The Ours In Another Story
11. As Love Jevan
Finished drinking, he put the empty bottle away and left Monika who was finishing her activities. Jevan stepped closer to his daughter, who had fallen asleep in a mattress held in the tv room. Jevan corrected Nafiza's favorite rabbit blanket position so that she did not get cold then Jevan threw himself beside her daughter who had fallen asleep, she saw how the peaceful face of Nafiza slept hugging a stuffed rabbit gift from Akung Dirga when she was 1 year old.
Nafiza had moved violently but soon calmed down because she got a soft clap from her Papa. Seeing his daughter's face made Jevan remember the doctor's message to him earlier. The doctor says if they want to have a second child they both have to be ready with all the risks. Not only physical but also mental. Even doctors have delivered the worst-case scenario.
Jevan actually does not want to force, he does want it but if Rere is not able he also will not ask. Jevan once took Nafiza to a psychologist because she was worried about her daughter's mental development and the psychologist suggested that Nafiza soon have siblings so that the child can learn to be responsible and have confidence. Jevan breathed a rough sigh. His right hand did not stop patting Nafiza's rather fussy back. It seemed like the effect of him falling asleep without seeing both of his parents come home earlier.
Not long after, Nafiza cried and made Jevan forced to carry her away so as not to wake the others. He walked to the porch, fondling Nafiza wholeheartedly for the boy to go back to sleep. He also made milk for the thirsty Nafiza. Jevan still holds his daughter sitting on the porch sofa until Jovan follows sitting there while carrying a plate of instant noodles sauce in his right hand and warm tea in his left hand.
“Udah almost middle malem gini you eat Jo noodles?” jevan asked, breaking the silence.
“Hmm, the laper is out overtime squeezing the brain,” Jovan said as he stuffed a spoonful of noodles into his mouth.
Jevan just smiled then refocused on Nafiza who started to fall asleep again. He still faithfully patted his sleeping daughter covered in cold sweat. Sometimes he kissed his daughter's forehead to make her feel comfortable. No matter Nafiza is big and heavy, Jevan will always be ready to pet her because in the eyes of Jevan Nafiza will remain her little girl until anytime. Jevan was a little worried about his daughter because her body temperature was also slightly raised, but luckily not to the point of fever.
“Nafiza sick?” ask Jovan who just finished his meal.
“Kenya ketpekan play,” Jevan replied while wiping the sweat of Nafiza.
“I've never seen you behave this way with someone Je,” said Jovan.
“What does that mean? Naturally I love my wife's child?”
“Alah. Nyesel I muji,” said Jovan.
“But actually lo Je, someone dear yes you same Rere Nafiza?” ask Jovan prank.
“Hmm, more than my own life.”
Jevan's daydreams drifted considering what struggle Rere gave birth to first. It's been 3 days Rere's had a fever. He said he was haunted by something. But this time not with his mother. He is haunted by Jevan's death. He said he always saw Jevan go. Often wakes up in the middle of the night and cries in his sleep as well. That same morning, Rere woke up from a jerk. He saw Jevan go, again. What worries her is not just Rere's nightmares, but her fears after hearing a doctor's diagnosis last week.
“Mas Jev, don't go..” said Rere while crying when he saw Jevan would move from his side.
“I'm not going anywhere, I'm here. Do not cry Reva,” said Jevan while hugging her beautiful who still continues to cry so hysterically. For more than two hours they stayed in that position. Rere had absolutely no intention of letting go of his embrace. He was too scared to control his own body. Lucky Mama Tiwi who seemed to get a bad feeling came to visit. Mama puts the infusion on Rere's left hand and Jevan covers it with a cloth, at least Rere won't see the needle go through his skin.
Lunch is past, but Rere hasn't woken up yet. Not only Rere but Jevan ended up getting sick as well. His head has been feeling faint since yesterday. It seemed like the effects of not sleeping for a few nights and his so many and urgent thoughts made his head throb unruly. He searches for the P3K box that Rere always keeps on the table shelf but closes it immediately because he doesn't find what he's looking for.
“Jev, since when is Rere rich?” ask Mama.
“3 days ago, it's the fourth day,” Jevan said as he dropped himself on the chair.
“Ma, seriously ask. Is he really okay or not?” ask Jevan.
“You've taken him to the doctor?”
“But not yet and not yet able to. He saw that needles could be hysterical let alone get to Ma?” hospital
"Duh, where's the condition she's in again stressed out as well. Mama's worried about your wife" said Mama. Hearing Mama's words also made Jevan speechless and downcast because he himself also had no way out of this problem. When she asked her mother she got nothing.
“Jevan..., Jevando..” Rere yells to make Jevan immediately run into the room.
When he came in, he found Rere whimpering in so much pain. Rere was also frightened until his entire body was tense and his breathing was short. Lucky Mama's response was quick, so Rere could be immediately taken with an ambulance. Rere's hand continued to hold Jevan's hand, getting tighter and more painful as the pain continued to torment him.
Rere continued to hold Jevan's hand when the ambulance carrying Rere reached the ER. The doctor tried to check on him but it was difficult because Jevan was still there. He was unable to let go of his wife's tight, stiff hand so that to let go he needed the help of a doctor who helped him. Once detached, Jevan's finger felt throbbing and was very painful when moved. Jevan's hand was sprained, due to Rere's grip that was too tight to make Mama Tiwi ask a doctor to examine it as well while Mama helped check Rere's condition that had seizures.
“Are you not dr. Tiwi?” said the doctor who handled Rere.
“Yes, the one you checked is my son-in-law. How's it going?” tiwi asked the doctor who was examining Rere.
