment? I don't know.

“You must be disappointed with me huh?” ask me in the end.

Umar looked at me seriously, “actually it wasn't your absence back then that disappointed me ma'am, I can understand that because you didn't know I was coming. But ... I was really disappointed that even when you found out I was coming, you didn't try to call me just to apologize or at least have a pleasant conversation about asking me. I'm sure you know the news of my arrival is not today. But even you didn't try to find me when I didn't contact you at all.”

I was stunned to hear Umar's honesty. Yeah, I just realized that Umar hasn't called me since that day. I was so focused on my past that I forgot the person who was currently beside me.

“Sorry,” I said.

“You don't have to apologize ma'am. I'm the one who doesn't know myself, hoping you'll miss me and then look for me. I should be grateful enough that you received my love, do not expect anything excessive.” Disappointment in the face of Umar. He stared fixedly at the end of his foot. I don't know what makes a pair of legs look attractive to him.

I feel more guilty about it. Umar is a good man. I shouldn't have hurt him. He just wants me to miss him. Shouldn't that be how a girl feels about her man?

“Umar, don't make me feel guilty like this. I'm sorry,” my door.

Umar turned to me, “actually how do you feel about me mom? Do you love me as much as I love you?” tanya Umar, but he seemed to rectify his question, “no. Is there at least a little love in your heart for me mom?”

“Ke-why are you asking like that?” many nervous.

Umar seemed to be answering my question when suddenly Nita appeared with a grocery crackle.

“Hey ... hey .. hey .. you guys are talking about what the hell, seriously,” said Nita while removing the contents in the crackle on the table.

not responding to him, rather pretending not to understand the meaning of his gaze. Even with Nita who seemed at home lingering near us while eating the snacks she brought.

“By a ride to the toilet?” ask Umar.

I nodded and intended to get up from sitting to show Umar the direction of the toilet. But Umar prevented it, “I already know the location of the toilet. You just wait here.”

I nodded in agreement and sat my body back on the chair.

“Bentar yah like hape I sound Ra, maybe mamah I called,” said Nita while standing towards her room.

Stay there myself. Without doing anything. It feels so lazy to just move. I just want to be quiet and think about the things that make me happy. But I didn't find it. So much for Habibie's influence in my life?

In the middle of my daydream, someone appeared to approach me and then sat beside me.

“Darling you why daydream alone here?” he said as he gently stroked my hair that was still disheveled.

I gasped in shock, “kak Heru? Why is my sister here?”

“I'm not answered? You don't like me here?” ask her by putting on a face pretending to be disappointed.

“Bu-not so but—“

I haven't had time to finish my words, Heru cut, “had I joked, I'm here because I want to carry your clothes. Looks like you forgot to bring it home from my house. Oiya, I was also this nitipin for you. Mom said, when do you want to play at home again? Looks like mom already misses you tuh.”

Scroll the things Heru put on the table. A paperbag and a bushel set consisting of four stackings. Mom, I'm really lucky to get her attention. While I was away from my family, I found another family here. With the same love and attention.

“Thanks,” says I'm clean.

“Sama-sama dear,” answered Heru while ruffling my disheveled hair.

“Oiya, I can't take long. There's usually work. You don't papa I stay?” tanyakanya.

I nodded, “iya no papa kok.”

Heru seemed to smile at my answer, “yaudah I go first yes dear, do not forget the food eaten.”

Heru moved from his seat. I followed his steps behind. Heru dipped my head, gave a caress there and then left. I was still in the same place until Heru was completely invisible from the sight of the eye.

I turned around, intending to return to my seat again. How surprised I was to see someone standing in silence with a crimson face looking at me sharply.

“Umar?” lirih.

***