Behind The Lies
One Year Passed

Gusman believes that as time passes Aruna can heal from the wounds in her heart. It may be true, but he forgets that time cannot make Aruna forget about all these events. If he could, Gusman would have done it a long time ago.

Looking back was Gusman's habit and it declined in Aruna. But not to Ashilla. He has experienced teachers like Miranti. Just like Ashilla, Miranti goes to New York because she is pregnant out of wedlock, her lover does not even know that Miranti is pregnant. The man accepted his family's match. Miranti could be anything but responsible for her own heartache. The difference is, Miranti chose to leave and she is already responsible by her own choice.

Aruna had trouble getting up. He was locked in pain and blamed himself for everything that happened. Every night he had nightmares, so he had an excessive fear of falling asleep. For almost a year, he avoided sleep. His body looked so thin, his skin looked dull, he was easily lethargic and he became often unfocused.

“You don't sleep anymore?” ask Miranti.

“Runa help Ashilla keep Asa, Bund.”

“No need, once in a while, but not every night, you need a break.”

Ashilla stopped rocking and stared silently at the baby. He had already warned Aruna to sleep a lot, however, Aruna had trouble doing so.

“What are your problems, Run?” ask Miranti. Gusman remained in his seat. He doesn't care, he even asked Miranti to take Aruna to a psychologist.

“If someone else hurts you, is it their responsibility to make you heal? No. gabe. That is your responsibility,” said Miranti and Aruna even stunned. “We are responsible for the pain in our lives,” Miranti continued.

Aruna cried at the words. Ashilla often heard Miranti say that.

“Whatever concerns about your life, it's your own responsibility. Never hold someone else accountable for that pain. Because what? Since you are in charge of yourself, why do you have to make your heart hurt?”

Aruna is getting bowed.

“The bottom line is that if you don't want to get hurt, never approach danger. If someone hurts you, defend yourself, don't let that person continue to hurt you. You are a strong woman, prove that you can rise.”

Aruna wiped her tears. No one knows what Aruna has been feeling for the past year, she never told me that she still has that wound. She hasn't fully recovered like Ashilla. Maybe Aruna has been wrong about life.

“Your father asked Mommy to take you to a psychologist. We think you really need it.”

“Runa is fine, Bund.”

“Well how? You've lost the pleasure of sleeping at night.”

Gusman looked at Aruna. He had also told Aruna a lot, however, this was not an easy matter. Fear does come from within and only he himself can overcome that fear.

“You guys are starting college soon, you don't love yourself?” ask Miranti.

“Runa need not pity yourself. For what?”

“That's the name you punish yourself. Why, Run?”

Gusman did not comment, only Miranti spoke a lot.

Aruna looked at her father. Why is it that after everything that happened in his life, Gusman wasn't even honest about his own illness to Aruna? Why should Aruna know and hear from Gusman and Miranti? Aruna just wants Gusman to open up to her.

“You're ready. Shower first.” Miranti tidied Aruna's hair. “You should be stronger than before. Since you stay here you are the responsibility of Mother.”

“That's because Dad's sick, ‘kan?” ask Aruna.

Gusman. Ashilla was flabbergasted. Just like Ashilla, she doesn't know anything about Gusman's illness.

“How can Runa live all this if there is no father, all is nothing,” said Aruna.

“If that is the case, you should be able to make your father proud for the rest of his life,” Miranti said.

Aruna stared at Gusman. However, the man was completely silent, even though Aruna already knew of his illness. Just like Gusman Aruna also felt useless.

“Mother don't worry, Runa can handle this.” However, Aruna's expression did not describe that she could indeed handle it. He even looks so depressed.

“You get ready first yes, Mother wait here.”

 Aruna didn't leave her seat, she just wanted to hear Gusman speak for once.

“Quick, Run,” refer Miranti.

Aruna bowed and she was forced to rise up leaving the dining room, then went to the room and prepared at Miranti's request. At least he did not make the owner of the house dizzy thinking about himself. As long as he could not live his own way, it would be better for him to obey Miranti's orders.

In a different hemisphere, precisely in Valencia, one of the cities in Spain, Iyash lived his life, realizing his goals. Every week, he sent a letter to Surabaya for Aruna. However, none of the replies he received.

Finally, for one reason or another, he decided to return to Indonesia and go to Surabaya to meet Aruna.

“So your father called and asked if Iyash had arrived?” Grandma Alma smiled. “Now Grandma can answer your father's questions.” Alma's grandmother hugged her favorite granddaughter. “How are you, Son?”

“Good, Grandma.”

“Sgratitude.”

“Granny how are you?”

“Alhamdulillah.”

“Which grandfather?”

“Now Grandpa has often been sickly.” Grandma Alma sighed. “Turning to hospital.” Alma's grandmother invited Iyash to come in. “Grandpa is resting in room.”

“Anyday, Grandma, Iyash's afraid to disturb.”

“Ngak-no. Come in, Grandpa would be happy.”

Iyash nodded and followed Grandma Alma into the room to see her grandfather's condition.

“Kek, this is Iyash,” said the young man.

“Iyash.” Juragan Hartanto smiled and hugged his grandson. “You're getting handsome.” He touched Iyash's face. “Definitely getting higher now.”

Iyash smile. “Kek Iyash break yes.”

“Oh, yes you must be tired,” said Granny Alma. “Let Grandma prepare dinner, now you rest in room.”

Iyash nodded and went to his room. He opened the window and stared at Aruna's window. He remembers seeing Aruna there often. An hour staring there, the window did not open. Finally he concluded that Aruna had never opened her window again.

“Yash, eat first,” Grandma Alma said as she opened the door. “Close the window many mosquitoes.”

Iyash. However, he had previously gazed back at that window, but it remained unopened. “Nek?”

“Iya?”

Iyash. “Aruna still stay here, ‘kan?”

Instead of answering, Granny Alma stared silently at Iyash for a few seconds.

“Still stay at home next door, ‘kan, Nek?”

“Pak Ridwan hasn't been here in a long time, Yash. Grandma doesn't know now where she is.”

Iyash's heart is beating.

“If Aruna?”

Grandma Alma frowned while shaking her head.

Iyash took a breath. “Since when did they leave?” ask Iyash while following Grandma Alma to the dining room.”

“A long time ago.”

Immediately Iyash lost his spirit. Though he came to Surabaya for Aruna, but Aruna left without telling him.

“Now you eat.”

Iyash.