Last Mate

2. Grand Opening

Today the patient in the same ward as Arumi, has been allowed to go home after a week of treatment there. Now the patient who lives in the ward there is only one Arumi.

Still as usual, Arumi sat pensively staring out the window. Seeing her son who was still like that made Ningrum's heart ache. "Darling, it's lunch time. Come here eat first." said Ningrum. Arumi only complied when her mother bribed her.

After feeding Arumi, Ningrum planned to fill her stomach also in the hospital canteen. "Honey, mom's out first. If you want to go to the bathroom later ask the nurse to accompany ya.." said Ningrum. Arumi just nodded her head without taking her eyes off.

Ningrum came out of the ward, but before that he told one of the sisters to watch over his daughter. The ward became silent for a moment, only occasionally a sound from outside only.

Tears that had been held for several days, now glided freely. There Arumi cried without a sound. He always held back his tears because he did not want to make the mother worry. The pain from the deep blow of Gilang's departure, was still clearly felt in Arumi's heart. But other than crying, he didn't know how to. Should he accompany Gilang there? What about her mother, who will take care of her? Various thoughts always filled Arumi's head and it gave him a headache.

A memory suddenly flashed past, along with a clear liquid that had still not receded. He clasped tightly against his chest, where he felt so tight that he could not breathe.

At that time Gilang and Arumi were in a park near Gilang's house. Arumi leaned her head on Gilang's shoulder. "Sister, if we're married how many children would you like..?" ask Arumi

"How much, the important thing is that you are still strong to give birth to it." replied Gilang.

"ahahahahah.. Want a girl or a boy..?"

"Women or men, who are important healthy."

"Sir Gilang, love is not the same Arumi..?"

"Honey then. If not dear where maybe we can be together until now."

"Haihi.. Yes, Arumi believes that Gilang is dear to Arumi."

"Arumi also has to promise yes, no matter what happens we have to be together. Both hard and happy we have to pass together."

"Yes promise. Arumi will live and die with her sister. We're gonna age together." Gilang kissed Arumi's forehead dearly and reciprocated the usual sweet smile on his lips.

Arumi's body trembled as it held back the sound of her crying so that it wouldn't be heard by anyone. Finally, he cried until he was tired and fell asleep. Arumi did not realize that her crying scene was caught by a pair of pitch-black beads that used to watch her from outside the ward.

"Your..!" call Arumi softly, but still heard by Ningrum.

Hearing Arumi's voice calling out to her, made Ningrum happy. "Dear, try again."

"Your..!" re-arumi obey the will of her mother.

Ningrum's tears trickled down upon hearing Arumi's voice re-sounding in her ears. Already this month Arumi has never spoken or made a sound, even to mention just one letter. Naturally Ningrum was very happy to hear him, he hugged and stroked Arumi's long hair.

"Finally you want to talk to me again, son. I'm very happy." said Ningrum. Arumi smiled in her mother's arms.

The long-invisible smile is now back adorned on her tiny and thin lips. Although only for a moment but it was already an advancement from the previous condition. It was like a blessing to a pair of pitch-black beads, watching the sweet smile on its back from those tiny but pale lips.

He did not expect that the patient named Arumi had such a sweet smile. But he felt sad because the smile had to disappear in an instant.

"Mom, I'm sorry Arumi. Arumi has become a burden for mother." said Arumi lirih

Ningrum took off his embrace. "Dear, you're not burdening mom. I'm glad this mother's son wants to talk to you again."

"Mom, if Arumi goes, I have to stay happy. Arumi is also smiling to see her smiling mother even though many do not like Arumi."

"What the hell are you talking about, honey. I don't want to hear you talk weird."

"Arumi didn't say anything weird. Arumi shakes everything they say. They say Arumi's a son of a pesky carrier, anyone near Arumi must be dead. They're right, Mom. The proof is that Gilang died because of Arumi. They also say that Arumi is always bothering mom. Arumi does not want to trouble mom and bring bad luck to mom. If Arumi died, I wouldn't have experienced that, Mom..!"

Ningrum cried at the statement of his son, whom he had been damning all along. "Don't beat them up, baby. Let them talk, not hear. Mom never felt Arumi troublesome, what else brings bad luck. Arumi's Mom's lucky son." Ningrum explained. He hugged Arumi back and they both cried.

They cry until they are tired. Arumi herself fell asleep in the arms of her mother. Due to her weak condition, Arumi falls asleep every time she cries. Carefully and affectionately, Ningrum laid Arumi down to make her more comfortable. Ningrum hopes that tomorrow will be a good day and Arumi's condition will also improve.