Hacking Flavors
39. Facts about Labib

About half an hour later, my bedroom door was knocked by Mark.

Geck. Geck. Geck.

"Bang, Mark's in?" Greet Mark behind the door.

"Yes, Mark. Just enter!" I'm inviting.

I who had collapsed immediately got up and took a sitting position.

Mark then came in and approached me.

"Anything better?" Ask Mark.

"Alhamdulillah, it's Mark. It's healed!" I gave Mark a faint smile.

"Thank God. oh yeah. Did you eat?" Mark asked while taking a sitting position on my bed.

"Already. Have you eaten, Mark?"

"Yet. This is going to eat brother. All of you know my brother to my best friend, Labib. But, this afternoon you've met, yes, same Labib?" Seloroh Mark's.

"Yes. She..your high school friend, Mark?" I asked him to try to extract information about Labib.

"Yes, Bang. We are friends ranging from TK, SD, SMP, to SMA. After college, we take a different major. I majored in business. Labib chose the Archaeology Department. Follow in the footsteps of Mama Papa who is also a researcher," replied Mark.

I opened up my old memories of Nunik. As I recall Nunik is a lecturer at a state university, as well as a researcher. But I forgot what he was a professor in.

"Ooh.great means. Him, the only child?" My question continues.

"No, Bang. Labib was the second of five children. But he's the only boy in his family. Haha. Very often he told me that he was bullied all his sisters. Just a shadow, Bang! Four sisters! It's crazy not! I with one Nila was already quite dizzy! Especially four!" Mark's story is long.

"Oohs.. Is her mother's name Nunik?" Ask me suddenly.

"I.yeah. ehh?? How did you know?!" Mark looked surprised.

I first gave him a satirical smile. Before finally answering.

"If I knew your mother. Of course I know his best friend too, right, Mark? Nunik is a close friend of Laila's." I said casually.

Silent.

Mark was silent, staring at me with a look of wonder and disbelief. Hh. It's hard to make her believe that I'm the one who's gone. But yes it is. Soon Mark will trust me later.

"Yes already. You eat first, there. Don't be so late, have dinner. That's not good for your stomach!" I reminded Mark.

Mark got up and followed my advice.

"Then I eat first, Bang. Brother too, have a good rest!" Mark said before he closed the door to my room.

After Mark's death, I sat for a long time thinking about my Laila again. I don't know why lately I don't remember it too often. It hasn't been a month since my Laila died.

I thought it would take me a long time to mourn the passing of my love. But maybe this is the best. Because in that way. I can focus on fulfilling my promise to Laila. That I will be a guardian to our two children.

About this Labib, I want to know him better. As I remember Laila was eager to match one of our children with her son Nunik. Who knows if Labib is a good man, then I will let him approach our Nila.

"Hhhh.."

You could say, the darkness made me afraid of death that could come at any time. Yep. I am afraid of death.

***

The next morning, I woke up early in the morning and was tidy with a dress shirt and dark blue pants.

I then met Mark and Labib in the dining room. Like Mark just gave chicken porridge.

"But! Breakfast first, Bang! There's chicken porridge!" Take Mark cheerfully.

I approached the two, and sat down on one of the chairs surrounding the long table in the dining room.

I greeted both with a friendly smile.

"For all. And. hello, Labib. Introduce. My name is Erlan. But you can also call me by the name of Aro!" I greeted Labib kindly.

Yesterday afternoon, I didn't get to know Labib. Because of my awkwardness to mingle with strangers. Moreover, he is a friend of my son.

I feel that I am older than them also do not dare to blend in with the two.

But after last night I accidentally stole their conversation, and I learned the identity of Labib who turned out to be the son of Nunik, my Laila friend. I finally decided to get to know the young man better.

Labib also likes Nila. Who knows, if she's gonna be my daughter-in-law, right? I have to make sure that Nila will have the best companion. Who loves him with all his heart. Like my love for Laila to this day.

"Hello, Bang Erlan! I'm Labib, Mark's schoolmate," Labib said.

"Said Mark, you're his childhood friend too huh?" Ask me in a snatai tone.

"Haha. Yes, Bang. We know her, even as I was still in her stomach. Mama said, Mark often holds his stomach when Mama is pregnant, pregnant with me," Labib told me.

"Oh yeah? I heard your mom is also a researcher. Is he also a teacher?" Ask me to investigate.

Mark gave me a judging look. He seemed to know that I was proving to him my knowledge of Nunik, Labib's mother.

"Gee. Yes, Bang! How could you know anyway? To be sure. Not from Mark, right? About it Mark did not know that Mama had been a lecturer. Since Mama gave birth to Nola's youngest, Mama has stopped teaching. His word is trouble. Want to focus on just us, the children," Labib continued his story.

I gave Mark a meaningful look. And he immediately turned his gaze in the other direction. Seemed to reject the fact that I just proved the truth to the man.

"Hh.." I let out a tired sigh. My journey to make Mark believe that I'm his Papa is still long I guess.

Maybe I should meet Nunik first and then Mark can trust me.

"Yes already. We're leaving now yuk, Bib? Eh? Brother wear a shirt. Did you guys want to work today?" Mark asked only when I realized the clothes I was wearing.

"Yes, Mark. My leg is healed. And, Labib wants to go to our office, too?" I asked in wonder, because Mark had invited Labib and went with him.

"Haha. Open, Bang. I just want to anterin her to her Mama's old house. Take the big motor that was left there. Well, make him his own way everywhere you can, that is," Mark explained.

"Ooh.."

And, just after I remembered my big motor. I actually wanted to ask Mark the whereabouts of my bike. But like now, this is not the right time. I finally broke my intention.

The three of us finally left Mark's house on his Alphard.

***