Sky overcast

Adam's Trick

Bak was struck by lightning in the morning when he heard Linda's doctor explain about my current gynecological condition. The night of entertainment I had been hard at times to avoid, almost obliterating two lives living in one body. I will never blame anyone else for this, for it is my own absolute folly, however hard I may refuse. My eyes had swollen from crying, not to mention Satria who now knew, could not even promise to keep it a secret. Disappointed to know me.

"Rest for one week, do not do any activity first. Later in the afternoon I will come again, to check on his progress." I nodded, bi Gina today is coming to school. Meet the homeroom teacher and bring a sick certificate. I had to lie down on the bed, accompanied by an infusion hose. Sad feeling.

"Auntie is leaving now Nara. You just sleep, auntie not long." I nodded obediently.

"Bi?" Bi Gina turned around, I want to convey something. Waiting for Linda's doctor to come home.

"Bi, if you can avoid meeting my friends. I don't want them asking auntie." Bi Gina replied with a nod and then left.

After I read a message from Munah, which he sent last night. I read the messages one by one, without my reply. Until at the end of the message Munah asked something that might be his suspicion so far.

"Nara, say. Are you pregnant?" He's the closest person to me, and I'm sure one day I'll find out. What I want, not now. Better know when I've given birth and successfully graduated from school. So that I do not bear such great shame. Teachers, friends and one school that thinks I'm good.

I closed my eyes, put the phone back next to the pillow. After taking the medicine from Linda, I felt extreme sleepiness.

***

I felt my own stomach, but it felt different. Yes, something is different from my body. My stomach is back flat, then where's my baby? Have I given birth?

"Occupy.." The sound of crying was clearly in my ears. My eyes were still blurred, but my ears could hear anything clearly.

"The baby is healthy. His nose is sharp."

"Neither thought Nara had become a mother." My limp hands were unable to lift even just rubbing my eyes. Breathe in and blink again.

"Bi?" I saw bi Gina smiling at me, holding the baby. Is that my son?

"Your son is born. You have to do the operation." Huh huh? How come? Isn't my pregnancy five months? I tried to get up but my whole body was frozen. Just to raise the head also can not. Am I experiencing paralysis?

Nah! Not likely.

"Bi? Why does my whole body feel stiff and unable to move? I can't feel anything."

Bi Gina put down my son, and sat on the edge of the bed. His face changed, why?

"Bi?"

"Nara, you're paralyzed. Don't know what's causing it, but the doctor just said it." Deg. I screamed so badly, shaking my head while crying, no way!! My cry was riddled with the sound of my son's cry. She moans, I want to hug her, hold her, just kiss her. But I can't do it, let alone to calm down when she cries, to hold back my own tears I can't.

"Bi? I don't want to."

"Nara, your son's going to be aunty to someone else.".

"Bi? Didn't she say that aunt would take care of my son? Don't bi, don't give it to someone else?" I shook my head and kept crying. There was a figure of a man waiting in front of the door of the room. I can't see it.

"Bi? No!!"

"Nara??"

"Nara?"

"Bi Gina?" My breath gasping. Sweat flooded my face, even though the AC was on right now.

"Bi? Where's son?" I swerved around the room. Where was the baby cry I heard? Where's the guy who took my son?

"Nara, are you just a dream?" I nodded slowly, it was like real. I move my hands and feet. Then try to sit with bi Gina's help. I see my stomach is still perfect. Oh my god, it was just a dream. But why so creepy? What does this mean from my dream? Is anyone really going to take my son??

"Drink first." I gulped down some water in the glass that bi Gina gave me. The toilet is not left. I was like I was exercising.

"Auntie has come to school, and has just come home. Auntie saw you crying without a sound. So aunt woke you up." I'm nodding.

"So how's bi?"

"The school board informed him, and said you can come in until you recover." Oh my God, thank goodness.

"Then, did auntie meet my friends?" Bi Gina nodded.

"They'll come here later."

"Not bi." I shook my head quickly. "Don't let them come. Just tell me I was taken to Dad's house." Bi Gina was silent.

