The LOVE Of Guardian's

Chapter 43. The Warming Cold

Alfin brought the two bowls of noodles he cooked to the dining table.

"This is my promise." said Alfin put a bowl of noodles in front of Kenanga.

Kenanga was silent for a while while staring at her noodles. He smiled thinly.

"Thank you" he said.

Alfin nodded, "Let's eat."

Alfin and Kenanga each started eating.

"What are you working on?" tanya Kenanga watches Alfin's laptop still on.

Alfin stopped eating, "Ah, I'm making a medical report."

Kenanga nodded in understanding.

They went back to eating and the conversation just stopped. Five minutes later, they finished eating. All that remains is an empty bowl.

"I wash first" said Alfin directly bring his bowl and Kenanga bowl to the sink. The sound of tap water on.

Kenanga waited silently in the chair, after which Alfin returned as soon as he finished washing the bowl.

"Alfin, tell me about your lover." chirped Kenanga without further ado.

Alfin who had just sat down, was immediately shocked. "Huh?"

"I want to know especially about his life in Spain."

Kenanga needs to investigate and ascertain whether Alfin's lover in question the canned letter belongs to Rizal.

"Syafira's life is just plain there. His activities are just studying, painting and drinking coffee in the cafe. That's his daily routine. But why did you ask? Or is brother starting to consider cooperating with me investigating Miracle?"

Kenanga sighed, "Only in your mind. My decision has not changed." he said.

Alfin snorted small.

"Have your lover ever followed some sort of organization in his neighborhood?"

Alfin shook his head, "Know I don't. Syafira had only ever attended art organizations on his campus. There's nothing else."

Kenanga was confused. If Syafira only follows one organization that is not even related to Miracle, then how does Syafira know them? Or not Syafira?

***

After a few days of rest, Kenanga began to return to work. She and Alfin had also moved into the man's apartment.

At the headquarters, Kenanga was greeted with the joy of her comrades.

"Welcome, Lieutenant!" screech the five men of the Rajawali Team.

"Thank you guys for visiting me." said Kenanga.

"Of course we are family. Especially next week we can take leave after the mission" said Riko.

"Ah I just remembered. Next week's holiday, we want to go for a walk?" ask Panji.

"That's a great idea. How's captain?" Dani asked with excitement.

Bagas nodded in agreement, "Sure, let's drive."

"Yeah!" cheer them.

"We can drive and camp on the beach, how?" angga Suaran.

"Of course, you can also bring your family. As well as strengthening the relationship between friends." timpal Bagas.

"Imagining it just makes my dimples deeper" said Angga happy. The other members laughed.

"Oh yes, Lieutenant, take Doctor Siska with you" Dani said.

"Why?" ask Kenanga.

"Of course so Dani can pedekate." Panji chirps invite everyone's laughter. Dani blushes in shame.

"If that's your intention, I have to say, unfortunately Siska already has a boyfriend." said Kenanga.

Kenanga's words made Dani freeze in surprise. "Do you have a boyfriend?" ask him with an incredulous look.

Kenanga nodded, "He's back with Satya."

All the members immediately looked pityfully at Dani.

"So you still want to take Siska?" ask Kenanga carefully.

Dani smiled brightly, "Take it. More people" he said, pretending to be ordinary.

"Yes already." nods Kenanga.

"Oh yes Lieutenant, you take Doctor Alfin with you." chirped Angga.

Kenanga glared sharply but Angga pretended not to care.

"Right, Doctor Alfin once helped us on our mission. He even saved the Lieutenant when he was at the top." Riko timpal.

Kenanga let out a rude sigh, she was really annoyed at Angga for constantly bringing Alfin up in front of their comrades.

"Can. Oh yeah but how do I take her?" ask Bagas.

"If that leave it to Lieutenant Kenanga." said Angga grinning.

Kenanga flinched, "I?"

Angga nodded, "Among all of us who have the closest relationship with Doctor Alfin is you. "

"The closest relationship?" press Kenanga.

Angga gasped, he immediately corrected his point.

"I mean, Doctor Alfin once saved the Lieutenant. So the one who has the right to bring her here is you."

"OK." nods Kenanga resignedly.

"Eh but what about single ones? Our time does not bring the coupling, it is not fair later." Panji protest suddenly.

Everyone immediately looked at the two sergeant with a pitiful look.

"Why look at me like that?" ask Panji confused.

"What can be done, singles can only bite their fingers" said Angga pat Panji on the shoulder.

Beside Panji, there was Angga who nodded in agreement.

***

In the evening, Kenanga had just returned from headquarters. But when she was about to open the shoes, her phone rang. Kenanga frowned looking at a line of unknown numbers calling out to her. Then his mind went to Rizal. Kenanga immediately accepted it.

