Italicized Before 24 Hours
KANGENS

Septian returns home after seeing Nara from afar. Yes, that man was in the hospital. He misses Nara. I'd love to accompany Nara check the contents. But unfortunately, Nara did not like he was accompanied. The woman did not reply to any of the messages she sent.

With a matted face Septian entered the house. After salim to his mother who happened to be sitting in the guest room, he immediately went up to the room. Back he checked the phone in the hope there was a reply chat from Nara. But it turns out nil, tal there was a single reply from Nara after dozens of chat he sent.

He got some chat from Diego. The guy asks why he and Shaila didn't come to the cafe. It looks like Diego can't wait to get to work.

"Dude." Greet the mother who just entered the Septian room. The middle-aged woman appeared to bring him a glass of warm tea.

"Drink first." The decanted tea still seemed to emit a little smoke on Septian.

"Thank you, Mom." Sahut Septian while grabbing tea from the hands of the mother and immediately drink it. The warm tea was able to relieve his throat that had been feeling dry since.

"Where did you meet Nara?" Ask Mom while sitting on the bed.

"He doesn't want me to check on you." Answer the Septian in a weak voice.

Septian placed the glass containing tea that lived half on the table and approached his mother. He got on the bed and laid his head on his mother's lap.

"Patience." The mother replied while confirming the position of her son's head.

"This is what marriage looks like. Experiments in the first year are sometimes heavy. Maybe this way, you can introspect each other. Accepting the advantages of the couple is easy, but accepting the shortcomings, requires spaciousness of heart. But rest assured, if you and Nara can face this ordeal." Continue while stroking the head of Septian. Lastri sensed that his son's forehead was warm, to be sure, he placed the back of his hand on Septian.

"I really hit Nara Bu."

"It's important not to repeat."

"Will not be Mom."

"You feel warm bang. You take the medicine, right?"

"No need to Mom. Maybe it was a weariness. Made to sleep will also definitely subside by itself."

"Eh. Taking medication before it gets worse. I'll take the medicine first." Septian moved his head from the mother's lap to the pillow. His head feels dizzy. His eyes were also a little hot. Even while riding the bike, he felt cold. Maybe he's sick.

Lastri went down to take a hot-diminishing drug and a glass of water. After that he climbed back up and handed it to Septian.

...*****...

POV NARA'S

All the way home, I was silent. This guilt continues to gnaw my heart. I was wrong to accuse my husband of not being. Instead of taking care of him after the accident, I accused him of not being.

It would be unfair if he was the only one to blame here. He had indeed slapped me, but a little bit, I was the one who had provoked his emotions. Because of the trauma of being cheated on, I was overthinking.

"You wanna stop by to buy something first?" tawang.

I just answered with a slug. No appetite at all.

"You haven't had dinner yet Ra. The stomach should not be empty. Poor your son."

"But I'm not hungry."

"But your son is hungry."

"Stop the restaurant in front of you sir." Tell mom to the driver.

"Not to be a big one." I hurriedly refused. My head feels so dizzy, I don't want to stop by first. "I eat at home, huh."

As per my request, we didn't stop by. The car continued until a while later we reached home. Mom immediately brought me a dinner shirt. He told bik Surti to immediately prepare the food that he had had done.

I stared at the empty chair next door. Usually, my brother sits there. But now, the man who usually looks disinclined when eating it, is nowhere. Has he eaten? What is he doing now? I miss bang.

After Bik Surti finished arranging the dishes, I see, nothing made me taste. But my son has to eat. I forced myself to eat even though it felt so bland.

I immediately moved on after finishing off one barrel of rice and a piece of fried fish.

"I went to the room first, ma'am." I go to my mom who hasn't finished eating.

I entered the room. It felt so empty, not like it used to be when there was a brother. I sat on the side of the bed. The pillow that my brother usually wears. I kissed her, inhaling the scent of her body that was still left there. My tears slowly began to drip.

I felt the fetus in my womb kicking strongly. Kuelus slowly, maybe he was the same, missed his father.

I put the pillow back in its place. Walk towards the closet to look for brother items that may still be left behind. There are still some clothes there. He didn't take it all. Is it possible that he still hopes to stay here again? I don't know.

I took one of his shirts. The white shirt he used to wear during marriage contracts and thesis sessions. My memory goes back to the marriage contract. Where I silly even fainted after hearing the word SAH.

I also remember that day, when I fell on campus due to a fight with Mayang. My brother carried me to the parking lot. He also took care of me day and night when I had to bedrest in the hospital.

So much of his kindness. But just because of one mistake, I forgot all about it.

I'm wearing that white shirt. It feels really comfortable. Even my son calmed down when I put on his father's shirt.

"Kangen?"

I was shocked when I heard my mother's voice. I don't know when Mama came in, I didn't hear her open the door.

My mother came up to me with a glass of milk. Again I remembered brother. Usually, he brings me milk.

I grabbed a glass of milk from my mother's hand and immediately drank it. But it tastes different with artificial brother. Or maybe just my feelings.

"A Septian's been calling you?"

I'm nodding.

"So mom saw him in the hospital."

My mom saw it too. I think it's just my hallucinations.

"If you miss, try calling her."

My hands are already itching to vcall with him. But I'm ashamed.

"If you can, solve your problems immediately. It's not good for a husband and wife to separate houses like this. Especially if you have children soon. If the parents separate, the child will be the victim. Mama see, you're still in love with each other, so better, get the relationship fixed."

"Mama and papa can indeed meet the material needs of you and your child. But other needs, papa and Mama can't. So think well of what you should do."

"Well, I want to follow my brother." I said with complete confidence.

"If that's what you think is best, do it . Tomorrow morning, now you rest first, it's night."

"Not so." I shook my head quickly. "I want it now."