The White Heart Jasmine

Chapter 48 - Thank You for Everything

A week had passed since Elvan remembered him. He still behaves like he did days ago. The goddess returned to Surabaya. Fathers these days are busy in the rice fields because he said the plants got pests, so it must be seen often.

Elvan and Bu Nanik had enough time to talk. Elvan told her what her life was like to Bu Nanik. His family loved each other. How papa and mama struggle to open a business until it succeeds. How does it relate to Azka and Farel. Then how can he date Melati.

Ms. Nanik listened patiently. He knew Elvan missed them all so much. There is no way that young man is being held in this house. He has big ambitions. He has a great responsibility in his future. He has to go back to the people he loves. Because they must be waiting for him to come home.

"I'm sorry, Gus" said Ms. Nanik.

Elvan nodded. "Yes, Mom. I'm trying to understand how you feel."

"Sorry too, I still call you Good. It suits you. Can, to?" said Ms. Nanik again.

"It's okay, Mom. That name is good for me too." Elvan smiles.

"Do you think you're ready to go home?" ask Bu Nanik. He looked at Elvan's face.

"Yes, Mom. The sooner the better," said Elvan.

"Hmm.. it is best to leave at dawn," said Bu Nanik. "Mother often sleeps past midnight. So at dawn it must still be sleeping. I'll tell you how to walk to the camp there."

Then Bu Nanik explained to Elvan the area around here. If he could get to the camp there would always be someone to call for help. But Elvan has to be careful. Don't let Mr. Karno know he ran away. Because Pak Karno very well memorized this area. He was born and raised here. He loves this place of origin.

"Mom, can I have a paper and a pen?" elvan asked after they finished setting the plan.

"Try Mom to look in the Goddess' room. Hopefully there are still." Ms. Nanik came out of Elvan's room and looked for paper and pen there.

"Mom... Mum..." Mr. Karno's voice called out to him. Apparently he came home from the rice field. He looked for his wife in the whole room. It was in the Goddess' room.

"What's up there?" ask Mr. Karno.

"The name of the room is cleaned to, sir," replied Ms. Nanik. "Why?"

"Coffee, Ma'am," said Mr. Karno.

"Yes, wait in front. Later I will deliver," said Ms. Nanik. He folded the paper and hid the pen he found. Then he gave it to Elvan who was still in the room.

"Thank you, Mom." Elvan smiles.

Bu Nanik nodded then into the kitchen making coffee. In the room Elvan wrote a letter to Mr. Karno. He's a good guy anyway. He is in charge of his family. With his simplicity he proves he can do the best for them.

For over ten months in this house, all Elvan can do is love and care. He actually learned a lot from the life of Mr. Karno and his wife who want to understand each other and not demand each other.

Until 9 p.m., Elvan finished his letter. There was a sad streak there leaving the kindness of the two old men. But more to make him flutter erratically when he finds out, he will soon return to his home. He will soon meet the people he cares about. Which he misses so much.

Elvan laid down his body and tried to sleep. But imagining what he was going to do tomorrow, running away from this house made him unable to be sound. His mind is awake. It was like he was not going to come near her.

*

"Gus... Gus.. wake up, son..." Elvan felt his arm shake a little hard. He opened his eyes. Bu Nanik crouched down in front of her, waking her up.

"Come, hurry. Then you wake up first" he said slowly. Elvan sat down, rubbed his eyes and immediately went down. He quickly prepared to leave.

Ms. Nanik brought her water and rice packets and side dishes. Then he escorted Elvan out. They did very carefully so as not to cause a sound that could wake Pak Karno.

"Be careful, yeah... You do not forget the same Mother and Father," said Bu Nanik in front of the bamboo fence of the yard of the house.

Elvan hugged Bu Nanik tightly. "No, Ma. I can't forget Mom and Dad. Thanks for everything."

Then Elvan gets out. Ms. Nanik quickly closed the fence and entered the house. He went back to the room. Her husband still sleeps soundly, until snoring. He must have been very tired because these few days worked hard in the paddy fields.

Out of Mr. Karno's house, Elvan walked towards the forest, passing a shortcut to camping ground. It's still dark. So he waited on the path that led to the forest. Because he didn't bring a flashlight for lighting.

