CAMELLIAS

episode 20's

Alfaro Keenan

Kara's away. That's how I feel now, since coming home from a short vacation in Bogor, my attitude has changed drastically.

Tutoring is still going on as usual, just not as fun as usual. Kara was silent, not saying much, even if I spoke to her she would just nod and shake her head in response. I'm going all wrong.

"Kara?" I grabbed his hand, as soon as the guidance clock was completed. It's been going on for a week and I can't be like this.

"Yes?" In a hurry he pulled his hand from my grasp.

"Why you?"

Kara frowned, looking at me questioningly.

"Lately you've been dodging. Did I have anything wrong?" My next.

"No." The answer was short, as I thought. His hands were still busy tidying up the writing equipment, ignoring me who was starting to get confused because of his cold attitude.

"If it's over, you can go straight home." He kicked me out, even he spoke without looking at me.

Kara stood holding her books and stationery, she was about to leave me first, a rare thing she did, because usually she was the one who always waited for me until I came home. Seeing him walk, step away from me, made me rise up to chase him.

"Kara!" I blocked the tip of her elbow, held Kara down so she'd stop.

Kara's steps stopped, but her body was still behind me.

"If I've got it wrong, I'm sorry. But don't be like this."

"What am I really like?" Kara asked back, but the sentence was so cold and foreign, unlike Kara I knew.

"You've changed since you got home from Bogor."

"It's just your feeling, I'm still the same as always."

"But you _"

"Is that important to you? Isn't it that we have nothing to do with it other than the guidance teacher and his students? What makes you feel confused?" Kara interrupted my words. His words made me speechless, because I knew that between me and Kara there was no definite relationship.

"Okay, I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable." I did not continue talking and chose to go home.

Leaving Kara with the feeling that is still stuck makes me more anxious uncertain. Usually if Dea and I fight, I spend more time playing games until tired and sleeping to reduce my annoyance. But this time I was even more confused, even the game could not help me in the least.

I came out of the room to the kitchen, but only until the living room I saw Mom talking to two tall, big men, wearing all black clothes. Sontak made me go straight to Mom, it could be that person wanted to harm or even do evil to Mother.

"Mother!" Mom and the two men turned their heads as soon as I called Mom.

"Faro!" Mom got out of the chair, approached me. His eyes were red as if crying out made me even more certain that these two people were indeed evil intentions.

"Who are they, Mom?" I asked to stare intently at the two expressionless flat-faced men.

"Alright then, we say goodbye to Ms. Salma. We gave Ms. Salma one week, before we came back here and took force." The two men bowed, then left.

"Who are they, Mom?" Much

"Maybe it's time you knew. Here!" Mom patted the chair next to her, I said, sitting next to Mom.

"For a long time they've been coming here, but I've always insisted on hiding you." I watched Mom carefully, letting her tell stories.

"You remember, we used to move around a lot?" I'm nodding. It's true, since childhood, my mother and I have moved around a lot. This is the longest house we have lived in, because Alma's condition has worsened since being diagnosed with kidney failure.

"Mommy purposely brought you to move from one place to another. Not because I can't afford the rent, but because I'm afraid they found you." Every time you move, you always reason not to be able to pay rent and I never know if there are other reasons besides that.

"Who are they?" Much

"They're your father's confidants, they've always been looking for your whereabouts long ago. And the last three months they've managed to find us here." Obviously Mother.

Hearing my father's name, I laughed cynically, because to me my father had died a long time ago.

"Faro's father died a long time ago, Mom. Maybe it's just a prankster who's overpaid, bothered to look for our whereabouts."

"Faro, listen to me carefully." Mom took my hand

"Your father wasn't a bad man, he didn't really leave us. It was precisely Mother who purposely hid you from her."

I stared at the look in Mom's eyes that were starting to turn red and teary.

"I'm sorry I made you suffer, you shouldn't have to live this hard life." Mom started sobbing.

"Mother, I'm happy living with Mom. Who says I suffer. I just need Mom and Alma, I don't need anyone anymore."

"Your father would love to meet. You want to meet him?"

Between happy and not, but I chose to shake my head in response.

"Why?"

"There's no man in our family, there's only Faro."

"But_"

"Udah malem, we enter yuk. The air's not good for health, and then I catch a cold." Before Mom could find a reason to force me to meet someone claiming to be my father, I first invited her into the house.

I'm still turning my phone back, hoping my message will be answered by Kara. I still remember what was wrong with me, until Kara turned cold like that. Is he angry because of the incident at Bogor villa?

I didn't mean to put him in a less pleasant situation, because of my excessive attitude. To be honest, I didn't even notice when I suddenly removed the link between my hand and Dea, as Kara screamed in pain.

Kara must have been surprised by the sudden heroic act, but I couldn't control myself, it just happened. Not only did Kara look surprised, Dea was no less surprised. I had thought that at night Dea and I would fight again like that time, but it turned out that Dea was just acting ordinary as if nothing had happened.

Given my relationship with Dea lately it's been getting away. Even I had asked to break up, because of his attitude that I think began to exaggerate. I do love him, but if he starts to demand that I always prioritize him and number the others, I can't.

That day I didn't mean to ask for a break up, just that Dea started complaining every time I had to work for Alma's medical expenses. He felt like he was no longer being noticed, he thought I was only paying attention to Alma. Honestly, I really pay attention to Alma compared to others, it is because of the condition of Alma that is different from small girls in general. And, when Dea started to feel uncomfortable with my situation, I would choose to end my relationship with her, I think Alma was much more important, even though I knew she wasn't my real sister.