Kenanga did not open her voice, let her interlocutor, speak first.

"Hello, Kenanga. It's me." It's me."

Kenanga was still silent, even though her voice was like Rizal but she had to remain vigilant.

"When you came to the hospital, what color sheets did I wear?"

There's no answer there. Kenanga scrunched her forehead.

"The sky blue color with white lace accents is like a cloud."

Kenanga sighed in relief. Answer's right.

"Your observations are still amazing." praise Kenanga.

"As a retired soldier, of course I must maintain my sharp eyesight."

"Where are you now?"

"In a small modest house on the outskirts of Jakarta. Very calm and safe."

"You're alone?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"Where are your wife and children?"

"They're at home. They have nothing to do with this. They'll be safe. I've assigned guards to protect them."

"good. I understand."

"Oh yeah honestly I called you because there's something I want to tell you."

"What's wrong?"

"I met a soldier in a hospital parking lot and somehow I felt that something was wrong with him. He's not like most other soldiers."

"Who?"

"That's it, I don't know. Because before I met him, I got a threatening message."

"Message threat?"

"really. It says that he will kill me for daring to divulge what happened ten years ago to you."

Kenanga. The pattern was not the same as the other Miracle victims who were instantly killed without any prior warning.

"It's been too late. You better get some rest. I won't bother you anymore."

"Alright, call me if there's anything. I'll also ask people to check your family's condition periodically."

Kenanga smiled faintly, "Good night."

Kenanga closed her phone. But then he started calling someone.

"Help me guard Colonel Rizal's neighborhood."

***

Alfin was sleeping in his room. But his peaceful sleep must be forced to end because of heavy rain accompanied by lights off.

"Sh." shh." Alfin grimaced in his dream. He returned to having nightmares for the umpteenth time.

Her dream was still Syafira but now her lover was wearing a crumpled white dress, in her mouth came out white foam. Syafira was floundering on the cold hardwood floor, dying with her eyes glaring. Then, Syafira did not move anymore.

But a second after, Syafira's eyes suddenly opened wide.

"Let'soo!" alfin screamed while waking up. Breath gasping. Again and again.

Brakes

The door of the man's room was opened violently by Kenanga who was shocked to hear Alfin's cry.

"What's going on?" panicked shouting.

Alfin did not reply, his face paled.

"You okay?" tanya Kenanga approached Alfin. The woman was carrying a half-living candle.

"You had a bad dream?" ask Kenanga again.

"Did the light die?" ask Alfin slowly.

Kenanga nodded her head, "You don't realize it's dark around you?"

Alfin did not answer again.

"I'll get you some water." concluded Kenanga. But as soon as he was about to leave, his hand was blocked by Alfin.

"Don't go."

"I just want to go to the kitchen to bring you some water" Kenanga explained.

"Stay here." said Alfin pulled Kenanga's hand until it fell to his side.

Kenanga was surprised by Alfin's actions. He looked at the man, "What are you doing?"

Alfin looked at Kenanga until they looked at each other, "For tonight, please don't leave me. Accompany me." she asked.

Kenanga fell silent at Alfin's unexpected request.

"Why?" tanyakanya. Alfin is an adult, no need for company. But could Alfin have a dark phobia?

"You have a dark phobia?" guess it. Alfin shakes.

"Then why? You're an adult, just because the power's off until you have to be accompanied. Just go to sleep, it will also turn back on" said Kenanga to wake up. "I left the candle for you. If it's not bright, I'll get a flashlight." he continued walking away.

"Since three years ago, I've never slept well again."

Kenanga stopped her steps as soon as Alfin's voice sounded.

"I always had a bad dream. To fall asleep, I need sleeping pills. But one day I can fall asleep without the need to take sleeping pills. Do you know when that happened?" asked Alfin staring

Kenanas.

Kenanga turned, "Don't know." she replied.

"That's when I was taking care of my sister all night, I unknowingly fell asleep and woke up when it was morning."

Kenanga snorted, "You just have to say that I have to return the favor because you've taken care of me twice."

"I didn't say that. But if you think of it that way, yes."

Kenanga let out a rough sigh, she walked over to Alfin back.

"OK, tell me what should I do?" tanyanya.

Alfin patted the side of his bed. Kenanga scrunched her forehead, "You mean I have to sleep here? With you?"

Alfin nodded.

"You're crazy!" kenanga Sentak.

"Then you sleep on the couch. But it doesn't feel good to let a woman sleep on the couch instead of in the bed."

"Then you're the one sleeping on the couch."

"It could be but this is my room. When the owner slept on the couch?"

Kenanga clucked, "Then in my room only. I'm the owner, you can sleep on the couch." said Kenanga.

Alfin shook his head, "I'm just comfortable in my own place." she declined.

