The Sun Becomes a Star

Finally

Aaron drove me home, painstakingly taking my bike from the trunk, wanting to show that he was a strong man. That guy moved me. In times like this, he wanted to support me and was unwilling to be one of my current burdens.

Aaron took my bike home. This was the first time he had come to my house, after only the story about him had come to Papa. I'm a bit uneasy as well actually, having to introduce him directly to Papa in this not-so-fun situation. But according to Aaron's story, he met Papa at the hospital earlier. My bad taste is reduced a little.

Papa's motorcycle is still in the yard. That means Papa's not working today. Aaron pushed my bike into the house and at the end of the street I saw Ms. Claudia flexing her head. Surely he wants to know what happened, then tell each event in detail to everyone who visited his store. Maybe he's better suited to be a reporter like Papa. But not so much like Papa, maybe a gossip news reporter.

I went into the house and saw the woman still there, sitting in the living room and her suitcase was still there. Papa sat in front of him. I doubt – hesitate to enter my own house. It felt very awkward and uncomfortable to have to meet the woman again. My life with Papa is good – is fine. I don't even need him in my life. It's too late for him to come into my life now. I don't need that woman.

Aaron seems to see my doubt – doubt.  I stopped at my door and tried to decide whether or not I would go in, or I would go again. Aaron took my hand and took me in. This guy seems to have his own magical powers on me. As if – will only obey what he said, well not all of it anyway. But right now I feel like I'm going to do what he tells me to do, in a situation like this.

“Papa,” I said, then sit on the long sofa next to Papa's chair. Aaron followed sitting beside me. I squeezed his hand. I saw the woman who called herself my mother begin to shed tears.

“May,” Papa's voice vibrates. It seems like Papa is also holding back tears. She was crying, I had no problem. But if Papa cries, it's a big deal for me. I don't want – men who are always there for me are sad.

“Papa know that now is a very difficult time for you. Papa met Aaron and Papa knows what happened to him yesterday. Papa is a little disappointed with you, why didn't you tell Papa this?”

I tried to regulate my sobs. Aaron stroking – elus my back.

“If Papa knows, then I can't date sma Aaron how?” I'm trying to say. Aaron is still stroking – elus on my shoulder but his head is down. Maybe he's back to feeling guilty.

“Of course Papa won't let you date a drug addict. Every Papa in the world wants the best for his little daughter, right? Then a drug addict?”

Papa's setting his breath. Tears welled up on his face.

“But that was before Papa met Aaron this morning. He promised Papa that he would give you nothing but happiness. That promise reminds Papa of Papa's own promise when you were born May. The promise that Papa made to you. You will get nothing but happiness,” Papa set his breath for a while. The foreigner was still crying. Her crying grew louder as Papa told me about her promise when I was born.

“Of course Papa educated you hard. Happiness in this world must be achieved by hard work. We're not rich people so Papa won't always be able to provide you with material. Papa taught you to be an independent girl so you can be ready to pursue your own happiness,” Papa rubbed his eyes again, Aaron somehow did not stop stroking my shoulder. As if – would, by stroking my back my problems would get lighter. So I took his hand and held it again. Maybe this is the grasp of a thousand today.

“And you young man,” this time Papa spoke to Aaron. “Om this reporter. That's how Om found you today. Om knows who your sister is, where your home is, and where your school is. Once you don't keep the promise you made to Om this morning, Om has a sharp machete that Om will bring to see you when it happens. You understand young man?”

“Good then. But Om saw May happy these past few weeks. That happiness is the happiness that any parent cannot give when their child grows up. For that, Om should thank you”

There was a smile on Aaron's face. He squeezed my hand again and I squeezed it back.

“And now May, Papa understands that it is not easy for you to receive your Mama back. Whatever happened before, both Papa and Mama have their respective responsibilities –. It's not your fault you're completely gone from our lives. Papa has a hand in that too. Papa is guilty too. Papa needs to tell you, your mama won't stay here, we won't go back to the household again. Papa already has his own partner, your mother also has a new family of her own. He just wanted to connect the broken rope. Give him a chance.”  

Then the room was quiet, as quiet as night at Grandma's house.   

“May,” the woman finally made a sound. I still can't see his face.

“Mama knows this is hard, not easy. Mama just want you to give once – once to see you, maybe call once a week. Just to exchange news. Mama won't interfere with your life too much. That's the only chance Mama asked for. How?”

I felt my voice stuck in my throat. I then started to beat – dehem a few times. Then a little cough – cough until Aaron has to take the mineral water on the table and give it to me. I sucked everything out and felt my throat getting comfortable.

“Iya Tan ... Eh .. Ma,” I said awkwardly. I'm the champion of this debate like losing the word – says. I don't know what to say. I tried to remember – remember the public lecture that Trisakti and Jell had given and I don't remember them ever lecturing about talking to Mama who left you a dozen years ago.

The woman then stood up, opening wide – width of her hand. Inevitably I stood up and came to her, taking her arms. When she hugged me, the faint – I vaguely recalled how she hugged me when I was a child first, how she fed food in my mouth and how she put me to sleep. Then a strange feeling arose in me that I admitted that I actually missed him. So I returned his embrace and said,

“Mama.”

Follow me on IG @eveningtea81 for daily quotes, short stories and more! 

Check out other stories written by Eveningtea81 in Noveltoon

1.      Play your guitar, Sophie

2.      The Sun Becomes a Star