
"I'm fine, Ma'am" replied Dara.
"Don't lie to me. What problem are you having again? you don't seem to be okay, Dara. Do you want to tell me what problems you're facing?"
Train's embracing Dara's shoulder. After that he took Dara back.
"We just sit here, Dara" said Ratih.
"Yes, Mother."
Dara and Ratih then sit in Alex's backyard.
Dara was silent. Since then, he has been daydreaming. The problem right now is that it is very heavy.
Dara's mother is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. The only thing that can cure Dara's mother is by surgery.
Dara also has two twin sisters who are currently, still sitting on the bench of Junior High School. Since her mother was sick, Dara who replaced her mother became the backbone of the family.
Dara is just a high school graduate. He was confused to find a good job because he only graduated from High School. Already since graduating High School, Dara is trying to apply for a job in the office. However, not a single office accepted it.
Finally, Dara decided to look for odd jobs just like now. Being a scrub-wash laborer in the homes of the rich.
"Tell me what's your problem, Dara? who knows, I can help you later" said Ratih.
"My problem is very heavy, Ma'am" said Dara with a face that shows sadness.
"Just tell Dara. Now I'm your best friend. Think of me, like your own brother. Just tell me all your problems. With you telling me all your problems, who knows it could lighten the burden on your heart."
Dara took a deep breath. After that, he told all the conditions of his family to Ratih.
"My mother, she's sick. Now, she's very sick in the hospital" Dara said.
"Continue?" tanya Ratih was curious about Dara's story.
"I'm in need of twenty million for my mother's operation." Dara continued her story.
"Oh. Did you get the money?" tanya Ratih looked at Dara concerned about the condition of her friend.
Dara shakes.
"Not yet. I don't know where I can get that money. I'm really confused Ma'am." Dara nodded her forehead. It seems clear, if the burden of mind, is piling up in Dara's mind at this time.
"Wait a minute." Train to stand up. He then went to his room to take his savings.
Train back and sit on Dara's side.
"Here, I have two million. Who knows, it could be to add-up the cost of your mother's surgery." Ratih put a sum of two million money on Dara.
"Don't bother Ma'am. This is Ma'am's money, which Mbak wants to send to the village. Why should you give it to me." Dara is not feeling well, receiving a loan from Ratih. Because Dara knew that Ratih needed the money too.
"It's okay. Wear it first. I know that you need it more than I do." Ratih grabbed Dara's hand, and put the money in Dara's hand.
"Take Dara. You can return the money at any time, if you have more money," said Ratih.
Dara smiled. He really needs that money now. Moreover, his two younger siblings also now have not paid tuition. Maybe, loan money from Ratih, can use Dara first to pay tuition for Oca and Ica twin sister.
Dara lowered her head.
"Why again?" ask Ratih.
Dara looked at Ratih. Like there was something Dara wanted to say.
"Mr...''
"Mbak Ratih's. I dared to borrow money from Mr. Alex. But, do you know what Mr Alex said?"
"What's? Sir Alex said are you the same?" ask Ratih curiously.
"He wants to borrow me money, so long as I sleep with him one night" Dara replied.
"What!" Ratih was shocked when he heard Dara's words.
"Are you sure, Mr Alex talks like that?" ask Ratih who is still not convinced by Dara's words.
As much as possible, an Alex would sleep with a woman who looked as ordinary as Dara. His face, you could say, was flat. Different from most women Alex often brought. Women are mostly among the rich and the sons of businessmen.
"Yes Ma'am. I don't know why Mr. Alex would give such a condition. I'm also confused Ma'am, I want to borrow who else now that much money." Dara looked sad as she told all her current circumstances.
Ratih clenched his hands furiously when he heard Dara's story. Hearing Dara's story, Ratih became reminded of the events that used to be, when he first worked at Alex's house.
In the past, Ratih was also lured money by Alex on condition that he would want to sleep with Alex. Serving Alex like her own husband. But, thankfully, Ratih was able to save himself from Alex's temptation.
"Work here, actually makes me fret Dara. Better, you just move to work. Don't work here" said Ratih.
"I haven't been able to leave this job. Because this is the only job I have. And I haven't gotten Mr. Alex's salary for this month either."
"Yes already. Wait for your salary to come out, then you just move to work, to another employer. Instead, Mr. Alex will force you to accept ridiculous terms from him."
Dara looked around.
"Mr. Let's not stay here long. There are a lot of CCTV in this house. I don't want Mr. Alex to get angry if he sees we don't work and chat here."
"You just calm down. It's safe here. There is no CCTV. Yes already. We're back at work. I haven't cleaned Mr. Alex's room either."
Dara nodded. He then got up from his seat.
"Thank you Ma'am, the money. I'll definitely give it back,"
"Yes Dara. Just wear it first."
Ratih and Dara then rushed to do their respective work.
Practice walking into the kitchen to pick up a broom and mop to clean her employer's room. Temporary,
Dara walks into Alex's room to pick up Alex's dirty clothes for her to wash.
****
This afternoon, Alex was still leaning on his seat of greatness. Since then, he has only been smiling himself staring at the beautiful photos on his phone.
She scrolls up below, which she eventually finds a photo of Dara the washerman rubbing in her house. Alex smiled as he looked at Dara's photo. He often secretly takes pictures of the woman he likes.
"Why yes, I'm so interested in this girl. She's a very unique and funny girl. His face was ordinary. He wears glasses and hair that is always braided. But, a girl like this, that still makes me curious. Because all my life, I've never slept with a girl like this. I think Dara is very different" Alex muttered.
Tok tok...
The sound of a knock from outside the room Alex rushes Alex from his daydream.
"Huh, who the hell. Disturb people," Alex grumbled.
"Get in...!" exclaim Alex.
Moments later, a woman enters Alex's room. She's Widi Alex's secretary.