Droplets of Night Creatures

55. Sacred Call

That night Aruna again could not close his eyes. He remembered Orion's promise to take him on a pilgrimage to his mother's grave. Aruna was seen pacing back and forth in the living room and it made Agung who had not fallen asleep even rebuke him.

“ Lo why Run, kok back and forth aja daritadi.?” ask Great.

“ I can't sleep Gung..,” says Aruna.

“ Surely because Ria ngorok yes..,” guess Agung origin.

“ No...,” says Aruna.

“ Continue what dong...?” ask Great.

“ Where I know. Lo yourself why is it still there..?” ask Aruna.

“ Want to take a drink, thirsty..,” sahut Agung while brandishing the empty glass he held and then move to the kitchen.

Shortly afterwards Agung passed near the living room while carrying a glass filled with water. Agung thought Aruna had returned to the room because she did not see Aruna again in the living room.

Meanwhile, in the darkness of the night, Aruna was following the steps of Orion who was running towards somewhere. Orion came to coincide when Agung went to the kitchen earlier. Orion stopped at the village cemetery and went in and stopped in front of a well-preserved tomb.

“ Here your mother buried Aruna..” Orion said in a hoarse voice.

Aruna followed the gaze of Orion who looked at the tombstone with a sad look. There is the name Risma written on the tombstone and it makes Aruna sad.

“ What's up Darling. This time I didn't come alone. I'm coming with our son, Aruna. You remember that. You must remember dong. Kan You who gave the beautiful name to Your Child.” said Orion while rubbing the tombstone Risma with love.

Aruna could not help but cry as Orion introduced her to her mother as if Risma was still alive and was sitting staring at them.

“ Ibuuu...,” said Aruna lirih then gathered near the grave of her biological mother.

For a while Aruna cried and Orion let Aruna shed tears in front of the mother's grave. Not a word was said from Aruna's lips. Although he had long known that he was not the biological child of Arka and Diana, but being next to the tomb of the woman who had given birth to him made his feelings raging. Aruna remembered herself who was only briefly in the arms of Risma.

Then Orion reached out his hand and stroked Aruna's head to calm the girl down.

“ She's happy to have you, son. Your presence is very much awaited. Even before dying he still had time to suckle you even though he was in critical condition.” whispered Orion with a trembling voice.

“ Do you love my Mom..?” ask Aruna lirih.

“ Highly. Among my four wives, Risma is the one I love the most. I find it hard to accept his death even after a dozen years. If I used to easily replace my wife who died with another woman, but now I find it difficult to find a replacement for Risma. Maybe it never will. For me Risma is too perfect and irreplaceable.” Orion said while staring at the sky with teary eyes.

Hearing Orion's answer moved Aruna. Then he turned his body and hugged Orion tightly. Orion was surprised for a moment but he seemed happy. He hugged Aruna tightly and kissed her head. The two cried together in front of Risma's tomb.

“ Forgive Me Father. Thank you for loving my mother..,” whispered Aruna softly.

Even though he was soft, Orion could still hear Aruna's words. Both of his eyes were closed permeating the call Father had heard earlier. Tears were also hard on his face. Orion is happy to finally hear that ‘holy call’ after a dozen years of waiting.

“ Both Son. Thank you for accepting my presence. Thank you also because you don't hate me for what I did to you first.” Orion said in between sobs.

“ I understand why Dad did that. Dad chose the best parents for me. Papa Arka and Mama Diana loved me very much. Their extended family also loves me, it is no different even though I am only an adopted child.” said Aruna while closing her eyes.

“ I know. George and Matilda told me everything. I trust you in their care because they used to take care of me.” Orion said as he wiped the remaining tears on Aruna's face.

“ Time is Well...?” ask Aruna.

“ Yes. They were your grandfather's confidants. Om George is your Grandpa's cousin while Aunt Matilda is still your Grandpa's distant sister. They were assigned to guard Arnold's descendants, Me and You.” Orion said.

“ What other brother is different Mother is also guarded by Om George and Aunt Matilda Well.?” aruna asked but Orion shook his head.

“ No. They're different from you, Aruna. They have no chance of turning into werewolves like us. They only inherited a little bit of my savage nature but not the werewolf gene. Your Grandfather's enemies could only smell the scent of werewolf blood, so they chased after us and wanted Our death. That's why your grandfather ordered Om George and Aunt Matilda to escort us to adulthood. I should've taken care of you because you're my son. But I was too saddened by Risma's death and couldn't raise you alone. Lucky Om George and Aunt Matilda want to replace my duties. I'm sorry Aruna..,” Orion said as he lowered his head.

