Orang-orang to Aratha

Chapters. 25 - A Paper Slice

”What do you mean 'choose me only'?” Sonya instantly let go of Aretha's embrace which made her claustrophobic.

The more he looked, Aretha's expression grew sadder. It was as if he had just been immersed in a deep sense of sorrow. Aretha tried to hold back her tears so as not to make Sonya even more thoughtful. His hands were trembling and he kept biting his lips. As if, his mouth refused to say anything to her.

”You need to calm down. Actually, Aratha is somewhere that makes her feel much better.”

”What do you mean?! Quickly clearin!” snarled Sonya who was impatient. He even cried because he kept waiting. I can't imagine his pain right now. The words Aretha spoke, as if to indicate that Aratha was gone forever.

Aretha let out a rough breath while closing her eyes. It was hard for him to say this. Aratha gave him a burden that he could not face alone. However, no matter how much the secret was harbored, in the end someone would dig it up secretly.

”Aratha again in the car. Good thing, we'll be there as soon as possible before he gets tired of waiting.”

Aretha tried to look fine. Aretha quickly pulled Sonya to a car parked near the bus stop. Aretha kept her head down while Sonya dissolved in her own anxiety. Aratha's figure had made her forget everything.

Aretha opened the door of the parked black car and asked Sonya to enter it immediately. When Sonya was inside and the car door was closed, Sonya saw no one in the back seat or next to her. Before long, Aretha finally got into the car. He found it difficult to talk to Sonya who was already next to him.

”Aretha! Where's Aratha? You said he was here. You're not lying, are you?” Sonya tried to smile even though her eyes refused to stop shedding tears.

Aretha glanced at the back seat that had a blue blanket on it. He moved there to reach for something hidden under the covers. Before long, he took out a piece of blue paper that folded many times forming a rectangle. The paper was then given to Sonya who was already waiting.

”Why give me paper? Aratha is fine, right? Aye right?” asked Sonya with an incredulous and hopeful face.

Aretha started telling stories.

Two weeks ago, when Aretha was asked by Aunt Anieq to keep Aratha in the hospital, the two of them started a short conversation amid the wind-blown curtains.

”Aretha, I have one request to fulfill. Because if it is not fulfilled, I will never calm down.” Aratha's weak voice is not something that Aretha wants to hear at this time. He was still lying on his bed with the help of an infusion device.

”No need to say anything! Just stay there and rest!” Aretha looked at him with dislike.

”I know, you, Aunt Anieq, and Dad believe in my strength very much. But, I don't feel sure I can live until tomorrow morning.”

”What do you mean?! You want to make us anxious again?! How many times have you talked about gini?!” this time Aretha was so upset that she even snapped at him. Even so, he still harbored fear at Aratha's current condition.

”Every day you always talk about it! I'm tired of hearing it!”

”Yes, you are right. It's best to get straight to the point.” Aratha began to close her eyes. ”... Under my bed, there was a letter addressed to someone. I'm sure you already know that guy. I want you to give her that letter when my time comes. I want you to pretend to be an Aratha. He was the only outsider who would love me. I love him too. He was also the first person to express his feelings for me. I couldn't thank him and say the last words to him because that day, my situation was suddenly bad.”

”Speak clearly! I wouldn't want to do what you're asking now if you can't hold on until tomorrow and beyond! It turns out right! You were born to give sorrow and not happiness! Sonya is yours! You don't think I dare to talk like this in front of him?!” bentak Aretha.

Aratha coughed a few times later, she tried to say, ”You can definitely do it. I always believed in you. I still love Aretha even though your nature is much changed than it used to be. Thank you, I love you all.”

Silent.

After that, Aratha closed her eyes. Not talking at all to make Aretha think. At that moment, Aretha immediately called a doctor. And the doctor checked. He was taken to the ICU for inspection. A few hours later, the doctor apologized. He said he no longer existed. We can't save him. God has taken his life and will not give it back because it is his destiny.

Sonya could not help but cry as Aretha finished telling her story. His face was wet, his entire body was trembling with loss. His chest felt burning and narrowed making it difficult to breathe.

”Aretha, you're lying right? Please tell me, you guys are just playing pranks to prank me or test me right? Quick, say something.”

Aretha could not see Sonya's crying face. He blinked and shed his tears once. His right hand squeezed the steering wheel of the car so strongly, hoping to destroy it.

With great difficulty, Aretha tried to say, ”Sorry Sonya, we are no longer in the theater. I'm sorry to say it. Very sorry but, Aratha,.. she is no more.”.

In that instant, Sonya no longer held back her tears. This time everything broke. Everything's shattered. It disappeared without a trace and left only its shadow. Everything looks so dark. His voice was suddenly mute due to the unstoppable sadness.

Sonya screamed, venting her grief. The pain in his chest came back and attacked him repeatedly. He felt tight and his heart was beating so fast. His heart and mind seemed to understand. No more stories about Sonya's relationship with Aratha. The story ended so quickly and briefly. There are no words left there. There were only tears that signified endless sadness.

On the other hand, Aretha also dissolved in her grief. Though he had tried to distance himself from Aratha by going to Makassar following Anieq's aunt and behaving badly to her. However, if it is dear, it cannot be lied to. There will be a time when that affection turns into a grief that is as intense as an explosion.

Aretha hugged the small body of Sonya who was still crying. His hands were busy stroking Sonya's back head gently hoping that Sonya could find a little calmness.

”Sonya. Aratha doesn't want to see you crying because of her disappearance. He said, everything will be fine. Your life will be no different even if it doesn't exist. Please don't cry anymore. I'm still here.”