Secret Alit

Kasih

This afternoon, the weather looks cloudy. I daydreamed out the classroom window, looking at those dark black clouds. In the days leading up to rain like this, I became reminded of Kinasih, my good friend at Junior High.

Kinasih likes the weather. He often daydreamed at the classroom window when it was raining, as I am doing right now.

Sometimes I still can't believe Kinasih is gone. Yes, he died a year ago, when we were in 3rd grade Junior High.

***

Kinasih is a kind child. Many liked him because of his cheerful nature. Unfortunately, Kinasih had to go quickly at a young age because of cancer suffered.

I also know the Kinasih family well: his father, mother, and brother. When I knew him, Kinasih had to go back and forth in the hospital. As one of his close friends, I often visited and accompanied him. Usually, I go to the hospital with a myriad of funny stories to comfort Kinasih. Whether it's a funny incident that happened at school, or a story about the actions of friends who can make him laugh. During the school holidays, I often accompanied Kinasih to the hospital. His sister, Kak Murni, also always accompanied.

One day, I remember taking Kinasih for treatment with Kak Murni. At that time, even had two years Kinasih undergoing treatment at the hospital. At first, Kinasih seemed reluctant to leave. He often hid his pain, so as not to be taken to the hospital. That day, he could not dodge and had to be treated because his pain could no longer be hidden. He looked weak and could do nothing.

"I talked to the doctor. According to him, Kinasih's health continues to decline" said Kak Murni.

That day, Kinasih looked very pale and thinner. In fact, in a few days, he will have his 14th birthday, precisely on February 28. I felt so sorry, that I decided to stay at the hospital and accompany her.

The next day, Kinasih already looked refreshed. It was very different from the day before. He seemed excited to talk to me. Kinasih told me a lot that day. About his family, his childhood experiences, the pain he suffered, to his discomfort while being treated at this hospital.

"Udah two more years I'm back and forth being treated here. All the doctors and nurses are friendly! But still I'm not at home," he said.

I haven't answered, I heard a knock on the door. Apparently, some friends from school came to visit. Kinasih was always happy when a friend came. He became amused and forgot about the discomfort. She did not refuse when Kak Murni offered to dress her.

"Dikittt. Dibedakin biat seger, not very shoots. Mau yaa," said Kak Murni seducing Kinasih. Kinasih replied 'yes' with a big smile on his face.

When the friends have gone home, Kinasih also permission to sleep because they feel tired. After Kinasih fell asleep, I also talked to Kak Murni. According to him, Kinasih's attitude has changed somewhat lately.

"The past few days, Kinasih has been a bit strange. Every time you meet someone, Kinasih always apologizes. Like earlier, when the friends came home, Kinasih greeted them one by one and apologized. You saw it, right?" kak Murni.

I was surprised to see that too. But Kak Murni and I tried to hide our astonishment, so that the atmosphere was maintained well.

After chatting for some time, Pure Brother fell asleep on the chair.

"Pure Brother's pity, he must be soybean," I thought inwardly.

The hospital was empty after the clock was finished. The clock has shown at 21:30. I sat down next to Kinasih who was still asleep while reading a book. So engrossed in the stories in the books I read, I did not realize that Kinasih woke up. Suddenly, he held my hand.

I was silent, out of words. Not feeling it, tears fell down my cheeks. My tears can't be stopped anymore. Tight-tasting. I also held onto Kinasih's hand, and could no longer hold back the tears...

In the midst of the sadness and mixed feelings, suddenly a groan of pain was heard by a middle-aged father. He was treated next to Kinasih. From the sidelines of the glass window curtains, I could see my wife and family taking care of him in turn. But that night, the father's room looked quiet and there was no one to guard.

"Maybe the guard is going to the toilet. It's a pity for that father." said Kinasih.

After that, I came back strong and tried to comfort Kinasih. We talked for a while, until Kinasih went back to sleep.

The atmosphere was quiet again and I was drowning in the book I was reading. Not felt, the time has shown at 1 am. I started to feel sleepy and tried to sleep. While Kak Murni looks still sound in his chair. In that silent atmosphere, Kinasih suddenly woke up again and sat on his bed. His gaze was fixed towards the door of his room which was almost facing the corridor towards the guard room.

"Alit, Alit, look, where is the father going? Why is it so? Why not use a wheelchair?" Kinasih said as he pointed towards the door.

I stood up and looked towards the corridor to find out more clearly. Apparently, I also saw the father who was treated in the next room was being swept by two people. I just saw them walking away. Strangely enough, a sick patient was forced to walk. In fact, in the hospital there should be a wheelchair, Kinasih said. Kinasih and I looked face to face, looking at each other in wonder at the incident.

Brother Murni who woke up to hear Kinasih's voice was also astonished.

"You why? How can anyone be confused?" Ask Kak Murni.

"Don't you see that? The old man who was treated in the room next door, was seen being swept away by two people. They were walking in the corridor," replied Kinasih. "That's weird, brother. How could you not be taken in a wheelchair? Even though the father looked weak and stumbling. His legs are slightly bent, like people kneeling. But still dragged. Kasian. That's it, two people who use the father, don't wear medical clothes."

Kinasih continued to explain about the strange thing he had just seen. His face looked tense looking at the incident. Not long after, there was a hysterical cry from his room. Apparently, the one who cried was the wife of the father. The guard nurse rushed to the mother to check on her condition. A moment later, the nurse brought a push mattress. Apparently, the father had died.

Kak Murni directly closed the window curtains so that Kinasih was not shocked when he saw the corpse passing through his nursery.

"Don't close, brother, open it" said Kinasih. Apparently he was curious to see the old man's body. Kinasih was seen still looking at the corridor while looking far away. I don't know what he was thinking at the time.

The morning after the incident, I said goodbye to Kinasih and Kak Murni. I had to go home, then go to school because it was already Monday. Once again, Kinasih held my hand with a smile. I hugged her and promised to come back tomorrow after school. Apparently, that was the last time I saw Kinasih. I hadn't been able to come yet, she died the next day, exactly one day before her birthday.

***

"Allows. Hey, Alit!" Frida's teacher's reprimand woke up my daydream. "For the lesson I dreamt."

My classmates laughed, and I grinned and apologized. Maybe up there, Kinasih also laughed to see me scolded.

"When it's cloudy, I remember you. Kinasih, may you calm down there." I said in my heart.