Behind The Lies
Forgetting to Have Space

“Narrow world yes,” comments Miranti while staring at the ceiling of the room with a dim light.

“Iya.” Ashilla followed him. “She's Architect, Bund. The person is very kind,” praise Ashilla regardless of what ever happened and put aside the story about Aruna.

“Hmm ...”

“A week ago Shilla helped mothers who wanted to give birth, at the hospital Shilla met him and he wanted to help.”

“Innalallahi, died?”

“Iya, Bund.”

“Keep the baby?”

“The baby was twins, but one died with his mother. Iyash help Shilla to the police station. He said from the results of the examination, it is likely that the mother was often tortured and managed to escape. While waiting for the development of the case, we are the one who took care of the baby.”

“You've had a great experience, Shill.”

Ashilla immediately looked over. That's what her mother said when she just gave birth to Asa and made it through post partum syndrome.

“Mother is proud of you.”

“Still, Bund.”

“So, did you see that baby?”

“Ehm. Four days ago, Iyash found a home for Sister Rica and Lily. At first they lived in his house, but his mother Iyash judes, Bund, she was a kayak who did not like.”

“Kok that? His son has done a commendable thing, but why not like it?”

Ashilla raised her shoulders. “Tadi afternoon Lily was in the hospital, Bund. Bilirubin is high.”

“So, you're going to the hospital? Why not stay there?”

“Ngak, Bund. Shilla is afraid that Opa is angry because he knows that Shilla is not coming home. Shilla is also afraid Asa wakes up and searches for Shilla.”

Miranti placed a palm on her son's cheek. “Trust me, do not give birth even you have been trusted back to be a mother.”

Ashilla smiled, then nodded then gradually got out of bed. “Shilla to room for a change of clothes, Bund.”

“Iya. Mother also wants to sleep.”

Ashilla went from her mother's room and into her room, smiling to see Asa sleep hugging the bolts on her bed. So far Asa has never asked about her father. Either way, Ashilla was not ready to get the question from Asa.

***

In the morning Asa awoke in Ashilla's arms. “Morning, Mom.” The little boy smiled.

Ashilla returned her smile and peeked at the top of the curly-haired boy's head. “Get up, take a shower, then have breakfast,” Ashilla said in a low tone and kept soft. Hope Asa does not call it authoritarian because he thinks it is only a proposal, not part of dictating.

“Streeting, ‘kan, Mam?”

“Iya.”

“Assyik.” Asa jumped out of bed.

Ashilla herself felt a headache from sleeping too late. However, he couldn't possibly cancel today's event because he had promised. Slowly Ashilla left the bed.

“Morning,” greet Ashilla on everyone.

“Morning, Darling,” replied Miranti.

“Mother is beautiful, already fragrant, where are you going?”

“Kan want to go for a walk.”

“Oh yes, forgot.” Ashilla threw her body against the sofa, her head staring at the ceiling of the living room. “Great gold, yes Lord.”

“Mandi first let fresh.”

“Since work so there is no nap time, night also sleep a little,” complained Ashilla.

“Don't be too tired.”

“The option is so, Bund. A little more relaxed, but can not, kebayang Opa used to work how.”

“Hm.” Miranti brought two glasses of tea to the table near Ashilla sitting down. “Teh warm.”

“Eh, Which opa?”

“Again sunbathing in the backyard. You are an example of Opa, moving a lot, and his body remains fit, even though his blood sugar is high. You know ‘kan diabetes it makes the body weak.”

Ashilla nodded. He quickly picked up a cup of tea on the table and took a sip.

“Hm. Jesus, I was too busy to forget to have Angkasa.”

“Hus, don't do that ah no good. Time because of a long work you forget about him.”

“Yesterday I didn't know he called.”

“You're not avoiding him, ‘kan?” search Miranti.

“Ngak.”

“This month last Space cooperation Mother.”

“Iya.” Ashilla was tired of hearing that again. It's all been talked about and it doesn't feel like it needs to be discussed.

“When are you ready to marry her?”

“This must be Space, yes, ‘kan?” guess Ashilla. Because he knew that his mother never forced it even asked about this was not.

“Why? Space is good, he is very close to Asa. He loves you too. What else are you waiting for?

Ashilla sighed. “Hati Shilla hasn't allowed it yet, Bund.”

“Why?”

“Shilla don't know.”

“Yes, but when do you want to go?”

Ashilla shook her head. “Need time.”

“Mother is not maksa. It's all your choice. Mother just doesn't want you to regret.”

“It. Shilla was afraid of regret for getting married. Shilla feels no need for marriage.”

“Then don't get in a relationship. Poor Angkasa, you ask him to find another woman, after all he is in a relationship to build a household. The final goal of her getting married is not to break up.”

“Bunda is on the side of Angkasa?”

“Not so. Mother is on your side.”

Ashilla snorts. “Shilla loves Angkasa, Ma, but–” The woman paused her sentence.

Miranti got up while patting Ashilla on the knee. “There are times when we succumb to those feelings to see them happy.”

Ashilla.

“During this time man is mistaken for thinking that love should be together, thinking that love should have. Though love is when we can smile for their happiness.”

Ashilla looked at her mother's back in front of the stove. “Munda ..” He got up, and went to hug her. “Shilla has never had a best friend as perfect as Mommy.”

Miranti smiled.

***

After bathing Ashilla pondered Miranti's words, so she decided to contact Angkasa. No need to wait long to get an answer because Space never ignores his call.

“Hai,” greet Ashilla on the man. “Sorry yesterday I–”

“Honey, please–”

Suddenly Space pleaded for nothing. Maybe he wants to ask for access to his social media again.

“For what?”

“Please don't let me down again. I don't know what my fault is until you don't want to take my call.”

“I didn't know you called yesterday. I was busy with Asa until I forgot–” Ashilla's sentence was stuck in the esophagus. For some reason yesterday she was unaware of Angkasa's call, when clearly when she got the call from Sister Rika, she knew it.

“Forgot if you have me?” accuse Angkasa, as if he knew that sentence was stuck in Ashilla's throat.

Ashilla sighed. “I did not expect to be in long distance contact turned out to be this draget.”

“Nno ribet. If you don't want to take my call, you just give me access to your sosmed.”

“That's again.” Ashilla's forehead frowned. “You do not need to ask for access, you just need to trust me.”

“Unfortunately I can't believe it, Shilla.”

“Yes we broke up!” Instantaneous silence. Maybe across there the sky felt like it had been struck by lightning. “If you don't believe it, why keep it?”

There was no response, Space was silent and Ashilla chose to disconnect the phone.