Kara and Dea are two very different figures. Kara with her innocent and innocent attitude made me feel comfortable being around her. While Dea, despite her age far above Kara, Dea is still a spoiled girl figure typical of children from rich families. Kara and Dea both come from wealthy families, but they differ from attitudes and personalities.

Dea took months to adapt to my family, while Kara only needed one meeting she could blend in well. Even at first I thought Alma would refuse Kara's arrival, but it was Alma who was most enthusiastic once Kara helped her and also Mother Made cookies the other day.

Today there is no guidance schedule, I'm free.

Usually in my spare time like this I spend time hanging out with other friends, or playing basketball. But, this time I chose to go home even though Rony had forced to join the basketball court, but I was too lazy and chose to go home.

The parking lot is quite empty today, only a few motorcycles are still parked, maybe there are still other students who are still in class or still gathered in the art room.

A tall young man stood not far from the parking lot, standing folded his hands in his chest watching me. She was still wearing her school uniform, walking over to me.

"How are you Bang?" Jupiter patted me on the shoulder.

Since the incident in Bogor the other day I, Jupiter and Dea have not had time to meet again, even though the incident has been going on a few days ago.

"good. What's here?"

"Waitu."

"Gue?" Jupiter nodded. Although he was still acting as usual, but the look in his eyes could not lie, there was a flash of anger behind his brown eyes.

"What's wrong?" I pretended to be ordinary, as if nothing had happened. And still be relaxed as usual.

"Now I rarely play at home, why?" Ordinary question, but seem demanding.

"busy. Yesterday from home, teach David." Jupiter nodded her head, but I knew that wasn't the answer she wanted to hear.

"busy? College busy?"

"Yes, let me get a thesis."

"Or,,,?" Jupiter hung up her sentence, next to her eyebrows rose, grinning.

"Gue isn't a coded girl. Get to the point."

"What all this has to do with the events of the time in Bogor. Something to do with Kara?"

"Gue doesn't know what Lo means."

"Lo fell in love with Kara!"

"Gue?" I pointed at myself.

"Lo know where it's from? Besides, if I have a connection with Kara, what's the problem?" Jupiter was emotional hearing my words, her jaw hardened and her eyes began to darken.

"Gue is the same Kara has nothing to do, as you accuse. So stop prejudging or corner the cave or Kara. I know you love your brother, but I don't think you need to bother too much about his personal life as well. I or Dea have their own ways of solving problems." 

I patted Jupiter on the shoulder, trying to give an explanation. At least I'm wrong to talk, everything will fall apart and it could end in a jotos with him. I don't mind if I have to fight with him, it's just that I'm still holding back,because after all I'm still Dea's boyfriend and I know Jupiter is equally interested in the same girl as me.

I'm not a stupid guy who can't tell apart the expression of Jupiter that often steals a glance at Kara. Although there was a beautiful woman twitching spoiled next to his arm, Jupiter's gaze remained fixed on Kara. Aren't we the same?

Jupiter left first, while I was still standing in the parking lot. For this time Jupiter and I can still hold back each other's emotions, but I can't guarantee for the future, because Jupiter has already started waving war flags.

The cell phone that had been in the pocket of her pants, rang. One message came in. Kara's name is on the phone screen. I smiled even though I had not read the message.

My smile disappeared as soon as I read the contents of the message.

"From Monday, you don't have to come home. Because I've found my new guidance teacher. For salary, the father has transferred to the account number. Thank you,"

I opened my eyes many times, hoping that what I read was wrong. Or Kara just wanted to make fun of me, because she was still upset.

I didn't want to waste time replying to Kara's messages, it took too long to just type one alphabet at a time on the phone screen, so I decided to meet her in person.

I drove the bike at full speed, even I wish I could go faster. It usually took me forty minutes to get to Kara's house, but this time I was able to arrive in just twenty minutes. I even forgot my own safety.

"Mang Udin, is Kara home?" I asked as soon as I got in front of the gate of Kara's house.

"Well, why Faro?"

"I want to see you for a minute." Udin looked confused.

"But_"

"Just Mang. Five minutes, not long. After that I went straight home."

Despite his doubts, Mang Udin finally opened the gate.

"Don't be long, Mas. About her again there is a mother. I'm afraid of getting mad."

"Yes, just calm down. I haven't been long." I convinced Mang Udin, even though I was not sure about myself, whether Kara wanted to see me or vice versa.

Arriving at the door I immediately called Kara's number. One call no answer, I didn't give up until the fifth call, I just heard Kara's voice.

"Yes," his voice was hoarse, like he was crying.

"Kara, I want to talk to you. Justjust please. Not for long, I'm just asking you for five minutes." Kara was still silent, I could hear a faint sobbing, I was more and more sure Kara must have been crying.

"Kara, please, please."

"I can't, I can't go home."

"Where do you know I'm in,, _" I stopped as soon as I saw Kara standing behind the glass window of her room, on the second floor. Kara stood up and still stuck the phone to her ear.

"Kar, I just want to talk for five minutes. Please,,"

"I can't, from now on please don't see me again."

"Kara!" I haven't spoken yet, Kara first turned off the connection, she even closed the window curtain. I rubbed my face rough. I do grieve for myself, why it's this complicated.

I walk straight to the parking lot where my bike is, there's no way I'm forcing Kara to meet me and I'm finally going home. I just drove off the motor a few meters, but I saw two men with stout stature, coming out of Kara's house. His face was so familiar, I tried to remember where I had seen the two of them.

I remember, they were the ones who came home the other day to see Mom.

But what are they doing at Kara's?

Do they also work for the Kara family, in addition to working for my father?