Aretta & Secrets

Gifts

"When was the last time you celebrated your birthday?"

I shut up and tried to remember. You can vaguely remember the birthday party where there are fairies, gifts, and games held at the event. I remember that night I was so excited to finally meet the fairy godmother. At that time I really hoped that he could grant me many requests.

"I think I'm 5 or 6 years old. Do you remember the fairy who was invited at that time?" Gio nodded and smiled with a glint of his eyes. He stretched his hand to the side and entered the plastic grocery. Because it's black, so I can't guess what's inside.

Before I could see, he quickly hid something behind his back in the blink of an eye and he also stuffed his other hand into the bag to grab something as well.

"Is he ready?" tanyanya. I narrowed my eyes and nodded slowly.

Then he took out the hand he had hidden earlier and showed it to me. There was a bag of balloons with the number 17 written on the left hand. All are multicolored. On the left side is the same number.

"Lo know what this means, Aretta!?" He stood up and cheered, "we're going to party." and I could only open and close my mouth because of his plan.

"Remember! You do not need to help prepare everything because I will be ready for you. I'm gonna celebrate your birthday." He tried to negotiate but demanded firmly. I'm reluctant actually, but Gio who begs me to let go.

"It's just a small party. I'll invite your friend to my friend. The important thing is that the feeling of togetherness can be," his voice sounded increasingly panicked. Maybe he thought I would reject him.

"Okay," I replied straightforwardly, "on condition that you follow the plan I made." He nodded enthusiastically as he shouted yass with his hands clenched upwards. It coincided with Ana who had just returned from campus.

"Aretta agrees!" He yelled back at Ana and it also made the woman jump in joy. While the two of them were enjoying each other's euphoria while hugging, that chance I used to enter the room.

I don't know how long I've stayed in my room because after that there was a sound of people knocking on my door.

"Come in" I cried from the inside. Gio and Ana enter while carrying a suspicious-looking box. I stared intently at both of them but the coercion of those who asked me to accept the box made me resigned.

"It's from me same Ana. Because soon you must need this item and we are ready before you keteteran later. Even if you don't like it, you can't return this stuff." Gio immediately retreated as soon as the box I received and wrapped his arm around Ana's waist. I still looked at them and admired the affection of the two until Gio instructed me to open the box again.

Under the ribbon patterned gift paper there was a surprise that immediately jumped out when the box lid I opened. I flinched in shock and shouted with my gaze still fixed on the contents of the box. For a moment only the sound of laughter from Ana and Gio was heard until the moment I stared at the contents of the box and the two with a look of disbelief.

Inside there is a laptop and the latest phone output that I estimate the price is still expensive. I glanced again at Gio and Ana, the two humans just standing there smiling in satisfaction like idiots.

"Are you serious?" I asked, "it's expensive stuff!" I cried again and even made the two men more satisfied to laugh.

"That's what you do."

I immediately pulled out the two electronic objects that were still in their respective boxes. I opened the laptop box and turned it on.

"Gue is already casin for you and you can already use both items now. I hope you can learn more comfortably and I also hope this phone can also make you listen to songs that you like." Gio explained again.

I nodded tightly and immediately got up to hug the two. Because Ana was the one who stood closest to me, so I chose to hug her first.

"Thank you, brother," I said speechlessly. The woman nodded and said happy birthday to me. Though we have not known each other for a long time and he has even given me an amazing gift. I now understand why Gio could be as loving as that to this woman, because Ana was really like the figure of a fairy godmother descending from the sky. His presence also perfected our broken family.

"Brithday Happy Aretta. Sorry because all this time I've been passing your birthday and you're alone. I love you sis." He let go of his embrace and pushed me slowly so that I could see how serious he really was when he told me that.

"Thank you, brother" I replied. This time I called out to him like before and a delighted expression when I used the call completely emanated on his face.

"Gue is happy to be called that. Diligent learning," he exclaimed as he rubbed my head.

"It's dinner time!" I heard Ana's voice calling us from the kitchen. Gio rubbed my head again and immediately walked out leaving me and my new friends for us to get acquainted. I immediately grabbed my new phone and pressed the power button to turn it on. I can't believe these two things that I think are expensive are actually gifts for me and they are given by people I care about. It still feels like a dream to have these things.

The screen lit up and an image appeared indicating Gio had set this thing. I also checked their new laptop and found the same thing, so the point is you can just use it without having to fiddle anymore because honestly I'm not very familiar with these things either. The picture on the desktop screen is an old photo of two young children playing in the sand. One of them was digging and the other was busy holding his pink hat almost carried away by the wind. The little girl in the photo had the same hair color as mine and the boy also had hair color like Gio's. I moved my head again and checked where the photo was taken. It was in our old house where our family was still very harmonious.

The figure of a very young Aretta that I had never seen again after this family was destroyed seemed to smile happily. Piles of photos at that time were either hidden or discarded by Mama. I have never seen or found it anywhere. Gio must know where Mama keeps it because the man is among those who can roam around the house freely. Seeing the figure of me and little Gio made me smile. I could feel happiness in those days.

I played my phone and laptop for an hour. On my phone I just try to play a song or try search something that turns out to be very easy. People should focus on using this product because of its effectiveness.

While the laptop I use to search for learning materials on the school site. When I logged into my account that I never used, the excitement erupted. If I was the only one collecting tasks via offline, now I can send tasks online without fear of being late.

I read a lot of modules available there. Then I decided to open the message and a name from the sender attracted me. I clicked to open it.

To: Aretta (Master number:10002)

From: Jessica Princess (Mother number: 09033)

Aretta, uh,

I know we're not friends and I admit I'm just being annoying to you. At first, I thought you would take the Lord from me but after you gave me a warning about him, I thought many times. Until finally I sentin myself to continue to follow you and pay attention to whether you are really close to the Lord or not and I met you who look happier when both with Mr. Aidan. At that time I did not believe that you have no intention to seize the Lord, until I saw my friend Dela out of the room An Pak Dewa with a messy appearance. I was suspicious and I became obsessed with finding out what was going on. I sentin to follow Mr. God and what I met is something I never thought.

About him who turned out to be a mobster was also a lot of girls that he brought into his room. Sometimes it can be two girls in one day. But what I am most shocked about is Mr. God who always pay attention to you from the window of his room. Aretta, you have to be careful. I know I don't deserve nasehatin lo but I'm like this because I know he's a dangerous man and I'll regret it for life if I ignore this fact.

I'll move. Mr. God knows that I am watching him and it makes me realize that I have to leave immediately if I still love my life. I know I'm a coward but honestly I don't have the courage after knowing how great the group that Pa Dewa followed. I will stay with his sister bokap for the completion of school and I hope everything is finished quickly and the group of Pak Dewa can be arrested. Until then, I hope also when we meet we can be friends.

Take care of yourself Aretta. Please, you still have to be careful.

Jessica.

I took a deep breath while trying to digest all the writing that was there. Most of what he said I already knew. It was indeed a mafia group that Mr. God followed and no wonder it scared Jessica, only I never thought that the girl who hated me would tell me about this. I'm grateful.

But there is one thing that makes me feel uneasy. A fact that the Lord has been watching me secretly.  I shivered at it and immediately jumped to close the curtains after I checked the dim-looking streets. I wish there was someone beside me and made me no longer think about it. Fortunately that moment coincided with Ana's call asking me to eat.

I gently closed my laptop and phone and placed it on the table. I hope when I come back, I don't feel anxious anymore.