REX AND REN
Releasing and Receiving (End)
There comes a time when you are faced with two equally important choices. But you're required to choose one, can't choose both. At least that's what I realized, I've chosen.
While waiting for Rex who was being operated on, I sat in silence. Mama said, when Rex was about to go to the bathroom, suddenly his condition dropped. Therefore, the doctor decided to immediately perform surgery to avoid the rupture of other blood vessels.
I barely had the energy to open my mouth. Spend time thinking about the decisions I make.
I believe a mother's instincts are very strong. Because my mom came over while embracing my shoulder.
He said, “Ren, are you okay?” I just nodded weakly.
“Do you want to go back there? Who knows if the test is not finished.”
This time I shook my head.
“Gak, Ma.”
Mama just looked at me while stroking my hair.
“Ma,” lirihku.
“Ya?”
“If Ren has not entered any college this year, can Ren delay until next year?”
Mama looked surprised but then the look on her face softened.
“Certainly can, Son. Use as much time as Ren needs. Ren can go to college anywhere, papa and mama will always support any decision Ren. If that's what's best for Ren.” A moment, then my mom continued.
“Mama is equally papa, never ask you to make it the best. We just want you to live well. So even if Ren doesn't go to college this year, it's not a problem at all.” Mama took my hand and held it tight.
“We love you guys, Ren knows, right?”
I smiled and clenched my hand.
Hearing your words warms my heart. I don't have to regret or regret the choices I made.
The operating room door opened, the doctor and a nurse came out first. We are all standing, waiting for certainty and explanation.
“Doctor, how is my son?” ask papa.
The doctor seemed to breathe a sigh of relief then smiled gently. I could see sweat in her hair. A sign that he has worked and tried hard.
“Operation succeeded. Condition's stable. Now Rex just needs a break for recovery.”
Papa immediately gave thanks while rubbing his face. It was as if it was all fear and anxiety. Mama also seemed unable to hold back her crying and hugged me tightly. Mr. Alif also seemed to be smiling happily.
And I. I feel relieved. It was as if the weight of a thousand tons on my shoulders was lifted just like that.
***
While in the ward, I looked at Rex who was still sleeping under the influence of drugs. His head was still wrapped in bandages, but his face looked calm and peaceful. It was as if Rex was on an adventure in a beautiful dream world.
While holding his hand, I put my face into his ear.
“Rex, thank you for keeping your promise. Thank you for being alive.” I whispered gently.
“I love you.” connect me then kiss his forehead wrapped in white bandage.
With a kiss I let go of all my regrets. With a kiss I gave my dream. But only for a while because next year I'll be back to being someone better and stronger. I'm sure it is.
***
When I told Mr. Revelation, clearly a disappointed look on his face. But he could understand why I didn't take the exam and said, “At least, your passion and hard work have taken you so far. And that remains a positive example for others. I hope you're not desperate, Ren. Spirit drops.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Of course my spirit will never be extinguished. It's just a matter of time, and I can handle it.
I had an unusual response when I reported this to Maya and Vania. They immediately embraced me with sympathy. We hugged like Teletubies for a while. Then after they let go of our embrace, directly lectured me with motivational words to encourage.
The other good thing about my choice that decided to delay one year of college was Niko. I mean, I have another year to be with him. Just as I was planning to tell her about this, suddenly a message came in and it was from Niko. It seemed like he could read my mind, like we were already one-hearted. I opened the message with a smile on my face.
Me, you and the burger after school. I have something to talk about. Okay well?
Then I reply to him by typing, I,
OK!
So, here we are, sitting in a fast food restaurant with two trays of burgers at the table.
“Ren, someone wants me to talk to you.” said Niko. He only ate half the burger in his tray.
“Same. I also have something I want to talk about.”
“Oh, yes? What?”
I shook my head while smiling.
“You go first, deh. Later I.” I said.
“Oh...” murmured.
“So?” my many. Niko looked down for a moment and then looked at me while sitting up straight.
