In The Rain
CHAPTER 19
The hospital feels cooler and quieter after from the noisy and frenzied factory. Thunder was still lying on the bed, his gaze fixed on the television screen, even though he turned off his voice. His body was fitted with a hose for food and to remove impurities.
The monitor screen flickered, issuing squeaking sounds and recording the work of his important organs. His condition looks very bad. The starry smiled cheerfully and boldly approached her, she put away her heartache over yesterday's incident. Thunder was in excruciating pain, he could not help his rude actions. The Gemintang is just a scapegoat for the frustration that Thunder feels.
“Hai, Thunder.” Gemintang kissed the deathly pale cheeks of Thunder. “How are you doing?”
Thunder observed the clothes Gemintang was wearing and asked, “You're out of the factory?”
“Yes. I was just there before I came here. If I hadn't been there, I would have come here earlier. There is a problem with one of the production machines.”
“What problems?”
“I don't know for sure. Problems with the engine. Raden was examining him," said Gemintang, his eyes fixed on the flower on the table beside Thunder's bed. "The flowers of these Sunday School children are beautiful once.”
“What do you mean, Raden is checking it out?”
Gemintang still watches the flower arrangement delivered to the hospital when he has not arrived and reads the business card of his introduction, so that he knows to whom he will say thank you. But he turned around at once hearing the thunder.
“Jawab my question, asshole!” snapped Thunder aloud, beyond the expectations of the Gemintang. “What did Raden do in that factory?”
The star who felt very surprised was not immediately able to say the word‐word from his mouth. “I... I asked him to check the broken machine. He's engineer. He can definitely..”
“Without my permission, you asked my son to participate in the business in the factory?” Guntur tried to sit “He had already relinquished his rights over the factory when he left home twelve years ago. I don't want him in the factory, getting close to that machine though. You understand, Gemintang?” Sweat on his forehead. His eyes were glaring with anger.
The starry was afraid to see the anger of Thunder. “Master, relax. All I did was ask Raden to check the broken machine. He did not interfere in business there.”
“I know the boy. He will look for mistakes there, advise you on how to manage my finances.” Thunder pointed at the Gemintang with his index finger, and spoke in a shrill voice, “You heard, listen as best you could. You can't use a penny of factory money without my permission.”
Gemintang seemed to want to brush off the index finger that was directed at him. “Never, Thunder,” replied Gemintang. “Raden also never took your money.” For a few minutes, the Gemintang felt unable to breathe, only able to glance at the body of her husband who was already weak and helpless.
Thunder gave a terrible laugh, then collapsed on the pillow. “Did Raden tell you that I kicked him out because he humiliated me by impregnating Wilona?”
The Starry Body felt stiff, its palms wet with sweat. “No. We do not talk about it,” said Gemintang.
“Hmm, I don't want you to get the wrong information, I'd better get it straight. I didn't tell Raden to leave the house for twelve years. But he knew I was mad at him, but not because he impregnated the girl.” Thunder chuckled. “I already thought he would do such mischief. Anyhow he's a boy, a boy will fuck any woman if he gets a chance.”
Gemintang threw away his face, Thunder speech like a spear thrust into his body. “Maybe."
The thunder Laughter grew louder. “Trust me. Laki‐laki will do anything, say anything, as long as it can infiltrate the back of women's skirts. Especially if the girl is stupid.”
The starry closed her eyes, wanting to wipe away her tears welling up in her eyes,
“Willona's parents came to see me and said Raden had impregnated his daughter. Agatha and I immediately told Willona's parents that Raden would soon marry his daughter. That's responsible action to take, isn't it?”
“Hmmm, but the son of a bitch said it wasn't he who impregnated her. Then Raden told me, if I forced him to marry that girl, he would leave the house and never come back.”
Thunder took a deep breath, as if the memory of the event was hurting his heart. “I have to do what is my duty, I have to force her to marry the girl. He decided to leave the house after that, not me. Hence, there is no need to pity Raden, no matter what he tells you. He who does, he who is responsible."
Thunder was silent, for a while Gemintang just threw a glance out the window, after successfully controlling the feeling, then Gemintang back to the edge of the bed. Thunder closed her eyes as the Gemintang leaned against her husband's body. The star thought Thunder was asleep. Slowly he left the room, but as quickly as lightning Thunder gripped his wrist firmly. The star was surprised and felt short of breath.
“You won't betray me right, Gemintang?”
The glare of the fiery Thunder eyes made the Stargazers dread once, as well as the question. “Of course. What do you mean?”
“I mean, you'll regret doing something dirty. As a grieving wife, you should be very sad to see her husband dying.” Thunder fingers gripped the fragile Gemintang wrist to make Gemintang feel the wrist bone is about to crumble. Where does Thunder have such power?
“Do not talk about death.”
“Why not? It's reality. But you have to remember.” Thunder tried to sit back. “Until I die, you're still my wife.”
“Yes, I am indeed your wife."
“I am not a devout religious person, but there is one thing I believe in. If you intend to break God's law, then the sin is as great as if you did. You learned about law in Sunday school, right?”
“Ya,” replied Gemintang, almost crying out of fear of Thunder.
“Have you ever thought of breaking God's law?”
“Which law?”
“Berzina?”
“No!”
“You're my wife.”
“Ya.”
“You better keep that.”
Then the power of thunder disappeared. Back he fell drooping on his pillow, short of breath. The starter released his hand from the clutches of Thunder, then ran to the door. He wanted to escape from the place but his conscience reprimanded him, and he immediately called the nurse. “My husband,” he said with a gasp of breath. “I... I think it should be injected. It's very messed up.”
“We will handle it, madam,” replied the nurse was friendly. “If I may speak, you look very tired. You better go home first.”
“Yes, yes,” replied Gemintang, trying to gather strength. Heart's pounding. He was trembling in fear. Why did she feel so afraid of her husband? “I think, yes.”
