Mama For Mikaela

TWENTY EIGHT

Losing both her parents at the same time was a nightmare that Lana always hoped would end when she opened her eyes. But getting an offer to be a temporary stay-at-home mom for one of the kids she teaches on daycare is another nightmare that—she can't even find where she's got any sense in.

When Micah suddenly asked her if she was willing to be a mother to the child, Lana thought it was really just a curse from a 4-year-old boy who did not understand much. But when Arkana pulls him to speak with four eyes, while still watching how Micah plays with her stuffed rabbit, Lana finds out that it's not just an ordinary joke.

Micah misses the mother figure, while Segara is still too fallen for his late wife so remarrying is something that is almost impossible. At least, that's what Lana can capture from her rambling explanation Arkana gave her, minutes earlier.

“Why me?” finally, out of the many questions she kept inside her head, Lana decided to ask that one. He looked at Arkana seriously, trying to read whatever was on the man's face.

“Because Micah chose Miss directly.” Answer Arkana. The man looked back at Micah. From the side, Lana could see how the gaze contained an awful lot of grief that was desperately being held back. Lana felt, Arkana was in the middle. The man may also be confused, determining the feelings of who he should take care of first, between Micah who wants to have a mother or Segara who still can not move on from the past.

A second later, Arkana chuckled awkwardly as she looked back at him. “I know this sounds silly, but in my head at the moment, there is absolutely no other idea. The only thing I can think of ya is just that—searching mother connect while.”

Lana will not judge, nor question further why the idea could appear in Arkana's head. Because he was once in the same position, so frustrated that he did not know where to step foot to stay alive in the world. But then again, Lana doesn't understand, why should she?

“Mikha is not easy to get close to strangers. I don't know exactly why, but the boy seems to have high standards for people he can allow to go further into his life.”

“From that small age?”

Arkana nods, “His mother's drops. Just like how her mother always behaved in the past, Micah was also always careful.”

“But we've only known for a few days, there's no guarantee that I can be a good connecting mother to Micah, in case I agree to do it.” Because indeed, Lana doesn't believe she can. His life is still in the process of repair. After the sudden death of his parents, he lost a lot of things. Confidence, spirit of life, even concern for things around. If measured by scale, if it is possible, the process of improvement is only up to 30 percent, still too far for him to be able to declare himself with the word healed. It's too early to try to be a cure for others, while he's still training himself.

“I love Micah, he's a sweet boy. But if to go that far, by being a mother even though it is only pretend and temporary, I cannot.” Lana is what she is.

Lana's explanation made Arkana moan disappointed, but she did not try to persuade more because she knew, it was entirely Lana's right to accept or reject her offer. Perhaps, he was also too hasty. The friendship between Lana and Micah was still a corn, a little crazy indeed when he thought of pulling them into a relationship that was much more serious than that.

“I understand. Sorry for making Miss Lana uncomfortable.” Said Arkana, and he walked toward Micah.

Shortly after, the bell in Lana's apartment rang. The woman hurriedly ran towards the door before other noises appeared and interfered. When the door was opened, the figure of Segara was already standing firmly in front of him. The man came with two shopping bags, one of which in his left hand was an Indomaret shopping bag, the other in his right hand was a shopping bag from a famous Japanese restaurant.

“I bring lunch and fruits for us.” The man said, lifting up the two shopping bags he was carrying.

Lana said nothing, she just helped Segara carry one of the shopping bags and they walked into the apartment. Where it turned out, Micah was already in the arms of Arkana on the sofa. Looks like, the kid is in sulking mode in volume 2.

“Lunch first, Ar.” Segara said it after putting one shopping bag containing their lunch on the table.

“Gue suppose you go out to smoke?” arkana asked astonishedly, but unabashedly, her hand plucked one lunch box and brought it forward. “Mikha eat the same Om Aja, yes.” His whisper was then to Micah who was hiding a face in the chest of his field.

“Gue forgot not to bring a cigarette.” Reason Segara should.

After that, no other conversation took place. The four of them enjoyed the lunch that Segara bought with a much more awkward atmosphere than before. Micah who was still reluctant to come down from the arms of Arkana was also no longer much babbling, only occasionally glancing at the father while his little mouth was busy chewing.

The more daylight, the air outside the hotter it is. But strangely, the air in the middle room of Lana's apartment even more cold.

Seriate