Cidro (Between Love And Wounds)

Chapter 16

The image was downcast when he heard what Mr. Hamzah and Bu Aminah said. He couldn't believe what was sweeping his eardrums.

"Same mom was joking, right?" citra said ensuring his hearing.

"No Honey. This is all for you." Ms. Aminah said as she gently stroked her son's hair.

"Yes Nak. This is all we can give you. Sorry I have not been able to give the best for you" said Mr. Hamzah.

Citra's eyes glazed over hearing the words of her parents. He never asked for anything if it was incriminating to his parents. He would rather try himself to get what he wants.

Citra hugged the mother tightly while saying her gratitude. She is proud to be a part of this family. A family that is so warm and always treats its children well and fairly.

"Partner very dear to you Father and Mother. Sorry if Citra still can not be the pride of Father and Mother," he said on the sidelines sobbing.

Aminah ma'am let go of her embrace. The woman rubbed the tears that were still dripping on the cheeks of her daughter.

"Happy birthday, son. May your ideals and hopes be granted by Allah" said Aminah.

"Happy birthday, Father. You can say nothing but the best prayer for you." This time Mr. Hamzah said to the child.

"May a small gift from the same Father be useful to you." Mr. Hamzah continued his words while looking at the child's eyes closely.

"May you be more excited." Aminah added.

Imagra. "Thank You, Mother. Love you both."

Wiwit and Tegar emerged from the inside with a black forest of Citra's favorite. On it was a candle in the shape of a number 16. Hardcore does not want to lose. The young man appeared to be carrying a small package in his hand.

"Happy Birthday to the Deck." Wiwit congratulated after putting the cake on the table.

"Happy birthday little elf Mas," said Tegar Sweet.

The image looked at his two brothers in turn. Then she smiled sweetly at the two. Not forgetting Citra to say thank you to her brothers.

"It's a gift from Mbak for you." Wiwit handed him an envelope he had kept in his pocket.

The image received the envelope and immediately opened it. His eyes sparkled when he found out the contents of the envelope which turned out to be a shopping voucher at the bookstore.

"Still Ma'am" said Wiwit.

"And this is from Mas Tegar. Don't look at the shape. But please look at his affection." Tegar said as he handed a box to Citra.

"What is this Mas?" The image received the package with both hands.

"It's open."

The image tore through the paper that wrapped the box. His eyes sparkled happily as he looked at what the contents of the box were.

A new power smartphone is a gift from Tegar to his beloved sister.

"This...this is for Citra Mas?" Citra asked with a smile.

Rigid nodded. "Yes. Mas deliberately buyin you this so that you are easier to explore the virtual world."

"But remember. Do not play sosmed until you forget to learn yes," added Tegar.

"If you forget to learn, Mother's phone confiscated," said Ms. Aminah.

The image looked at the mother while nodding her head.

"Now blow the candle first dong. After that we eat together with the cake," said Wiwit.

Everyone nodded in agreement. The image seemed to close its eyes asking a prayer to the Creator. He did not forget to give thanks to the Creator.

*****

Today Citra and her friends are off because the 12th grade children are facing the final test. Citra took advantage of her holiday by taking a writing class organized by a famous Indonesian novelist.

Since morning Citra has been facing her internet-connected laptop at her home. His face seemed serious about attending the class to the point that it was not aware that someone was watching him.

"So seriously, anyway" said Arga, who was suddenly next to him.

The image jumped in shock at hearing the reprimand from Arga. He stroked his chest which was beating fast. Faster than light.

"You Ga. It was a shock" Citra said.

"You're serious after all. What else is it?"

The image looked at Arga then his eyes turned to look at his laptop. There Citra is writing a synopsis for the assignment of her writing class.

"Ooh. Sorry Cit I don't know" said Arga.

Smiling image. "Nothing Ga. I'm not angry" Citra said.

"Tumben played here?" ask Citra.

"For the kepengin. I miss you again." Arga said with a spoiled smile.

The image blushed in embarrassment at the spoiled smile shown by Arga.

Silence enveloped both. There was nothing to say but a spinning clock.

The image returned to write the synopsis. Arga looked around the room.

"That's lonely. On where to?"

"Mother alike Mother to the kiosk. Mas Tegar has a duty of guard at the stadium. Ma'am Wiwit work." Citra describes the activities of everyone in her home in detail.

Arga mangosteen heard the explanation from Citra.

"Eh yes to forget," said Arga.

"This is a day from Mother for you." Arga handed a large paper bag to Citra.

"What's this?" Citra asked with a frown in wonder.

"Open up. Mother said it's a birthday gift for you," said Arga again.

Smiling image. "Thank you. Please tell your Mother, thank you very much."

"Yes together" said Arga.

The image put the paper bag of Arga's giving beside his seat. He then refocused on his task.

"And this is a gift from me." Arga thrusts a small box at Citra.

The image that refocused on her work became shocked.

"What else is this?" ask Citra.

Arga smiled as he opened the box. It turned out that a silver ring was neatly tucked away in the box.

"What do you mean?" ask the image again. He did not understand Arga's intention to give him the silver ring.

Arga grabbed Citra's hand and placed the ring on her ring finger.

"I didn't mean anything. But I was hoping. With this ring I still have a chance to be someone special to you" Arga said.

The image looked into Arga's eyes. Those eyes exuded sincerity as well as sincerity. The image was blown away when it saw that light within the look of Arga's eyes. But he recalled Azwan's eyes.

Uh! Why should I remember him? Arga is different from Azwan. Arga is a thousand times better than that loser guy.

"I sincerely love you. I still wish you'd be my woman" Arga said.

The image is speechless when it hears Arga's expression of love. His eyes were still staring at Arga without blinking.

"Let me love you as sincerely as my heart. Let me love you all my body" Arga said.

The image is increasingly speechless to hear the loving speech of Arga. He could not open his mouth to speak. His tongue felt faint when he heard Arga's expression of love.

The two are still staring at each other. Arga's hand was also still tightly grasping Citra's hand. The young man did not want to let go of his hand grip the item for a second.

Outside the house, a pair of eyes stared hatefully at the two of them. There is an insincere and unwilling highlight to see the two human children feel happiness.

The young man's eyes continued to shine sharply towards Citra and Arga. Both of his hands were tightly clenched. The veils around his head were ringing. Indicates his emotions that spread to the crown.

"Don't be alone. The third demon."