THERE'S ALWAYS A LEANING PLACE

XXXVIII Parts

The white room looks pretty crowded. Only five people visited the patient. Their laughter was heard many times.

"Don, why don't you use your style when you're talking to Via?" ask Toni.

"What move, Ton? Does Doni have a chance to silat?" Dina astonishment.

"could. He's a hotshot. No wonder Doni has a black belt. You just know now, huh?" Tony looked serious.

"Campret, don't make up stories! I never learned pencak silat" argued Doni.

"Well, you found out you were lying, Ton," said Ratna.

Toni stood up and said in a serious manner, "No, I'm not lying at all. The world admits."

"What world? Children's world?" ledek Miko's.

"Please don't cut my explanation. Although Doni is not enrolled in any pencak silat college, he is very shrewd in silat. You remember, before the UN he won the debate race with duo V?"

"What relation? Fuck, strange creature," taunted Ratna.

"Lho, means he's good at silat-tongue."

They laugh. Doni laughed too.

"Hey, you said that Doni had a black belt" said Ratna, "Where are you?"

"Buy certainly. I have too. Nih," replied Toni while showing her the belt she was wearing.

"Sontolo! You have not healed before, anyway," said Doni.

"Obsolutely normal. Uh, Via how was it silent? Charming, Vi?" Toni turned to Via, while her hand picked up the apple that Doni's mom was serving.

Via just smiled thinly. He hasn't spoken much since.

"Why, Vi?" whiskey Ratna.

Via took a deep breath and said, "If it weren't for me, Doni wouldn't be like this. Sorry, Don."

"Via, how many times have you apologized since yesterday? I'm not okay. My feet are not bad either. In two months I can walk normally. My semester exams are over. No problem, right?"

"Tuh, Vi. Doni is no problem. You don't have to feel guilty. Because Doni was sick, I came from Bandung lo. We become gathered even though only this way. It's as if you can treat your kangen to me, look at my cute face," Miko added.

"Jiah, your spiciness! Cute from where? Must see if you have straws so you're cute" sneered Dina.

"You said that, don't say that! How often is it, anyway?" moo Miko with a pair of faces.

They also laugh back.

"You guys come make trouble. Miko away from Bandung instead of bringing peyeum even ngabisin food. How many days have you not eaten, Mik?" grumbled Doni.

"I brought it, really. Nih, Ratna, Via, also Dina kan peyeum-puan. Uh, Don, your mama sincerely nyediain this food for sodakoh, let you mepet cured," denied Miko.

"Yes, yeah. I can go home tomorrow too."

"Are you really going home tomorrow, Don?" ask Toni as if she can't believe it.

"Yes. Why would I come home, Ton?"

"I have no reason to come here."

"You're mabok, Ton?" ask Ratna.

"No, but I'm sad that I haven't met a nurse in front of me yet."

"Maha...." Their laughter echoes.

"Yes it's your creak, jones," led by Miko.

Toni put on a handsome pretentious face then spoke in an authoritative tone," You're wrong. I don't ngenes."

"Whatever," said Miko.

Suddenly Ratna cut in,"Eh, the clock's almost gone. We're saying goodbye, yuk. Cepet healed, yes Don. Our prayers are with you."

"Kok be like a good-bye moment, huh?" chirps Via.

"Ah, that's because of Ratna's words. You guys go to my house sometime, yeah. If there's any of you, I'm cured."

"Yes, let the people get disappointed if you and Via fine-fine aja," said Toni.

After saying goodbye to Doni, they also say goodbye to Doni's mother who just came from the cafeteria.

Moments after the IPA-1 alumni troupe left Doni's room, a man wearing a white T-shirt and a rather shabby pair of jeans stood in front of the door. He seemed hesitant to knock on the door. Just about to say hello, mama Doni opened the door and was shocked.

"Son Agus? This is Doni Junior High's friend, right?"

"Yes, Aunt. It turns out Auntie still remembers me."

"You used to go home often. After graduating Junior High never played again. Here, come in."

Doni looked at Agus with a sharp look.

Agus was wrong. He lowered.

"Work seeking, Auntie."

"Yesterday wanted to work at Om Ridwan's. But I haven't seen Om Ridwan yet" Doni explained.

"Oh yeah, um you're not home yet. He said back the day after."

"Ma, Doni wants fruit soup. Can you please buy it, right?"

"Why didn't you go to the cafeteria, Don?"

"Now to him. But if you mind, it's not necessary."

"Yes, what is wrong with your child? Titip Doni, Nak Agus. Aunty to the canteen first."

Mama Doni out of the room. Agus was still silently bowed.

"Know from whom am I here?"

"Tony. Yesterday I called you, your HP wasn't active."

"Oh, from yesterday it was inactive. I am still in shock with my condition. But, I don't regret helping Via."

"I-I-I'm sorry, Don."

Doni looked at Agus cynically. He did not answer Agus's apology.

"I was wrong. I hit you guys."

"Hhmmm, it turns out that you have the guts to confess your actions."

"Once I knew it was you, I was being chased with guilt. You're so good to me, I'm hurting."

"If you don't know me, don't you feel guilty? That so?"

Agus speechless. It was like being in a trap.

"I don't mean I was. I-I'm-I'm evil. I have hurt others for money. That's because I had to. I'm sorry."

"Gus, haven't I offered you a halal job? Why do you still accept that dirty offer? Even you made sure when we talked about work at the cafe, didn't you?"

Agus nodded.

"I could have reported this to the police. I'll...."

"Don, please don't! If I go to jail, how are my mom and my sisters? My mother is sickly, it costs a lot to get treatment. That's why I accepted this dirty job offer."

"Why don't you ask me for help?"

"I'm ashamed, Don. I've been troubling you too much. I didn't think it would happen like this. I beg you very much, don't report me to the police."

"Have you ever taken this kind of job before?"

"Yes, three times. It seems Gadi who was targeted by me yesterday is the same as last year. Merely, I don't know the name of the girl I hit in front of High School."

"What told you the same person?"

"No."

Doni was silent for a moment, then said, "Alright. I won't report to the police. But tell me who told you to."

Agus looked confused. His face began to pias.

"That--I'm not-sorry," the sentence Agus said was confusing.

"You choose I report to the police or you tell me who told you to. Simple, simple,

right?"

Agus shakes. He's back down.

"It's not that simple, Don. If I ever divulge who told me to, my family and I are threatened. He's a guy with a lot of money and connections."

"It's up to you now, Gus. If you're honest, I won't report you to the authorities. You can also work in my cafe. But if you choose to shut up, my actions are the opposite," said Doni firmly.

Agus is getting pias. It is like facing the fruit of simalakama.

"Don, what if I ask for time? I'll tell you who it is, but give me a chance to save my family."

"alright. I'll help you too."

"Thank you, Don. You are a good friend."

Agus hugged Doni tightly.

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