Hacking Flavors
33. Uncle Idham

"Excuse me, excuse me sir, Madam!"

I gasped in shock and immediately pulled Karina to the edge. A nurse pushed the bankar over which lay a patient.

After the nurse left, I realized that I was hugging Karina tightly.

Deg. Deg.

Ba dump's. Ba dump's.

I could hear the sound of my own heartbeat beating faster than usual. For a moment, I fell silent and just stared at the focus of Karina's face from above.

Soon Karina looked up, until our eyes met.

Deg.

Ba dump's. Ba dump's.

I cringe. I feel familiar with what I am currently experiencing. Like I've experienced it in a time and place that has long since passed.

Then, suddenly Karina pushed me hard enough. Until my back hit the wall behind me.

Bugh!

"ah! Pardon me! I accidentally pushed you too hard!" Karina said with a strange gurgle.

"Ehh? It's okay. It's okay.."

The atmosphere between us suddenly became awkward. Karina then looked seriously at the floor. I followed his line of sight, and found nothing there.

I feel confused. It feels like something is wrong with me or Karina right now. So for some time we just stayed there, looking at the same spot on the floor.

After a long time, I finally asked Karina.

"What do you see, Rin? Is there anything on the floor that catches your attention?" Ask me spontaneously.

Karina was shocked. His face flushed red as if embarrassed for being caught off guard had daydreamed the last few minutes.

Karina then turned around without answering my question. Even so, I clearly heard her swearing in a very slow whisper.

"Basic fool!" Bump Karina in front of me.

I who was confused decided to follow his steps slowly. I don't know why I felt so sure that this woman had just cursed me for a moment.

'me? A fool? Hmm.. Maybe his intention about riding the motorcycle is yes? Well. I should have studied again later!' I also made up my mind to get back to training on the bike.

***

We finally arrived at Rinaya's room. As soon as I got to her room, I immediately approached the bankar where Rinaya was lying.

"Rinaya's not awake yet, Bi?" I heard Karina ask an old woman who I thought was a housekeeper at her parents' house.

"Yet, Non.."

"O yes already, so now Karina is taking care of Rinaya, Bi. Aunt is home. Mama just went to sleep" Karina said further.

"Okay, Non!" Sahut Bibi's.

Then the aunt came out of the room. Me and Karina are waiting for Rinaya who is still unconscious.

Karina sat down near the Rinaya bankar. While I was standing by the window while facing the mother and child.

Looking at both of them, I came to think, was it when Mark and Nila were kids, they were both hospitalized? If so, maybe Laila will also be like the current Karina. We are worried about both of our children alone.

According to Mark, Oma Mutia and Papa Ulum have also been gone since they were in High School. Oma Mutia first, only followed Papa Ulum a few months after his wife died.

That means Laila only has Darman. Darman, who is Laila's half-sister, now lives in Ohio. Following the address of his wife who is an American citizen. Only when Eid al-Fitr alone Darman home. According to Mark's story.

"La? Erlan?"

I came to my senses from my daydreams about the people in my past life as Karina held my right arm tightly.

My gaze was immediately fixed on Karina's hand that was still holding my arm, before our eyes finally clashed again.

Deg. Deg.

Ba dump's. Ba dump's.

'Wait first! Is it not usual if there are subtle creatures, the air becomes unnatural cold? So, why do I feel the air is getting hotter?' I was busy thinking in my heart.

"Sorry! Mm.. I asked, have you had breakfast yet? If not, would you like to buy breakfast not in the cafeteria?" Karina then said.

The woman in front of me then went back and gave me some distance. And I don't like his attitude.

'Why did he suddenly move away? Do I smell?' I was busy guessing.

I unconsciously sniffed my armpits in turn.

'mm. I smell good! So, why is Karina avoiding me anyway?' my mind is busy re-examining.

"Er.. Lan's? Hello.. What are you doing?" Karina's voice returned to awaken me to my current existence.

Be finally ashamed of myself, because my behavior was certainly silly in Karina's eyes.

In order to dispel the shame that began to spread throughout my mind, I cleared my throat and answered Karina's question immediately.

"Ehem! Nook. Don't have. I had breakfast!" I answered while looking at Rinaya's face.

"...Okay..if so, I'll take Rinai for a minute?" Please Karina.

"Yes. Go awaylah. I'll wait for her" I replied, still without looking at Karina.

Shortly after, I heard Karina step out of Rinaya's room. I am busy with my own mind.

***

Towards the zuhr, Rinaya finally woke up.

"Mommy..?" Rinaya's voice sounded softly in my ears.

I was standing by the window. While Karina is asleep next to Rinaya.

As soon as I heard the little girl's voice, I spontaneously darted beside her banker. While Karina was still sleeping.

"Rinaya? Are you awake?" I greeted my little girl.

"Uncle? Uncle's here?" Rinaya looked surprised and pleased to see me. And it made me somehow happy as well as that kid.

"Yes, Nai. Uncle's here. Didn't Uncle promise to see you again? But uncle doesn't like it when we play in the hospital," I asked my little girl to talk.

"We're in the hospital, Uncle?" Rinaya asked with her innocent eyes.

"Yes, Nai. You fever. So your mom took you to the hospital. Do you feel pain in your body, Nai?" I asked.

"mmmmmmm. No, Uncle. Rinai is not sick. Just a little dizzy. And also. thirsty." replied Rinaya honestly.

"Oh. Rinai's thirsty? Wanna drink?" Ask me again.

Rinaya then nodded.

"You, Uncle." answered again in a voice that still sounded weak.

I then thrust a glass of water on the nightstand beside the banker Rinaya into the mouth of my little girl. Rinaya drank a third of her stuff. After that, I put the glass back where it was.

"Uncle here want Nai to play?" Ask Rinaya later.

"So she was. But because Nai's still sick, so we can't play first. So, Rinai quickly healed first huh. only later Uncle invited Nai to play. Agreed?"

Rinaya then nodded. And I also rubbed mya's head slowly.

Then I heard the door behind me open. I looked over and found a young man with a handsome and friendly face. The man then came in and approached me. Or rather he might approach the bankar where Rinaya is lying.

"Uncle Idham?" Greet Rinaya to the man who just came.

"Hay baby bunny.. Have you been better, honey?" Welcome back to that man.

"Okay, Uncle." replied Rinaya with a small smile.

The man stopped right next to me. He then glanced at Karina who was still asleep. Before his eyes finally turned to look at me. At that moment, I caught a glimpse of the dislike from the young man.

"And. sorry. Who are you?" Ask the man called "Uncle Idham" by Rinaya, just a moment ago.

***