Home For My Soul

103|Give Time

“Do not think. It took me four years to accept that you are not Amarylis, but another girl,” said Mama, comforting me at breakfast.

“I haven't been able to accept it until now,” I'm Papa.

“I knew Brother wasn't my brother when Brother hit me in the room.” Hercules rubbed his head with his hands as if I had just caught a prick. “Kak Amaryilis original will never do that.”

“Because he's a coward,” I added.

“Because he's afraid of me.” He puffed his chest.

“I've never been afraid of anyone.” I snorted loudly.

“About it,” says Papa, “don't get used to, Son. I know you have never lost, but you still have to be able to measure the ability of the opponent. Don't all your thugs challenge.”

“Papa would rather they chew us every time we deliver the cake? Where would I want. Papa and Mama work hard every day hoping to get money, their time just take it?” my dispute. “I'm going, so I hope Papa will do something with it. I can't help anymore.”

“Not think about it. You focus on your college alone,” Lerai Mama.

After breakfast, the three of us went to the store, while Hercules went to the campus. As soon as the door opened, the delicious aroma of cake and bread greeted us. Mama hired five people specifically for cooking, so we just came by the time the store opened and all the sales were available.

Papa, Mama, and the employees who take care of the buyers, while I focus on our social media. I took a picture of one cake and made an interesting preface, then posted it. Then I checked the comments and the inbox, then replied as necessary.

At lunchtime, I would just eat my share in my post. Papa and Mama eat alternately to keep someone guarding the cashier. So, whenever it was their turn, either Papa or Mama would sit next to me while enjoying their meal.

“Ah, I'm late,” said a familiar voice from my right.

I turned my head and saw Mama standing with a smile on her face. “Mama?”

He lifted the bag he was carrying. “I brought you lunch.”

“Please sit, Mom,” said Mama who brought a chair closer to Mama. Ng, I mean, Amarilis's mom invited Katelya's mom to sit down. Totally confused.

“Am I interrupting?” ask mom Katelyia.

“No,” answered me and mama Amarylis simultaneously.

Mama Katelia smiled, then sat down. He looked around us. “This store is smaller than the previous store. I feel bad.”

“Taste bad?” many confused.

“Ah, the ..” Mama grimaces slowly. “I used to spread bad rumors about your old store. I want to teach Amarylis a lesson that lived happily while I was attending an event in the capital. I'm really sorry for doing evil.”

I was stunned to hear that. Why didn't I think that Katelya's mom could have been the culprit? Also true. The time is right with that incident. We met at Theo's parents' wedding anniversary, and had a fight on the toilet.

“You all right?” mama asked me to break my daydream. I immediately shook my head slowly. “I'm sorry I was rude to you. I feel guilty every time I remember it.”

“I understand, Ma. Which mother is not angry to see the person who allegedly killed her child in front of her? Importantly, Mama already knows everything now,” entertain me.

“Regarding the store, what Mom did was no big deal. We actually found the best solution so that similar rumors do not appear again,” said mama Amarilis, chiming.

“Ah, about that ...” My mother looked at the person standing near her. My mother and I took surprised breaths, not seeing him there. Mama Katelia laughed. “He is so. Come and go without sounding.”

“Assistant Mama?” manya curious.

Mama nodded, then gave a brown envelope to mama Amarylis. “This as my apology. When I found out you were broke and lost everything, I was so happy. To make sure you won't be able to have that store again, I bought it.”

“Oh, God,” murmured mama Amarylis surprised. I approached to see the contents in the envelope. A proprietary letter over a shophouse. “No. I can't accept this.”

“Please, do not reject,” persuade mom Katelya. “When you spare, we can go together to take care of his name. I will continue to feel guilty for doing evil if you refuse.”

I saw Amarylis' mother struggling on her own to receive the certificate. He turned his head towards me, then glanced at Papa who was serving customers. I understand why he's worried. It is a very expensive gift.

“But—” says mom Katelia, unwilling to receive the envelope back.

“You two are the same, Ma,” my god, divorce those who push each other envelopes. “So, better Mama accept offer mama Amaryilis.”

“Why do you call me mama Amarylis?” ask Mama.

“Iya. The name sounds weird.” Mama Katelia nodded in agreement.

“You how else? I called mama two with mama.”

They both looked at each other and were silent. Mama Katelia sat up straight and did not reject her envelope again. They seem to be busy thinking. Maybe find a solution to that same call. I let them find their way out.

“Call me mother only,” said mama Katelia with her sweet smile. “From time I'd love to hear that call.”

“That's a great idea. So, we do not need to be confused which mama he means,” said mama Amarilis, agreed.

“About the store, fine. We don't need to go behind the name and I agree you don't have to pay the rent. I will prepare the agreement letter so that there are no problems later,” said Mother with a professional.

I'm glad to hear how Mother thinks. His name is human, we could change our mind one day. With the letter of agreement, personal problems will not affect work. The calamity that previously happened, will not befall the store anymore.

Mommy can't stay too long, so she also said goodbye. Mama gave her a signal with her eyes to let me drive her out. I complied by standing up and walking out through the small door at the counter. Mother smiled, then took my hand.

My eyes are heating up feeling that touch. I waited a long time, almost six years to get close to my mother again. So, I didn't hold back from struggling spoiled on his arm. Mother looked over and smiled at me.

“Once you come stay at home. Your room is still the same, never changed. You can change anything because you are no longer a teenager,” he said slowly.

“Good, Ma, ah, I mean, Mother. I'll come this weekend,” I said.

“Peach yourself well.” We got near the car, so I straightened my body. He caressed my cheek. “I'll pick up tomorrow afternoon. You need to check with a dermatologist.”

“Ah, no need, Mother,” reject me. He must have discussed the pimples that adorned my face.

“I'm your mom. Your job is to obey me, not fight,” he said, using his trademark scolding.

“I'll go, Ma, ah, Mother. What's the point of me going to the doctor now, then stopping treatment for two years abroad?” my lament.

“No problem. Importantly, the cause of your acne is known, then the dermatologist here can prescribe a cream or something for you to consult a doctor there. I'll send money to buy your medicine.” He touched my hair. “You also need to go to salon.”

“No need, Mother.”

“Smile,” the command I had to follow. “We will not have time to the orthodontic specialist, but it is not too late to start it when you have gone home.”

“That's right,” I complained. “I can finance all my needs later when I'm working. Mother does not need to think about all that.”

“You're my daughter. What's wrong with me noticing your situation?” his reply.

“The problem is, I'm not a child anymore.” She cried, making me feel guilty. “Ng, Mother, forgive me. I didn't mean ...”

“Yes, geez, Kat. I miss fighting like this with you. Why did you come so long, son? Don't you know I cry over your death every night? I know I get angry every time I see this new body of yours, but you could use it yesterday. Why wait so long to tell us?”

“I'm sorry, Ma,”.

“I've wanted to go after you a few times. There are so many things that I have not said, you are not coming home healthy, even without life. Do you think I won't be happy knowing you're alive? Even if it's in someone else's body, you're still my daughter.

“Just knowing you're in this world with us, you only gave me a month to let go of longing. You have always denied. Spoiled child.” Mama hit my arm. “You must often resist hunger until your fat body becomes thin like this. Your hand is also calluses.” He sobs. “Padahan mama this has a lot of money.”

“Tante Wibowo?” ask someone from behind you. “Why Aunty hugs aunty princess killer?” Started again. Why is he here?