Killing Me Softly's

37

"I'm going to the morning market to buy some groceries. You have to sleep again and wait for me to come home, don't try to go to the office huh?"

"Yes, yasudah.."

At 5:27 in the morning. Lyra was already preparing to go to the flea market to target fresh vegetables. It's been a long time since he wanted to go to the market but only this time.

Lyra drives her own car and carries a shopping cart.

The distance is not so far, he can travel in just 15 minutes. Already many sellers and vegetable tub cars are also buyers at this early time. The temperature is still fresh smelling typical of the market.

Lyra started looking for white mustard, tomatoes, and fish. He bought it with a bargain like any other buyer.

And it seemed like everything he was looking for had been easily obtained here. I want to come back to shop often.

His steps stopped seeing 2 young boys already pick up vegetables on the ground this early. It was trampled and dirty.

Lyra walked closer.

"Geek, this one's dirty. Taken for what?"

They look like brothers. Wear a shabby jacket and hold a red plastic bag.

"To cook mom. I can wash my sister later"

His heart ached hearing that.

"Every day like this?"

"Yes, we'll take the one below so don't pay. I'll get vegetables, my sister's got rice from the seller's sack"

Lyra stroked his shoulder.

"Where are your houses? School already?"

His little sister was still busy picking up rice.

"Near the train tracks. Close to here. Not high school, said Mama wait to get money"

His heart is getting bigger.

"Udah yuk, come with brother take rice there huh?"

They followed Lyra. He bought 2 bags of rice and asked the seller to deliver to the house of 2 sisters. He also split his shopping.

Not to forget Lyra stopped by a stall to buy boxed milk, bread and small snacks. He crouched down and gave a lot of advice, motivating him not to give up on his life.

Lyra unintentionally turned her head and saw a man taking pictures of her from afar while walking over.

The two sisters were about to leave and the man gave her some pocket money.

…

"So you took a photo of me from afar if it wasn't wrong?" ask Lyra.

The man lowered his camera, he smiled.

"I'm sorry, but don't worry because I'm not a paparazzi. I have a photography page and I took pictures of you while talking to them. Wanna see?"

There is no suspicion whatsoever. Lyra saw the results of the photos and it looks beautiful and meaningful.

"Well, yeah the results are good"

"It's okay if I post?"

Lyra doesn't mind.

"Yes, give a good message to your fans.."

The man smiled and clasped his hand.

"I'm Barack." said the Arab man.

"I'm Lyra. Can you tell me your photography page?"

The man tells her and shows Lyra his portrait. Finally they sat together in front of the food stall due to the heavy drizzle that suddenly descended. Lyra likes all the pictures on the page. They talked a lot about the kid too. And plans to see him again so he can help her go to school.

They exchanged contacts.

Barack saw Lyra's ring finger curling a ring.

"You're married?"

Lyra nodded.

"Yes, what about you?"

"I'm engaged too. But he lives in Dubai" he said showing the bracelet initials M.

Alright. Lyra is happy to make a new friend who has the same vision as her. Moreover, having a suitable and extensive chat.

Barack ordered warm ginger milk.

"Yes, I have to go too. Did you bring an umbrella? your house is close to here?"

"I can run to the car. My house is not far away either"

"Ok. and Lyra, I don't want you to doubt that I'm a good enough person. Here, my business card you can hold" he said giving a card.

Lyra surprised.

"You're the Co-founder of xx?. wah"

The application is very good and widely used by the general public"

The man just smiled humbly.

///

Lyra came back and cleaned up the vegetables she had bought in the kitchen. But the clothes were quite wet with rain.

He walked slowly into the room, as Moeis was video calling with his partner through a laptop in bed.

Now Lyra only uses plain shirts along her knees.

"It looks like I have to go" Moeis said suddenly.

Lyra's expression changed. Under these circumstances, do you still want to leave too?

"Where? Outside of the rain, the weather is not good. I told you today was your off day"

"can't. The company needs me. It's just that worry builds up in my head if I just keep quiet like this…"

Lyra walked over. He doesn't think out.

"Pending it first. You have good people, right? Then let them do it this time" he said, embracing Moeis.

Moeis sighed. He kissed Lyra's head.

"It's important. Ok? I'll go after breakfast and take my medicine"

It seemed like her words would no longer be able to hear her answer that way. There's nothing Lyra can do. He finally only allowed it on the condition of going home early. After Moeis approves and rushes to the bath, Lyra goes downstairs to cook and prepare breakfast.

…

"It's over?" ask Lyra.

"Yes.."

The breakfast he made was also ready at the dinner table. He took food for Moeis on his plate.

"Mmm. yesterday I saw an incoming call on your phone from an unknown number.."

Moeis.

"I've seen, he's one of the teams on the project. You didn't think she was an affair, did you?"

Lyra rounded her eyes. Why did Moeis suddenly say that.

"It's a good thing I didn't lift it up almost" she laughed.

That made Moeis laugh.

"Thank you next time you're curious.."

"All right"

Moeis continued her breakfast, for a while she spoke nothing more. For the first time he ate breakfast with rice and stir-fry that Lyra made, but still he ate voraciously.

"So morning you were quite long in the market. Are you not used to it? After all the supermarkets are closer, you just have to wait for them to open in a few hours"

Lyra is done. He put down his cutlery.

"I love the market more than I imagined. And I met 2 little kids who were picking up dirty vegetables on the ground. Then yeah, I helped him a little bit with the rice. Sadly, they can't go to school because there's no cost.."

Moeis also put down her cutlery. He was interested in Lyra's story.

"Just help them. You can tell me, next time"

"Yes, I plan to see them again and talk to their parents. It is a new school year soon. The time is very good.."

"Then I will transfer the money to your account. Just look. Help the cost of his education up to High School then if you want to continue to university, let the Bara Group foundation help them with scholarships. You can contact the foundation, I'll give you the number"

Lyra was happy to hear Moeis wanted to help her too. Lyra moved her seat closer and hugged Moeis and kissed her.

"Thank you very much. I loved you.."

Moeis returns Lyra's kiss.

Seriate...