The Girl Next Door's

Remembrance

Diana obeyed what Deril said. He did not even move a bit from his place, as if afraid of damaging something if he struggled.

Deril got up from his seat without a sound. Her feet slowly stepped towards the door of Diana's room. Slowly, Deril pulled the door open slightly. He checked the circumstances, making sure that no one heard the conversation between him and his sister.

After everything felt safe, Deril returned to Diana. He sat down where his parents were sitting, deliberately not turning his back to the door, so as to know if anyone had entered. Especially Serena.

Just as Diana is worried about her mother, Deril is also unwilling to make the relationship between Serena and Doctor Stephen stretch. Moreover, he does not have enough evidence to ensnare Doctor Stephen. Her mother was quite worried about Alex and Diana. No need to complicate matters anymore. Suffice Serena to believe that Alex was poisoned by eating carelessly, while Diana was struck by apes for being alone at home and caught the thief who entered.

"What is Doctor Stephen?" deril Sambar.

His forehead raised when he heard Deril mention Doctor Stephen's name. "Who?" ask Diana back.

"The one who buried you" said Deril with squashed eyes. "Is that Doctor Stephen?" This time Deril asked more slowly.

"Not."

The answer from Diana made Deril shocked, more than he expected. He was pretty sure it was Doctor Stephen. "What's? You sure?"

Diana nodded once. His face looked confused. "Why would you suspect Doctor Stephen did it? There's no way someone as good as that can do such a cruel thing."

Deril gulps. His brain stopped thinking. He had no other culprit in his head, other than Doctor Stephen.

'Ah, yes.' Deril suddenly remembered something. When she took Diana to the hospital, Doctor Stephen was also there. There's no way Doctor Stephen just showed up at the hospital. After all, Doctor Stephen seemed shocked to know that Deril had saved Diana.

"Sister?" call Diana, because Deril is dumb.

Deril. He was afraid of what he thought. A man as rich as Doctor Stephen would easily pay someone to do his dirty work. Too many people are blinded by money problems.

"Do you remember what happened to you?" ask Deril at the end.

"Remember," Diana replied in a stern voice. Deril was amazed at his sister's mentality. "At that time, I slept as usual. You know, if I sleep, I always wear a headset. I'll sleep soundly while listening to music."

"Yes, I know," replied Deril. "Do you know what happened to Dad?"

Diana shook her head. "I don't know. I was just shocked when Mom said that Dad was being treated here for food poisoning."

"Then, what happened when we were in the hospital?" ask Deril.

"Suddenly someone's got me."

"Capturing?"

"Yes. There are people who have arrested me. So scared, my voice wouldn't even come out. I struggled to escape, but it was all in vain. He's very strong." Diana hugged herself. The fear that came that day, he felt again. "He kept me until I was weak. I was still conscious at the time. Then, he carried me to the backyard. He dug a hole. At that time, I tried to escape. But, he came to his senses and instead hit me on the head. After that, I don't remember anything" Diana said. "The next thing I remember, is Brother holding me." Diana ended the story.

"Do you remember the character of that man?" urged Deril.

"Yes," Diana still replied steadily. "He's male. Body skinny. About, he's as tall as Dad."

As Deril recalled, there were not many people as tall as Dad in their village. It would be easy to find who that person was, if he was from around there. "Is there any other characteristic?"

Diana rubbed her chin, trying to remember what was important to that person. "I remember his voice. He only spoke one word, but I remember his voice."

Diana shuddered. There was no way that he would feel fearless if he had to deal with that person again. "I don't want to see him again."

Deril did not comment. Which crazy person wants to meet again with the perpetrators of crimes against him?

"Is it true that you refused the police who came to ask?" Diana changed the subject.

Deril nodded. "Looks like. I'm very worried about your mental health. Mother decided not to extend the matter, and took it as a case of sheer theft."

"I don't plan on telling Mom the truth either" Diana said.

"Why?"

"Mother's Pity. He looks exhausted from worrying too much."

"Right," Deril agreed with what Diana said. "I'll just talk about this with Dad. You take good care of yourself, and don't look at anyone."

"Is this what people in our village are doing?"

Deril shrugged his shoulders. "Anyways, don't trust anyone. Never go anywhere alone. Mom and Dad can protect us. They're both the only adults who'll side with us."

"I understand" replied Diana calmly. "But, do you know why that man did that? Mom and Dad never had enemies. I was too. Then, Brother did not attract too much attention either. Is this all because someone is jealous of our family?"

"It could be," Deril replied ambiguously. "Don't worry. There must be a good way out for our family."

***

A woman in her early forties was sitting in the hospital cafeteria sipping on her cold coffee. The woman's hair was puffed up in a mess above her head. Eye bags hang thickly under both of his brown eyes. I don't know how many days he hasn't changed his black shirt.

His eyes caught all the movements that were happening around the hospital canteen. The place became a favorite place for people to chat, so that the woman was easier to get the information she wanted.

He stretched his body which was getting tired. His sleeping hours could even be counted on his fingers in the past seven days. The woman realized that her brain was not functioning as it should. She had almost given up, had she not seen Serena enter the hospital canteen.

His eyes immediately sparkled. His face was fresh. But, he did not just lunged towards his prey. He tried to be as natural as possible so as not to attract attention.

Serena and Alex stand in front of the cashier. They decided to order dinner and some snacks to take to Diana's room.

"Come, let's sit here for a while. You should eat quietly" Alex suggested. He guided his wife to one of the tables, bringing a tray full of food. "Diana is safe with Deril. Don't worry so much. Deril is a reliable boy."

"I know the boy will hold his word. He's too good to be my son" Serena said.

Alex clasped Serena's hand full of love. "You deserve. You're a good mother, honey," Alex complimented.

"Hhh... How could a child as sweet as Diana experience something like this" Serena complained. "I don't want my son to be frustrated by police questioning. So, I refused to be interrogated and just closed the case. But, am I wrong? I used to feel at the interrogation table and it got me-" Serena stopped. Nanar's eyes.

"I know, I know," replied Alex. "I was there when it happened to you."

The woman moved to get closer to Serena and Alex's seat. The conversation between the couple sounded interesting to him.

***