"But Munah cried asking to see you Nara." Wh-wh-what for? I'm sure Munah came just to ask the unanswered.

Now I feel, the older I get, the more threatened my life will be. Adam, why are you doing this to me. What other tough problems will I face.

"Bi, look at this." I had to show a message from Munah to bi Gina. The look on his face immediately changed, surely bi Gina was also worried.

"Well, later if they come will auntie convey? Better if the night lights do not turn on, just this room light only. So they won't think that you're inside." I'm nodding.

***

In the afternoon I went back to rest, after bi Gina had fed me. And take the medicine from Linda's doctor. I deliberately asked to sleep in a sitting position and given a pillow on the back. Because I'm bored if I have to lie down. Tonight bi Gina will stay here, waiting for me. And I'm going home in the afternoon to deliver food for my sisters. Bi Gina purposely cooked it here, so that it wouldn't be long to leave me later.

"Nara?" I opened my eyes because I was not sleeping well.

"Yes bi?" Bi Gina again closed the room door and walked towards me.

"They're coming." Them? My pal?

"Yes, I've only met you, but don't let them in." Bi Gina nodded and came back out.

I really wanted to sit by the window, enjoy the wind coming in my face. Although there is no clear sight. But I usually do that when I get bored. And now, the whole movement should be limited. My body is still weak, even though my stomach is no longer hot.

Waiting for bi Gina to return, I squeezed out the blanket that covered my body. I wish they believed I was at Dad's house now. From now on, I have to promise, stay away from my friends.

Ting. My cellphone. I felt it pick it up, I had to turn it into vibrate mode only. Don't let Munah or Adam call me. If they heard it they would not believe it if it was currently in my father's house.

Adam.

"If you don't want to meet Munah or Wahid, then let me meet you. There's a lot I want to talk about. Not about pregnancy, but it's about me." I just read the message, put my phone back on.

"I know you're actually in the apartment." Deg. No, I don't want to. Adam will know.

A few minutes after that, bi Gina had already returned to the room. I can breathe a sigh of relief, which means they're gone.

"Have bi?"

"Have Adam left this?" Bi Gina handed it to me. I received a box that contained nothing.

"Auntie to the kitchen first yes, continue cooking for your sisters. If you need anything, call auntie?" I nodded, and my gaze was already focused on the pink box. After bi Gina closed the door, I tore off the wrapping paper. And open the box.

"flower? Books?" I got the flowers first. There was a small paper stuck to his trunk.

"That's a school notebook today, don't forget you wrote it? So you don't miss the lesson." I chuckled, sipping on the red rose. Put it down and get Adam's notebook.

There is a large signature in front of the book cover, along with its full name. I smiled, Adam told me, all his books have to be signed, it's a sign of ownership.

"Wouldn't it be that the person getting married would also sign in her marriage book? That's a sign of ownership." Geez, I managed to laugh just from remembering that.

I put everything back in the box, then put it next to my sleeping pillow. Now I can't record it yet, probably tomorrow if the infusion is off.

Derr... My phone rang again.

"Satria?"

I hesitated to pick it up, and until the call was over. I didn't touch my phone at all. After a few minutes, I saw no more calls or messages coming in. I'm going to stay away from Satria, because she knows my pregnancy too. Didn't he say he was disappointed in me. After all, he was just a friend that I met occasionally, unlike my closeness with Adam.

"Thank you for the flowers and the book, next I'll give it back." End with a smile hug from me. Send it to Adam.

"Either. You happy?" I nodded and smiled, but when I did that Adam would not know.

"Yes." Yeah." I returned it again.

"If you meet me, it'll be a lot happier." Why am I really happy to hear that?

"Not really."

"All right, you've eaten? Have you taken your medicine?"

"It." I replied to him briefly.

"What is your father doing?" Huh huh? Why did Adam ask Dad?

"Dad is.." I typed the message and deleted it again. Hem, think if at this hour my dad is doing what.

"My father is going out with Aunt Intan." Heh, I finally have a reason. Well, then Adam would believe me if I wasn't in the apartment.

