THE MENTARY FOR THE ESTUARY

CHAPTER 12, ONE STORY LEFT BEHIND

- Pov Ganesh

I, Ganesha Dwi Pradana. I'm 17 years old. I was born different, but I don't care. I have two older sisters, but the nature of both is very, very different. First of all, her name is Lisa Aprilia, she's my oldest sister. His man is selfish, he wants to win by himself, and he's the golden boy in the family. My second sister's name is Riana Mentari. Her name is beautiful, as pretty as her man. At least that's what I know from people. But I believe it, because it turns out, Madam Riana is indeed as beautiful as that.

Compared to my other sister, Madam Riana is a person who cares a lot about me, although, you could say, the way she educates me is a bit harder, maybe because I am the only boy in the family, visually impaired as well.

Like I said, I'm three brothers, and my two sisters are all women. But, I was closest to Madam Riana since childhood. She was an older sister who taught me many things, including how to be strong, and how to survive in harsh places and environments.

But three years ago was the hardest time of my life. A year after Mama's departure, Riri's mother also left, because she didn't fit in with dad. I know, they've been fighting a lot since. But what I don't know is, that night Riri brushed her cares away from me. He actually left, even though it was raining very heavily at that time. He was also truly heart-breaking, it seemed to be in vain all my efforts to prevent him from leaving. On that rainy night, holding back tears, I finally let her drive in a taxi, carrying all her belongings from her pink room, leaving behind a closet, table, and bed, it left a blank and hollow trail in almost every corner of his room. That night, while still holding back tears, I closed all the doors and windows, then locked them. Not to forget, in my heart, I threw a million blasphemies with the entire top collection of the rant vocabulary I had to father. And Madam Riri... I'm sorry, because in the end, I blasphemed and sued him as well. I was so disappointed at the time, and had set myself up to never forgive him again.

***

And here at the Lova Hotel, right now, when I was at the writing seminar held by Narendra Abhimanyu (a musician, writer, and blind teacher) with my schoolmates, the bad luck I got when I accidentally tripped and hit the table. Back then, there was a pair of hands that pulled me to stand. And what I didn't expect, it was a woman's hand. And it seems, that woman is someone I know, what else when she questions about my condition after falling. It's just that, since I'm not so sure and believe, I don't dare guess who he is. I was afraid that I would misidentify people. Anyway I thought, where could he be (Mbak Riri), remember me?

“Ga-Ganesh..” And as soon as my name was mentioned, I became more and more convinced that it was him. But I was too afraid to guess, again, I was still afraid of mistakenly recognizing others as my brother. Had I been able to see, it might not have been this difficult.

“Dek... I-This is mbak, dek, this is Mbak Riri..”. Thank God, I was right! But...

“Mbak... Just then. Iki I dreamt of tah i?” my many. I could hardly believe it when I heard the girl say her name, with the same shock as me. Riri's mom pulled me into her arms.

“Iya, really, the perfume is the same..” I said, which is still tightly stuck in his arms. A hug I've missed for so long. And in this way, how could I not forgive and continue to avoid her? But I guess now's not a good time for me to miss him. I need to find out where my school group is. The show will also begin soon.

“Let's talk again ya mbak, I found my school group first,” I said.

“The variety is like this all right? Anter ma'am yes, they're over there tuh.” Tawar Mbak Riana pointed at something. Maybe that's where my school group is.

“Iya, please mbak,” I agree so enthusiastically. And with pride, I introduce my beautiful sister to my schoolmates.

***

After the writing seminar I attended, I heard there was a commotion in the ballroom. I heard someone shout my brother's name so loudly. And I just found out that it's her ex-boyfriend. I was about to come forward and defend my sister as soon as the crazy guy from the bar-bar started spying on my beloved sister, calling her a cheap girl, and more. I feel like I'd really like to come forward and beat up that brash guy. But Vishnu held my hand, telling me to stay still and listen.

“Don't be rash, Nesh, we don't know the situation,” Vishnu said.

“But that's my sister... She was flanked earlier, Nu?” tanyaku. I made Vishnu my substitute for my eyes, because he saw in detail what happened.

“Kakak... Brother Lo was snapped earlier,” said Vishnu timidly. Whahuh? Grrr... I'm getting madder at him.

“Nu, cook us in them like gini anyway? Check something dong!” emotional mine.

“Gue also wants Nesh, but the risk is too big.” said Vishnu despair.

“Call the officer what? People like this should be guaranteed!”

“Eh, that was the mas who was the speaker why enter the battle arena? Does she know your sister?” ask Vishnu wonder.

“Iya... Is it safe approximately? Call security now tah?” ask Vishnu to worry.

“Bent... I think it will end in a draw. Lu inget right, if Mas Abhi says he can martial arts?” my many.

“Iya anyway, but sorry, instead of the condition he is the same as lo, yes?”

“Yes, Damn it, I am the one who cannot defend myself, cannot protect Mbak Riri..” my protest. Vishnu silently did not respond. But from the moves I could catch, it seemed like she was as scared as me.

“Eh, lah, why is he even fighting the same other guy? Brother lo I think has run call the officer deh!” exclaim Vishnu as reflexes forward. I followed his steps. This is a good time for us – me and Vishnu help Mas Abhi, this is one of the many efforts that exist to at least help protect and save Mbak Riri.

***

“Mas Abhi!” we compact hunt towards the guy who was already overwhelmed because he was beaten by the guy bar-bar. At first I thought their strength was a draw, apparently not. Vishnu and I immediately approached the wounded Mas Abhi.

“Mas... Is it papa?” I asked him to help him get up.

“I'm not papa... But Riana how?” tanyakanya.

“He called security and secured the man, and he was my brother, mas,” I said.

“Sek tah, this Ganesh means yes?” ask Mas Abhi.

“Iya mas, this Ganesh..”

“Riana is your sister, yes?” tanyakanya.

“Yes, Mas Abhi. You know where?” many wonder.

“We met him on facebook, and you are on his friendship list and on the list of family members there is also you as his younger brother. Continues, the conversation on the beach this afternoon as well, he told.” explained Mas Abhi.

“Yes, don't talk about it first. Is it papa?” ask me one more time.

“No papa-no papa, this safe, now the most important thing is mbakmu, pity he is roughed up as his ex is like that...” said Mas Abhi while patting his clothes that might be tangled because of the fight earlier.

“It looks like Mbak Riri has been taken to another room with employees here, maybe to be treated. Now, let's go upstairs, to the room. Mas Abhi on what floor?” my many.

“I'm on the 5th floor. You?”

“Floor 6. No papa, come together. Gandengen, Nu, sakno Mas Abhi,” I said. Vishnu. And the three of us immediately left the ballroom, and went towards the elevator, to go up to our respective rooms, while harboring worries to Madam Riana who disappeared suddenly.

(BBC).