Not Ordinary Slant

Thirty Five

Why Rafka?

He's my best friend's son.

Why Rafka?

He never disappointed me.

Why Rafka?

I trust him.

Rafka revealed a rough blanket that covered part of her body. Then, shift and sit leaning on the head of the bed with a gloomy look. He had not slept and the conversation was certainly not a dream, but a memory of the past.

He heard directly the conversation between Bayu Nugroho and Haris, the late Bayu lawyer, in a hospital at the time. He remembered once, Bayu's face already looked pale and thin.

Nearly a year in prison, making Bayu's health condition decreased dramatically. The man who was once athletic and full of optimism in his life turned into an old figure who lost the spirit of life. Starting from being betrayed by business partners, to being scapegoated and ending with being thrown into prison, making his life really worse.

In his worst moments, he was even sued for divorce from the wife who could not bear the shame of bearing the status of a wife suspected of embezzlement. Demo of employees and the pressure of the insvestors made the wife choose to step down. At that time, no one sided with Bayu Nugroho. There's not a single one.

At the age of 20, Rafka secretly looked at Bayu who spoke to Haris while rubbing Rafish's hair asleep on his lap. Although, Haris repeatedly doubted Bayu's decision to make an Arkana Rafka as the heir presumptive, Bayu often insisted on not changing his decision.

I trust him.

At that time, young Rafka was so flattered. He stared intently at the little Rafish who was asleep in Bayu's lap and promised to take care of the boy wholeheartedly.

And .. he's done it.

All this time, he has been meeting all the needs of Rafish. The only son of Wayang Bayu Nugroho never once lived in trouble. It's all facilitated.

So, when Haris comes and reminds me of the promise, there is a feeling of unwillingness in Rafka's heart. It used to be that the assets Bayu left behind were not as much as they are now. It was Arkana Rafkak who made those assets grow rapidly. It was Arkana Rafk who made it even more successful until now.

"Of course you won't come back empty-handed. There will be compensation for you."

When he heard Haris' words a few months ago, Rafka just kept quiet with teeth grinding. Compensation? Hmh!

Rafka rubbed his face rough, trying to finish the daydream about Bayu Nugroho tonight. He took the television remote, then pressed the power button. Then, maximizing the volume, until his voice peeked to all corners of the room, then returned to lay down his body to sleep.

Apparently Rafka's efforts to sleep did not bear fruit. Early in the morning, he came out of the room with a dull face and a bad mood. After previously sending a romantic message to Agya Sofia, her fiance.

Arkana Rafka

Good morning to my ment. Being too happy makes it hard to sleep.

As he went down the stairs to the dining room, he saw Alika who had also just come out of the room.

Remember Om Bayu, Mas! He has changed papa's position for us.

Once again Rafka closed her lips as she remembered that sentence.

"Have you had breakfast?" Rafka used to give up on Alika and this time he will give up again. However, upon seeing Alika exit the room with a backpack, Rafka's forehead creased deeply. "Where are you going?"

Alika sighed softly, then raised her face to look at Rafka's face. "Have you thought of everything?"

Instead of answering, Rafka turned her face and went to the dining table.

"It's not our right, Mum!" Alika. Chasing Rafka, all the way to the dining table.

"I work!" Rafka's breathing was hunting as she cast a sharp glare at Alika. "I've been working all this time. So, consider it his wages now."

Alika's eyes were red. However, he chose to be quiet for a moment to catch his breath. "What money, Mas? For almost ten years we enjoyed the results. Hitchhiking live on Arzan's legacy and now Mas's talking wages?"

Rafka's hands are already clenched under the table. His chest seemed to rise and fall, trying to temper his emotions.

"I'm ashamed, Mom. I'm ashamed of Arzan. Shame on the late Om Bayu. Shame on your late papa."

"Shelf!" Rafka got up by pounding the table, making Alika look at him in shock. All her life, Alika knew Rafka as a patient figure. In fact, all the behavior of Alika who is often arbitrary always faced Rafka calmly.

Alika's tears came back. He could sense there were monsters in there and he could be the cause.

Alika wants what? Must be Kabulin.

Alika wants a lot of money. Want to travel the world and eat well as there is still papa.

Alika shakes her head as she recalls her childhood conversation with Rafka. Then, he stared sadly at the figure before him at this moment.

"Mass?" Alika grabs Rafka's hand and holds it with tears. "Alika doesn't want anything, Mom. Alika only wants the old Rafka. Maafin Alika's. Sorry Alika."

It seemed that the wall had been too firmly standing because for the first time, Rafka brushed off Alika's hand and left her only sister without even once wanting to look at her.

It's all over, Alika. It's hard to stop it.

***

For you guys ❤