Forced to Marry Stepbrother
25. Telephone
“Pa..”
The man who was sitting relaxed in the middle room while focusing the net on his phone turned his head.
He smiles.
“Sini, sit!”
I nodded and sat down in front of him.
“What's up? Tumben early in the morning, Papa?”
A little hesitant to say it, but because I was too curious to not want to ask.
“It...., Tan-te Ratna ready, Papa?”
“Ratna?”
“Iya, yesterday he nyari Papa until coming home. Do you know Aunt Ratna?”
“Iya, know. Why?”
“Nothing anyway, but it means Papa knows that in the past who rescued Kana was Aunt Ratna?”
This guy in glasses nodded.
“What is that woman who told you or Papa knows for himself?”
“Then it—“
Drt. drt...
“Shortly, Darling. Papa should get a call. From your Brother.”
The deg!
This chest went up and down. My breath suddenly tightened. What else would that man want?
Whether intentionally or not, Papa did not move from his seat. He still remains here—in front of me—as if made-up so that I can hear their conversation.
[Pa, Zii the plan is coming back.]
Sculpt this body. My outstretched hand held the narrowed chest. My breath is hunting.
“Why so fast, son? Isn't your study not finished?”
[Just one more semester, Pa. Then Zii came home.]
Papa nodded. The smile on his lips could not be hidden. This guy looks happy. Maybe because in a moment, he will meet his only child.
I'm the opposite of Papa. This self is not ready to meet the man. Not ready yet. My heart has not forgiven me completely. Can't be more precise.
“Good. Papa was happy to hear that. Moreover, your sister is also home now. You must be happy.”
These eyes were staring straight at Papa. Astounded. Why did this man mention me in their conversation?
[Is he okay, Pa?]
Back, the more shocked this self. Not hurt at all, if the man will ask me how I am.
Pun why? Why was it that from the tone of his voice, the man looked worried? Is it because he knows I'm here—heard—that he pretended to care?
Akh..., basic male berengs3k.
“Do you want to talk to your sister, son? Mumpung now Kana is next to Papa?”
Patterning my eyes. This head I'm shaking strongly, a sign that I don't want to.
But instead of understanding, Papa smiled. Continuing to give me his cell phone.
“Your sister wants to talk, Na.”
Again, I shook my head.
“Just a minute, Honey. Maybe there's something your brother wants to say. Give her a chance.”
Papa put his car on the table, and he went straight away, somewhere. Looks like Papa did deliberately dodge—gave space for me to talk to the men on this phone.
[Pa.., hello.].
For a moment I just stared at the phone. Let the caller speak alone.
[Pa, is Papa there?]
Keep talking because I won't answer anytime. I'll shut up until he turns off the phone.
[Pa...., did Papa hear a voice, Zii?]
[Na, Brother knows you're there.]
This move stopped. Sculpting. Where does he know?
[So, I'm not sorry, even though you realize you don't deserve your forgiveness. Sister is sorry, Na. Brother really berengs3k.]
Closing ears.
[If time can be repeated, Brother will ask God not to meet you with a j4hanam man like Brother. Only because of Brother's illogical grudge, Brother to ruin you. Kaka—]
“DIAM!”
In the end I made a sound too. Or rather scream.
Instantly. Direct silence. No more sounds were heard.
Still leaving Papa's device on the table and now even turning his back. I said, “I'm sick of it. I'mtired. I'm tired. So, please stop. You just broke yourself enough. Now, not again. I beg.”
Long time no reply. I only heard a long breath. Till...
[If that's what you want, Na. Brother will do. Brother will tell Papa that Brother will stay here. Brother's not coming home. Brother doesn't want to hurt you anymore. Take good care of yourself. Brother loves you.]
After that I heard the call disconnect. Looks like the guy decided it.
I put down the hands I was wearing to close my ears. Take him to the front of the chest. Holding a heart that cannot calm down.
“Hah..”.
Trying to regulate the breathing rate that is still abnormal. Still claustrophobic, especially after hearing Kak Zii's last confession that was either true or not.
‘So's sister loves you.’
Wh why? Why only with that sentence this heart immediately wavered when not necessarily the man sincerely said it.
“Already, Na?”
Directly turn this self towards the source of the voice. Papa has returned.
“Papa intentionally right?” accuse me directly.
“What purpose, Honey? Papa just gave your brother a chance. Poor him, Na. If you know how your brother used to suffer so much after hearing your condition that had been in a coma—weeks unconscious.”
This self sits back, in its original place. Followed Papa who was also sitting on the sofa.
“Means Papa?”
“Zii went on hunger strike. Your brother just locked himself in the room. His condition is really concerning. Every night, every day he was always rumbling, he regretted his actions. In fact, he also had to be treated for several days in the hospital because his body lacked nutrients.”
This self is still trying to listen even though this mind and heart refuse to believe.
“After being declared recovered by the doctor and he can carry out his usual activities, a day—after returning from the hospital, Your brother immediately handed himself over to the police.”
I'm down. Is what I heard the truth? Did the man really regret his actions?
But in a hurry, I shook my head.
No. gabe. That's not possible. The man who actually wanted me dead, how could he torture himself to be rushed to the hospital? Turn yourself in to the police?
It's too early to believe Papa's words. Surely it was just a story of Papa's imagination so that this heart felt sorry until I finally forgave the man.
“Papa speak as is, Na. Papa didn't lie. Make Papa lie to you. You can find the evidence yourself. You can go to the hospital and the police station. You can ask directly. Whether or not this Papa's word is true.”
Still trying not to listen too much.
“Papa won't defend your brother. Not at all. But, what's wrong with giving her a chance, Na. Open your heart a little, baby. See sincerity. Don't let that grudge and hate rule you. As long as there's still time, as long as there's still a chance, people can change, honey. Everything can happen.”
Still quiet. This head is still down. I have not found the words to answer Papa's words. Want to deny, but somehow this heart feels slapped. There's an unnatural shiver in it.
“Excuse me, Sir. Sorry to interrupt, but in front there are guests.”
Raising his head because Bi Sirim suddenly came looking for Papa.
“Who, Bi?”
“Bu Ratna, Mr.”
I saw Papa nodding and quickly getting up from the sofa.
“Papa stay first, darling,” say goodbye to the man to me.
After that, neither Papa nor Bi Sirim left. Leaving me alone. Who are still busy with thoughts that continue to surround this head.
Next...
