Hansa & Geeta
Chapter II

DUARR!!!

Thousands of confetti floated in the air. Firecrackers exploded right here and there, dotting the blue sky that afternoon.

Now I've graduated from college. Like I said before, I lost my childhood memories at the age of ten.

I forget fairy tales, high-level imaginations, ghosts, vampires, and so on.

But, at my eighteenth age. I remember all that again, after reading one of the books of the famous novel author of the century.

His fantasy writing evokes my memory. Reminds me of my memories with Grandma.

After that, I started writing. Many praised my writing, so I decided to study literature.

“Hannie!”

I'm turning. That's Mommy. Even though he has been around for a few years, he still looks young and healthy.

In fact, there are people who mistakenly think Mother is my sister, even my boyfriend. The young lady's Mother.

“Mother, don't run. Remember your age, later if you pegel-pegel Daddy does not want to mijitin,” exclaimed Father from behind.

Hearing that Mother bent her lips.

“Events. Don't talk about it in public dong!”

I smiled at their behavior. It feels like they're not my parents.

I mean, sometimes they're a lot more boyish than me. Jumping and running while being happy.

“Whispering! The one who should be the happiest right now is big brother!”

My sister emerged from behind my father's body. Looks like he's running. My smile is getting wider.

The little gray-eyed girl with blonde hair now turned to look at me.

“Sister! Selamet has graduated! Now sister is not suffering anymore and can sleep well every malem.”

I can't help but laugh hearing that. I walked up to the girl and knelt down. Align our height.

He's only ten years old. Yesterday was his birthday, they suddenly came to my boarding house and celebrated their birthday there.

Sure, the cost owner doesn't mind. As long as there are free meals, all of them are ‘oke’.

“Thank you yes, Zihan.”

I rubbed my sister's hair gently. He smiled broadly, until his row of teeth were seen.

“Hm!” Think sure.

I'm laughing a little. She's so adorable. I would do anything to keep that smile.

“Hey, let's take a photo! Others already in the photo tuh,” invite Mother.

I stand by Mother's invitation.

“Ask photoin who ya?” ask me while looking at the camera.

“Selfie aja!” sahut Zihan's.

“Mana can! It's hape, selfie.”

I snorted amusedly at their little debate.

“Dialik aja, here.” I took over the camera from Dad's hand.

Then flip it over, so that the lens faces our face.

“E-Emang can?” Mother is not sure.

“Can!” zihan is impatient.

“Siap yes.. 1.. 2!”

CKREK!

“Well, how come there's no three?” mother Protest.

“Daddy belom ready!!”

...…...

I took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly for the third time.

We have returned to Jakarta. After the graduation party, Mom and Dad took me back.

Yeah, alright. I'm not resisting. But now, there's a place I want to go.

“Hannie! Lunch is ready!” exclaim Mother from the kitchen.

I was upstairs, in my room. As soon as I heard Mother's cry, I bit my finger.

I've fixed. I'll ask now. No. gabe. I'll beg now.

I went down to the kitchen at the end of the stairs. Dad and Zihan are sitting at the dinner table.

They are both very similar, especially when it comes to food. Sometimes I get confused, where all that food runs in the tiny body of Zihan.

Despite eating a lot, Zihan never looked fat.

I swallowed and nodded.

I gotta tell you now. Otherwise, I don't know when the time is right.

I sat opposite Father, and Mother beside me.

Father led the prayer as usual, then allowed us to eat the food. I haven't eaten with them in a long time.

“Eating a lot Hannie. As long as you are eating it, you are not really eating. Make it skinny gini.”

Mother brought me a lot of rice. Then put chicken, tempeh, tofu, vegetable, shrimp flour, mushroom flour, and—

“Udah, Bun. Mostly,” as I.

Otherwise I stop Mother can put all her cooking on the plate.

Mother stopped her movements and smiled. “But later add yes.”

Hearing his words, as usual I could only smile.

Many say my smile looks like Mother's. Soft and sincere looking.

I am grateful for that, because even if I force a smile, it will still look sincere. People are often fooled.

The first time, I praised Mother's cooking. Second, I still enjoy the food. Third step, I watched Dad's movements.

I guess I'll have to wait until they finish eating.

...…...

After the meal, Zihan transported the dirty dishes and glasses to the sink. Helping you wash dishes.

This time it's my chance. I cleared my throat to attract Dad's attention.

“Dad, I've graduated. And, I've been writing three books for the last four years.”

I put down the old newspaper and looked at me. Listen to what I want.

Seeing that, I continued, “Now I want to write the fourth book. Please, let me stay at Grandma's house.”

Mom also dropped the plate she was washing. Me and Dad were shocked.

Fortunately, plastic plates.

“Why?!” ask Mother not willingly.

I had expected his reaction to be like this.

“Hannie, you just returned to Jakarta. You do not feel at home again stay with Mother?!”

“Kak don't want to go again?”

I was overwhelmed by Mother and Zihan whining at each other asking me not to leave. But my resolve is round.

Mother hugged me tightly. Trying to hold me back. While Zihan, he held my hand tightly.

“But we haven't been there in a long time either. If the house is straight instead of better?”

He held his chin, thinking.

“But, son. Why should it be there?”

I was silent for a moment. My reason? I don't know. I just miss Grandma.

“I want to keep my memory with Grandma.”

Dad looked at me in silence, with a strange look.

“You've forgotten it.”

The words that came out of Dad's mouth just now made my chest feel a bit sore.

He was right, after Grandma's sudden departure my memory disappeared.

Maybe I don't want to hurt her. My brain had to bury all those memories.

“I started to remember after reading a novel. It's rustic, somehow I started to remember Grandma.”

My voice got serious.

“Dad, I want to dig up my memory again.”

Mother stopped hugging me. He knows how depressed I am after losing Grandma.

My uncle said I felt lifeless. My gaze was blank, and I just muttered ‘Nana.... Nana...

And it happened for two years, until Zihan was born.

I think Mommy's afraid the same thing will happen. But this time it was different. I'm more in control.

“Mother, I beg you,” my door with clear eyes.

I'm sure Dad's no problem, but Mommy. He's the one who's gonna keep me from dying.

.

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