Mama For Mikaela

TIGA

“Sorry to me, Ren. Sorry I failed to protect you.”

“But, Ren, I promise to find out the real cause of the accident that befell you. I know something's wrong, Ren.” Smile dim, now faded when Segara recalled the accident that claimed the life of Karenina— which he thought was awkward.

Police closed the case and named their driver, who was in his late 40s, as a suspect. He said the man was shown driving in a sleepy state that caused their vehicle to crash and hit several other vehicles. Four people died in the tragedy, including Karenina and the driver, as well as two passengers who collided directly with their car. Meanwhile, 3 motorcyclists suffered severe injuries and had to be rushed to the hospital for treatment. Since the main suspect who had been determined by the police was killed in the fateful incident, the case was automatically closed.

But Segara did not just believe. He believes the accident did not happen solely because of their sleepy driver. Segara suspected someone had planned everything.

Not without reason why Segara thought so. Because a few days before the fateful event occurred, there were some strange events that also almost claimed the lives of other family members. One of them is a fire in his house that almost makes Karenina and their household assistant died roasted. Upon investigation, the fire was apparently caused by an electrical short circuit.

Some cables were found to be peeling, but the day before they had just checked the electrical and gas connections. Luckily the help came in time so that Karenina's life could be saved.

Although already knew something was wrong, Segara could not easily find out who was behind this incident. From the fire, for example. He was presented with a suspect who did not enter his logic at all.

Gardener Karenina used to call to take care of her small garden in the backyard, caught CCTV cameras tinkering with some of the wires in their home. To the police, the man in his mid-30s claimed only to want revenge on Karenina for being rude to him.

In fact, Segara believes the whole world also knows that Karenina is the softest man on the face of this earth. Moreover, Segara knew his wife very well. How could he believe his wife could be so rude to others as to inflict grudges?

But again Segara had to keep that suspicion alone. The company that was still led by his father was still in a busy state, so he did not have the heart to add to the burden of his father's mind with various speculations that had not been proven true.

Finally, for 4 years, Segara moved alone to find out about the truth behind Karenina's death as well as the events that happened before.

“Whoever it is that has made you this way, I promise to send him to hell, Ren. I promise.” Segara felt his chest getting claustrophobic. Like there is a large chunk of rock that clogs his respiratory tract so that the oxygen supply cannot flow smoothly into his lungs.

Not wanting to drag on in his sadness, Segara also rose. A photo of Karenina he put in a drawer, then he grabbed a suit draped on the shoulder of his study couch and rushed out after turning off all the lights.

Segara made a quick step towards the elevator, just as the elevator stopped on the floor and the door opened. Her steps stopped for a moment when she saw Pamela in the elevator alone. Secretly, he asked himself. Why is she still in the office at this hour? And...why did she come from upstairs, when the woman's room was under her study?

“You're in, aren't you?” pamela's voice broke her daydream. He immediately ran into the elevator before the iron door closed. It's also not nice to let Pamela wait too long while holding the elevator door closed.

There was only a moment of silence after Segara managed to enter and the elevator door closed again. Both Segara and Pamela still seem reluctant to open the chat first.

Until finally, the elevator door opened on the 6th floor, ready to transport a few more people to the basement. A female employee got into the elevator, standing in the middle in front of Segara and Pamela who chose to stand a bit behind. From the identification card around his neck, they knew the woman was from the logistics department. The woman seemed to be careless as she entered the elevator, just busy playing the phone so that she might not see who was in the elevator with her.

It was a stroke of luck, Segara thought. Because he is still too awkward if you have to deal with employees who are forced to smile sweetly in front of him, bowing politely when Segara knows that behind him, they often talk about him. Whether it's good or bad.

The elevator door opened again. This time on the 1st floor. The female employee who was still busy playing the phone walked out. The silence between Pamela and Segara continued until the elevator led the two down into the basement.

As the elevator doors opened in the basement, Pamela and Segara walked in simultaneously, causing their shoulders to bump into each other. For a few seconds, they fell silent and looked at each other. Then their laughter just broke out.

“I first!” Pamela slapped Segara's shoulder to get out of the door so she could get out first.

But Segara did not want to lose. The man pulled Pamela's arm and said, “No, I was!”

Pamela's thin body shifted back easily because her strength was not comparable to Segara's. And with an annoying laugh, Segara walked out of the elevator with a step back. As if intentionally wanting to show her annoying face to Pamela.

“So much, guys really don't want to cower!” Pamela's upset. He walked out of the elevator with a jolting step. His hands folded in front of his chest, his lips cut off— and it even made Segara's laughter more so-so. The laughter rolled out, filling the entire deserted basement. There were only a few cars parked there.

“He said gender equality, how do you still demand men to give up girls?” Segara sneered. They are now walking in tandem. The sound of heels that Pamela was wearing seemed to be the background music of a casual chat that felt like it had not happened for a long time between the two childhood friends.

“Hey, that's not a demanding name. It's called manner, Segara. Manner!” Pamela emphasized every word she said, making Segara laugh again.

“Iya, yes. I’m so sorry.”

“Cih! Apologize what model while grinning so?” Pamela hit Segara hard on the shoulder, making the man complain.

“What did you eat, Mel? Your body is small, but times hurt really.” Segara rubbed his shoulder which felt hot from the blow. But the perpetrator instead sniffed his shoulders, walking faster towards his black Honda Civic parked next to Segara's Pajero.

Segara did not try to pursue. She was also not really upset that Pamela hit her shoulder. In fact, when the woman tilted her head from the window of the car that was opened before launching her vehicle, Segara smiled.

“I first. Bye!” Pamela waved her hand, then her car drove away from the basement. Leave Segara who was silent for quite a long time next to his car with a mind that floated back. Slowly, his smile faded.

After spending a few minutes by diving into his own mind, Segara quickly got into the car. He wanted to get home soon to sleep with Micah. Because really, he misses the kid.

Segara may never know, that after his departure, someone emerged from behind the body of the car with a cynical smile imprinted on his lips. He had seen and heard all the conversations that were going on between Segara and Pamela, making him feel like he had something to do with it.

“The mysterious country apparently befriended one of its employees? What is Pamela, the Queen of Ice? Oh, what a big news!” exclaimed that person before getting into the car with a lopsided smile that looked terrible.

Seriate