Les Laches

54.

A few days have passed since Afgar's first meeting with Zaira Oberon at Adler's house. Afgar did not know the exact purpose of the woman's arrival at Adler's residence because Bella had first appeared and asked her to return home. He had tried to ask the two women about their progress from Tian, but it turned out that the girl was also asked to return to her room while her mother and grandmother talked in her father's study.

Afgar himself did not go straight to Tian because for the past few days he tried to keep his promise before parting with Tian yesterday. He contacted all his acquaintances to find out what Mathis Oberon had done after the accident.

It is not easy to get important information related to one of the strongest families in the country, but there was nothing Afgar could not do with the connections his father had and the connections he had built himself from a young age. Of the many people associated with it, there are some people who know the Oberon family and have information about the acts of business leaders of the conglomerate family in the last few moments. However, from some of the information he received, there was one information that made Afgar feel drunk. He was surprised when the news reached him via an email that included a complete attachment to support the correctness of the data he received.

Thanks to the e-mail, Afgar ran from his home to the Tian residence. However, how surprised he was when he saw the figure he was looking for was standing in front of his yard while looking at a mango tree that began to bear fruit.

“Tian!” call Afgar while approaching Tian who looks graceful in her white midi dress.

“Hai, Gar.” The girl answered Afgar's call with a gentle smile, but Afgar could see that the girl's eyes were full of sadness.

“I heard that Mathis Oberon met with a lawyer to take care of the divorce of Adler and Aunt Bella. We have to convey this to your mama now, Ti!” afgar said as he pulled the girl's hand to follow her into the house.

However, the girl was unmoved in her original position. He did not even show the slightest look of surprise on his face.

“You've heard?” ask Afgar at last.

Tian did not answer and turned his attention back to the avocado mango tree planted in his yard.

“This tree I planted in college last year. You know I'm the most males ngurusin yard of the past. Therefore, papa buyin me one seed of my favorite fruit plant, mango. Mr. Eko said, maybe next month the fruit can be harvested, but like that time I was not here already, Gar. Can you help me bring this fruit to Bandung if it is already fruitful? I was also signed by Mr. Eko.” Tian turned to look at Afgar with tears falling from the corner of his left eye. “Please. Maybe this is the only memento of papa I can bring from this house.”

“Bandung? Why to Bandung?” ask Afgar not understand. His head was too full to draw his own conclusions from the facts presented to him.

“The divorce letter made by Mr. Mathis has arrived from yesterday the day after tomorrow and mama has signed. So, there is no more reason for us to be in this house again,” explained Tian resigned.

Afgar rubbed his face. “Why aunt Bella signed the divorce papers? Is it because they said they'd let you meet Adler if you followed their requests? Do you not know that by signing the divorce papers, you will lose the right to see Adler?”

“I know, Gar. My mom is not a fool either. But mom and dad's divorce was the only way Mama got Marcela's custody. Without it, they will continue to hold Marcela and make my sister a tool to monopolize mama, Gar,” Tian said as she wiped away the tears with the inside of her wrist.

Afgar could do nothing but pull the helpless-looking girl into his arms. The two hugged for quite a long time until Tian finally distanced his body as his cries began to subside.

“Transfer. I have taken care of the letter moving on campus and the rest will be taken care of by your acquaintance. So, yes, everything is ready and I really have to move from this house.”

“If about home, I can help you to find a new place to live,” said Afgar excited.

However, Tian responds to Afgar's offer with a weak coil.

“You know that my reason is not just about that, right, Gar? I have to let my mom get through all this. In addition, there are also my sisters who cannot be taken care of alone with mom. So, I MUST come with mama any way.” Tian spoke softly to Afgar, but his eyes were full of determination. There was nothing Afgar could do when Tian had already spoken to him like that.

And those were the last words Afgar remembered in that afternoon's conversation. As soon as Tian finished his words, Afgar immediately turned back and met his father. As Tian was about to follow Bella, Afgar was determined to go wherever Tian was.

***

Tian looked at the tall thin figure standing at the door of his rented house with a face full of smiles.

“What are you doing here, Gar? Isn't it too cool to visit? I haven't even been here for a week,” Tian said with a look of disbelief.

“I told you, didn't I go wherever you go. So, here I am!” afgar said as she spread her hands beside her body.

Tian almost cried to see how much his best friend really meant in keeping his promise, but still it did not make him feel relieved.

“You don't have to believe it, Gar. You can still accompany me even though you are still in Surabaya,” said Tian who began to feel himself a burden for Afgar.

“I doubt I could be the first to help you if I was still there. I think it's better this way. I don't want any distance too far between us anymore, Ti.”

Tian finally stepped closer to Afgar and received the hug offered by his best friend.

“Welcome to Bandung,” whispered Tian while holding back the inaudible novelty of his voice. 

From the bottom of his heart, he was grateful to choose not to listen to Meda and to stay away from Afgar. Thanks to his presence, Tian felt like he could live a new chapter of his life in this city.