TOXIC: Story of Masha

The Part 21

Who would have thought, if Doni who seemed the most eager to travel followed Mike, just could not stand the long journey using a car like that.

Maybe because Mike was driving too fast, and with the winding road, which makes Doni can not control the dizziness in his head anymore.

Not long ago Mike drove his car, about an hour, Doni experienced motion sickness, and several times removed his entrails.

Fortunately, in the middle of the trip, there are roadside stalls that sell drugs to overcome motion sickness.

After Doni drinks it, without lingering, Doni falls asleep in the back seat of Mike's car, after swapping seats with Masha, who now sits in the front seat next to Mike.

Mike also reduced the speed of his vehicle, so that Doni can rest well.

"How are you feeling? Are you all right?" ask Mike to Masha.

"I'm doing fine. It's not the first time I've traveled a long way" Masha replied.

Masha then turned her head back, and looked at Doni who had fallen asleep for a while, before looking back to the front.

"I came to this city three years ago" said Masha.

"Are you the one who came here?" ask Mike.

Masha smiled cynically.

"No. I was forced to follow my father... With reason, my father would only pay for my school if I went with him" Masha replied.

"Hmmm... Are you sorry you came here?" ask Mike.

"Without asking, it feels like you already know my answer" said Masha.

Mike then takes one of Masha's hands, and holds it tightly.

"Just calm... Your father won't be able to hurt you anymore" said Mike, apparently trying to appease Masha.

"How was it before? Before you lived with your father... You want to tell a story? Maybe it can make you feel a little more relieved, if there's a place you take the bugs out of your heart" asked Mike.

"Before living with my father, I would usually only hear rude scolding. If there is something that is not in accordance with the wishes of the parents," said Masha.

"But for me, it's still much better than when I was with my father" Masha continued.

"According to Doni, you are a smart student at school. Your association also seems limited, so what's the problem with your father hurting you?"

Masha took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly.

"My father was often busy with his work, and not everything about me was known...

But, my aunt and stepbrother were used to reporting bad and untrue things about me to my father...

Although later, all of them, including my father, will apologize with me, but I already felt the pain of being hit first" Masha said.

Masha had never told anyone about it all.

But, for some reason, when Mike invited her to talk while clasping his hands tightly like that, Masha could feel safe and remain calm to tell a story.

"I'm sorry... But, I'm glad you came here." said Mike, after they both fell silent for a while.

Masha stared fixedly at Mike, and Masha was sure that her eyebrows were furrowing deeply, even though Mike only occasionally saw her, and Mike looked more at the streets.

"I'm sorry... But, because that way, we can meet now," continued Mike, while stroking Masha's hand with his thumb.

"I'm also happy to meet you. But that, still can not eliminate my regret, because it has parents like my father," said Masha.

"I know." said Mike.

"If you could take your diploma from your father, would you like to continue with your school?" ask Mike.

"Don't know. For now I can't dream anymore" replied Masha.

Masha then gazes out the window beside him, and Mike also releases his grip from Masha's hand.

Masha wants to continue her school, get a good job, live independently, without waiting for help from anyone.

But how?

It won't be that easy, Masha can go home to her father and ask back Masha's diploma held by her father.

It is impossible without drama in the house.

For some time Mike's car drove, it feels like the road they passed is now more extreme.

The narrow, winding road is almost non-stop, with the sides of the road showing a deep abyss.

Mike seems to be really concentrating on driving his car in the area, so even though only occasionally, Masha never saw Mike looking at him.

Mike stared straight at the street, with his agile hand controlling the steering wheel of his car.

"Front there, let's take a break. Not funny, if later you also follow drunk travel," said Mike, with a small laugh.

"As far as you are... 'And you drive?!" said Masha.

From a distance there is a small building like a guard post, without walls, only low fenced and roofed clay tiles.

Mike slowed down the speed of his vehicle, until it finally completely stopped on the side of the road, out of the asphalt, right in front of the building.

"I straightened my waist first. You're not out?" mike asked, lifting the brake lever parking his car.

"Yes. I also want to stand for a while." said Masha.

"Eh! What about Doni?" masha asked hurriedly and looked back.

Doni still seems to be asleep, lying down and curled up in the seat, which does not fit the size of his height.

"Let him rest. It must have hurt, if you vomit like that many times," said Mike then opened the door, and went down from his car that was left lit.

Masha then got out of the car, and walked slowly towards the building that resembled the guard post.

Standing near the fence, Masha could see the abyss behind the guard post.

If only someone had intended to jump to kill themselves there, maybe the person would have died immediately when he reached the bottom of the ravine.

How surprised Masha was, when she felt that someone was holding her tightly from behind.

"Don't even think about trying to jump in there...!" said Mike.

"What's wrong with you? Always thought of me as if I was going to take my own life" said Masha.

"You hugged me all of a sudden like that, it could even make me die of shock, you know?!" masha ketus.

Mike chuckled, then fell silent for a while.

"There's someone close enough to me. We met at a group therapy venue...

A month ago, he committed suicide by jumping off the balcony of his apartment." Mike said.

Masha's eyes widened.

Masha could feel that Mike was tightening his arms around Masha.

"If I had been there at the time, I would have held her tight, so she couldn't get over the fence" Mike said, in a trembling voice.

"You blame yourself? It's not your fault" said Masha, letting go of Mike's embrace and turning around.

The two of them were now facing each other, with a little distance, in order to see Mike whose eyes now seemed to be glazed, as if he was holding back a cry.

"You know it's not your fault, right?!" masha said again, then approached Mike and hugged him tightly.

Now, Masha understands why Mike always hugs her, when Masha is feeling fragile, or maybe looking like that.