Orang-orang to Aratha

Chapters. 24 - Waiting Room

Oh? Sonya, it was you.

I was always afraid that standing in front of me this was not you. But thank you for coming in front of me.

Earlier I was sorry because I always acted childishly in front of you. I'm jealous if you're close to another guy let alone the same Alrez. I don't like you being close to him. Alrez is not a good man to you. I'm afraid something bad happened to you a second time.

About yesterday, I'm sorry I didn't get to say it. I don't want you to worry because I see my condition getting weaker every day.

I always lied to Aunt Anieq and Dad that my current situation was fine.

As you might expect. I was naive and always selfish.

By looking at you, I forgot the pain that kept teasing me.

By making you smile, my world is getting warmer.

By talking to you, the more I don't want to go far with you.

You are like everything to me.

You made a rainbow in the middle of a storm that hit me.

But the rainbow will soon disappear because the storm is over.

So do you and me.

In a moment, we'll be separated.

I wish I could say goodbye to you. However, I cannot go against the fate that has been set for me.

I didn't expect, we'd be separated so soon.

Thank you, Sonya.

Goodby.

...~o0o~...

Aratha hasn't been to school for a month. His number was also off so Sonya was very difficult to contact him. He also did not know where his current home address was. Mr. Zaki had told me where his home address was but, what Sonya found at the time was just a vacant house with the writing on sale. Aratha did not update her personal data when she moved house or maybe she did not have time to do so.

Sonya looks bored and lonely. It feels much different than before. Very uninspired. Even though Fahruz had tried to cheer him up, it was still not the same. Moreover, the physics exam has just been completed. Surely, this added pressure to Sonya's mind.

”Bored. Nobody asked me to argue. I want to be entertained but there is nothing to comfort.” mumbled Sonya while stirring her avocado juice until it melts.

”Do not constantly daydream. Later your mouth put flies.” said Kinan who came and immediately patted Sonya's shoulder.

Kinan sat in front of Sonya with the same juice as him. It seemed, among all the people standing by Sonya's side, only Kinan was able to understand her feelings and leave her alone for a while. Kinan knew exactly when Sonya needed to talk and needed some time alone. Because of him, had experienced the same thing as Sonya.

”You still can't connect Aratha until now?”

”Not yet. My message was not opened with him either. I'm thinking more and more. Yesterday his face was pale and his nose was bleeding. I tried looking for him in the hospital, but his name is no.”

”He must be fine. You don't have to think he's not doing well.” Kinan began to suck his drink while Sonya was still staring at his already cold drink.

Again Sonya daydreamed. He tried to remove Aratha's thoughts from her head. However, it seems that Aratha's shadow is already in control of her heart and mind. He hasn't been able to sleep lately. He also has no appetite. Even the foodstuffs stored in his house one by one rotted so that it had to be thrown away. Of course, Aratha would be angry with him if this matter was heard in her ear.

”Can't! I can't stop thinking about him! I still want to happen yesterday. Aratha seemed to want to say something but, I avoided her just because my wrist hurt. After that he disappeared without any news and without a trace. How can I not keep thinking?”

Sonya looked desperate. His eyes began to glaze over as he continued to think about it. It was painful when he imagined something bad was happening to Aratha to the point that it made him have to go to the hospital or to a place that made him better.

Sonya looked at Kinan and suddenly she remembered Algi. Kinan's girlfriend who died two years ago. Kinan must be telling me everything he's been through. Just then, Sonya saw Kinan so sad and desperate. His heart was like being stabbed many times with a sword until it was formless.

He tried not to bring up Kinan's problems two years ago.

Until now, Sonya still can not be spoken to at length. In class he kept daydreaming even to the point of making Master astonished. Fahruz became anxious. It was not very exciting, seeing Sonya who was continuously silent like this. There was no more noise even Sonya almost ignored him always when she asked him to talk. Fahruz tried to approach him to say a few words but, Kinan continued to obstruct and threaten. Sonya would only speak if she wanted to and for a while they would have to wait.

...~o0o~...

It was common for the school to be dissolved at three in the afternoon. Schools give time to anyone who wants to do extracurricular activities. This time Fahruz did not dare to approach. He only follows Sonya remotely and watches her even when they get to the bus stop.

In a few hours, the sun will set. Suddenly Sonya remembered about Aratha who was very afraid of the darkness. It feels unbelievable. An angry man like Aratha can be afraid of his own fantasies.

The wind blew again as several vehicles drove past. Sonya kept walking through the sidewalk with her head down. He himself did not know until when he would continue to look down and avoid the gaze of others.

”Heh! Want to see when you keep looking down?!”

Aratha's voice was clearly heard in her ears and it made Sonya very surprised. He immediately raised his head and looked ahead. However, there was no trace of Aratha there. Only a few unknown people were standing waiting for the same bus as him. Sonya began to think that the voice was part of her hallucination because she thought too much about it.

”I'm here!” continued.

Sonya instantly turned around as fast as lightning once this voice came for the second time. His attention immediately pierced the figure of a man wearing a black parka jacket, standing and leaning on a street signpost.

”Aratha?”

Only that name came to Sonya's mind at the moment. He ran over when the man was about to show his face. Sonya desperately wished this figure in front of her was Aratha.

However, expectations are not the same as reality. Sonya's steps instantly stopped when she only saw the figure of Aretha standing in front of her. Clearly, Aretha's voice was very similar to Aratha's. Their faces are a little different.

”Where's Aratha? I think I had a chance to see it.” said Sonya while looking around.

”Heh! You can still change our faces, huh? I guess you've forgotten how to tell the difference.”

”How can I forget?! Even though your dress is similar to Aratha, the mole cannot be changed! Aratha has a mole under the eyes whereas you have a mole under the lips!”

Aretha reflexively touched the small mole under her lips. ”True too. You seem to notice the details. Moles as small as this you still notice.”

”Terus, where is Aratha now? Why isn't he here?” Sonya looked around again.

Aretha instantly distracted her like something she was hiding. Unfortunately, Sonya was staring at her face. Sonya who was able to guess at the feelings of others, immediately realized something from him.

”Why the same Aratha? She why? Say it! Tell me something!” Sonya was starting to look anxious. His eyes were glazed over, expecting the best for him.

Aretha let out a breath. Unable to look at Sonya's expression at this moment. He didn't want to disappoint her. But he still has to tell the truth.

His hand then moved pulling Sonya towards somewhere not too crowded. Aretha's steps are not so fast compared to Aratha's steps that Sonya can still pursue her. And right next to the school building, the two stopped. The place was not so crowded that not many people knew the conversation of the two of them.

Sonya and Aretha were facing each other, waiting for a proper answer to hear. Sonya looked tense. Both of his hands trembled, hoping that Aratha was fine.

Amidst that tension, Aretha suddenly walked over to him. Sonya noticed Aretha's sad-looking face. It seemed that this was not something that was pleasant to hear from him.

”Sonya,.”.

”....”

Aretha fell silent to take a few breaths. His steps drew closer and in the end, Aretha hugged Sonya so tightly. In the middle of that claustrophobic embrace, Aretha said, ”Choose me.”