SILENT SENTENCE

6. GRATITUDE WITHOUT LIMITS

KEN can never hide his happy smile since he really came out of the dormitory that had for a month more he occupied as a place to learn—Deca his sister is no longer indifferent or cold towards him, it was so patient and changed caring. Deka who used to be the main character in every character played, so often makes Ken embarrassed and must get a mockery laugh, turning in support of whatever his brother did. Deka becomes more caring and receives all of Ken's good treatment.

“Ken's concern for me isn't a bad thing.”

That is the sentence that triggers Deka to behave better. Deka did not stop blaming himself for all his ill-treatment when Ken was still considered a stranger. Sobbing in the room and apologizing every time he met her. Ken just smiled and gave a soothing hug. He who is not able to be understood in speaking by Deka must be smart to show an attitude so that Deka understands that he has been forgiven.

...[][][]...

KEN stood on the balcony of his room while looking at the still dark sky. It was too early today to stand on the balcony so cold. But Ken's desire to get calm and fresh feeling made the teenager prefer to stand and not continue to sleep after performing the Fajr prayer. Ken looked back, looking at his sister who was soundly asleep. He and Deka had performed a brand-name prayer’ah with the parents a while ago. Deka immediately went back to sleep after the prayer was over.

The door opened and featured the most respected woman.

“Mbha..” Miss Mirna smiled and hugged Ken. Ah, the feeling of longing is still there and always growing, the mother always wants to hug and be at the side of the child.

“Not sleeping, Honey? Today you're off school, ‘kan? Better just rest so that your strength is fitter.”

Ken shook his head and looked back outside the balcony, eyes closed for a moment when he felt his hair being gently combed by his mother.

“A’u ahagia, Mba. A’ilnya Kha au sehat khuh (i am happy, Ma. Deka finally wants to see me).”

One kiss of affection landed on Ken's head, making the master smile happily.

“Everything thanks to your patience and care, son. My mom is happy too. So Mama asks you, keep smiling and always be patient with your sister. Actually he's a good kid, just confused how to show that kindness.”

Ken nodded, sure knowing the nature of his sister. With his mother's wise words it makes him more sure that Deka is indeed a good sister. However, the confusion that Miss Mirna said earlier could not be anyone. Ken knows that not everyone can show his good side, he can show it with rudeness in speaking or acting. Ken has been with Deka since the child was born, it makes Ken understand exactly who Deka is and how his sister.

The care and kindness Deka showed now finally bore great hope for Ken.

...[][][]...

TWO weeks ago, Deka was very caring, kind and patient to face the shortcomings that Ken had. Ken could not stop smiling and sighing in relief. Deka also always chooses to be near Ken and give him whatever Ken needs.

Deka also ate the provisions that Ken brought with him greedily, will laugh because of his jokes that he himself thought were laughable while continuing to scoop up the delicious food that his mother cooked it. Ken will be invited to sit near the basketball court, no matter when the situation is crowded and tired after playing basketball. Ken will be clumsy and awkward at the same time embarrassed when Deka friends who do not like him come and mock as usual.

However, Ken will turn in awe and confidence after Deka defends him with words full of decisiveness and bold look. Even Deka had a fight with a student named Bian—cowok who always looks dislike and stares lightly at Ken when the brother of Deka came to their school.

“Never dare insult my brother if you don't want anything bad to happen. I hope you remember that your father was my Papa employee at the company, I can ask Papa to fire him and—bang!—all ends.”

Long sentences full of threats were said without forgetting the grin. Bian and his 3 friends could not say anything, because Bian himself knew that Deka was not a person who could only threaten, but would prove his words at that time if he wanted to. Bian's father was indeed the employee that Pak Hardi had since 5 years, Bian would not be able to destroy his parents' work just because of the courage he had in fighting Deka.

Ken who at that time could only stand still, glared at his sister who only glanced at him with a ignorant smile. Deka is really a brave and annoying sister, if Ken had a word that could be spoken well, then he would not wait to shout it right in the ears of the sister.

Yet... ‘Why is it fast?’

Everything that happened during those 2 weeks is over now, Ken doesn't get it anymore. No, not anymore because all the things that managed to make Ken continue to smile and breathe a sigh of relief vanished carried away by the wind. A dark foggy storm again came enveloping Ken, an invisible rain made the wounds in his heart open and again felt sore.

All the beautiful hopes written in Ken's heart slowly faded, the memories that the mute man wanted to make with Deka and family no longer he expected could happen, dear brother Ken returned to being indifferent to her. As it turns out, everything that happened to Ken was only temporary, creating a long road that eventually collapsed and left unimportant debris. Deka, his sister had looked back at him coldly and disliked, Ken had no idea what the cause was so that Deka was being so rude beyond what he used to be.

After returning from school, Deka looked dislike and looks unhappy when rebuked by Ken. The older suspect, maybe the cause of Deka angry is because he did not have time to bring lunch. Deka could have eaten at the cafeteria, but because he never forgot to play or practice basketball, he had trouble dividing his time. Finally, Ken who knew it decided to always bring lunch.

Deka was also often at school until the afternoon, making him hungry and lucky because Ken was so caring and always remembered bringing food. Now, however, Ken had to go back to gulping bitter saliva when as usual, he secretly peeked whether the food he brought for Deka was eaten by the youngest or not. Darling, Deka's throwing the food away like he used to. The ridicule Ken received from him, as if supporting the efforts of Bian who always liked to mock as well. Not infrequently Ken was bullied at that school, the school that should protect especially in students who have deficiencies.

What everyone saw was not who Ken's parents were, but how physical and frailty the 19-year-old had. When he came home, Ken always went straight into the room, cleaning himself from the filth of fishy eggs and rotten tomatoes all over his clothes and hair— before the house people saw it. Ken does not want any commotion, Deka will be scolded by Mr. Hardi because it will be an easy thing to guess who the main character of ignorance.

Ken always hid Deka's ill-treatment from all who cared about him, without him knowing that everyone in the house already knew without having to bother asking anyone. Ken admitted, that he was too weak as a big brother, he should be able to become stronger and brave against Deka who was younger than him. However, back to the reality in Ken's own life, he never wanted to fight Deka.

The right treatment for his younger brother was to give up whatever happened, after all according to Ken himself, whatever he said was true. Everything that happened back then has returned, like a reed wheel whose bottom has returned to the top position.

...[][][]...