Happy Ending's
Chapter 20: Disappointed

"Is the Cloud asleep, Key?" whispered Erika so as not to wake the clouds that were sleeping. "Yes. Hear breath. Very calm," I said no less slowly. My little prince was in the middle, while Erika was on the left and I was alone on the right of the couch. Because of ghost stories we do not dare to sleep alone at home. That's why we decided to sleep together. 

"Key, when my friend comes tomorrow, stay here. At least until James gets home."

"alright. It's all your fault, Erika."

"Yes. And I'm sorry. I thought you were brave."

"That's just your mind. I'm really scared of stuff like that. I hope James comes home soon so I won't trouble you."

"Have I locked the front and back doors, Key?" Erika started to look panicked.

"I don't remember either. Do you want to check it out?" 

On a whim, we both got out of bed. The room was dim as only the sleeping lights were lit. "Have you locked your house, Key?" erika asked to turn on the middle room light. "Yes, I locked it." We walked to the back door that was locked. Then we headed to the front door and it was locked as well. I draw and exhale to relieve the tension.

"Why are you suddenly senile, Erika?" I grumbled.

"Sorry, Key. I really don't remember. Do you want some coffee?"

"What time is your friend coming?" 

"Eitherway. Now it's eleven o'clock and we just have to wait for him."

"I forgot to ask. Is your friend a boy or a girl."

"He's a handsome guy! Even too handsome for the size of an Indonesian. I had a crush on him in college, but he always refused my invitation to date. We were friends, four people. Two men and two women. My other two best friends they liked each other and eventually they got married. At the time, I thought it would never hurt if she and I were dating. But not sure if he has another woman. Ha ha ha ha." Erika said it ended with a crisp laugh and I laughed too. Not because of the story but because of Erika's laughter. He has a typical laugh similar to a female artist named Soimah while playing a gig.

"How are your other two best friends? Did they not come here?" Hearing my question Erika became lethargic. Face dimmed. Like remembering something bad.

"Their story is tragic, Key. They used to be a happy family with one child. Until one day both my male friends and their children want to play golf together and somehow the story of the car they were riding in had an accident. The father and son died on the spot. While my other friend, who is coming here, is the only one who survived despite serious injuries. Since then, he has blamed himself for the deaths of his friends and children. He was traumatized and depressed until he locked himself in the house, no longer wanted to drive a car or be in a crowd. He became very quiet and closed. Perhaps it was his guilt that made him that way."

"Does your best friend blame her for the death of her husband and child?"

"No. Not at all. He was sad but it would be even sadder if my other friend died too. She is a very wise woman in her attitude. She believes that the death of her husband and child is part of the life that must be accepted and lived. I think that's what destiny is. We never know when and where we will die. Just like I don't know if I'm going to be a perfect woman or not" Erika replied as she stroked her stomach. I then hugged her, rubbed her back so that the tears she had been holding back since then could unravel. And moments later, the woman in my arms was like a very fragile glass. Her crying flooded my back. Apparently, behind his brilliance all this time stored a deep wound. Wounds over the death of his best friend. Especially the hurt of the heart because God never gave him a baby. She wants to be a full woman. Which contains, gives birth, and breastfeeds. Yeah, I think all women have the same desires as Erika. Being the perfect woman.