Orang-orang to Aratha

Chapters. 32 - Last Speech

It has been four days since Sonya's death that the school postponed the 3rd grade farewell. Her father who had just arrived in Tangerang was distressed and desperate as he curled up on his grave next to his mother. He was so sorry that he left her. This was also the most painful thing for an Aretha who witnessed how death was happening before her eyes.

Aunt Anieq who already knew very well what her nature was like, was unable to repair Aretha's already wounded heart. Fahruz, too, cannot control his own emotions to the point that he shuts himself in his room for not wanting to hurt anyone like he did to his own mother.

The mood of mourning seemed to be everywhere. Sonya has managed to take the hearts of everyone around her and leave them in despair after hearing the news of her disappearance. However, a farewell event still has to be held.

In the end the show was held seven days after Sonya's death.

A multi-purpose building room has a spacious stage that is clearly displayed. All 3rd graders gathered in the room and sat in their seats. Everyone was wearing nice and beautiful clothes. Most of the guys here wear black suits and leather shoes.

To Aretha everything looked lonely. If only he had been injured then, he might still be able to see Sonya standing in front of him in her best clothes. However, Sonya left only a shadow in her mind and a wound in her heart. He had not even heard the first and last speech Sonya would read on stage when she was eager to hear it.

"Aratha, have you met Sonya there? Is she okay? I'm glad that fate has finally brought you two together in a different place."

Aretha sat in the back third row. No one sits on his left or right side. Everything seems empty. Fahruz has been aloof in the back corner since then and he doesn't want anyone to come to him including Dea. Kinan and Faiz were also in different seats. Everything scattered as if the rope that bound them had already been torn apart.

When will it all end?

Two girls, dressed in white and blue, walked over to Aretha and stopped right in front of her. One of the two, holding several sheets of paper shown to Aretha.

"I think Sonya wanted to give you this paper" the girl said, handing it over.

"Why give it to me? You give that paper to Fahruz."

"You should read the first page. Don't blame us if Sonya is very disappointed with you. Sonya accidentally put it in her desk drawer." As soon as it was done, the two girls walked away leaving her with the sheet of paper.

To whoever finds this, please give it to Aretha. We don't know if I can read it in front of you. If I don't have time to pick it up before the good-bye day comes, please give it to her.

That's what it says on the first page. Sonya seemed to have gotten a premonition so she deliberately left him. Or perhaps, he had his own reasons for doing so. There were only three sheets of paper filled with words written directly by Sonya. Just like Aratha. Sonya's last request, she wanted to see Aretha read out her speech in front of everyone.

”The best graduate award of the year, falls to Ananda Sonya Arsyana Athalia who will be represented by Ananda Aretha Aarav.”

After the host sat back down on the chair, Aretha walked up the steps and walked back towards the center. Looking from up here, everyone was staring at him. Some people were crying, hugging and a few people clapping. The headmaster handed a trophy to Aretha dedicated to Sonya. However, the cup was too big so Aretha had to put it first on the table.

Aretha took a breath, then opened the first sheet. "This is the first time I've ever spoken in front of anyone. I'm very nervous standing here. But, I will try to keep calm so that my voice can sound."

".... Sheet one. I am so grateful to everyone who has been by my side for so long. Especially for my mom. She's the woman who's always supported me even though I haven't seen her figure since six years ago. And also about my father who promised to come back if I managed to become the best graduate of the year. Again, thank you Dad. Thanks to you, I managed to get a strong urge to walk forward. I also thank Aunt Ina. Because it has helped me a lot and made me feel like I have a mother figure near me. One more for my friends that I can't call one by one because of time constraints. I have had a lot of encouragement since I had you guys. Thanks to you, I no longer feel lonely. Especially for Aratha. I hope you're here and see me even if I can't see you."

".... Sheet two. I never thought I could stand here. I never thought I could live this long. For a congenital heart disease patient like me, time is the most precious thing and breathing is something that is very much fought for. Even so, I have to excuse him. Mom died of the same disease as me at the age of 33. Seeing Mother's struggle against her disease during that time, I will not give up and hope to live beyond the age that Mother has. I want to have more time with people who are near me and people who have just been close to me. Fahruz, Kinan, Dea, Faiz and Aretha. But soon we will grow up and have our own business."

Aretha could no longer read the next page. He looks very sad once he hears the truth from a Sonya who has been so lonely yet, trying to keep himself entertained.

".... Sheet three. I probably talked and told a lot. The time to talk is getting narrower too. I'm not good at ending a speech. There are still many stories I want to tell. The story of a Sonya will probably continue as long as I don't leave this body. Just like Aratha said. I want to make myself the most meaningful memory for everyone. Or maybe someone who is annoying and can only hurt the feelings of others. Thank you to everyone who has heard my story. As the end of our breakup, I want to play the piano that Aratha taught me. For all of you."

The speech is over. Aretha can't play the piano for everyone who's grieving here. He took down his sheet of paper, and listened to the clapping sounds of the people who had heard it.

Aretha's gaze was on everyone. Unknowingly, his attention was fixated on the exit of the room. At first he saw no one standing there. Like an angel falling from the sky, Aretha was suddenly presented with the sight of a Sonya standing in the doorway.

Just then Sonya was smiling, looking at him with great pleasure. After that, the person behind Sonya came and immediately pulled her away.

Not wanting to lose her a second time, Aretha quickly ran down the stairs and ran again towards the exit like a panicked person.

"Sonya, please don't go again!"

After a while of running, Aretha finally reached the outside of the building. The sky greeted him with warmth. Highlight Aretha's eyes hunting, staring at the surrounding scenery. However, he did not manage to find any trace of Sonya there. Then, he stood facing back and saw a bouquet of flowers that clearly displayed a photo of Sonya's face in the middle of it. And on it is a writing, rest in peace. We will always remember you.

"That's it, huh? You came to report that you are with Aratha now. Although it was short, I was still happy to be by your side. Thank you for coming here."