REX AND REN

Accidents II

As soon as I got to Maya's house, Rex and I went straight down. There was a tent set up in his yard with well-arranged mourning benches. My steps stopped, I was nervous. But then I felt Rex's hand on my back. I looked at him and he nodded while giving me strength. Okay, in times like these, Rex is indeed the most reliable.

We walked past some mourners who passed by. There are some people who are still sitting and telling stories.

“Iya, very cute even his children there are still small.”

“His family must be in shock, yes.”

”Kasian..”.

Sayup-sayup heard their conversation as we passed by. My hair immediately bristled, all I thought about was how Maya is doing now?

Rex and I reached the doorway and there were still some mourners sitting and praying for the bodies.

“Asalamualaikum..” said Rex politely.

“Walaikumsalam..” Maya looked at us and immediately approached me.

“Ren...” he said in a hoarse voice while hugging me.

“Sorry...May. Sorry I..” said I immediately cried with him. I felt Maya shake her head but say nothing. For a while we kept hugging each other, sharing our feelings.

After the funeral procession was over, Maya invited us to sit on the terrace. She did not cry anymore, but her eyes were still swollen.

“I don't think you're coming, Ren.” Maya said.

“What do you think, May? I'm definitely coming, 'cause you think I'm a best friend what?” I said. Maya just smiled, but I knew her heart was still sad.

“So you know where I'm from?”

“Tuh..” I pointed towards Rex who seemed to be casually eating a snack provided by Maya's mother a while ago. Feeling the center of attention, he just grinned.

“Iya, from the group. The children say that they have come out of your house. So, yes it is..” replied Rex potluck then continued eating again. The boy really!

“It turns out not in vain huh, Rexylicious' group. I think you should join us too, Ren.”

“Idih...ogah!” I rebutted it with a horrified expression that made Maya laugh. Thank goodness, I could at least cheer her up a little.

“If you can know, what does it hurt, May?” ask Rex.

“The father had a heart attack and stroke. Keep in a coma for a few days, and finally mister nyerah.” explained Maya. So this is why Maya was absent from school without any information.

“So, yes, I have to share mom's equal duties. Mom in the hospital, I'm at home taking care of the sisters.” he continued.

“Part of why the hell, May. You're not telling me? Your phone is also dead.” my question.

“Where do I want to tell you, Ren. You seem to be busy thinking about the value of B minus it. You look really stressed thinking about your values.”

As soon as my heart seemed to ditch, I fell from a height and fell to the ground hearing Maya's reply. What Maya said was true. But I just found out that the truth can also be very painful.

But when he was in trouble, I wasn't there for him. Let alone there for him, sensitive to his feelings also not. I'm really a bad friend! Unknowingly my tears flowed down my cheeks.

“Loh Ren, how do you cry?” ask Maya wonder.

“I'm sorry, May. I am a selfish person. I can not be sensitive to your situation, whether you are sad or troubled, I can not understand. As for you, always be there and understand me. Sorry yes, May..” I sobbed as I continued to wipe my tears with the back of my hand. Maya shook her head and then grabbed my hand.

“No, Ren. You are a good temen. You come here and you can fight your introvert, I'm so happy, Ren. So don't ever think that you're a bad friend. I am even grateful to be able to win with you.” he said with teary eyes. I immediately rushed to Maya and again, we dissolved in tears. Not a sad cry, but a happy cry because we know how much friendship we make.

“Keep your plan what, May?” ask me after releasing Maya's embrace. He just shakes his shoulders.

“After the end, maybe I will immediately find work, Ren.”

“Loh, continue you do not continue college?” I was surprised by Maya's answer because she once said she wanted to continue studying outside the city.

“I have two little sisters, Ren. They need to pay for school. And I also do not want to let mom bear the burden alone. Anyway, I am the biggest child, plus the father is not there, automatically I become the backbone of the family.”

I was stunned by Maya's words. A lot of things came to my mind that made me no longer know what to say.

***

We just got home by late afternoon. I looked out the window, up there the sky had turned orange. Along the way Rex and I just kept quiet, immersed in each other's thoughts.

“We, want to go home directly or buy food first?” rex asked to break the silence. But I didn't answer anything.

“Or we can hang out first at the cafe. Mama equally papa must have come home rather maleman.”.

“Rex,” cut me without turning her head towards him.

“Ya?”

“According to you, what happened to Maya, will happen also not the same we?” I looked towards Rex and he looked back. Sighs while loosening his fingers at the wheel.

“Every one who lives will surely frown on a dead name, Ren. It's the same as math. No matter how, the outcome is certain. Only we do not know it, when, where and how.”

I immediately looked at my mom and dad's faces. I don't think I'd be able to be in Maya's position. Covering my face with my hands, I shook my head so as not to cry.

“But Maya is so tough, Rex. He was willing to give up his dream for college.”

“Maya has no other choice, Ren. If not, he should. Now he has more responsibility for his family. He realized that he should not be selfish or sad for a long time, because there is still a family that he must take care of. That is the point of family, likes to be faced together. Life must go on, Ren.”.

“If that really happened, how would we like, Rex? I'm not sure I can be as fresh as Maya.” I said again.

“How to..I also don't know..” he said softly without seeing me. After that we went back into silence, permeating each other's inner selves.

For the first time, Rex and I can talk properly. Without feeling angry or upset. It's just me and Rex, heart to heart.