"really? Isn't your dad home? I asked your father's housekeeper." My eyes were straight round when I read Adam's message. Goddamnit! He purposely set me up. Think first, think. If I didn't answer, I'm sure, an hour later Adam could've reached the apartment. Because I'm sure I'm here.

"You came, now my father is gone." Well, that's the most appropriate answer.

"really? You gonna ask me where I am?" I frowned at me.

"Where are you?"

"In front of your father's house." Deg. Crazyhead!! I want to put it on now, but not through a message. You freak! Why would he spy on my father's house.

Never mind, I don't want to repay him anymore.

"Thank you." The answer is, I prefer to put the phone, rather than reply to it. Closing your eyes better, even when time goes by unnoticed.

"Nara? You sleeping?" I opened my eyes again.

"No bi, just close your eyes."

"There's Adam." Huh huh? Adam's?

"Where's bi?"

"Sit on the couch." Crazy one! I remember, it was just five minutes ago. How could he be from my father's house so fast?

"She said she got your permission to come here." Heh, I was framed again. You're really smart Adam. Will your son be like you later?

"Alright bi, tell him to come in." Bi Gina tidied up my blanket again, in her eyes and looked neat. Also my stomach doesn't look big because I'm sitting hugging a pillow. Then bi Gina came out and called out to Adam.

"Just a moment." I nodded and smiled. My eyes did not blink staring at the door. Waiting for the form that deceived me. Will his face feel guilty?

"Good day." I nodded, with an expressionless face looking at him.

"You look like a ghost if you do, your face is pale, and your eyelids are blackened." Look, he even dared to protest when he saw me. Adam pulled the sofa by the window. Put it right next to the bed. Sit down and smile, holding up your chin with one hand. His eyes were flashing at me, why are good-looking people always weird?

"Adam!!" I hit him with a pillow.

"Why did you even go home in a taxi? Can't you wait a minute? Why are you ignoring my messages and calls? If you die how?"

"I don't want to be disturbed, besides my body is also weak, just to reply to my hand message does not have that much energy." Adam snorted, then his hand outstretched, taking the box he gave me.

"Where's your notebook?" I pointed towards the shelf. He stood up, picked up the textbook today, then pen and sat back down again.

"Don't you don't have to do that Adam." He didn't care, opened my book, and started scraping with a pen. Never mind, you stubborn one! I smiled when I saw her, her mouth opening and closing without making a sound. Like a fish taking in oxygen.

"Why!" I was caught watching him.

"No, just keep writing. If you want to help, you don't have to talk." Adam laughed, but his hand did not stop writing.

"Your writing is good, right? It's the same if your writing is ugly, I won't be able to read it."

"That's how you can read a letter and send me a message, say thank you."

"Adam!!" Damn, I'm always stuck with words. It seems like I have to be careful, I could have slipped and said that I was pregnant.

"Nara, Munah is not calm because you didn't return the message." This time his tone of speech had started to get serious. Even though his eyes and hands remained focused on staring at the paper.

"Reply for the message accusing me of being pregnant?" Adam's eyes glanced at me. "This you see." I pointed the message at Adam. He looked and threw away his eyes again.

"Satria sent you a message." Huh huh? Did ya? Uh yes.

"Dam, I'd hate to be asked like that. Why would she think I was pregnant?" Adam just shrugged his shoulders.

"You're the same, accusing me of being pregnant."

"I don't accuse you, I just want to take responsibility. You forgot who did it?"

"No."

"Yes already."

"Nara?" Bi Gina came in to bring Adam some snacks and drinks. "Auntie tipped Nara for a moment can't Dam? Aunty wants to drop off food for her sister Nara at home." Bi Gina turned to look at me. "It's okay if aunt leaves with Adam?" I'm nodding.

"Auntie be careful." Adam took bi Gina out, and then the chance for me, saw where Adam recorded it.

When Adam sits back down, I'll tell him something.

"Adam, do you remember the story of my childhood?"

"You've said a lot, but I almost remember everything." I laughed at his upsetting answer.

"About my little friend who disappeared like being swallowed by the earth." It seemed like Adam was getting interested, he stopped his writing activity and looked at me.

"He's at school with us. I've been wanting to talk about this for a long time, but there's no time."

