The Horizon Boundaries

Ch.49 Shocking News

News Ken brought his girlfriend officially in public when Kio's birthday became a hot topic of conversation. Some of the general public including young people recognize it. Inevitably Maisa wears a mask to cover her face.

Every time he met Mr. Chandra at the dining table or in the living room, he gave a sharp eye. Seemed angry with his behavior. Maisa doesn't care, just gives the best smile. He did not want to argue with his father. Soon he will be asked to return to Yogjakarta where his grandmother is.

Kio himself did not bother with the news. Despite forbidding it, the two lovebirds still establish a secret relationship. He was busy with his own feelings of being upset because of a girl.

Sa, are you really with Ken?

Jain sounded enthusiastic on the phone. Maisa laughed softly, her voice sounding crisp. The man must have seen his gossip in the social media.

"Yes so, Brother," he answered with a shy blush.

Well, congratulations yes. I don't have to worry anymore because there's someone there to take care of you. Oh, by the way, today I'm going to Jakarta. There's a married family. I'll stop by your place.

"okay, Sis. Be careful on the road."

Maisa hung up. He picked up the palette on a small table, intending to continue his painting.

"Who was it, Sa. Your affair, huh?"

The heavy sound of someone sitting beside him made a shocked gasp. He looked around, finding Mas Ardi very close to him. Maisa flinched in shock, barely toppling over. Luckily his hand managed to pull the sleeve of the man's shirt.

The held palette floated down on Mas Ardi's face and fell to the floor. He can only gawk with a colorful face covered in paint. Maisa immediately frowned, clutching her stomach.

"Don't show up all of a sudden, Mom. Own responsibility as a result," cried Maisa interrupted his laughter.

Mas Ardi put on a sullen look, his mouth twitching. Maisa could not bear to immediately get a tissue, clean the man's face.

"So my friend from Jogja, Mas. Not an affair," he murmured while wiping the remaining paint on Mas Ardi's face.

Mas Ardi noticed this sweet girl before him. He still painstakingly cleared the stain on his face. Heart's rustling. Something was stirring in his feelings. Unfortunately, that girl already has one.

Mas Ardi cleared his throat slowly. "So it was just a joke, Sa. Don't take heart."

"It's true you two are, yes!" yell someone out the door.

Both looking. Ken with a sour face stood beside the door, folding both his hands. His eyes looked cold, his jaw clenched. Expressions harden.

"When did Ken stand there?"

"Since you took the tissue."

Maisa's gloating, pulling her hand from Mas Ardi's face. Like being caught cheating. But he did nothing wrong, why be nervous like that.

"Pst... Your boyfriend is jealous, tuh," whispered Mas Ardi slowly.

Maisa approached Ken who was still staring at him sharply. "So I accidentally spilled my palette into Mas Ardi's face."

"Oh...."

Ken was angry with him. Evident from his short answer and his sharp tone. Maisa brought her face closer, her toe-toed feet equal Ken's height. He whispered into the man's ear.

"Don't worry, Brother. In my heart there is only you."

Ken was flabbergasted by Maisa's bold words. The girl covered her face with both hands, enduring the embarrassment. His ears look red. He could have said that to Ken.

Maisa's heart is beating. Ken's face approached. He closed his eyes. The surface of his skin could feel the man's breath.

The sound of the door opening loudly. Maya ma'am came in looking at the two lovebirds who were standing next to the door. He smirked seeing Ken and Maisa sitting stiff, looking awkward.

"Hayo, what did you do?" Maya seduces both.

"Biasalah if you're bucin again. I've become a mosquito repellent here" exclaimed Mas Ardi from across the room.

"Bu-not that," Maisa denied with a red hue almost dyed her entire face.

Ken pulled him out of the club. Ma'am Maya's giggling voice sounded echoing. It felt like Maisa wanted to throw herself again in the pool in her house.

Ken couldn't stop his smile all the way. Considering Maisa's timid papa looks adorable. Just look now the girl covered half her face with the back of her hand.

On the basketball court was waiting for Mia with the players. Lately Ken often drags him to the basketball court after finishing from the painting club. Maisa is happy to see him playing basketball up close and chatting with his friends.

I have arrived in Jakarta. Kiki is with me too. He was sulking because I told you he wanted to come here. Failed to surprise, he said.

He read a message from Jain. Maisa smiled and replied to her message. There were cheers from loyal audiences from the sidelines. Ken just did a dunk, put the ball in the ring. The man smiled at her. He returned his smile and gave a thumbs up.

...****...

Maisa walked back and forth in her room. The message sent to Jain and Kiki has not been answered. He tried calling but his second number was off. Whether their cell phone battery runs out or is deliberately turned off. It's not funny to prank a friend like this.

Mr. Chandra watches the television news in the living room while drinking coffee. Beside him, Kio was reading a magazine. Mr. Chandra occasionally asks about college. Kio simply answered. His attention was drawn to the latest news.

Lucky accident on Cawang highway. A truck suspected of brake blong hit several vehicles right at a red light. Five people were pronounced dead, one critically, and thirteen were lightly injured.

I heard the sound of glass breaking. Mr. Chandra and Kio turned to the source of the voice. Maisa stood up with trembling hands. A red hue drained from his face.

“Ma-sorry,” said nervously.

Maisa picked up the broken glass in a hurry. Accidentally a piece of glass stuck in his hand. He complained quietly because he did not want to disturb Kio and his father.

His blood was pouring down the floor. Maisa tried to stop him. He scrunched his face withstanding the pain. Bi Tari came in a hurry after hearing the commotion in the living room.

“Aduh, Non. Why is there so much blood? Aunty get me some medicine.”

“It's okay, Bi. Most of his blood came out for a moment.”

“However? It's a lot of blood."

Kio immediately approached Maisa. Interestingly sitting on a chair. Blood was pouring out on his palm. Bi Tari came carrying a medicine box.

“Bi Dance please clean the glass shards. Let Maisa I take care of.”

Bi Tari nodded. He immediately cleaned the glass and the blood flowing on the floor.

Kio took out a few sheets of tissue to suppress the flowing blood. He took the ethanol and poured it into Maisa's hand. Maisa bit her lips in pain. Kio quickly slashed Maisa's injured hand.

“Other times use plastic cups, more simple. Bring a glass alone can not," his grunts nagged the girl.

Maisa smiled, glad that Kio was worried about her. He was trying to find information about the accident. I can only pray and hope that my two friends are okay.