Love for the Mentari

Keep Distance

Finally, Andi started to tell stories

"We used to be lovers when Riri was in the second grade of eS Em A if I don't remember wrongly. Then when his parents died in an accident he was taken care of by his uncle and aunt. Hadi was the adopted son of his uncle. After Mentari graduated from college he was betrothed to one of his uncle's friends. That's when we split up because of a threat from his uncle. Then he ran away and never came home until now"

"If I may know, what accident did his parents have?"

Andi face laughs "They were accidents while on vacation out of the island using a private jet, until now the body was never found. Malang is right the fate of Mentari"

"Does he have any siblings?"

"A big brother named Damar, he's a good friend of mine. Damar was lost a year later when he took part in mountain climbing with mapala. If I remember the past frankly I am also very hit"

Andi's hand picked up a cigarette from his shirt bag, "can I smoke?" Ask Sugi

"Please" replied Sugi still watching Andi carefully.

"I'm familiar with the Mentari Family, her parents are very kind. They never discriminate the social status of their child's friends. I often stay there , eat together, vacation together until his parents trust me to take care of Mentari" Andi sighed, he worked his eyes like holding back tears

"In the end I couldn't take good care of him. Maybe my duty to look after him must be over until here hmm no, my duty is over when we were separated by his uncle. I have to admit I'm a coward" Andi's voice choked.

Some time he finally could continue his story "When Mentari planned to escape, he had sent word to us together to leave the city. But I didn't care, because I thought it was a trick from his uncle to set me up. His uncle was very powerful back then, I was afraid he would destroy my family. I was misstep"

The flame of a cigarette in his hand was bright red, as the wind blew. Andi nervously bit her lips.

"After I realized he was gone, I tried to look for him everywhere but it never worked. It turned out that she had left a message about her whereabouts to Arina, who was now my wife. But the message was never delivered to me. I thought he had forgotten about me and our relationship"

"Do you still love her?"

"Of course, she's the woman I've loved the most in my life" Andi's hand flicked her hair sideways, her eyes blinked a few times "What it means to love but ultimately not be together. The situation is different now, now there are other responsibilities that I have to bear" continued Andi while looking down sad

"I love Riri" Sugi said

Andi's eyes stared sadly at Sugi "I know, I hope you can be happy and protect him"

"But it seems like my path will be long to recover his trust in others"

Andi nodded "He always tried to look tough, never once have I seen him cry when his parents died, even when his brother was also declared missing. But I know she cries almost every night on her own. The burden he had to shoulder was heavy, but he was trying to look fine in the eyes of others"

The sun has sunk, the waves are also getting louder. Their conversation is still going on for a long time. Even the night is intermittent.

Riri was shocked and woke up from her long sleep. His body was soaked with sweat, his heart was racing. He got up from his sleep and sat on the bed. His eyes looked around with great fear. Luckily the room lights stayed on. He was able to breathe a little relieved when he realized that he was in Sugi's room. Her tears flowed again as she remembered what she had experienced earlier. His chest felt tight, his sadness could not be contained anymore. He misses his family that is gone.

Bu Widi who was asked to keep Riri had just fallen asleep when she heard Isak crying Riri from inside the room. Quickly he came closer

Riri shook her head "no ma'am, I'm fine. Just suddenly want to cry" said Riri while still sobbing

"I call Mr. Sugi well, let him come back quickly"

"Don't Mom, Mr. Sugi is probably busy right now. I don't want to trouble Mr. Sugi any more. Could you please get me a glass of water?"

"Okay ma'am, I'll get you a minute"

I wiped my tears and took a deep breath "i'm strong, I'm fine" Riri whispered to her repeatedly

Bu Widi had returned with a glass of water, Riri received and gulped it down.

"Thank you, Miss Widi"

"Sama-sama Mom, do you want to eat? I'm ready now, okay?!"

"No ma'am, I'm not hungry. Mother just rested, it's night" Riri saw the clock on the wall, apparently it's 9 p.m.

"Okay, Miss Riri, I'm out first"

Riri nodded.

Bu Widi rushes out of the room, without Riri noticing that she contacted Sugi to inform him of Riri's condition. When contacted, Sugi was actually on his way home.

I got out of bed and washed my face to feel better. I intend to return to boarding because I do not want to burden Sugi too much. "Let's go home, Riri. It could depend on others like this!!. Even though she's nice I don't deserve this" I scolded myself inwardly while making Sugi's bed. I grabbed my bag, I noticed the clothes I was wearing. It seems to have been replaced by him. This time I wear a black shirt and gray trousers that fit the size.

"Why does the size of her pants fit, does she have a sister? Or maybe Bu Widi just bought it?" I stared at these cloth trousers

I heard Bu Widi talking to someone, from a voice like that Sugi.

Then there were footsteps approaching, Sugi standing on the doorstep. He saw Riri standing with his bag ready to leave.

"Where are you going? It's night" Sugi's face looks worried

"You go back to the cost, I've been feeling better. Thank you so much that I owe you today. I don't know when I can get back at him, but I'm sure there's a good time" I said cautiously, feeling like I didn't know what to tell him

Sugi nodded "need me to deliver?" Sugi asked with a sad feeling, because he felt that Riri had started to keep his distance.

"No need, I can find an ojek in front of him" I smiled at him and began to rush out of this house.

Sugi knew he had no right to hold her back, even if he forced it would be a new problem for the two of them. "I wish he could get through this well" Sugi muttered inwardly