Ratih Widyatama's

4. Baffled

There was nothing special but the sudden appearance of Ratih. I stared blankly at the laptop screen in front of me with a feeling that was still unfazed. What.. is this all a dream? but. It's too real and I'm glad he's alive.

Tok Tok Tok

"Sister.. Why don't you come down? daritadi Bunda called"

I immediately opened the room and saw Mother's worried face. I stood up and said, "Sorry, brother". Mother nodded and we both went down together.

At the dinner table, everyone is gathered. Stay my seat and Mother who is empty, it seems they are waiting for me who did not even come down.

"Is there a problem, brother? from home school moody, if there is any story aja yes" said Mother stroked my hair slowly and then sat next to my chair.

"Boy problem?" ledek Father who after sipping his black coffee and now he glanced at me with a question mark on his face. I nodded, not knowing how to talk.

"Ratih.. he is still alive" my mouth was so difficult to open that I finally dared to say a sentence that they might deny.

Suddenly the atmosphere at the dining table became increasingly tense. Father and Mother exchanged glances, while my sister just silently did not understand the purpose of the conversation. I looked down at the rice and side dishes I had just picked up.

"... don't make it up, they're dead. Are you doing this because of Daniel's stress?" ask the Mother with an expression of disbelief.

"He really is Ratih mother! He introduced himself in front of the class and explained everything about why he disappeared and there was no news for the past 10 years!" I started to raise my tone. Looking towards Mother with an inexplicable sad expression.

"Mother knows you like Ratih, who knows he's the other Trainer?! Ela, they. one family has died." replied the Mother who now began to stare at my face.

"They disappeared because aunt had a heart attack! For the sake of the good name of the uncle's company, they disappeared and did not activate anything so that there were no rumors circulating that uncle and aunt were affected by the disaster. Mother, believe Adel. Ratih.he's alive!" I looked at the face of the mother who was now turning deathly pale. During this time Mother always dismissed the possibility of family from her friend was still alive. Even in reason, you cannot. That's why my mother became sensitive when I talked about Ratih.

Mother sighed heavily, looking at me with an angry look that was shrouded in a pressure smile at me.

"Oh? then, bring Ratih here tomorrow. Mother herself will see it with her own eyes!"

I looked down at the dinner table again, not as usual. The atmosphere when we ate together, now became awkward as I discussed the sensitive matter regarding Ratih. My father and sister were silent as well, not daring to comment. As soon as I finished, I went straight away from the dining table and immediately went into the room.

"Soddy" I murmured while taking a comfortable sleeping position. Not long after, I fell asleep while holding my favorite roll.

The next morning, I woke up and cleaned up to go to school. I was confused how to get Ratih to my house. He said he'd come when he was ready, but.. Mother wants her today too.

"Truly a bad day" I murmured while nibbling at my fingernails. I walked down to the classroom which was now full of my class.

"Tumben Del's suffix?" tria asked while waving her hand.

I immediately dropped my hand and walked towards the side of her seat.

"Morning has gone to bed, not good or el" said Alvin who had just finished chatting with Ratih. "Cowokmu nih from earlier nanyain mu mulu news" ledeknya while smiling mischievously.

I looked back and found Ratih staring at my back for a moment before I looked towards her.

"Not yet official btw" I replied and then looked forward.

"DAMN SHIT I SAID WHAT JUST NOW???? WHAT IF HE IS EVEN--- WKHAJAAKKAKAKAAK"

After that, I did not dare to look at Ratih's face at all. Even I kept my distance from him for the whole day. What am I supposed to do? how about proving it to Mother when I am currently keeping my distance from her?

Ting!

One message entered in the cellphone that I was nodding earlier. To be honest, I do not often play mobile phones, not even infrequently I forget to put it.

"What's wrong? why avoid me?" the message from Ratih is clearly displayed on my mobile screen now. I'm a little confused to answer how.

"My words this morning, please forget it" I replied with a feeling of remorse, fearing that he had misunderstood..

"Em... so.. You mean you're not seriously saying 'official' to me?". Now I feel even more embarrassed by the spontaneous words I say in the morning.

"Yes.if you're uncomfortable, really. sorry". Unlike earlier, this time he answered with a longer time lag. I wanted to look back and ask why I didn't answer my message. But it seems my shame still exists that makes me undo it.

Just now I was thinking like that, a message from him came in. This time it's shorter "All right". Now it's my turn to give a pause to answer a message from him.

I turned to look at Tria who had been busy doing the task, "What?" he asked when he realized that I was staring at him for a short period of time.

"Nothing" I looked back at the phone screen and immediately answered the message.

"Well..., want to come to my house? Mother.it seems to miss you" I finally sent the message. My feelings are getting mixed up and not ruffled. Like a scared person lying.

Puk

Someone patted my shoulder from behind, I immediately turned my head and saw Ratih who was smiling at me.

"Say dong daritadi. Than a pout. We will go there together" he said with a big smile. I just nodded and immediately faced forward.

"Yes"