In The Rain
CHAPTER 37
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” ask Raden.
“Waiting for you," replied Gemintang briefly. “I think we should talk.”
“Nothing to talk about is all done," Raden declined.
"Don't pretend to be stupid, Raden."
“Stupid?” repeated Raden, his black eyebrows furrowed. “Now you become a hostess, which you longed for.”
The light on the porch was dim, it was late at night. Raden doesn't come home for dinner, but Gemintang isn't sure Raden will go home for Laura.
Raden will not leave the house before saying goodbye to his sister. He waited until Raden came home.
“I don't blame you when you're angry.”
“Thank you.”
“Raden, don't be.”
“Do not be so what?”
“Don't blame me for Thunder's will! I don't know about that. I'm just as confused as you are. Why don't you go against it?”
“Making Thunder and the whole town is satisfied because I no longer live here. No, thank you.”
It felt like the Gemintang shouted Thunder was dead. When will this war between father and son end? By trying as quietly as possible, Gemintang said, “No matter what the contents of the will sheet are, this house is still yours, Raden. Forever will be yours. You can stay here your whole life if you want.”
Raden laughed, but not a happy laugh. “The will stipulates that only Laura can occupy this house all her life, not me. Your generosity is very commendable, stepmom,” Raden said while bowing to the waist.
The starfish gasped at Raden's hurtful words, but he kept his chin up. “I understand, you want to hurt me. But fine, if it makes you feel calmer, please. Please call me by that disgusting name.”
As fast as the lightning Raden's hand reached out, catching the belt that wrapped around the waist of the Gemintang and pulling it into his body, he wanted to punch the belt but he did not want to hurt the Gemintang.
Raden let out a heavy sigh, then he placed his head on the chest of the Starling and whimpered.
“I'm sorry, Gemintang, I'm sorry,” he said while taking a breath. “Yes, I'm furious. But it's on you, on him my daddy. Damn, there is no way to bring it back to life. He's already dead. I can't fight that bastard. I have no way to spit out the anger in me.”
With her fist thrust on the wooden handle of the stairs, the Starling approached to calm her down but she pulled her hand back before touching Raden. Gemintang did not want Raden to be mistaken, thought his expression of love as an attitude of pity and would hate him very much.
“Where were you?” ask Gentle Star.
Raden took a deep breath, making his chest expand and buttons his shirt open, revealing his thick curly breast fur. “ Around the village.” Raden looked at the star.
"I love this village, Gemintang.in spite of its imperfections, I still love this village. As I loved Laura with all her flaws. I always miss going home, when I go to Jakarta.”
“So, you want to go?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
Like being stabbed by a knife right in the heart, Gemintang held his chest. So fast! Raden is leaving and this time Raden may never return. “Raden, what kind of monster is your daddy? What kind of man is he, to the point of not bequeathing anything to his son?”
Raden saw tears and pain on the Gemintang's face and knew it was meant for him, how much Raden wanted to embrace him. Wanting him to immerse his head in the Starry body and smell his scent. Wanting him to emphasize his lips on the skin of the Gemintang, how much he wanted to be comforted by the Gemintang.
But he remembered the words. You can't have that woman anymore, Raden. My wife and I have it.
“Vote about inheritance, it's night, let's rest!” Raden passed the Gemintang and climbed to the second floor.
Slowly Gemintang followed him from behind and went into his bedroom which was next to Raden's kaamar. The star took off her coat, lying on the bed, imagining Raden leaving tomorrow.
His daydreams crumpled when he heard the phone ringing, the Starling got out of bed to receive the phone and stuck it in the ear.
“Halo.”
As soon as he heard the voice on the phone, the star immediately put down the phone and ran to the door of the room, without even wearing a coat. His bare feet were like flying through that dark wood-floored passageway.
He barged into Raden's room, approaching his bed. His hand immediately landed on Raden's back without wearing a shirt. “Raden, Raden, wake.”
“Factory burn!”
Raden's bare feet went straight down to the floor together, almost hitting the stars. His hand grabbed the jeans and the shirt folded on the chair. “Where did you know?”
“Andi who called.”
“Severe?”
“He doesn't know.”
“How is the fire extinguisher?”
“Have been contacted.”
“What's the fuss here?” Heny asked from the doorway while tying his coat rope around the waist.
“Furnished factory.”
“Oh, God!”
The star left Raden's room while running away. Raden was almost ready to get dressed, Gemintang was about to go to the factory with him. He wore the clothes he took, an old shirt and knee-length pants from denim material. His feet were wearing only sandals. Not a suitable outfit to see the fire, but he had heard Raden's footsteps coming down the stairs. Quickly he ran after her.
“Raden, wait!”
“You are here only,” cried Raden as he ran to the front door.
“Can't.” The star was behind Raden.
“What's up?” Laura who looks like a reddish-cheeked doll, wearing a nightgown, goes down the stairs.
“The factory is on fire, Raden and Gemintang will go there,” Heny gave an explanation.
“Factory burn?” reset Laura.
Raden started the engine of his car. Heny and Laura stood on the porch, their hands together, while the Gemintang asked Raden to open the car door.
“You don't have to go there!” shouted Raden.
“If you don't open this door, I'll take my own car, so you won't know where I'll be.”
Raden forced to open the car door for Gemintang. "Come in!!"
Adit heard the noise, he walked into the courtyard with his hobbling steps. “What's up?”
“Fire in factory,” replied Gemintang.
“I'll help.”
“Do not, Adit!” prevent Laura.
“Adit, you stay home with Laura and Heny,” Gemintang said through the car window.
“True. You're here,” Raden said short. The car starts to move, but Adit still holds the door and Raden cannot accelerate.
Looking into Raden's eyes with a sincere look, he said,” You need my help more than them. I'm coming.”
“Adit!” laura shouted, immediately running towards Adit, slipping her hand on Adit's waist. “Do not go. I'm worried about you.”
“Hey,” Adit replied, making Laura lift her head, “I hope you can calm Heny and prepare breakfast for us when we get back. Okay?”
Laura's eyes twinkled at Adit. “Alright, Adit. Careful.”
“Pasti.” Adit quickly kissed Laura's lips gently, then he got into the car.
For a moment Raden stared at the man with a pushy look, then he pressed the gas pedal, and with a squeaking sound the car drove fast.
