The Horizon Boundaries

Ch. 79 Return to the City

The sound of birds chirping perched on the branches of mango trees. A thread of dew on the shoots of dripping leaves fell to the ground. Maisa is still on her stomach, struggling with her dreams. A blanket covered his feet. Next to his hand hugged the roll.

The phone rang his ear drum. He opened his eyes. His hand reached for the cell phone at the small table beside his bed. His attitude refused to pick up the phone.

This hour still sleeping, Nduk? Comeup! Is not ashamed of the same mbah you have woken up early.

The familiar nagging in his ear from a grandmother across the phone. Maisa woke up from her sleep. He laughed restrainedly. Her fingers tidied up her messy hair.

When are you going to Paris, Nduk?

The girl's tail glanced at the calendar on the table. There was a red circle he made a few days ago. "Next week, Grandma."

Then, the road to Jogja first before leaving. You kangen want to meet.

Maisa could not help her smile. He had not seen his grandfather and nenenk for a long time. "Then I'll go to Jogja the day after tomorrow, Grandma."

Don't rush, yeah. Oh yeah, where's your dad. The phone did not get picked up.

"Attent, Grandma. Maisa find it first."

Maisa rushed out of the room, down the stairs and straight to her father's room. There was no reply after knocking on the door a few times. He opened the door, empty no one.

Maisa walked quickly to the back garden. Maybe his father was there. And sure enough, Mr. Chandra is sipping his coffee in the gazebo. His eyes glanced at Maisa who came towards him.

"Pa, there's a call from Grandma." Maisa handed her phone to Chandra. He rushed away, not wanting to eavesdrop on the adult conversation.

How's your relationship with Maisa? Is there progress? If I asked him, he would be fine.

Mr. Chandra just kept quiet not to return his mother's words. I heard a breath from across.

What else are you waiting for. Make up with him, Chandra. Before you regret it. He's your son too.

"Alright, Mom. I'll work on it."

Maisa was struggling in the kitchen slicing three leeks. Beside him were four eggs, a lump of enoki mushrooms, and other ingredients. He wanted to make simple chawan mushi with the ingredients in the refrigerator.

Mr. Chandra went into the kitchen, put his spoons on the dining table. Maisa put down her knife and turned around.

"Pa, tomorrow I want to go to Jogja. Does Papa want to come too?"

"No! You go first. I'll catch up."

"Why? It's not better to go together."

No reply from Chandra sir. His father only gave him a sharp look.

"Did you say something to your grandmother?" Instead of answering questions, Chandra asked him back.

Maisa frowned. "No. Did something happen to Grandma?"

Mr. Chandra still looked at him sharply. Maisa could only ask in her heart where her mistake lay. How many times I thought about it I didn't find the answer.

Kio came in soaked in sweat after a jog of astonishment. The two men came face to face but said nothing. He passed in front of Maisa, taking a bottle of mineral water from the refrigerator.

Mr. Chandra passed by with a sigh. "What the hell am I expecting from the unlucky child," he murmured softly.

Kio glanced at his sister. Maisa responded with a wry smile. It seems like whenever his father still won't accept it. He did not waste his time to be sad. The girl continued cooking.

Kio squeezed the empty bottle of mineral water in his hand and threw it into the trash basket. He walked after his father, found Chandra sitting on the sofa watching television. Several times his father moved the channel.

"Didn't Papa go too far with Maisa?" Kio threw his back onto the sofa.

"What about?" Mr. Chandra did not look at him at all. His hands were still busy looking for the broadcast that caught his attention.

Mr. Chandra just kept quiet. What he was waiting for. His feelings are back on fire. His heart was still heavy to let his wife go.

On the other hand he wanted to forgive the boy. But upon seeing his face, his heart ached reminiscent of his wife again. What came out of his lips were only harsh words. As the boy looked at him with a sad and hurt look, his chest ached.

Kio ruffled his hair, inexhaustible for what his father tortured himself for. There is no harm in lowering the ego. He felt uncomfortable seeing Maisa hurt.

"I hope Papa will make up with Maisa before it's too late."

Kio stood up and passed from the living room, returning to the kitchen. He noticed Maisa sitting facing the stove. The girl placed her head on the back of the chair, waiting for the steamed mushi chawan to mature.

Kio pulled out a chair and sat down beside him. Maisa looked towards him. His hands still faithfully hugged the back of the chair. Both silent.

"What's up, brother? Wanna talk about Mia?" maisa breaks the silence.

"Mia and I are fine."

Maisa beroh ria with mangut-mangut head. "Lusa I'm going to Jogja. Are you guys together?"

Kio tried to think for a moment. "passes! I still have work. If it's a bit loose later follow."

"Oh, okay." Maisa smiled faintly hearing that. He was quite happy his father and Kio wanted to follow him to Jogja.

...****...

So you're going back to Jogja? Time for both of us to be cut off, dong.

Ken's voice was slow, uninspired at the other end of the phone. Maisa could not help but smile. Ken sounded sulky like a child. His eyes looked at the ring on his ring finger.

"I was there for only three days, really," Maisa replied calmly.

Should I come with?

A small laughter broke from the lips of the girl. "No need, brother. Not that you've been busy lately."

Hm.... All right then.

Maisa hung up after talking to Ken for a long time. To take off the kangen that stuck his heart. Under Kio seems to go out on his bike.

The girl closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the breeze from the balcony veranda of her room. She heard the door of her room being knocked. His eyes feel heavy. Dreamland attracts him to visit.

Maisa sees her father crying in her room, holding a picture of him laughing with Ken. His hand slapped Chandra's shoulder but couldn't. He looked at his transparent hands.

Whatisthis? Why are you crying? He never saw his father like that, except when his mother died.

Kio opened the door of his room. His face was as if he had cried. Kio had a fight with his father. It's not like him. Maisa tried to hug Kio, again she just pierced through his body.

"That's what Papa's been hoping for all this time, right? ...."

Kio's voice suddenly disappeared. Whahuh? What Kio said next.

"Well...! Maisa....!"

Maisa's vegetables heard someone calling her. He opened his eyes, opening his eyes several times. His net caught the figure of Mr. Chandra standing beside him.

Maisa got up holding her head. A headache ambushed him. Probably because I slept outside for a long time.

"Come down! There's something I want to talk about," Chandra said immediately passed in front of him.

Maisa frowned. Is he doing any more trouble?