“ Gapapa Well. I understand....,” said Aruna with a smile and then hugged Orion again.

“ We have to go home now Aruna, it's almost morning. I don't want villagers to think negatively when I see you alone with me.” Orion said as he rubbed Aruna's head.

“ Well. But I can still make the pilgrimage here right..?” asked Aruna expectantly.

“ Of course Nak...,” Orion said steady to make Aruna smile.

“ I have to say what if there is a citizen whose relationship I have with a person who is underwritten here Well.?” ask Aruna.

“ Tell me that Risma is your mother. You are the son of Risma and Orion. If anyone asks about me, say you don't know..,” Orion said quickly.

“ Do villagers also know Dad..?” asked Aruna doubtfully.

“ Oh yes, the way Bu Menur looks at me is a little different in the way he looks at my friends.

“ Maybe he remembered the same Risma because your face and your mother are a little similar..,” Orion said with a sad look.

“ Father..., don't be sad anymore huh. Mother had returned to the Khaliq calmly. Our task now is only to pray for her so that Mother can enter heaven.” Aruna said as she hugged Orion's arm.

Orion smiled to find that Aruna was no longer awkward around him. He smiled and rubbed Aruna's head in love.

“ You're right Son. I have to thank Arka and Diana for educating you so well that it makes you a strong and intelligent woman like this.

“ Aamiin. When are you going to see Papa and Mama.?” ask Aruna.

“ God willing Dad will meet them later, but wait for the right time son..,” Orion said with a smile and embraced by Aruna.

Soon the two left the cemetery quickly because dawn had arrived. Orion drove Aruna to the front of the house.

“ Now go in and rest, you must be tired..,” Orion said with a smile.

“ Yes Father, thanks for everything..,” said Aruna and rushed into the house.

Orion nodded his head. After making sure Aruna entered the house, Orion darted away from the place.

\=====

That morning Aruna told about the whereabouts of her birth mother's grave at the village cemetery to her five friends. All are shocked and almost in disbelief if Aruna is only Arka and Diana's adopted son.

“ Lo know since the beginning if Mother Lo impregnated in this village Run..?” ask Ria.

“ Yes...,” Aruna fast. He had to lie because he did not want his five friends to know his true identity.

“ Why does not the same story We are..?” ask Ria.

“ I don't want to disturb your vacation time..,” said Aruna to make his five friends cluck.

“ So We pilgrimage to the grave of his mother yes Aruna yuk guys..,” invite the Great.

“ Agree...,” say four other friends together.

Menur who happened to pass stopped and turned to look at the genk Comot who was sitting on the porch of the house.

“ Want to pilgrimage kemakam who Mas..?” ask Menur.

“ To the grave of his late mother Aruna Bu..,” sahut Agung represent his five friends.

“ Her mother Aruna was arrested in this village too ?. If you can find out what his name is..?” tanya Menur with a fast beating heart.

“ His name is Risma Bu..,” sahut Aruna lirih.

“ Ris. So you're Risma and Orion's son.?” tanya Menur while looking closely at Aruna from head to toe.

“ Yes, yes Ma'am. I know my real parents...?” asked Aruna who had thought that Menur would be surprised when she found out.

“ Recognize, I know Mbak. Risma is my little friend. O Allah.., My rich pantesan once squirmed You. It turns out you're Risma's son anyway. You are very similar to Risma..,” said Menur with teary eyes and hugged Aruna tightly.

The five friends of Risma were also moved to see Menur embrace Aruna. A moment later Menur broke her embrace and touched Aruna's face slowly.

“ Your face and skin look like Risma, but your hair and gait look like Orion. Masha Allah, a very beautiful blend is not..” Menur said.

“ Yes Mom...,” said Aruna was not happy because Menur continued to praise her.

“ Orion, where is he now.?” tanya Menur while rubbing her wet eyes.

“ Daddy stay away Mom. I was entrusted with the same family in Jakarta until adulthood, so I can only visit now..,” said Aruna.

“ If possible I also want to join the pilgrimage to the tomb of Risma. I did not make a pilgrimage there for a long time.” said Risma.

“ Of course can. We leave now only Bu...,” take Aruna and be taken by Menur.

Then Comot and Menur genk also walked to the village cemetery. In the distance Orion appears to smile when he knows many people who care about his wife and child.

Seriate