"Where do you know that you and she are in school?" I'm nodding.

"He put a picture under my desk drawer. And I'm sure, that every day gives me chocolate as well as her. But how do I know that? I even forgot his face. I miss him, Dam."

"Why don't you just meet?"

"How is it?"

"You just put a letter on your desk, if it's true that he puts chocolate every day he'll read it."

"Ah you're right! You're so smart." I smiled, Adam's idea was brilliant. That way I still have a chance. I'll just leave my phone number there. That way, I can delay to meet until I give birth.

"You're so happy to hear that. Do you like it?" I'm nodding. "Until this moment?"

"Oh, I just miss him." Adam nodded and continued writing again. I just fell silent while thinking of something beautiful as a child with Iam. Which makes me very sure now, not just from that photo.

"Do you like chocolate?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"Then I'll give you chocolate every day."

Yes, it turns out that he really kept his promise. But, why isn't he just being honest with me? Is it because he's ugly?

"Adam?" Adam looked straight at me." Is there anything bald in our school?" Adam laughed at my question.

"I mean, does the student have a bald head?"

"Why are you asking that."

"Who knows, Iam is still the same as before. Never growing hair, so he was reluctant to meet me in person. To make his identity a riddle to me."

Adam finished summarizing the note. Put it back on my bookshelf. He sat back.

"You're this weird?" He's scratching his head. "How could you think that her hair isn't growing. But if you keep thinking like that, then I'll help you find him around school, if you're in."

"really?" Adam nodded. Why am I this happy? Is it good to be near Adam or to hear good news about Iam.

"Adam, you don't tell Munah and Wahid that I'm in the apartment."

"Your secret is always safe." I gave her a thumbs up.

"Don't you say you want to say something important?" Adam was playing on his cell phone and he grabbed it and turned to look at me. No, it turns out my friend is very handsome. More precisely the father of my son.

"Yes, about bi Gina?"

"Bi Gina?" Adam nodded.

"You know why when I saw the photo of bi Gina's husband I became like that?" I obviously shook my head because I didn't know. "He's the driver, the driver I've been looking for all this time."

"The driver who killed your father?"

"Eh no!" Adam shook his head many times, afraid I had speculated myself.

"He was my father's driver, a driver very close to my family. And he's the only one who knows what the shape of the driver took my father away." Deg. So, the employer that bi Gina had been looking for was Adam's family??

"Adam?"

"Nara! I was so scared to tell bi Gina. I'm afraid that if I say it, I reopen the old wounds, what else now bi Gina has lost her husband."

"Adam, you're wrong! Precisely for years bi Gina tried to find your family. She was eager to ask for help for her husband's medical expenses first. But Mang Suryo always forbid it. By saying you are no longer here. It's a long way out of town." Adam, he's down now. I'm afraid that the depression in her is coming back.

"Adam? If you want to talk, then I'm ready to help her. Let's just say it's my reply, because you want to help me find my little friend."

"Thank you Nara." I'm nodding.

"Are you sure that person is Bi Gina's husband?" Adam nodded again.

"Only mang Suryo has a large mole on the cheek. You know, I used to be very close to him. Mang Suryo resigned because the family was struggling at that time. Mang Suryo said to mom, he didn't want to get involved in that, because the only last person my dad met was him. Although Mang Suryo had said that he did not deliver my father. Then the night we and our family heard the news."

"I know, your family must have cornered Suryo's mang right?" Adam nodded.

"You're right Nara. It was only me and my mother who didn't believe in the options my father's family made. Especially my om, he strongly believes that mang Suryo is the culprit. It's just, at that time I thought to what mang Suryo did that?" I was silent, it was impossible. Throughout bi Gina's story, I've never heard her husband commit a crime.

"Nara, this thing only you know. I believe if you can cover this up from people. Including my father's death."

I nodded, and held Adam's hand. Trying to strengthen. I know that Adam is holding back tears right now so as not to spill.

"That's bi Gina, do you want to talk about it now?" Adam shakes.

"I'll help you find your little friend first, and then you'll help me." I smiled, Adam is really mature in his way of thinking.

Seriate..