In The Rain

CHAPTER 20

Randy stepped out of the elevator when the stars were about to enter. “Star, what is it?” Randy was surprised to see the look on the face of the Gemintang.

“No, nothing. I'm going to the factory. There's trouble there, but don't tell Thunder about my departure. He's fucked.” With an irregular breath, the Gemintang leaned against the wall of the elevator, as if it was a safe hiding place for him from the frightening threat of terror.

“There can I help you with?”

“No need,” replied Gemintang, while shaking his head when the elevator door began to close. “I'm fine. Quickly meet Thunder. He needs you.”

The elevator doors closed between them. The starling covered her mouth with her hands, suppressing the sadness she felt began to stifle her throat. “God, oh, God,” he groaned, not expecting Thunder to be so scary, his body hot-cold.

Gemintang tried to strengthen themselves to walk along the lobby of the first floor of the hospital without the slightest look in a depressed state. When he got to the car, his body trembling reduced. With the car window open, Gemintang drove the car down the river bank. The wind hit his hair, the traffic was not crowded and he was driving quickly, trying to drive away the fear that gripped him a moment ago.

He let his mind wander. Thunder couldn't possibly know what was going on between him and Raden. Raden could not possibly tell her about it, and no one had ever seen them or gossiped about them in the city. No, Thunder definitely doesn't know. He also could not think Gemintang and Raden are interested in each other. Guntur thought he and Raden only knew each other a few days ago.

The veiled threats and warnings that Thunder expressed were merely imaginary, not meant as threats. Inner Starry while shaking. But why did Thunder say so?

What else does Thunder think? There was nothing he could do except think, guess, fear and suspicion. A man whose brain is as active as Thunder's brain must feel tormented when he can only lie in bed all day. The thunder most hated sitting idly by, not doing any activity. Hence, mental strength was the only thing left in him, so his mind worked even harder.

Thunder had a wife who was thirty years younger than him, and he had a handsome and very manly son. Both are currently living in a home. Thunder linked the two facts, which then raised frightening suspicions.

Thunder confused! A star does not do things a wife should not do.

But Thunder's suspicions have a point. Imagining making love with Raden includes breaking the law of God. And the Starling felt unable to dispel that shadow.

He had to erase that thought from his mind, and forget everything that had happened in the past.

When he arrived back at the factory, the afternoon sunlight that had been leaning to the West came shining on the floor through a window located far high on the wall. The star looked around him in annoyance.

The sound of iron stopped. Raden's head emerged from behind one of the equipment and he sat down. Sweat on his forehead with a broom‐hand. “Hai, I didn't hear you coming. I told people to go home an hour early. There's nothing they can do as long as I fix this machine.” Raden pointed his thumb over his shoulder, at the machine he was repairing. “Dust everywhere. If there is a cable that is not right in this room, it can be dangerous.”

The star should have scolded Raden who told the employees to go home sooner, because Raden had no right to do so, but he did not.

Actions done without the permission of Thunder were things that her husband hated most. But Gemintang defended himself, if Thunder did not know, it would not be a problem, most importantly the best for his factory.

The stars crouched near Raden. “How? Have you met the problem?”

“Ya, and quite complicated.”

“Can be fixed?”

“Temporary.” Raden took a breath and wiped the sweat on the eyebrows with his sleeves. “How is Daddy's condition today?”

Remembering what was happening inside the hospital room made the Starlings shiver. “Not too good. Almost the same.” Raden observes the Gemintang, but the Gemintang does not want to show his feelings. Quickly he changed the subject by asking, “You've eaten?”

“Not yet. I'm hot and my body is dirty to eat.” It's true, Raden's body is dirty. His face was greasy and sweaty. He makes his teeth look whiter when he smiles. “Again, I don't want to waste time.”

The star smiled then reached into the white paper bag. “Kubawakan lunch for you, you can drink this lunch.” The starter inserts the straw into the plastic glass.

“What is this?”

The star turned the tall, cold glass into Raden's hand, then stood up. “Milk chocolate shake.”