Taint

Whispers Daniel

Mounds of soil that are still wet, sprinkling fresh rose petals, and tombstones that say the name Sabrina Dara A. I screamed in tears, not believing that my son was really dead.

"Dear, relax! I know it's heavy, but I'm sure you're strong. I know you're a great woman, honey." Brother Darren stretched out his hand and guided me to rise.

In his grasp, I walked closer to Dara's last place. There is Miss Fatimah and Mother who is still down beside the navel. They cried and gave me a look of pity when they saw me.

"Kirana, may we be patient in dealing with all this" said someone who then made me turn my head.

"Da-Daniel," I said, watching him clutch at the rose petals.

I saw that his eyes were very haphazard, there was even a speck of water still wetting the corner. He must feel the same way as me. Pain from losing something dear.

"I'm sorry for being weak, so I can't take good care of you and Dara" Daniel said. His voice was slow and stifled, as if implying deep regret.

"What do you mean talk like that?" sahut Darren before I could answer.

"If I had been Kirana's close friend, none of this would have happened. Darren, did you forget who killed Dara? She's Amanda, your past. So ... am I wrong to assume it all started with you?" daniel answered, asking a question.

"Daniel___"

"You married Kirana, without setting your past straight first" Daniel said.

I was silent even though I stood between them. Don't know what to answer. Blaming Daniel, that's impossible. He was very lost, and I know how the pain is. Blaming Brother Darren, that's even more impossible. He is my husband, and has been taking good care of me. Although Amanda is her past, but they're separated. Darren couldn't have expected Amanda to do something like this.

"I broke up with him. I___"

"But the evidence is that he's still teasing you, Darren. Even to the point of taking Dara's life and if it's too late .. might as well take Kirana's life," Daniel concluded.

"Already, already. Why even fight? Your son has just been buried, please cherish him," said Mother, but Brother Darren and Daniel ignored him.

"My love didn't put him in danger. He can give me understanding, so that I am sincere and can accept this decision. You ... What have you promised Amanda until she doesn't accept your marriage?" Daniel moved and returned Darren's gaze.

"I___"

"You're not in charge, Darren!" concluded Daniel with a slightly high initiation.

"I'm already in charge. Amanda and Mayra were sentenced to life!"

"What punishment can they make Dara come back to life? No, Darren!" Daniel shakes. "And .. is not that responsibility I mean. If it's not stupid, you can understand" he continued.

"Enough! You're all grown up, you shouldn't be acting like this!" sahut Pak Fadil's.

"Darren, Daniel, please appreciate Dara. Don't fight like this!" Fatimah also broke up.

I'm still quiet. Besides not knowing what to say, I am also still fixated on the belly button Dara. Without even thinking where this problem started, I kept shedding tears. The shadow of Dara playing cheerfully with me, appeared in memory and as if it was still real. After I realized that the one in front of me was just a mound of earth, the whack of pain became more and more.

"Patience, Kirana!" Daniel patted me on the shoulder. I don't know since when he approached, I was too focused on Dara to not realize it.

I was about to dodge, but it was he who first let go of the handle. As I turned and looked at her, she reflected a sweet smile among the scars that were emanating on her face. No matter what he was feeling at the moment, that gaze looked different than usual, as well as a touch that during our parting he had never done.

While I was still busy guessing, he suddenly leaned towards me while whispering spontaneous words that made my heart beat.

Seriate...