The Unconsidered Bungsu

CHAPTER 17 Losing the Spirit

"Aira....Aira's... " Something patted my cheek. It also smells of eucalyptus oil. I slowly opened my eyes. I saw Nia's father and father sitting next to my bed. Dad patted me on the cheek earlier and Nia put eucalyptus oil on my nose. Mom is taking a shower as she prepares to go to the food stall.

" Mom's not just off Mom, not good with her family Widi," suggested the father. I'm still lying in bed. My head still feels dizzy.

" Mom cooked yesterday, Dad. After all, we don't know them very well. Aira just got along after the Agustusan event." Mom gave her reason to keep her stall open.

"But it's not good with the other neighbors, ma'am. If the cooking can be heated later in the afternoon. Usually so." I'm still trying to persuade mom.

" There is Aira. Dad will also be sorry.

Bayu even since dawn was already there." Mother remained firm.

"Mother will also not be sorry but later in the afternoon after returning from the food stall. I'll be home early" she continued.

I don't respond to mom anymore. That's how my mom is.

Always be determined by your own will. Father who often relented to avoid the storm.

But I think mom has a point. We are not very familiar with the Widi family. In addition to our homes far apart, mothers also rarely meet because from morning to night in the stall.

Except for the close neighbors. Just like me.

" Are you ready yet Nia? we've been bad luck."

Mom called Nia's mom who was still in the room. I usually leave at 6:00 in the morning. It's 6:15 now. Ma'am Nia came out of the room.

" It's Buk, come on," he asked. They also went to the market.

Dad came to me in the room. I try to get up and sit back.

"Still dizzy, son ?" Dad touched my head.

" If you are still sick, do not try to get up. Sleep in the room first," Dad suggested.

"No Dad. I have to go to Widi's house. Want to see him for the last time." I started sobbing.

" Yes already. Now eat first and take medicine. Just later to Widi's house," she asked as she stroked my hair. But I have no desire to eat. This chest and stomach don't taste good. My body is weak but I have to be strong.

" Dad left first yes son, you do not forget to take medicine.But eat first, at least the stomach must fill."

I reminded again. He also went out to the funeral home. I went to the kitchen to make some warm tea. I looked for the headache medicine in the medicine box and took the bread on the dinner table

I ate a little to fill my stomach. Just swallowing it feels hard.

After taking the medicine I took a shower and got ready.

My HP reads, there's a phone call from Eva. It's still in Jogja.

[Bestie, I got word from mom, she said Widi died. You are patient]

[Hiks. hiks. yes Va. Earlier this morning your father announced it at the musholla, huu.

[Sstt... already do not cry continuously.you must be strong, must be sincere. Do'ain Widi hicks.. ]

[You're also crying. huuu].

[I caught you huuu.u.u.nya do not cry anymore huuu]

[Hiks... ]

[Yes, you have to be strong. ]

Eva shut the phone. I wiped my tears as I got out of the chair. No one came out yet knocking on the door.

Tok tok !

I opened the door and saw Mira and the Goddess.

The two of them had been to the art scene with me yesterday.

" Airaaa ! " They ran towards me and hugged me. Just like mom and mom Nia this morning. I came back crying. They both cried too.

" Airaaa, that's stoic huh. May Widi be received by His side" said Mira. " Aamiyen."

" It's yuk ! we're going to Widi's house. I've been waiting for the others." The goddess invites us to go to the funeral home immediately.

Arriving at the venue, many guests arrived. The neighbors of both parents and teenagers almost all come. Guests from outside RW are also numerous. No wonder so many people are disappointed because the dead are young. Moreover, recently Widi participated in the art stage.So still memorized the neighbors and also other RW residents.

When I was about to get inside a lot of people were staring at me. Someone throws a smile some whisper. A mother approached me and said, "Pity you deck. Just a month you're close to the deceased huh."

I tried to smile. But I didn't stop myself from shedding tears. Mira and Dewi took my hand and invited me in. There's her mom and sister2 Widi sitting on the carpet. I'm headed to the big table where Widi's body was buried. I opened the cloth that covered it. I looked deeply and shed tears.

I approached Widi's mother and endured it. He hugged me and cried.

" You're Widi's best friend, huh? Forgive Widi for not being able to accompany you again... "

He said to me. I shook my head.

" No ma'am, Widi wasn't wrong. I apologize for not being able to accompany Widi at the last moment."