As soon as the sky began to red and bright, Elvan slowly went in there. It's a bit groggy too because he doesn't know this area. But he can't wait anymore. He has to keep going. The longer the atmosphere gets brighter. Elvan hastened his pace. I don't know how long he's been walking. Obviously his legs were getting tired, he felt thirsty and hungry.

Elvan stopped for a while to eat and drink. Ms. Nanik brought him rice and omelet. It's still good. After eating, he quickly continued his steps. The sun was a bit high as he felt the trees were getting rarer. Look around, making sure the steps are right. Because in some certain places the path is branched.

Elvan looked far ahead. He saw yellow and blue in the distance. It was like the color of the tent he used to see people wear to camp. He pointed his foot there. Slightly shuffled because he was tired of walking, but Elvan did not stop.

Finally he arrived. This camping ground was not far from where he went with his family at that time. He approached one of the tents.

"Sir... Sir.excuse me..." Elvan greeted a father who was sitting in front of the demolished tent. He was busy tidying up his things.

"May I ask you a favor, sir?" ask Elvan. He's still panting.

"Are you okay?" ask the guy. He stood up and approached Elvan.

"I want to go home, sir. Malang. Where can I go, sir?" Elvan asked back.

"Happeningly. I'm going down for a minute. Is cleaning. I can take you all. I'm from Kediri" said the father.

Oya, my name is Dirga. You who?" ask the Father.

"Elvan, Sir. My name is Elvan" answered Elvan.

On vacation with his wife. The woman was still looking for Adelweis flowers around the site. About an hour later they left the area.

*

Mr. Karno wakes up. He saw his wife still sleeping next to him.

"Mom, I'm not waking up. It's bright. Usually you wake up first rather than the sun" said Mr. Karno.

"I'm not feeling well, sir," replied Ms. Nanik. She lay down on her back to her husband. He actually woke up from earlier. He is sad. She kept shedding tears because Elvan was gone.

"ill? Body hot?" Mr. Karno held Nanik's forehead from the side. "It's not hot, Mom."

"It hurts all my body, sir," said Ms. Nanik again. Stay with his position.

"Yes already. Just rest. Let me make my own coffee." Mr. Karno out of the room. He's in the kitchen. Something strange feels. Usually this hour has been heard busy behind the house. The back door should be open, but it's still locked.

Mr. Karno to Elvan's room. He opens the door and enters. "Gus, you're not awake yet..." Mr. Karno did not see the boy in the room. Room is neat. But where is he? Pak Karno searched the whole house. To the front yard, to the back, every room. He called repeatedly. But Elvan doesn't exist.

Frantically Mr. Karno returned to Elvan's room. He's getting closer to the bed. Blank. He looked at the table. He saw a paper fold. There's writing there.

'For Father and Mother'

A letter?

Quickly Mr. Karno took the fold of paper and opened it.

***

To a good Father and Mother, and,

My name is Elvan Alcandra Edgar. I have parents and two brothers. How did I get to this house Father and Mother already know.

During my time in this house I felt the love of Father and Mother so great. My mom and dad considered me a child. Thank you so much for that.

But I have to go back to where I came from. My family is waiting. There was a lover waiting for me.

Sir, apologize to the Goddess, I can't marry her. Because I already have a moor, Melati Diandra Adinata. The goddess will definitely find the right person to accompany her life later.

Thanks again for everything. I will not forget my Mom and Dad.

Greetings, dear,

Elvan (Good)

***

Pak Karno's hands trembled reading the writing. It's good to be gone. His son is no more.

"Baguss!!!!" Mr. Karno shouted loudly. He could not believe his son had left him. He sat down and cried.

Ms. Nanik came to that room. She heard her husband screaming so loudly. Her heart was also sad, even sadder to see her husband like this. But Elvan is not their son. He has to get back to where he belongs.

"Sir.." said Bu Nanik as she approached her husband.

"Good to go, Mom. He's gone." Mr. Karno said in the middle of his stuffing. Ms. Nanik picked up the paper on the table. That's the paper he gave to Elvan yesterday. He read the letter. Writing's neat. Heart's full.

"You're fine, Gus... Hopefully one day we can meet again" whispered Bu Nanik in his heart.