Promises From the Past

Mattresses

Ryan was full of admiration to see the room that he would later occupy to sleep, although fairly simple but all used items neatly arranged.

In the room there is a mattress, a ceramic floor, a door that has a key, a bathroom inside, blue painted walls and also there is also a display of worn windows, speakers, old artist posters, etc, paintings of natural scenery, lights, study tables, do not forget also the chair, plus a spider web, ants that crawl on the wall.

Of course for men in life is very difficult after getting out of the military, no... It had even been difficult since being in the military, his bed was now clearly more comfortable.

From the beginning, this bedroom is more like a guest room that may have relatives of students visiting and staying, or even overtime workers to be able to sleep without the need to go home. So Soldiers only clean a little, while the items in it are still very feasible to use .

Rea noticed there was something unusual about Ryan's expression, even as they entered the room, Ryan's eyes twinkled, excited and very enthusiastic when he saw the room he was going to inhabit from now on.

For Rea, of course, this is not something that is amazing, just worthy enough for them to use as a bedroom. It's just that in contrast to Ryan he smiled broadly as if he had something amazing.

"Is it true that I can sleep in this place." Ryan said in disbelief.

"That's what Mr. Gwennard said, so why not." Answer the soldier casually.

"Why do you look so happy ?." Rea was confused.

Ryan's smile did not come off before answering...."Because it's amazing."

"Sorry what?, where is this amazing, even the bedroom in my maid's house is much better." Rea was even more confused because after all there was nothing that could be said to be extraordinary from this room.

"Don't get me wrong Miss Rea, look at this, this is a mattress!, soft again, isn't it amazing to be able to sleep on a soft mattress like this." Ryan replied as if he didn't care how Rea's expression was now.

Even just a mattress can make Ryan splash.

The complicated face of Rea depicts disbelief...."I wonder how you lived before under a bridge?, just because of a mattress you're so happy."

"Virtually similar, but that doesn't mean I'm actually sleeping under the bridge." Answer Ryan.

But the Soldier responded with a head nod over and over again...."I feel like I know how you feel."

Rea was surprised to hear the words of the Soldier..."You're a soldier too, why understand Ryan so easily. And me."

"How well I say, for you Rea who always lives in a big house, marble floor, AC, there is also a bathroom inside. This room is very simple. But for the two of us who once lived in the slums, this room is really decent, even quite luxurious." Soldier explained.

Stunned Ryan will explain the soldier who is like the picture of his feelings now...."Brother, it looks like we both have bitter lives."

"I really don't know what to say." Dizziness Rea looked at Ryan's attitude.

For Ryan who does not always sleep a soft mattress, even though it's the lowest quality of all brands but looks amazing, luxurious and extraordinary, which is when compared to a military training camp that is only equipped with a hard mattress like a kapoknya lost somewhere.

Sleeping with so many people in one room, stuffy, smelly, communal bathrooms, cruel, inhuman, and life-threatening training routines, ryan's life right now is such a huge blessing without him being able to appeal.

"Well, I've already delivered you and you can arrange whatever you want, I still have another job." Said the soldier intending to leave.

"Thank you, I'm really lucky to know you."

"It's just a job, so be it..." Soldiers have waved their hands.

But soon Rea's hand stopped him..."Wait, Soldier..."

"What's Rea." Ask Rea.

Hesitatingly Rea asked..."Later in the day are you free ?."

"Hmmm if it's break time, I'll have lunch."

"But I don't have any more money to buy you Rea." Answer Soldier.

"I don't need that, even if you want me to pay for it."

"Really, all right." Soldiers will not refuse .

"What about me." Ryan took part in their conversation.

"Ti....."

Cut Soldiers fast..."You also. We're not the ones who would let the bodyguards starve, that's right Rea."

"Yes, of course." Rea could not refute Soldier's remark despite clearly Rea's bitter smile changing a sharp look full of emotion to Ryan.

"That sounds good." Ryan smiled excitedly.

"Good for you." Kick Rea hard.

But Ryan felt strange for Rea's face being bent... "Am I wrong, miss ?."

"No, you're not wrong, I'm wrong, for letting you talk."

"So in the end I was wrong." Ryan really understands.

*******

Rea is now in the Lecturer's room to discuss his Thesis report. Ryan was standing guard at a place quite far away and others saw him suspicious.

How not, even on this campus, Harvard University does have many students who come from abroad, but most are local residents.

So the presence of a new face from another country that they do not know certainly makes them a little suspicious. The case of racism in skin color differences is still happening and it makes them assume that, outside the white race, there is a possibility that they are criminals.

It is cruel and does not reflect human rights but that is the reality.

After two more hours of waiting, Ryan saw Rea walking out, as he had to do, he walked following from behind with a distance of approximately ten meters.

Not long after, there were some people coming towards Rea. Although Ryan could not hear clearly what they were talking about, Rea's countenance showed a lazy expression and was also annoyed.

"For the umpteenth time I wonder to you Daniel, why do you always bother me, don't think with what you have it can interest me."

"Sure it wasn't just me thinking, in fact all the women came to me because they knew I could give them everything they wanted."

"That's them, not me."

Forcibly Daniel pulled out Rea's hand quite hard and immediately, Ryan's figure was already standing next to Daniel to stop his rude attitude.

"Who are you, do you dare to fight me..."

(Who are you, do you dare to fight me)

Without an answer from Ryan, because indeed he could not possibly know the meaning of Daniel's words.Just with one small movement of the man's hand he held it and rotated it backward.

"I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you're saying."

Daniel tries to fight back, but it's easy enough for Ryan to drop him and be forced to kiss the floor.