I answered while crying. Mira and the Goddess rubbed my shoulders.

" Aira, already. Let's sit.." I was sitting a little far from Widi's mother. Not good because there are many families that I do not know.

After a few hours Widi's body is ready to be buried. I took him to his final rest.

' Goodbye Widi, please,

even if you leave, I still remember you.

_________

After the funeral I got home immediately took water ablution. I'm refreshingly. I brought Widi's name to my prayer.

I closed my eyes to remember our only 1 month togetherness.

" Aira, are you home, son?" It turns out that dad just came home too.

" It's Dad, just now." I folded mukena.

" Oh yeah. You have not eaten yet. If not now we eat together yuk !" take dad.

I'm shaking. " Aira's not hungry, Dad. I'm going to the market." I picked up the sling bag and rushed out.

Until my HP gate rings. There is WA from Mbak Murni. Jesus ! I just remembered. I haven't told the school yet. I opened WA from Mbak Murni.

[Aira, this morning I didn't go to school.

I'm not telling you ]

[Yes sorry 🙏. I forgot I was in total shock ]

[Shock why.you are good2 only ]

[ Widi died mbak 😭😭 ]

[ Innalilahi wainna ilaihi rojiun

sorry to hear. 🙏 may husnul khotimah 🤲 ]

[aamiin thanks mbak 🙏 ]

[Tomorrow you don't have to go in. It's nothing. Later let mbak who ask permission same mom Diyah ]

[ Yes Ma'am..🙏 ]

I ended the chat with Mbak Murni. HP I put in a sling bag. Some of the mourners who had just returned were seen passing through the front of the gate. There are also villagers from outside who stop to wait for the angkot. Maak Tutik also just wanted to enter his house.

" aira ! Come along to mourn. You are stoic, sincere, just pray Widi may husnul khotimah."

She hugged me. Back these eyes glazed.

" Thank you Ma'am" I replied softly.

" Where are you going now? don't go to the market to rest at home." Ma'am Tutik gave advice.

" If at home there are no friends later I'm more sad Ma'am. Mending to the market who knows is somewhat amused by the atmosphere."

Ma'am Tutik nodded. "Yes, be careful" he said. I smiled thinly.

Angkot's coming, I'm getting on. Arriving at the stall, my mother greeted me with a smile.

" I don't think you're going here. You're fine, '" asked the mother. I nodded my head.

Sister Sri greeted me and said condolences. "Thank you" I replied softly.

" Have not eaten yet. If you haven't eaten yet. Want the same thighs or chicken heads?" mom got me some rice and side dishes. I'm shaking. "Aira's not hungry."

I went into the kitchen and got a drink. Then Wiwit came in. He hugged me from behind. "I'm sorry for Aira" he said.

I looked at him. " Thank you Wiwit" I said and tried to smile. No tears this melts back.

" You must be strong, strong, not weak. Now you eat yes. Just a little." Mrs Wiwit asked for a plate of rice that was still held by her mother.

" Eat Aira, you'll get sick. Or do you want a bribe? " the door. I keep shaking my head. Ma'am Wiwit put the plate on the table.

"Yes, but will it be eaten?" doors again.

I nodded, then busied myself in the kitchen. I turned the radio over the small closet. But the songs remind me of Widi.

Nia's mom came in with Joni. Mother called. They whispered like they were talking about something. I don't want to know.

I turned on the faucet in the sink even though all the laundry had been done mbak Sri. The water kept on lighting and I held it by hand until how long I didn't know. My mind floated considering Widi. I was with him for a month. There is a bit of regret because at that time I still doubt his feelings.

After he left I realized I liked him too. But I've lost him.

Widi.... Why did you leave me ?

He said you wanted to keep looking at me, hear my voice...

" Good God Aira ! what are you doing ? why is the water allowed to flow ?" Suddenly there was a voice that broke my daydream.

Ma'am Nia immediately turned the water faucet. Joni and Mom also came in. My mother hugged me and cried.

" What's going on with you, son? " snake mom.

I just kept quiet. I don't know what to say. Mom took me to sit.

" Joni, how is this Aira ?" I panicked and was still crying.

" Later me and Nia will be there Mom." Joni said something. I don't know what they're talking about.

I just sat staring at the table

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to be continue gaees. tetep vote like and comments let the author spirit.