“Actually, after finishing later, I will move again to Germany.”
My heart is ditching, I'm fixated like a fool.
My brain can no longer digest the words Niko says.
Reflex I said, “That's a lie, right?”
Niko looked at me sympathetically and I didn't like that.
“Ren,”
“Say that it was a lie. Tell me that's all true. You're just kidding, right?” I said with hunting breath.
Please.say that it's all a lie.
Please.niko.
But Niko just lowered her head, then said, “Sorry, Ren.”
The next second I stood up and walked out of the restaurant. I don't care about my burger tray being full. No matter what Niko yelled behind me. All I know is this is so stifling and I have to get out of here.
“Ren! Waitaminute! Dengerin first!”
I don't care about Niko yelling. I'm running towards the highway.
“Ren! Where to! Let me drop!”
I knew he was after me but as if I was lucky, by chance a taxi passed by, I stopped him.
“Ren!”
I took the taxi and the driver asked me, “Where are you going, Ma'am?”
“Jalan aja, Mr.”
The taxi drove away and left Niko behind.
After telling me the direction I was headed, I cried out in tears. I could see the driver watching me several times from the dashboard glass, but I didn't care.
I thought that by delaying my studies for another year, I could spend more time with him. I thought for a year I could change my mind to join me in Oxford, and then we'd be together again in college. I thought we would continue this wonderful courtship. I think Niko can help me through the hardships in life, because being with her all feels easy and I'm used to it. I think he'd be happy if I told him this.
But in the end, the one who left was not me. But he's the one who's leaving. Leaving me with my heart broken to pieces here.
***
“Ren?” call my mom and knock on my door. Then he turned the knob and opened it.
“There is a phone from Niko below. You want to accept, don't you?”
I didn't answer anything just lying staring at the ceiling.
Mama sounded sighing.
“Ren, I don't know what's going on between you and Niko. But, diem-dieman gini is also not a solution. What is there will be new problems again. So, now that you activate your phone keep talking carefully.”
Again, I just kept quiet. Mama sighed once more, then closed the door
A few minutes after mom came out, I grabbed my smartphone. Sit on the bed and activate it. I did turn off my phone after meeting Niko two days ago. I don't have any more energy after that.
Once active, all that is seen is almost sixty missed calls and fifteen incoming messages. Part of Maya and Vania and most of course from Niko. With all the remaining energy, I opened all the messages and read them one after another.
***
Today Rex was allowed to go home. The surgical scar on his head has improved a lot but he currently has to wear a support stick while walking. His legs were not fully able to walk normally.
Even though she was allowed to go home, Rex still had to undergo some therapy in the hospital. The doctor has given her a guidebook and a therapy schedule.
Once home, Rex sat in the living room looking at a photo of our Rilakkuma couple plastered on the wall. I walked up to him and sat next to him, looking at our silly photo. In the photo, I smiled widely and Rex put on a forced smile.
“If you want, I can ask mama to make nurunin the photo.” I said.
Rex nodded without looking.
“No, Ren. This photo can be a valuable historical artifact if we are old later.”
I immediately smiled.
“Tadi Iqbal phone. Said we lost by a thin score, 90-91.” I didn't respond to anything because I knew Rex would still continue.
“They lost for sure because I didn't play.” he continued. Well, true. National High School basketball competition has indeed begun and Rex is forced to bury his dream to come along because of the accident.
“Rex,” call me who finally made Rex turn his head.
“You all right?" Rex snorted with a smile.
“Why are you doing that?” said.
I shrugged my shoulders.
“Because you can not participate in the national basketball competition.” I said.
This time it was Rex who grabbed his shoulder.
“It's not much worse than Oxford, is it?” his reply.
We who took each other seriously, immediately laughed at each other.
Then we looked back at our silly jumbo-size photo on the wall. Drowning in each other's minds. I don't know exactly what Rex thinks. But right now what's on my mind is that everything that's been going on is teaching us how to accept things and be more mature.
