Chandanas

Rock (4)

Roka wiped her tears while chuckling. This was the first time he had cried like a child.

"Wanna eat?" Rosa smiled as she wiped the tears on Roka's face and neck with the tissue she had just pulled out of her bag.

Roka nodded enthusiastically at her mother's offer. After spending a lot of energy to cry he felt the need to fill the stomach and restore the spirit with a lot of food.

At that time, with all the relief and happiness, Roka grabbed her mother's wrist, holding her hand and grasping the fingers she had longed for. Feel the touch of a mother who has long been missing from her life.

Along their way to find a suitable place to eat, Rosa does not stop watching Roka carefully. It was strange to see that Roka had now become so big and dashing, his son had grown into a handsome and tall figure. The regret he felt again because he had missed so much time that he should be able to use to take care and see the growth and development of the only son of his puppet.

On the other hand, Roka did not stop smiling along the way. He repeatedly turned to his mother to make sure everything that was happening right now was real. Making sure that the figure that is now walking beside him while holding his hand is real. It felt too happy for Roka to be able to feel all this. He was so happy and happy that he almost forgot that his mother was sick. The woman who gave birth to it can leave at any time, can leave it at any time.

Roka shook her head slowly. This is not the time to be sad. Instead of lamenting the harsh reality, Roka tried to shake off all worries and did her best to be relaxed and have fun with her mother because she realized whenever she could be the last moment for them. It could be today, tomorrow, or even an hour to come. Roka did not want to waste a single second.

After walking far enough away, Roka pulled her mother's hand slowly while pointing to one of the restaurants she used to visit. Because this neighborhood is still quite close to the housing where Roka lives, he certainly understands the place where they can find good food.

"That?" Rosa pointed to the restaurant that Roka had suggested.

"Yes. It's good there, Ma. Usually Roka buys food there," Roka smiled brightly.

Rosa took a slow breath. Although Roka did not mention him directly, Rosa could immediately understand that all this time she was her son must have often eaten outside the house. What else can a motherless child do that will always be ready to cook for her?

They walked to the restaurant. After entering through the main door, Roka smiled with relief because the restaurant was in a state that was not too crowded. He is grateful because usually this place is always crowded by customers from various places and circles.

Without much waiting, the two of them sat at one of the empty tables located not far from the glass window. The window showed the frenzy and the traffic around so clearly that it made their meal both times more complete and interesting.

Roka who had come to the place quite often also rushed to recommend the mainstay menu in the restaurant to his mother. Roka excitedly explained every menu he had served and described the advantages and disadvantages of the menus cheerfully.

Rosa looked at her son enthusiastically even though in the end she just smiled and answered all of Roka's explanations and input with, "Mama wants to eat just like you."

After ordering food, they returned to talk lightly about small things that are commonly discussed between mother and child. Rosa asked about the school, activities, and diet of her son during this time. Not forgetting he asked Kiran and her family. Roka answered all her mother's questions with pleasure. The mood today is really good with a feeling of happiness that is overflowing.

It didn't take long until their message arrived. Roka dragged the dishes that had just been taken down from the tray and gently patted the male waiter's shoulder beside her, "Thank you!"

Without hesitation Roka ate her food. Rosa as a mother several times had reminded Roka because she ate too eagerly so that it left stains on the face or clothes. In addition, Rosa also often helps clean the cheeks and lips of Roka whenever there is leftover food attached.

Secretly, happiness re-emerged in Roka's heart. Finally, she can now feel once again how and what a mother's love is like.

"You've known Naya for a long time?" Rosa spooned a small spoonful of food into her mouth gracefully.

"Naya used to tell Mama about you. At that time Mama did not know that the man she had been telling me was Mama's own son. But then Mama felt more familiar with you. Mama's heard all about you from Naya. You don't think what you're doing will have such a big impact on you" Rosa took a piece of tissue and gently wiped her lips.

Roka was silent for a while before returning to continue eating, "Roka also did not understand Roka himself. It is very hateful every Roka to see women, especially those who look easy to like men. They always remind Roka that Mama left Roka and Papa because Mama is not loyal. For years Roka lived with anger and hate that kept mounting as time went on. At that time Roka considered all women the same, they would also leave when they met a man who thought they were better."

"But Naya is different. She is a strong and determined woman. He is stubborn but he is also confident and always holds principles. He was also the one who made Roka start to want to realize the error of Roka's perception all this time," Roka placed her spoon on the now empty plate quietly.

"You like Naya" Rosa said, which sounded like a statement. Although Rosa had long been separated from her son, she was still a mother who could easily understand the heart of her baby.

"You know, Naya likes you too. Mama knows that from the way she talks about you. He's innocent in this, son. Don't punish him for his mother and father's mistakes. Don't hate Naya, Mama beg you. He's a good boy" Rosa grabbed Roka's hand and held it tightly.

"Yes, Roka doesn't hate Naya. Roka was just confused yesterday. After all, Roka tried to stay away from Naya because she kept reminding Roka that Mama had left, if Mama was not Roka's mother anymore," Roka returned her mother's grasp with one more hand.

"But now Mama is here. Until whenever Mama will always be your mother. Till whenever," Rosa smiled knotfully. Although there have been some wrinkles on his face, he still looks very beautiful and charming for women who are in their 40s.

Roka raised her eyebrows because something disturbed her mind and immediately wanted her to ask, "But Mama is not angry that Naya and Roka like each other? Naya's Mama's son too."

Rosa paused for a moment as if trying to think of the right words to answer her son, "You have no blood relation, in religion it's only legal if you get married. Mama will not last long in this world. Mama doesn't want to be the underlying reason for your and Naya's separation."

Hearing her mother's sentence made Roka again remember the fact that this togetherness will not last long. That they will be separated again as soon as possible, and the separation this time does not last a while but forever.

Roka removed her hand from the Mother's grasp as she felt tears welling up her eyes. Rosa tries to calm Roka down and says that she will always be by Roka's side until her death comes. It won't go anywhere anymore.

"Everyone will leave. Only this time Mama will go first. Do not consider this a burden that will hinder and hold the pace of your life. Use the departure of Mama as motivation so that you continue to fight even harder. Make your mom proud, huh?" Rosa walked around the table to hug her son.

Roka returned Rosa's embrace tightly. He must be strong. He must be willing to accept everything that is waiting for him ahead.

That afternoon, Roka and Rosa split up in front of the restaurant. Rosa refuses her son's offer to drive her home while she realizes that she can't drive Roka home either.

Although a little curious about the news from her ex-husband, Rosa still feels scared and better this way. She no longer wants to interfere and become an unwanted bully in her ex-husband's life.

Meanwhile, Roka drives her motorbike back to Kiran's house. He still wanted to be there before he had to go back home. Roka feels the need to tell Kiran all these wonders and share her happiness with her best friend.

At that time, one problem was resolved well. But it remains undeniable that no one knows for sure what and how the future will be. No one understands what kind of problems they will face in the future.

But instead of thinking about it all, at least now Roka was relieved. He had no worries but to wait for the coming of death which inevitably would soon arrive and pick up his mother. Even so, Roka did not want to react to it with a protracted sadness. Precisely while he still has time together, he must be able to take advantage of everything by always being happy so that his breath no longer blows from his mother's body.