Kenanga was at a loss for words. "What do you really want?"

"So I slept here. Beres." alfin casually said.

"Alfin, I know we're married. But you said yourself that we should stay in separate rooms first. Now you want to lick your own spit?"

Alfin was silent for a moment, "I think I once said it but sleeping together this time was just a mere big brother helping me. I realized that I was going to fall asleep next to you."

"You haphazardly concluded." Kenanga.

"I just want to ask for help anyway. For 1,094 days I could not sleep well. I only have one day to fall asleep. If you're afraid we're not just gonna 'sleep' I don't have a problem. I will stay up tonight." Alfin said in a sad tone.

"Wait, what do you mean by not just going to sleep ?" sela Kenanga's.

"I think the reason you don't want to is that you are afraid that you are crossing a line when in reality you are not. Brother can leave once I've fallen asleep."

"Who thinks like that? I don't." said Kenanga.

"Then, "Alfin patted his bed again, "Help me to sleep, just once." please.

Kenanga sighed softly, "You little brother who has a lot of will." she decreed.

Kenanga. He finally laid his body beside Alfin. They lay far enough away.

"Say, after this what?" ask Kenanga.

"Read me a story or sing. Which makes me fall asleep fast."

"You want a lot." commented Kenanga. But even so, he obeyed one of them.

"I'll just tell you."

Alfin nodded in spirit, he fixed his sleeping position to be more comfortable.

"Have you ever heard of the Fire Matchmaker Girl? It's a short story by Hans Christian Andreson."

Alfin nodded his head.

"My mother used to tell this story but with a different storyline. He said the original story was too sad that he changed the storyline to be happier."

"I want to listen to it" Alfin said.

Kenanga nodded, "In a story, there was a poor girl who lived in a rickety hut on the outskirts of town. Each night was snowy, his hut was filled with a deadly cold air. She lives with her grandmother who is a hot porridge seller in the middle of town. So every winter night, his grandmother went peddling his wares to the middle of town. Leaving the girl alone in their rickety hut."

"Wait, isn't this still sad?" sela Alfin interrupted.

Kenanga clucked softly, she covered Alfin's face with a blanket. "Listen first." she said.

Alfin nodded his head. He lowered the blanket that covered his face and refocused on listening to Kenanga tell a story.

"One day, a fairy came to her dream. The elf told the little girl that as long as the matchstick remained full in the box, the girl was allowed to say one wish."

"Then the grandmother went home and in her hand there was a box of matches containing fifteen matches. The little girl remembered the fairy's words so when her grandmother ordered her to light a candle, the little girl refused."

"Even when persuaded several times, the little girl continued to refuse to say that the match should not be burned a single stick. As the night goes up, the air gets colder. They could not sleep, continuing to fight with the cold air of the snowy season. When her grandmother persuaded her to light a matchstick, the girl continued to resist and was firm with her decision. Until one day, my grandmother was not strong. He's shivering great. The girl panicked and did not know what to do. The only solution was to light a furnace but that meant he had to light a match. The girl still doesn't want to. But if not, then her grandmother would suffer from the cold. He tripped two choices."

"What will he choose?" ask Alfin curiously.

"The girl ultimately put forward her conscience rather than her ego. He quickly lit a match and put it on the stove. The furnace was immediately lit. Their huts are warm again. Grandma's condition is better."

The story continued but Alfin was already beginning to get sleepy.

"The girl was very sad because she had failed. But she also remains happy that her grandmother's life could be saved."

Right after that, Alfin was already fast asleep.

But Kenanga did not know that, she was cool in telling stories because she started living it.

"He thinks he failed but he didn't. The elf came back through a dream, and said that the little girl had succeeded. He put his heart forward more than his ego won the prize. The elf said that tomorrow, they would get a good gift. The gift the little girl wanted."

"And the next day, the girl woke up. But when he woke up he was in a warm and comfortable room. Apparently it was his wish, having a warm house despite being on a snowy night. And it was only realized that all the events he experienced were just a dream. He fell into a coma and finally woke up. After that he started a loving life in the middle of his family."

"Don't you think it's a beautiful story?" tanya Kenanga looked at her side.

But Alfin who he asked had been asleep since. Kenanga was stunned with Alfin's innocent face. Now Kenanga realized the truth of Alfin's words. From his look, he realized that Alfin had never slept well.

Kenanga smiled faintly, "Good night." she whispered. After that he got up from Alfin's bed and exited the room carefully.

Blams

As soon as the door was closed quietly by Kenanga, the half candle that Kenanga had brought was dead. But Alfin didn't wake up again. The man was still peacefully closed with the biggest smile.

On this cold night, Alfin's room still remains warm thanks to Kenanga's story.