Forced to Get Off Bed

26. Feeling Frustrated

“Maa, Ambar in the hospital. His condition is critical.”

“Astaghfirullahaladzim..”.

Digta walked back and forth while contacting his in-laws, one hand holding a cell phone. And next to it again pulled the hair back with fingers.

“But I can't accompany Ambar in the hospital, Ma. Because Zeya is also in the hospital.”

“Yes God, what really happened, Digta?”

“Begini, Mom. Actually, we were on top for the holidays. But, a little was a problem with Zeya so he had to be rushed to the hospital. And it turns out, when accompanying Zeya in the hospital, Ambar's condition was immediately weak, so Ambar also had time to enter the ER. Because the tools here are inadequate, Ambar was forced to be referred to a cancer hospital in Jakarta. Ambar didn't want me to go with him, and asked me to wait for Zeya to get home from the hospital. Ma, I beg you...” Digta tried to hold the whine in front of his in-laws. “I've transferred some money to Mama and Papa to buy a plane ticket. Find the one who leaves the fastest, I want to accompany Ambar in the hospital. After I finish taking care of Zeya, we'll suckle her there.”

“Iya-yes, Digta. Baikk. Thank you very much, son. Mama and Papa prepare clothes to leave tomorrow.”

“Iya, Ma.”

After the connection is cut off. Digta sat on the chair while covering his face with the palm of his hand. A small cry appeared as his shoulders trembled violently. Then, his hand crushed his own face furiously.

“ARRRRRGHHH!” He screamed, got frustrated, felt depressed. He didn't want to lose Ambar. Not yet, he's not ready for Ambar's disappearance.

Ambar is a good and painstaking wife, how can Digta live without Ambar? Digta could not imagine that happening.

***

“Ayaaaahhhh!!” Ciya called him when Digta had just entered the hospital room with a weak body condition. Digta saw Ciya already on top of the gurney with Zeya.

“Mas, how about Mba Ambar?” Ask Zeya.

“He was referred to a hospital in Jakarta,” Digta replied without enthusiasm.

“What?” Zeya surprised. “Keep, why is Mas Digta still here? Why is Mas Digta not joining Mba Ambar?”

Digta looked at Zeya with an expressionless face. “In your opinion, why am I here? Ambar forced me to wait for you to get home from the hospital.”

Zeya sighed in frustration. “Why should that be, anyway?! Mom, I'm cured now, I can go home from the hospital. Please tell the nurse and Doctor to take care of my return.”

Digta clenched his fuming hands, then saw a glass on the table. The man threw the glass on the floor with a furious feeling. “Just watch your condition first, Zeya!!! Don't be so much of a whim!”

The sound of broken glass rang out loud until it made Ciya frightened. Ciya increasingly hugged Zeya firmly. “Tante Ciyaaa..”

“I'm also fed up of being stuck here with you, I would love to accompany my wife. But, my wife's ridiculous request always I can't deny. So please—“ Digta looked at Zeya with teary eyes. “I beg you, just pay attention to your condition. Don't make me get a headache. The sooner you recover, the sooner we can catch up with Ambar to Jakarta. You understand?”

Zeya did not dare to say another word, as she looked at Digta's face that was flushed red with tears and anger.

Digta wiped away the tears that had shone on his face. “I will be going to the villa to take care of all your clothes. Because after you get home from the hospital, we will go directly to Jakarta.”

After uttering the sentence, Digta immediately walked out of the inpatient room.

Zeya who had been holding back crying because of fear, after the departure of Digta immediately closed his eyes—so that his tears spilled down his cheeks. Zeya became frightened. Digta must have blamed Zeya for Ambar's sudden critical condition.

If only Zeya was not in the hospital, they would have brought Ambar to Jakarta.

Zeya pressed the button to call the sisters.

“There are mutable, Bu?” Ask the nurse through intercom.

“Sus—“ Zeya's voice vibrates. “Can ask please call cleaning service, no. Because there's broken glass in this room.”

“OK, Mom, fine. Cleaning service will arrive soon.”

“Thank you, Sus.”

****

The next morning, when Zeya awoke from his sleep. He saw that Digta was already inside his inpatient room and sleeping on the sofa, while Ciya slept on the next bed. Though the feeling, last night Ciya slept in his arms because he was still afraid to see the rage of the father.

But as it turns out, Digta has moved his son to the next bed.

“Good morning, Mother. Already wake up ya.” A nurse entered Zeya's inpatient room while opening curtains in the— window that made her light bias into her room.

Made Digta's gaze glare, and slowly opened his eyes.

“We took a shower this morning yes, Mom,” said the nurse while standing next to Zeya. “Sorry yes, Mom, I undress.” When the sister was about to unbutton Zeya's shirt, she touched the sister's hand.

The nurse was shocked, so stopped her movement. While Zeya looked towards Digta who had just woken up.

While Digta did not say much, the man got up and came out of the hospital room. He was looking for a toilet outside to wash his face. After that, Digta was discharged from the hospital. Attended several shops selling breakfast in front of the hospital.

“Bu, fried rice two yes,” Digta said when ordering food. Then, Digta pulled out a chair and sat down next to a Father who might be waiting for the order as well.

Digta noticed the Fathers smoking with heavy breaths as if he had a very severe problem.

“Who is sick, Sir?” Tanya Digta prank.

The father smoked his cigarette deeply and exhaled his smoke into the air. “My wife, comma. Yesterday was an accident,” replied the Father trying as calmly as possible.

“You? Who is sick?”

Digta took a deep breath. “Sama, my wife is also sick. Stage four acute leukemia. And now it's dying in the hospital.” Digta lowered his head, his shoulders slumped.

The man patted Digta's shoulder. He held out a cigarette box to her. “You smoke?”

Digta looked at the cigarette box. He was a non-smoker, and never smoked because Digta took care of his health. But for today, there is no harm in trying.

Digta took one stick. Putting the cigarette in his mouth. The father started a fire.

Digta smoked his cigarette deeply, and threw his smoke into the air. At the very least, the burden of his mind was reduced by one percent.

“Excuse me, Mas. Here's the order done.” A mother selling fried rice immediately gave her order to Digta.

“Still, Bu.” Digta received the food wrapper. And looked at the Father. “Pak, I first yes. Thank you very much, Mr.”

“Oh yes, equally.”

Digta smoked his last cigarette before throwing his cigarette butt into the asphalt, and stomping it to death.

Then Digta went back to the hospital.

***

Ciya had not woken up when Digta had already entered Zeya's hospital room. Her sister-in-law had finished her bath.

“Have breakfast?” Tanya Digta cold.

“Not yet, Mas,” Zeya replied.

But, Digta saw the food from the hospital side that was not touched. “That's breakfast why not eat?”

“No appetite hospital food, Mas.”

“Yaudah, this is fried rice. I bought for you one, for Ciya one.” Digta stepped closer to Zeya.

Sliding the dining table to be in front of Zeya, and unpacked the fried rice for Zeya.

“Terus, breakfast Mas how?”

“I want to drink coffee in the lower canteen,” Digta said in a brief.

Zeya smelled an unpleasant scent on Digta's clothes. The smell of cigarettes is so stinging. And all this time Ambar hated the smell of cigarettes.

“Mas smoke?” Ask Zeya.

Making Digta look at Zeya with a sharp look. “Iya.”

“Why?”

“Not all questions, should I answer.”

.

.

.

SERIATE

Friends, do not forget to vote and comment ya🤗