Papa To Kirana

Chapter 21 Eating Together

“You are already big but the behavior is still like a child,” my lips take a piece of ice cubes, wrap it in a clean cloth. Then put it into Rama's left eye.

Sontak Rama screamed in pain. Rama's left eyelid is wearing a dark purple eyeshadow.

Using his palm to cover his sick eyes, Rama dodged when Mom was about to stick ice cubes again.

“Can slowly no, Mom. It feels like knowing.”

Rama's words made Mother even more furious. Mother held tightly to the head of Rama who could not wiggle anymore. Then put the ice cube with full emphasis.

“Who told you to fight, huh?”

Rama shouted loudly, while I who saw the incident laughed from across the seat.

I stretched my hands to the back of the sofa. My lips hurt when I move them. Then I rubbed the tip of my lips using the tip of my thumb and there was a blood patch there.

Then, Alexa came to me. Her outstretched hand gave me a tissue, while the other hand held Kirana.

Turns out Alexa didn't heed my warning. He still ventured to approach Kirana.

“Do you want to be at my house?” I asked in a hostile voice.

“I asked your mother to have lunch here,” replied Alexa casually.

“You think my house is a free place to eat?”

“Oh, then, I'll just go home.”

“No. No,” interrupted Mom who stepped closer to me and Alexa. “Balin, let him have lunch with us here.”

“What order did Mom invite him to eat here?”

“Mother once presumptuously walked into Alexa's house and had lunch this time as mom's apology. Understood, Balin?”

“But Ma'am,” I'd like to protest.

“No but-fireplace!” exclaim Mother firmly.

Immediately Mother took out a legendary umbrella that was directly pointed in front of my eyeball. I let out a sigh. If you have taken out that umbrella, just raise your hand.

It was Rama's turn to laugh at me. He held the stomach with one eye open and another blackened and narrowed.

“Well, Alexa, just let Kirana be taken care of by her papa. Alexa can help Mom to the kitchen prepare lunch?”

“Oh yes, certainly can.”

Alexa gave Kirana to me. Then I went with my mom to the kitchen.

Lunch time has arrived. The dining table is full of various dishes. Warm steam billowed from the recently cooked rice and faintly smelled the mouth-watering delicious aroma emanating from fried chicken.

Rama's hand reached out to take a piece of fried chicken. However, not yet the hand was touched, Mother first slapped the back of Rama's hand.

Soon Rama pulled back his hand while complaining, then rubbed the back of the hand that is now reddened.

“Wash your hands first!” hardik Mom. “And when was the last time you took a shower, Rama?”

“Hah? A shower? What food is it?” rama asked deliberately provoked Mother's emotions.

Mother's eyes glared and Rama cupped his hands asking for mercy.

“Iya. Ja. Later I take a shower,” said Rama who immediately went to the sink to wash his hands.

Alexa circulated the dishes to everyone as I sat Kirana in her high chair that I accidentally placed next to my seat.

Sitting across from Alexa while eating, obviously has a negative effect on my mood. I wanted to get out of my seat, but it was too late.

The empty seat beside me was already occupied by Rama. There's no other choice. I eat while looking down at my food.

Kirana happy not playing. He ate Alexa's baby porridge. He also mimics the way adults eat around him.

“Well, Alexa, add more rice. Lauknya also,” said Mother while scooping rice and put it on an Alexa plate.

“It's okay. Eat a lot! Don't be like the skinny Balin since it stopped working.”

I looked up when my name was called. Then I looked at Rama who was also looking at me.

“Mother won't spoon rice to my plate?” Rama squeezed, thrusting the plate towards Mother.

“Take it yourself,” replied Mom Ketus.

Rama tilted his body, whispering five inches from my ear, “we are no longer considered a child, Kak.”

I did not speak to Rama, looked down and devoured my food. I was thinking of leaving the dinner table. However, I abandoned that intention.

The worms in my stomach wouldn't let me get off the dinner table before my stomach was full. I took a lot of side dishes. I haven't eaten Mom's cooking in a long time.

Then, Kirana cheered happily. He clapped his hands and the bowl in front of him was empty.

I can't believe Kirana is able to finish her food until she's left unresponsive. I've never seen Kirana eat that devour.

We all laughed at Kirana, especially Alexa who wiped Kirana's mouth.

“Mom watch you like you're used to taking care of small children, Alexa.”

“Yes, I have three older brothers, one boy and two girls, all of whom have had children and I used to be asked for help to look after my nephews,” explained Alexa smiling. “So, I know a little-little.”

Mother nodded then asked again, “where do your brothers live? Or still with parents?”

I looked at Alexa's face that turned pensive.

“Both of my parents had a plane crash when I was fourteen years old, since then my three brothers have lived in their respective homes.”

Mother slammed the spoon which left a clanking sound on the plate. Mom immediately embraced Alexa, rubbing her back. Both of my eyes were glazed.

I knew Mom would react like this.

“What a pity you have, Son,” Mother sobbed. “Mom's sorry to ask about your family. You must be sad to remember going back to your two parents.”

Alexa smiled and shook her head. “No. The accident happened a long time ago. I can already accept reality.”

“If you may know, where do you work?”

“I'm a teacher TK.”

Oh, so Alexa's a kindergarten teacher. I guess wrong this time. I think Alexa's a pediatrician or something. He always leaves in the morning and goes home from work at noon.

Mom wiped the trail of tears still running down her cheeks. It looks like I'm the only one listening to Mom and Alexa's conversation. Because when I glanced at Rama, he was still devouring food regardless of the surrounding atmosphere.

Rama ate like a man who had not eaten for seven days.

“So, you live in a rented next door alone? Do your brothers visit you often?” ask Mom to look at Alexa.

Alexa flanged slowly.

There was a sense of pity in me for the fate of the girl sitting before me. I'm staring at him.

“The first brother, Brother Alan, he was busy continuing his father's company and chose to settle abroad. My second brother, twin brother Alan, died of lung cancer one year ago.”

“Then your third sister?”

“Oh, Brother Alea. He lives out of town. Sometimes I come to Brother Alea's house when I'm off work.”

Mother once again wrapped her arms around Alexa's neck. The mother who listened to Alexa's story cried but amazingly, I didn't see a single drop of Alexa's tears flowing.

At that moment the atmosphere was suddenly damaged by Rama who burped hard. He hurriedly shut his mouth.

“Ups, sorry.”